Tell me about the Corolla AE86
- Thread starter DreXeL
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not read the thread, but ive just put a deposit down on an AE86 import for a cheap runaround
Yea, cos when you drive a VW Golf you need another car for a runabout, Golfs are just not practical enough for day to day use
Man of Honour
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Not least when the engine is out having some... work done.
out of interest whats the ae86 like? detail details!
i aint even driven it yet! stupid i know. its a friends who lives about half an hour from me, imported june last year, hardly driven. has a few bits and bobs on it, only pic i have was sent to my phone, your trditional InitialD colour scheme. He is coming round end of the week so i can take a proper look - he had a lot of interest off other people which is why i paid a deposit down, refundable so i guess im not that worse off if its not what im looking for.
not sure wereelse its advertised if anywere, ill take pics etc at weekend.
not sure wereelse its advertised if anywere, ill take pics etc at weekend.
Soldato
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InitialD film is great... AE86 > Evo
Whilst I like the idea of them, it's solely for the fact of the possibilities in tuning shown in IntialD I think it's a bit of a silly car to be getting after the silly 'teg. But then you wouldn't be you without a silly car.
InvG
Whilst I like the idea of them, it's solely for the fact of the possibilities in tuning shown in IntialD I think it's a bit of a silly car to be getting after the silly 'teg. But then you wouldn't be you without a silly car.
InvG
Wow, didn't expect to come into this thread and see a pile of of posts from people who haven't got the faintest idea what they are talking about!
I'll leave it at that.
Okay, on to the AE86.
I have worked on and driven these cars in anger for years.
The AE86 (chassis code) known as the Corolla GT Coupe in the UK, Levin/Trueno/Sprinter/Apex etc in various other markets.
Forget the fact that it's a "Mid-80's Corolla" because it isn't really. Interior is horrible but if you are looking at an AE86 for the right reasons then you won't care.
All UK Models should have (to the best of my knowledge) a DOHC 16v 4AG engine as used in the Mk1 MR2. Between 120 and 130 bhp if in good fettle.
Every UK AE86 I have driven or worked on had a factory fit LSD although these can get very "soft" with age and end up behaving like an open differential.
If you are the sort of person who can see absolutely no reason why a road car would need an LSD or what you would gain from it on an enjoyment level other than a slight increase in cornering traction then you should probably turn around now and leave the thread because the whole concept of enjoying driving sideways is going to almost certainly be lost on you.
Drivetrain is generally very robust - conventional RWD setup, gearboxes can become whiney with age and halfshafts can break if youy are extremely cack handed on uneven surfaces.
Driving experience is extremely rewarding. Sharp steering, good turn-in, minimal understeer. Nicely balanced, easy (IMO) to drive fast and very very easy to encourage sideways action so long as your clutch and LSD are tight. Some people feel the AE86 lacks power as standard but this is normally because these people have stepped out of 2-300bhp Silvias. Engines can suffer head gasket failure and cam wear but nothing to particularly look out for. They are not habitually unreliable cars but you will need to consider the age of it and the associated wear and tear that happens over time.
The main thing you are looking for is rot. Everywhere. Particularly the A posts, sills, rear chassis rails, rear pockets (behind the bumper), spare wheel well, floorpan/bulkhead seam. All panels. Sunroof. Window surrounds (hard to repair neatly) Inner wings and engine bay in general don't seem to suffer so badly. UK cars are usually about a million times worse for rot than imported cars.
It's a shame that the car has become a target for big spenders and "scene tax" following it's popularity in Initial D and the drift bandwagon in general. Now people just harp on about the cost and forget that it's actually a very good drivers car. Or assume you are a drift king wannabe with more money than sense.
Would I buy one? No, not now. Too expensive for what it is. Would I HAVE one? Without a doubt yes. If prices started coming back to the 2k mark I'd consider one again.
Alternatives?
Nissan S12 has been mentioned, also fun to drive but much larger than the AE86, nowhere near as rewarding to drive, tends to be a bit "all or nothing" you are either wheelspinning on the spot or up against the lockstops whereas the AE86 is so much more progressive. The MX-5 is the closest thing I can compare it to really, has that same nimble feel to it. A good one (a set of Bilsteins or random Japanese coilovers of your choice is ideal replacement for the tired OE dampers) will be very rewarding to drive if that is the sort of car you like - and coming from an Integra I think it will be.
Lots of fat useless chumps buy AE86's and think that jumping in with their foot to the floor is just going to transform them into some kind of driving god. Of course it won't, and I think you know that.
My advice to you personally would be to find someone who has one and really knows how to drive it and get them to take you out down a single track country lane with the hammer down. Then have a go yourself. I guarantee you will be grinning from ear to ear when you get out of the car.
Hope that was more helpful than "LOL ITZ AN AYTIES COROLLA INNIT? SHED TBH"
I'll leave it at that.
Okay, on to the AE86.
I have worked on and driven these cars in anger for years.
The AE86 (chassis code) known as the Corolla GT Coupe in the UK, Levin/Trueno/Sprinter/Apex etc in various other markets.
Forget the fact that it's a "Mid-80's Corolla" because it isn't really. Interior is horrible but if you are looking at an AE86 for the right reasons then you won't care.
All UK Models should have (to the best of my knowledge) a DOHC 16v 4AG engine as used in the Mk1 MR2. Between 120 and 130 bhp if in good fettle.
Every UK AE86 I have driven or worked on had a factory fit LSD although these can get very "soft" with age and end up behaving like an open differential.
If you are the sort of person who can see absolutely no reason why a road car would need an LSD or what you would gain from it on an enjoyment level other than a slight increase in cornering traction then you should probably turn around now and leave the thread because the whole concept of enjoying driving sideways is going to almost certainly be lost on you.
Drivetrain is generally very robust - conventional RWD setup, gearboxes can become whiney with age and halfshafts can break if youy are extremely cack handed on uneven surfaces.
Driving experience is extremely rewarding. Sharp steering, good turn-in, minimal understeer. Nicely balanced, easy (IMO) to drive fast and very very easy to encourage sideways action so long as your clutch and LSD are tight. Some people feel the AE86 lacks power as standard but this is normally because these people have stepped out of 2-300bhp Silvias. Engines can suffer head gasket failure and cam wear but nothing to particularly look out for. They are not habitually unreliable cars but you will need to consider the age of it and the associated wear and tear that happens over time.
The main thing you are looking for is rot. Everywhere. Particularly the A posts, sills, rear chassis rails, rear pockets (behind the bumper), spare wheel well, floorpan/bulkhead seam. All panels. Sunroof. Window surrounds (hard to repair neatly) Inner wings and engine bay in general don't seem to suffer so badly. UK cars are usually about a million times worse for rot than imported cars.
It's a shame that the car has become a target for big spenders and "scene tax" following it's popularity in Initial D and the drift bandwagon in general. Now people just harp on about the cost and forget that it's actually a very good drivers car. Or assume you are a drift king wannabe with more money than sense.
Would I buy one? No, not now. Too expensive for what it is. Would I HAVE one? Without a doubt yes. If prices started coming back to the 2k mark I'd consider one again.
Alternatives?
Nissan S12 has been mentioned, also fun to drive but much larger than the AE86, nowhere near as rewarding to drive, tends to be a bit "all or nothing" you are either wheelspinning on the spot or up against the lockstops whereas the AE86 is so much more progressive. The MX-5 is the closest thing I can compare it to really, has that same nimble feel to it. A good one (a set of Bilsteins or random Japanese coilovers of your choice is ideal replacement for the tired OE dampers) will be very rewarding to drive if that is the sort of car you like - and coming from an Integra I think it will be.
Lots of fat useless chumps buy AE86's and think that jumping in with their foot to the floor is just going to transform them into some kind of driving god. Of course it won't, and I think you know that.
My advice to you personally would be to find someone who has one and really knows how to drive it and get them to take you out down a single track country lane with the hammer down. Then have a go yourself. I guarantee you will be grinning from ear to ear when you get out of the car.
Hope that was more helpful than "LOL ITZ AN AYTIES COROLLA INNIT? SHED TBH"
Associate
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Nice review Lopez! Having recently been given a blast of a 1.8 MX5 with after market coilovers down a tight twisty lane I can definitely see where you're coming from in the enjoyment and rewarding drive aspect even if it does mean a drop in power.
If you really must get rid of the Teg Drex, how about an MX5?
If you really must get rid of the Teg Drex, how about an MX5?
Thankyou Lopez, that is exactly the kind of reply I was looking for when I started this thread, and TBH they sound exactly like my perception of them. I am fully aware that the price they currently command is absurd, but for whatever reason, it's not putting me off, I really like them.
As far as the driving experience goes I can really see myself gelling with an AE86, I like a responsive, flickable, progressive and predictable chassis (that's the main thing I love about the Integra), and I just think I'd get on really well with the '86. I don't expect to get in one and suddenly turn into a drift god from the moment I turn the key though
Thanks again for your post, very helpfull
Am I going to get one? I don't know, I still haven't fully decided that I'm selling the Integra yet. I have also considered an MX5, I could get a very nice one with my budget, although if I'm honest the girly looks of the MX5 don't really do it for me. They are still an option though.
As far as the driving experience goes I can really see myself gelling with an AE86, I like a responsive, flickable, progressive and predictable chassis (that's the main thing I love about the Integra), and I just think I'd get on really well with the '86. I don't expect to get in one and suddenly turn into a drift god from the moment I turn the key though
Thanks again for your post, very helpfull
Am I going to get one? I don't know, I still haven't fully decided that I'm selling the Integra yet. I have also considered an MX5, I could get a very nice one with my budget, although if I'm honest the girly looks of the MX5 don't really do it for me. They are still an option though.
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Soldato
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The 'girly' looks shouldn't bother you. It's a great deal of fun instructing the odd chav who knows nowt about cars just how 'girly' it is, when cornering so quickly the wheels would fall off his Corsa if he tried to keep up. Soft top motoring is good and having gotten a great deal recently, including a hard top, you can have the best of all worlds. Plus, you've got the family bus if you are taking anyone anywhere so who needs practical???
I do like the AE86 as well mind and just HAVE to suggest a proper sorted Mk1 MR2...could get one with a 2litre tubby conversion or the v6 conversion for reasonable money...
Soldato
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wrong, Initial D film SUCKS.
Watch the manga then come back
Get me a copy and I will, else no, I'll stick with the film being good.
InvG
Nice write up Lopez, the forums needs more of that tbh. Much appreciated for my own interests in general (Initial D fan lol).
I've always had a hankering for oldschool JDM, but I'm always put off by the fact I have no space to get the spanners out and dry storage to keep them in a condition I would be happy with, plus I'd always buy a project to save costs and increase learning. I'm rather jealous you can consider these options, I'll stick to reading Japanese nostalgic car
Have you considered any classics? 510, Z cars, KPGC110, 70's Celica GT etc. Probably too rare and expensive but I'd love to see a project thread
I've always had a hankering for oldschool JDM, but I'm always put off by the fact I have no space to get the spanners out and dry storage to keep them in a condition I would be happy with, plus I'd always buy a project to save costs and increase learning. I'm rather jealous you can consider these options, I'll stick to reading Japanese nostalgic car
Have you considered any classics? 510, Z cars, KPGC110, 70's Celica GT etc. Probably too rare and expensive but I'd love to see a project thread
Get me a copy and I will, else no, I'll stick with the film being good.
InvG
You know there are 63 1/2 hour episodes, a film, and 3 feature length episodes
It can be organised though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0hRzpZyJlU
Japanese Mk2 Escort, 'nuff said!. Lovely cars, hell, i'd make do with a standard rwd Corolla if the road rally crew (Lopez? ) hadn't bought them all up...
Japanese Mk2 Escort, 'nuff said!
. Lovely cars, hell, i'd make do with a standard rwd Corolla if the road rally crew (Lopez? ) hadn't bought them all up...
Soldato
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You know there are 63 1/2 hour episodes, a film, and 3 feature length episodes
Oh yes? ... I have an email account you know...'cept it's broken so only have a hotmail one.
Brilliant.
I have to say Lopez's post is brilliant and it's a shame when someone asks about cars that they don't get similar responses...they get similar to the most part of this thread, or 'buy a mondeo'.
InvG