AE86- What do you think?

[neema_T]

Hello all,

Basically here's what's happened- My car (a corsa 1.4 16v) was written off last week, so now I have no car. I would be upset, but, well, every cloud has a silver lining and in this case that silver lining is that I can finally get a new car! I'd something a bit nicer and somewhat more unusual, and I really want an AE86, and I'm not sure why. I'm lying, I am sure why, its the sub-1000kg dry weight, rear wheel drive with a not enormous amount of power, and the gorgeousness of it all...
Before you ask, yes I have seen Initial D, but the main reasons I love that car so much are Gran Turismo 4, and the videos of them on youtube!

Anyway, so I know they go for about £4-5k for an average one and up to £10k for a heavily modified one, but I want to know what their fuel consumption is like when standard, and how expensive they are to insure if you're 21? I've got a clean license and all, but would I be better off forgetting about it and going for something smaller, like say a Daihatsu Cuore Avanzato TR-XX R4? Or maybe you have some other suggestions for unusual, preferrably japanese cars? No Toyota Seras though please.

Thanks

[_Batty_]

MR2 Tubby
FTO GPX
Celica ST185

[Marf]

I can comment on the TRxx, driven one a coupla times, great fun to drive but ultimately not that fast, stupidly short gears and runs out of puff by 60/70mph in standard form. The gearboxes are known weakpoints, and parts can take a while to arrive as most dealers dont carry stock so your talking 3-4 weeks wait while they come from Japan.

That said the engines are very strong, and like the Charade GTti's can be modded heavily without changing engine internals.

[Wadeski]

AE86s: great, rare, hugely overpriced.

if you want the same engine, and RWD, in a lighter body: get a Mk1 MR2 for a grand.

[shadowninja]

As I understand it, if you want to do what you see on You Tube, you will have to add a turbo because they are underpowered. Also, AE86s are quite pricy because everyone wants one...

[AJI]

as already said they are hugely overpriced for what you get.

They do have a reputation as a drift car but they are no better than a 200SX , in fact a 200sx is easier to drift due to the longer wheel base.

They are the Escort MKii of the Japanese world.... and as such people want huge £££ for them.

I wouldn't spend the money on one personally because you can get so much more car if you look elsewhere.


I also think they are over-rated..... but in their day they were the puppies plums !

[Riknos]

They are way overpriced, because of things like Initial D.
For that price, and at your age, you could be the owner of a good condition, ST205 Celica GT4 pushing out 250bhp with AWD. And insure it for under a grand

[Dellage]

If you're happy to pay the cash for one and it's what you want then go for it I say.

A lightweight 1.6 isn't going to break the bank in fuel and if looked after the 4AGE engine is pretty resilient and loves to rev.

No idea on insurance at 21, call some insurance companies and find out

I really like the little 86's, prefer the later shape with the fixed lights (Levin?). Considered one a few times but I'm an S body man through and through and just can't seem to tear myself away from the Nissans for some strange reason!

• Quick Edit to add, they're not actually under powered for the sideways stuff, they just require a little more driver effort than a bigger capacity turbocharged car would

Edited by Dellage on Thursday 1st November 14:50

[shadowninja]

Dellage said:

they're not actually under powered for the sideways stuff, they just require a little more driver effort than a bigger capacity turbocharged car would

true!

[denisb]

I have had AE86's since 1989 and still race one in Classic Modified Saloons.

They are fun to drive, if modified, and relatively cheap but ultimately very poor value for money for £4.5K.

You buy an AE86 because that is all you want. If you are happy to look at other cars then I would seriously recommend doing so, you'll get a better car for your money.

[neema_T]

thanks for the input guys, i've always quite liked 200sx's too, but an ae86 levin is like my dream car... in fact i like celicas and AW11 mr2's as well, i guess i'm just going to see what i can afford when it comes down to it. 5k does seem like a LOT of money for a mid-eighties jap sport coupe really, i love them though!

[coupeboy]

Buy an ae86.... I have one at the moment, they are a great little car, mine is pretty much standard uk except for wheels and stiffer lower suspension... and if you want to sell it you will more than likely get what you paid for it... there's not a lot of cars you can say that about..

[EvoBarry]

denisb said:

If you are happy to look at other cars then I would seriously recommend doing so, you'll get a better car for your money.

I've had two AE86s, and have to say, spend the money on a decent MX5 instead, they are more or less the same thing imo, and you can get em cheaper!

I did love both Corollas though I must admit, cracking motors.

[firstmk1]

I get 32-35mpg from my MR2 and the service costs are cheap, if you like to get your hands dirty.

[Blue Meanie]

The ae86's are lovely! I remember the Drift King giving a skyline, and a scooby (IIRC) a good pasting on a touge course, in his modified corolla. I think it was putting out about 145, or 175 bhp. Looked like a cracking car to hoon about in! However, for the money, I'd go for an MR2 Turbo, or another turbo jobby of that ilk. 200sx, GT4, etc. All better everyday cars, and faster. However, it depends what you are after.