Talk to me about Toyota starlet (turbo)

robinbanks · 1 Oct 2014 at 13:45

I have been looking for a hot hatch that i can have some fun modding (not halford bling) My mr2 has been grate fun but it needs of too much work so will most likely split over the winter

The reason i have gone for starlet is the fact that its turbo (never had a turbo car) small (I have 3 other cars on the drive so), and the fact it has a large amount of aftermarket parts and last of all it has 4 seats (well just).

has anyone had the gt or glanza if so what was it like? was it costly to run? i was thinking its best to import one over due to boy racers, also is there anything other car i should look at for around 3-4K?

mccarf · 1 Oct 2014 at 14:10

Little bit different but not HUGE sized by any means... a Mitsubishi RVR? Some of the old ones came with the evo engines and drivetrain but look completely sleeper. Since you're considering importing, it could be an option.

robinbanks · 1 Oct 2014 at 14:22

mccarf said:
Little bit different but not HUGE sized by any means... a Mitsubishi RVR? Some of the old ones came with the evo engines and drivetrain but look completely sleeper. Since you're considering importing, it could be an option.

thanks for the idea but it looks a little big and i cant see it being cheap to run with all that weight and that power.

BD10NNF · 1 Oct 2014 at 14:24

If it were me I'd get the newer Glanza V not the GT Turbo. Looks much better.

They are really good little cars. Get a manual not an auto. Also you'll want to replace the horrid interior seats with something better.

They are pretty cheap to run as its only a 1.3 but if you tune it of course that will go up in petrol and insurance cost. Also depends on your age as insurance companies might screw you over if you're young and live in a high risk area.

If you're going to import one it will be more like £4k-£6k for a Glanza. I'd love one but it's now too small and a backward step from my T sport.

mccarf · 1 Oct 2014 at 14:43

robinbanks said:
thanks for the idea but it looks a little big and i cant see it being cheap to run with all that weight and that power.

No problem. It is probably more expensive to run than the starlet so fair enough

. I spoke to a guy at trax who owned a heavily modified starlet (think his was around 350bhp). He said it wasn't even difficult to drive because of the LSD which shocked me. He seemed pretty happy with it and said he couldn't stop tinkering with it, and since it looks like you want to do the same it seems like a good choice of car.

robinbanks · 1 Oct 2014 at 14:52

BD10NNF said:
If it were me I'd get the newer Glanza V not the GT Turbo. Looks much better.

They are really good little cars. Get a manual not an auto. Also you'll want to replace the horrid interior seats with something better.

They are pretty cheap to run as its only a 1.3 but if you tune it of course that will go up in petrol and insurance cost. Also depends on your age as insurance companies might screw you over if you're young and live in a high risk area.

If you're going to import one it will be more like £4k-£6k for a Glanza. I'd love one but it's now too small and a backward step from my T sport.

i have been keeping an eye on: http://www.japaneseusedcars.com/
and http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?p=project/findlots&s&ld

going price seem to be aound £2k in japan. but it all depends what the market is like at the time of buying.

wouldn't touch a auto and the seat we be replaced

N43SP33D · 1 Oct 2014 at 15:13

hi mate there is a lad local to me that specialises in them, id-workz i believe is his business name but he has told me loads about them, and there pocket rockets. There fairly cheap to get to 200bhp but beyond that they get expensive, due to the weight a 200bhp will fly and outrun almost anything on your private runways.... The best thing to do is get on ukstarletowners club for more info. I've actually signed up for a while because I wanted to transplant a starlet bonnet scoop onto my supra so was after a 2nd hand bonnet but now and again have a nose on their forum.

TehBluebear · 1 Oct 2014 at 15:33

Oh hello

Mk3 GT Turbo owner myself.

First off, mooch over to UK Starlet Owners (www.ukstarletowners.com). There's normally quite a few up for sale there, and the beauty of the site is that they usually have a build thread up as well.

GT Turbos are generally a bit cheaper to insure than the Glanzas, and the emissions testing is a bit more relaxed on them due to their age. However, if you like changing up the exterior of your cars, the Glanza has a lot more choice on parts to get etc. In terms of running costs, for the amount of fun you can have out of them, they are cheap. However most of them are starting to get to the age where things are dying or getting worn, so be prepared. The standard CT9 turbo is one, with oil seals failing. Once rebuilt though, they should be good for another 20 years.

Most of them are manuals, so you won't be short of choice.

As above, 200bhp tends to be a sweet spot for the Starlets without spending silly money, and can be obtained while still on the standard turbo running at about 1 bar. You will need some supporting mods to enable a safe 1bar (mostly to help with fueling) so be aware that it isn't just a case of whacking it up. I myself have my Starlet on 0.8 bar and it's still nippy! (Got 173bhp on the recent OcUK Powerstation RR day).

The Starlets true weapon is its weight. GTs are about 860kg depending on options, and Glanzas are about 920kg iirc. Handling needs some money spent on it to bring it to its best (shock/spring combo and rear ARB at the least)

Anyway, quick pic of mine (in spoiler tags because it's mahoosive). Virtually standard exterior wise apart from the wheels and aftermarket reverse scoop sitting in the stock scoop recess (I have a front mount intercooler so it was no longer needed).

sovietspybob · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:03

I've nothing constructive to add at all just I've always really liked these!

There was a guy on scoobynet a while back who used a TD04 turbo from a newage WRX on his with pretty good results (low 200's i think), dunno if that's a common thing or not as those turbos are pretty much being thrown away by the scooby lads as they're too small for a 2.0 to make decent power but they'll be pretty massive on a 1.3

TehBluebear · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:10

sovietspybob said:
I've nothing constructive to add at all just I've always really liked these!

There was a guy on scoobynet a while back who used a TD04 turbo from a newage WRX on his with pretty good results (low 200's i think), dunno if that's a common thing or not as those turbos are pretty much being thrown away by the scooby lads as they're too small for a 2.0 to make decent power but they'll be pretty massive on a 1.3

They're most probably a more common turbo to find under the bonnet of a tuned Starlet than the standard CT9! It is the 'go-to' turbo for those wanting more top-end. I think full spool is just shy or over 4k RPM (CT9 is fully spooled at just past 3k RPM). Some people are now starting to use TF035s (off the Forester I believe), as it's quite a nice middle ground between the fast spool of the CT9 and the increased top-end power of the TD04.

BD10NNF · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:15

robinbanks said:
i have been keeping an eye on: http://www.japaneseusedcars.com/
and http://auction.pacificcoastjdm.com/stats/?p=project/findlots&s&ld

going price seem to be aound £2k in japan. but it all depends what the market is like at the time of buying.

wouldn't touch a auto and the seat we be replaced

Don't forget to add the cost of the import on top. Tax, getting it to the UK, more tax, adding fog light etc.

You're best option is probably buy one that has been slightly modified. Like alloys, suspension and seat. Then at least you can work on the engine stuff yourself.

As TehBluebear said get on the Starlet forum there's always one for sale.

TehBluebear · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:17

BD10NNF said:
Don't forget to add the cost of the import on top. Tax, getting it to the UK, more tax, adding fog light etc.

You're best option is probably buy one that has been slightly modified. Like alloys, suspension and seat. Then at least you can work on the engine stuff yourself.

As TehBluebear said get on the Starlet forum there's always one for sale.

A lot of people actually end up returning their builds to mostly stock as it's the only way they get a decent amount of money back (from selling the aftermarket parts and car separately)

BD10NNF · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:18

I've seen this one myself. Obviously I'm not going to buy it but its worth a look.

http://www.ukstarletowners.com/topic/85364-mint-98-glanza-v/

TehBluebear · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:29

BD10NNF said:
I've seen this one myself. Obviously I'm not going to buy it but its worth a look.

http://www.ukstarletowners.com/topic/85364-mint-98-glanza-v/

Aye, kavan is a decent guy. Only trouble is, that's in NI which introduces a shedload of costs for ferries etc

BD10NNF · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:31

Make it a holiday/drinking session. Then pick the car up the next day.

TehBluebear · 1 Oct 2014 at 16:42

By the way, on the subject of seats, the ones in the Glanzas are pretty naff. If you get a Glanza, a good stopgap measure until you get some decent seats in is always a seat from a GT as there seems to be a bit more bolster and support on them. As for the rear seats, yes, there is space there, but don't expect it to be comfortable with tall-ish people front and rear. Rear legroom leaves a lot to be desired really.