Maybe an ae86?
Discussion
As a 19 year old I am some what lost at sea as to what car I'd like to buy. I've been looking since I passed my driving test nearly 2 years ago. I have always been a fan of Japanese performance cars and the prospect of owning a ae86 is tantalizing! I just wanted to know if I was to buy one (at this point I'm still not sure) which year is better in relation to collect ability (I'm aware there was a mk1 and a mk2?) what kind of money a reasonably good one are changing hands these days. Plus importantly where to find one. I've been looking on the internet for a couple of hours and only come across 1! I have looked at other forums and many people choose to import cars from Japan, Is this worth considering? Lastly I'm sure insurance won't be cheap but I'm willing to get it bought and keep it in garage as an investment and wait until I'm of the right age to get it out to where it belongs, on the open road. Any advice would be most welcome.
From a petrolhead in dispair!
Cameron.
(to add: I originally posted in the Jap chat but there isn't a lot of activity so I posted it here as well.)
From a petrolhead in dispair!
Cameron.
(to add: I originally posted in the Jap chat but there isn't a lot of activity so I posted it here as well.)
To get a good one at the moment you're looking from £7k upto £12k for a mint example. Newera imports are your best bet for finding one, they'll be more expensive but they only get mint cars from Japan. Check insurance quotes on them as they can be expensive. Other than that to find one over here for sale just requires patience and searching. Also, try a few jap forums such as the Toyota owners clubs and Driftworks.
Thanks for the reply. Insurance is something which is a pain but like I said, I could always put it in the garage and take it out once in a while with temporary insurance (is this possible?). By the way I understand these cars have a rather large following? Are they likely to appreciate in the next few years? Anyway I will get searching and report back on my findings! 
CJ Loves Ruf said:
Thanks for the reply. Insurance is something which is a pain but like I said, I could always put it in the garage and take it out once in a while with temporary insurance (is this possible?). By the way I understand these cars have a rather large following? Are they likely to appreciate in the next few years? Anyway I will get searching and report back on my findings!
You can't tax a car on temporary insurance, though arguably you could insure it properly, tax it, then cancel.In a related note, if a car is taxed, if you don't have an insurance policy in place you get fined for not having insurance (even if it never leaves the garage).
The only way to legally keep an ininsured vehicle off the road is to declare SORN. Which brings us back to the problem of taxing it when you DO want to use it.
They are great cars, but they are a lot of money for what they are. An old RWD car, like a BMW or Porsche, will also provide a similar experience for much less money.
If you really want one, try carontrack.com, but be prepared to fight the rust, and a sever shortage of parts. A friend had real problems sourcing a diff and gearbox, and that was over 10 years ago.
http://www.carontrack.com/toyota/index.shtml
I think they are a great car for someone who's aware of the pitfalls, but it's not a lot of car when you look at it from a value for money aspect.
If you really want one, try carontrack.com, but be prepared to fight the rust, and a sever shortage of parts. A friend had real problems sourcing a diff and gearbox, and that was over 10 years ago.
http://www.carontrack.com/toyota/index.shtml
I think they are a great car for someone who's aware of the pitfalls, but it's not a lot of car when you look at it from a value for money aspect.
GravelBen said:
CJ Loves Ruf said:
By the way I understand these cars have a rather large following?
Understatement of the year - think of the as a Japanese equivalent of the Mk2 Escort.Does it have to be an AE86? A non-turbo Nissan Silva/200SX/S14/S15 would be cheaper non?
I'd try other similar cars before spending thousands on a rusty 80's Toyota. A Mk1 MR2 has the same engine, only a bit more weight and is also excellent to drive and more exotic, as well as being available for a few hundred quid.
I bought one of my FC RX7s from a chap who also had a AE86. He claimed the RX7 was very similar to drive, but much cheaper to own. FC RX7s cost a few hundred quid to buy, which leaves loads of money left over for petrol and new engines.
There is another obvious AE86-a-like for much less money - mk1 MX5s have similar performance and handling, and cost next to nothing to buy and run. Homosexual roof and only two seats are the only problems.
Also try: 924, E30 325i, E30 318is, S12 Nissan Silvia, S13 200SX or, if you really want to spend decent AE86 money: an Elise or a 968.
I love 86s, but the sort of money they now cost can buy a lot of other cars, some of which you may like more. Remember part of the original appeal of the 86 was that they were cheap.
I bought one of my FC RX7s from a chap who also had a AE86. He claimed the RX7 was very similar to drive, but much cheaper to own. FC RX7s cost a few hundred quid to buy, which leaves loads of money left over for petrol and new engines.
There is another obvious AE86-a-like for much less money - mk1 MX5s have similar performance and handling, and cost next to nothing to buy and run. Homosexual roof and only two seats are the only problems.
Also try: 924, E30 325i, E30 318is, S12 Nissan Silvia, S13 200SX or, if you really want to spend decent AE86 money: an Elise or a 968.
I love 86s, but the sort of money they now cost can buy a lot of other cars, some of which you may like more. Remember part of the original appeal of the 86 was that they were cheap.
Captain Muppet said:
I'd try other similar cars before spending thousands on a rusty 80's Toyota. A Mk1 MR2 has the same engine, only a bit more weight and is also excellent to drive and more exotic, as well as being available for a few hundred quid.
I bought one of my FC RX7s from a chap who also had a AE86. He claimed the RX7 was very similar to drive, but much cheaper to own. FC RX7s cost a few hundred quid to buy, which leaves loads of money left over for petrol and new engines.
There is another obvious AE86-a-like for much less money - mk1 MX5s have similar performance and handling, and cost next to nothing to buy and run. Homosexual roof and only two seats are the only problems.
Also try: 924, E30 325i, E30 318is, S12 Nissan Silvia, S13 200SX or, if you really want to spend decent AE86 money: an Elise or a 968.
I love 86s, but the sort of money they now cost can buy a lot of other cars, some of which you may like more. Remember part of the original appeal of the 86 was that they were cheap.
Well my intention would be to keep it as an investment. From what I heard its a good drivers car with a large following. I just personally have a liking for the ae86. It has a certain charm and yes it is a lot of money for the car but with the appeal it has it's not going to depreciate. I'm just nervous about importing. As a first time buyer of any car I'm a little daunted by the prospect. But have found what appears to be a good unmolested car. Can anyone talk me through the process of importing a car from Japan?I bought one of my FC RX7s from a chap who also had a AE86. He claimed the RX7 was very similar to drive, but much cheaper to own. FC RX7s cost a few hundred quid to buy, which leaves loads of money left over for petrol and new engines.
There is another obvious AE86-a-like for much less money - mk1 MX5s have similar performance and handling, and cost next to nothing to buy and run. Homosexual roof and only two seats are the only problems.
Also try: 924, E30 325i, E30 318is, S12 Nissan Silvia, S13 200SX or, if you really want to spend decent AE86 money: an Elise or a 968.
I love 86s, but the sort of money they now cost can buy a lot of other cars, some of which you may like more. Remember part of the original appeal of the 86 was that they were cheap.
http://www.carontrack.com/toyota/levin/007.shtml
d love child. MX7 said:
MX5 is a great idea. In fact, an MX5 + MEV isn't far off an AE, far rarer, better looking imo, and parts cost pence. You should be able to do it for about £4k, and it might qualify for kit insurance.
GravelBen said:
CJ Loves Ruf said:
By the way I understand these cars have a rather large following?
Understatement of the year - think of the as a Japanese equivalent of the Mk2 Escort.The Mk2 I think you mentioned before is in referene to the AE111? (Not 100% Positive on this), they had less of a cult following, but are still very capable cars IMO.
In terms of further appreciation in price I really dont think there is much to be made. IMO the price is already overinflated due to the popularity of Initial D and drifting. It could possibly hold on to its current value for a few years, but in terms of appreciation IMO there's not much room other than inflation.
As said there are many more cars out there far more capable for a fraction of the price. With very little money you can get an equally good handling and much quicker Nissan S14 or RX-7. I know that power/performance isnt end all and be all of a car purchase, but a 20-30 year old hatchback with a 1.6L engine is going to run out of steam rather quickly in the modern world.
Here in Ireland, these cars have a cult following and parts are plentiful. Around 2006 they were at their peak and you'd have struggled to get a good one for under 10k. Now, 4.5 - 7k would lift a good one.
They're rustbuckets if untreated. Check back pockets, bottoms of the doors, bootlid, engine bay where the heat from the manifold gets at them etc etc. Get it on a ramp, and check it over as you would any other 80's car.
They're rustbuckets if untreated. Check back pockets, bottoms of the doors, bootlid, engine bay where the heat from the manifold gets at them etc etc. Get it on a ramp, and check it over as you would any other 80's car.
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