Sunday 25th February 2018

Toyota Starlet Turbo S: Spotted

After a rare Japanese performance hatch? Let the Starlet take centre stage...

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The Toyota Starlet has never been a car to stir the loins, instead content with being a car stirred by learners, mashing at the pedals for the first time - including yours truly.

In the UK, the Toyota Starlet was sold from the fourth generation before being replaced with the more modern Yaris and then Aygo models, but this is no typical Starlet. This is the third generation EP71 series, the first model to have switched to front-wheel drive, and running a 1.3-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The small unit might not have masses of power, with 105hp and 110lb ft but, fitted with a two-mode turbo switch - allowing the driver to bleed waste gate pressure to the atmospheric side of the compressor via an electric solenoid - this Starlet flies through the mid-range. Boost comes from 2,000rpm with the little turbo running out of steam at 5,500rpm, even though there is still an extra 1,300rpm left till redline.

The Turbo S and R models were also the first to be fitted with Toyota's own semi-active suspension (TEMS) allowing the driver to either change modes depending on the road surface or leave it to make the decision for itself. The system helped prevent nose-dive during heavy braking whilst also suppressing suspension squat and roll during acceleration and cornering. Pretty normal nowadays, but in 1989 it was a feature reserved only for the pinnacle of luxury vehicles.

The interior is like stepping back to the glory days of the 80s - plush sports seats, simple leather rimmed steering wheel, electric windows and mirrors as well as climate control. This JDM model alludes to its added sportiness with an off-centre bonnet scoop, double rear spoiler, front and rear skirts and reflective 'intercooler turbo' lettering on the side, just in case you forget. 80s hot hatch prices have been going through the roof, but a European alternative like the Renault 5 GT Turbo or Peugeot 205 GTI go for similar money. However, nothing from this continent will quite match the quirkiness of the Starlet or its tech.

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SPECIFICATION - TOYOTA STARLET TURBO S EP71

Engine: 1,296cc, 4-cyl turbocharged
Transmission: 5-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 105@5,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 110@3,600rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1989
Recorded mileage: 72,000 miles
Price new: N/A
Price now: £7,995

See the original advert here

[Jual Mass Flywheel]

Just don't crash into a wheelie bin...........................

[lord trumpton]

Oooof that looks 'oh so eighties' awesome. Love it

[road_rager]

that looks superb!

[tin duck dave]

Jual Mass Flywheel said:

Just don't crash into a wheelie bin...........................

Especially behind that lovely stylish dashboard

[Maldini35]

I raced against one of these a few years ago. I don’t know what boost it was running but it was a rocketship!
It tip-toed around the corners and at first sight of a straight it was gone. Like Millenium Falcon hyperdrive fast.
Must have been horrible to drive but it finished ahead of me in my M3...

[irish boy]

Very popular in Belfast around the turn of the century. Quicker than the figures suggest....a lot of fun.

[VR6 Eug]

I had a little race with a black one of these on the A3 just outside of Guildford on the way to Portsmouth and he matched me for Acceleration to 110 mph and I was in my vr6 corrado.....fast little car for 1.3

[Veeayt]

VR6 Eug said:

I had a little race with a black one of these on the A3 just outside of Guildford on the way to Portsmouth and he matched me for Acceleration to 110 mph and I was in my vr6 corrado.....fast little car for 1.3

Are you sure it was standard?

[Mike1990]

Love Japanese 80’s Hot Hatches. So cool.

[Iceicebsby1980]

Loads of starlets-glanzas come up for sale on the forums for under 5k . Most of them modded if I was in the market for one that's were I would be looking.

[Gandahar]

This and the Daihatsu Charade GTti please in my fantasy garage of little turbo Japanese rockets.

Down a B road you would be laughing your rocks off. The giggle factor would be warp factor 10.

[VR6 Eug]

Veeayt said:

VR6 Eug said:

I had a little race with a black one of these on the A3 just outside of Guildford on the way to Portsmouth and he matched me for Acceleration to 110 mph and I was in my vr6 corrado.....fast little car for 1.3

Are you sure it was standard?

No that wouldn't have been std, the turbo must have been wound up...the corrado should have wiped the floor with him, that was the shocking bit he kept up, much to my mates amusement from the passenger seat..

[swindler]

I had the EP82 generation one of these. It was standard, and faster than an Impreza turbo upto 100mph. It replaced my R5 GT Turbo and was an absolute rocketship in comparison. I can't comment on the published stats other than they are palpably wrong. It would easily beat a VR6.

[JamesyBoy75]

Maldini35 said:

I raced against one of these a few years ago. I don’t know what boost it was running but it was a rocketship!
It tip-toed around the corners and at first sight of a straight it was gone. Like Millenium Falcon hyperdrive fast.
Must have been horrible to drive but it finished ahead of me in my M3...

Are you in Shropshire/Wostershire? The guy who looked after my Gt4 runs one of these along with a fettled Supra.

[CoolHands]

A bit of fun for 6 months but only really a 1500 quid motor in my opinion.

[Yipper]

That would be a good Summer project, to clean it up a bit and get it detailed back to 1980s condition. Price seems high.

[Chestrockwell]

CoolHands said:

A bit of fun for 6 months but only really a 1500 quid motor in my opinion.

+ 1

8 grand, what’s this dealer on? 8 grand will get you a decent EK9 Type R, that starlets worth 3 k max and I bet that’s what he’ll take in 6 months time when it’s still for sale

8 grand?!

[Grimlock]

I had an ep82 years ago it was the first one in southampton and there was only two others close by at the time one in bournemouth and one in portsmouth.
Had great fun upsetting lots of cars, was running a td04 turbo, front mount, apex induction kit and hks fcd. They had a high / low boost button on the dash.

Would love to get another.

[vz-r_dave]

Chestrockwell said:

CoolHands said:

A bit of fun for 6 months but only really a 1500 quid motor in my opinion.

+ 1

8 grand, what’s this dealer on? 8 grand will get you a decent EK9 Type R, that starlets worth 3 k max and I bet that’s what he’ll take in 6 months time when it’s still for sale

8 grand?!

The target market for this car is defo not someone who is looking at EK9 Type R's I can assure you.

[On Looker]

Had a friend who was running around 210bhp in one of this, wheel spin for days but very fun.
I prefer the Glanza myself.