My new AE86...BitterSweet (long)

I volunteered at the Formula D Wall Speedway Event, and will again at Road Atlanta. I learned alot and decided I'm going to go for it. I want to fail at drifting, and maybe get good at it. But trying and failing is good enough for me. Trying being the important part.
I wanted to do alot of research before jumping in, hence the volunteering. But today I went out to the local used car hub of the region to test drive some off-color options (supra, trans am), just to see what they felt like, their road manners. I've got a mechanic buddy that went with me, my 'crew-cheif' I guess, lol. Well, we know a Toyota guy in the middle of nowhere, where we did all our research and rebuilt an AW11 MR2 N/A(I loved that car, despite its downsides). We dicided to make that Toyota shop our first stop. Well, before we see our guy, one of his mechanics lures us out back and shows us this ratty little AE86.
We take a lunch to think about it, without ever touching a supra (90-93). The 86 is an '87 coupe*, with 'ae88' in the vin, and AE86 model# on the firewall. Being a coupe, it somehow seems uglier to me than a hatch, although recent research shows that it is preferable for drifting than the hatch. The 4age is, quote, "BLowed Up", no more info but all seems present. The rear end is confirmed LSD, t283 and sticker labeled. The interior is decent although the dash is not complete and the body is straight enough, with no obvious rust. He wanted $750 for it.
I couldn't pass it up. They have to hunt down the title and in the meantime we put a hold deposit of $300, with an excited, "We'll take it!".
I am sure it is an AE86 model and had Toyota verify the complete VIN for components. I have personally replaced a 4age before, and in an MR2 which is much trickier. Im not scared of the car. I'm worried Im buying into an unfounded hype.
Before heading out this morning, we e-shopped. The most reasonable Corolla GTS on autotrader was asking $2500, in non-running condition. Next to it were a list of base line, 4 door shitbox corolla's asking 2 grand. I can see there is a trend of idiocy around these cars.

I guess my question is this. Is this a serious drift car? Or is it a ludicrus choice for a fictional character. I know it CAN be drifted*, but generally by professionals, with plenty of cash to keep it in shape, or with local 'domestic' japanese support. Is it a reasonable, not perfect, but a reasonable place to start? On a budget? In America?
I am planning on following through with the purchase. At the very least, we can get it running and throw it online for the Initial D kids to fight over and get our money out of it, maybe even make something? Or I could keep it, I dont trust my shitbox 88 Accord and I do miss the 7.5 redline and RWD of my MR2. I think the purchase is wise, but is it really going to work as a learning drift car? My bias is yes.
I thought about getting a long wheelbase car, with tons of torque and start there. But if I can learn in an AE86, underpowered and short as hell, then perhaps I would be better for it... And also, I want to know that it isn't the car. The AE86 is proven, any failures I have will be my own fault, and thus I can improve. Im not guranteed that with an off the wall choice like a trans am, or... out there, Subaru Brat.
I don't want to be an InitialD-o-phile. I want this car to be 'the one' because it is, not because its trendy. Any advice would be greatly apreciated.

(PS, above is a poll for those who have an opinion, but don't feel like writing. Please let me know what you think...)

Go for it man, I just recently acquired an 85 GTS Hatch... not for the purpose of drifting... but it will probably be at some drift events. From how many people have used them in the past, and without having seen INITIAL D I would assume that it is at least decent for drifting.

I'm new in this also, but as you can probably tell am a bit biased towards toyota as well ;)

hell yea buy the 86. hachi roku rules all in drifting. well all except for the s13. man i would buy it and get to work on the suspension its a good car to drift w/ underpowered but good none the less

Thanks guys for your imput. It's really nice to feel some support. I hope to see a lot more imput from the forum.

AC427, you just got an '85 eight six? How long have you had it? How is your experience with parts support and cost?

I just worry everybody I meet is going to think Im some poser noob thinkin' I can buy an AE86 and be the 'Drift Master'. I want to be taken seriously... :)

Where's the "fix it up to drift and give it to me" option? Looks like it will be a fun project, have a color choice yet? I will say to stay away from the white and black panda, maybe do something new like green or blue panda.

u will be taken serious as long as u act serious about it. practice practice practice and watch the drift bible all the time then go practice more

^^^ what they said. Just keep practicing all the time u can. Watch the drift bible in depth dont just watch it but take notes how quick he jumps back on the throttle where the steering wheel is when he does. Aslong u are serious bout it ppl wont' say nehting if u stall the car or spin it all the way. Just like learning to walk u will fall at some point. U will usally stall the car or spin it but learn from that instead of saying that was stupid think bout what u did. I've seen ppl install a camaera at there steering wheel and pedals that way if they spin they can go back and look and say ooo thats where i messed up.

congrats on your purchase. the corolla is a very good drift car. i have seen in numerous drift events on an amateur level that the corolla can keep up with the rest of the cars, ka, sr, what have you. once you have gotten the hang of your car, 240's are a walk in the park to drift. the 86's transitions are quick and this teaches you how to react quick. have fun with your 86!

i have made a website logging all my experience with my coupe. you can check that out too!

I have spent $919.99 total (after tax) on the car in the form of:


purchase of the car/ papaerwork
oldschool supra rims
new battery
Tokico Blue shocks *all the way around
Tein Camber plates *front
new valve stems
new brake pads


i have had it for only a couple months, but the cost seems to be pretty close to the same as my mr2.

i'd ditch that for another AW11 in a heartbeat.

for sure you have to go for the corolla!! just keep practicing and you will be able to get it, and of course be serious like other's have said.

btw ac427, this is kinda off topic but are the older mr2's like the one you've got easy to tune?

to an extent... there aren't too many choices as far as suspension goes, but the 4ag is a readily tunable engine. It just wasn't fast enough for me... as far as engine stuff goesi have the same tuning issues that MK2 Turbo owners have. what aspect of tuning were you wondering about? For more questions, i suggest you start a thread in the MR2 section so this thread isn't hijacked.


Lakehaze: when are we gonna see some pictures of this thing :D

when i get back to my comp at home i have some good websites for 86 aftermarket for u

yeah the hachi rules at drifting....need i not remind everyone of the 2002 d1 champion being Ueo in the Cusco/yukes hachiroku

It's nice to hear all the support, thank you. I'm going out with a tow-truck tomorrow morning to finallize the deal. We get to find out what "Blowed Up" means, yay! On my wish list is the fuel pump/filter, alternator, distributor, or snapped timing belt (non-interference), but I'm expecting a thrown rod or siezure (god please don't be an electronic problem)... Who knows, It's like christmas! I guess I have to sign up on 4agclub.com now... :)
I'll post tomorrow or the next day and tell you what we find in there... And I'll try to get some pix, but I think you can imagine a dulldrum blue Corolla that's been sitting in a field for 6 months. In other words, it may be the most undesrving of a pic post of any car on here... :)

It's too bad to see that the poll returned a 50/50 on a decision. But I figure 2 negative votes doesn't compare to 14 positive POSTS(plus the negating 2 positive votes). I do wish those negative voters would have voiced their opinions, I like seeing both sides of the coin...

hehehe, those poll results can be changed ;) but i won't

/does the pictures dance

ac427cpe

how on earth did you get a hachi and fix it up for under a grand? thats gotta be one of the sweetest deals...

it could be possible using junkyard parts, or just using parts you already own, or scoping deals out on the net or newspapers, but i dunno

it isn't very difficult, you just have to keep your eyes open in town, and on ebay ;)

the shocks and camber plates were new, but the rims owned (as they are like... 15+ years old)

just look for deals, saving $.50 or $5.00 whenever you can really adds up.

I have spent $919.99 total (after tax) on the car in the form of:


purchase of the car/ papaerwork
oldschool supra rims
new battery
Tokico Blue shocks *all the way around
Tein Camber plates *front
new valve stems
new brake pads


i have had it for only a couple months, but the cost seems to be pretty close to the same as my mr2.

GTS-$750.00
Tow-$65.00
Title Finder's Fee-$100 (Ludicrus!, but if I refused, no deal I'm sure...)
Total-$915.00
Haven't even payed registration fee's yet.
AC,you have spent $4.99 more on your current running vehicle than it has taken me to purchase this non-running car and tow it home... I, understandably, am having trouble taking you seriously. For now, Ill give you the benefit of the doubt.

Towed it to the shop today. The motor turns over, but after putting it in the air, my buddy found a massive gash in the block. He could actually touch a piston. We figure it must have thrown a rod, but are surprized that you can't hear any loose parts clanking around in the crankcase.
We know where a mechanically complete (but non-running) MR2 is rotting in a junkyard. Could prolly pick it up for $200 and swap out the motors. But I hesitate. Do I want a 4age N/A??? Perhaps we should look for a rolled aw101 or halfcut, a supercharged 4agze MR2? Or maybe even find a modern JDM 20v?
How long can actions be delayed for questions of this magnitude? I just want to put it on the road!
The guy that owns the Toyota specialty shop (where we looked for supra's and found the GTS) says that the AE86's running gear ultimately just isn't tough enough for hardcore racing or drifting. He figures we'd be spending all our time between events rebuilding the LSD. That and he figures the car is too underpowered for a beginner to sustain any decent drifts, so why start with a GTS when we could throw an upgraded motor into an SR5 for half the price. Not to mention that the frame is weak and there is a power limit before you have to do some serious reinforcement. He also thinks that the specimen that we bought is in 'too nice' of a condition to throw on a track and tear up. I don't know about that, but I can see that they ARE becoming very rare.
I still don't know how I feel about this car. I have no remorse over buying it. I just don't know what to do with it... I refused to drift my electronically-challenged 1986 300zx N/A because it had too nice of a body to be throwing it into a wall (and it don't run). We could trade it for a fast ugly car that could be bashed again and again. And here I am, with a vehicle that turns out to be worth maybe TWICE as much as my beloved 300z. Ultimately I want a beater that can drift. I've never sustained a drift in my life, only brief power slides. I'm probably going to hit the wall while learning. I should start with something worthless, not a vintage cult classic. I love this new 8-6, and I can't imagine selling it, but perhaps I should hold onto it until I can slide it close to the wall and not into it.
Wow, thats alot. 'More like a journal entry than a post. Any thoughts would be apreciated.

practice on a skidpad...

learning to drift doesn't require that you go to events held on major tracks, the SCCA does Drift Days around the country and i'm sure that there are other clubs or organizations that sponsor events. And I wouldn't be worried about destroying it, because ulitmately you bought it for having fun. Also remember, you spent a thousand dollars on it- thus, it is a thousand dollar car.


as for my car... i've kept a spreadsheet on it since i bought it.

so here is the breakdown:

car: $400
rims: $95 shipped
battery: $50 after tax
shocks: $178 shipped (new off of ebay)
camber plates: $172.50 shipped (new off of ebay)
valve stems: $5.12 after tax
brake pads: $19.37 after tax

total: $919.99


it runs and can be driven but is far from finished, i'm not licensing and registering it till this weekend after i build an exhaust for the car. I had some extra tires, and the previous owner included the titlework in the price of the car. We have a car trailer, so there was no towing fee... That list is actually all that has been done to it so far, i'm not sure yet whether or not it will stay the way it is, so till i drive it around for a bit, the engine components and fluids will stay the way they are.


I've also been looking into other engines, the one that i am thinking most about swapping (if needed) is a 4agze. they can be found regularily on www.club4ag.com in the for sale section of the forums.

Thanks AC. Nice going on your finds, especially the $400 GTS.
You're right, it is only a thousand dollar car (so far), and I did only buy it to have fun with. But the other paradigm slips in, this thousand dollar example fixed could be traded for three other thousand dollar cars... :)

in theory, yes. but, if you are going to think about it like that then you are already at an advantage for tuning. if you are saying it's a $3,000 car, you have 66% more money to put towards making the car better than someone who spent that $3,000 on their car.

:) AC, this is fun.
I like your positive attitude. I also like the way my gears turn while I challange you. I hope you don't mind the me playing devil's advocate.
I want the car. I want to drift. But there is something under my skin that doesn't want to drift the car. It seems like an impracticle choice. The frame is weak, the motor is weak, the LSD is weak, the suspension is sub-par, it doesn't stand out on the track, and being a cult-classic celebrity, it is more expensive than a more capable vehicle. Let's say that it's one advantage is that it handles very well, with good balance and great imput. I still have to change out the motor, diff, and supsension, (plus beef up the frame, Taka and P-Moto of club4ag.com say an AE86 can warp and twist after just a few intense runs) to be competitive. Why not take an identicle frame SR5 and replace those same parts and end up with the same end result, without destroying (risking) a true straightbody GTS. I would feel terrible killing another genuine 8-6, especially if i gutted it of what made it special to do it.
I guess what I am saying is, after swapping the axle, motor, brakes and supsension, haven't i just built a textbook SR5 conversion...? All while paying top dollar for a straight-body stock GTS!
Seems to me, I need to buy all the performance equipment for this car, then buy a beat up SR5 body for bottom dollar and keep the GTS in as near mint condition...

Problem is, I have to choose now. I need a motor.
Race it, upgrade./ Keep it, stock 4age.

I'm seriously considering an MA61 MK2 Supra. The Toyota shop owner says it's up to racing conditions, just as fun to drive, and he could give me a running and driving example for $600. You compare the two options, it's hard to go GTS.

It's so wierd, everybody on here wants an 8-6 so bad. And here I go and buy one, and all I want to do is baby it... (so lame :))

Tell me what you think, hit me again Ike :)

if you want i found a link on autotrader for a $1000 gts corolla that only needs a new headgasket, just wondering if anyone's interested in it

ac427cpe

how on earth did you get a hachi and fix it up for under a grand? thats gotta be one of the sweetest deals...

Probably similar to what my friend is doing. I found an SR5 AE86 hatch out in the country, just sitting in a guy's yard. Didn't run, and the paint looked bad. The guy only wanted $150 for it, otherwise he was going to scrap it. My friend bought it, and we'll be towing it back to our side of town.

My friend is selling his dad's old van for ~$1100. That'll go toward a 4AGE(doesn't know what version, yet), and hopefully anything else needed to get the car running. Some people on Club4AG have been selling complete SR5->GT-S swaps for around $1400, so he might go that route, too.

Cliff's Notes: The country can be a treasure trove for those wanting a cheap project car. Near the AE86, I also saw a Cressida wagon, an old Fox body Mustang, and a Datsun 280ZX. Several miles north, I saw two 280ZXs at the same house, and a gem of a VW MK1 GTI for $900. Lots of times, the cars are just sitting around, not even for sale. Just make an offer. Typically the homeowner will be glad just to get the car out of their yard.

:) AC, this is fun.
I like your positive attitude. I also like the way my gears turn while I challange you. I hope you don't mind the me playing devil's advocate.
I want the car. I want to drift. But there is something under my skin that doesn't want to drift the car. It seems like an impracticle choice. The frame is weak, the motor is weak, the LSD is weak, the suspension is sub-par, it doesn't stand out on the track, and being a cult-classic celebrity, it is more expensive than a more capable vehicle. Let's say that it's one advantage is that it handles very well, with good balance and great imput. I still have to change out the motor, diff, and supsension, (plus beef up the frame, Taka and P-Moto of club4ag.com say an AE86 can warp and twist after just a few intense runs) to be competitive. Why not take an identicle frame SR5 and replace those same parts and end up with the same end result, without destroying (risking) a true straightbody GTS. I would feel terrible killing another genuine 8-6, especially if i gutted it of what made it special to do it.
I guess what I am saying is, after swapping the axle, motor, brakes and supsension, haven't i just built a textbook SR5 conversion...? All while paying top dollar for a straight-body stock GTS!
Seems to me, I need to buy all the performance equipment for this car, then buy a beat up SR5 body for bottom dollar and keep the GTS in as near mint condition...

Problem is, I have to choose now. I need a motor.
Race it, upgrade./ Keep it, stock 4age.

I'm seriously considering an MA61 MK2 Supra. The Toyota shop owner says it's up to racing conditions, just as fun to drive, and he could give me a running and driving example for $600. You compare the two options, it's hard to go GTS.

It's so wierd, everybody on here wants an 8-6 so bad. And here I go and buy one, and all I want to do is baby it... (so lame :))

Tell me what you think, hit me again Ike :)

Hehe, ok so I made this account a while ago with all the Initial D stuff on it, and I'm too lazy to change it all. Although I'm a huge fan I know my cars, so just look past the SN for a second :P
I'd hold on to the Hachi, just because from what I've read you got it for an amazing price. I mean the time and money you'd take by fixing it up and selling it, may not give you the same return, depending on who you sell it too. The 86 does have a larger market because of the "fandom" surrounding it, but still...it's a capable machine. Although the "Drift Bible" is an interesting video, it can't surpase just pure seat time in the Hachi. Just take some time at a track or a large parking lot driving around cones and working on things, and you'll master that thing in "no time" as long as you take it with some serious focus

I have to agree with drifting the car....its a GREAT car for race or drift...and if you dont believe me hit me up with an email or something and ill send you a video i have of 2 hachiroku's beating a skyline. its all about good driving.

I am deffinately going to hold onto the 8-6. I miss my MK1 MR2, and I could replace my !@*#$% FF '88 Accord with it. Me and the 8-6 are a match. I just don't think I want to destroy it with track abuse, even if I don't hit a wall.
We are going around in circles here, let's cover what's been established or unchallenged:

+1 -The GTS is a car that can drift very well.

-2 -Original, stock, straight body, running GTS's are worth between $2500-$4500.

+3 -I purchased this GTS for a great price.

+4 - Learning on an AE86 will be difficult but rewarding, fun, and very do-able.

-5 -The OEM equipment is NOT strong enough for the abuse it will take in practicing, let alone competing.

-6 -It is expensive to restore and repair a GTS (GTS specific parts); used parts are rare and unreliable, and Dealer parts are through the roof.

-7 -The 8-6 is a controversial crowd pleaser; famous, but ugly*, small, and ubiquitous.

+8 -The GTS is a celebrity with lot's of community support.

(These below were once included in the above list, but then I remembered that they have not been established. Note that there is a positive/negative mark for 1-8 [totaling 0], resale price [#2] is negative because it makes me not want to drift it.)

A - A performance MA61 Celica-Supra could be built for half the price of the stock GTS value, with more tourque, stronger stock LSD, and a frame that could take the abuse unmodified. With the downside of some added weight. (resolves issues 2, 5, 7* with the loss of 1, 4, 8)

B-An SR5 Corolla (AE86?) could be built with a new aftermarket rear end (or MA61 LSD for budget), aftermarket supsension, and a 4agze/7age(t?) (prolly not 20v) conversion for near the value of a stock (weak) GTS. With the downside of the still weak frame, I have no idea how much it takes to reinforce the frame. (resolves issue 2, at the cost of 2/8.[lol])

Now, after considering 1-8 and A+B, and agreeing that they are true, why go GTS? What is the advantage of the GTS over the SR5 or the MK2 Supra (asside from weight)? Is the only advantage that I happen to have one sitting at a shop? Is that good enough?

I have to agree with drifting the car....its a GREAT car for race or drift...and if you dont believe me hit me up with an email or something and ill send you a video i have of 2 hachiroku's beating a skyline. its all about good driving.

It IS a great drift car, or rather, it is a car that is GREAT at drifting, but at what price? Those two hachi's you mention are, Im' sure, modified like crazy. They aren't $4,000 stock examples.
I'll bet that video of yours is set in japan as well. In japan, the 8-6 is INDEED a 'GREAT Drift Car', where the used parts support is overflowing, and the new market is domestic and cheap.
(It should be noted, although taken lightly that two of anything could lap a skyline with the proper amount of modification. A VW Beetle could do it with a Twin-Charged V8 in the back seat and the proper complete setup. A friggin' coach liner, 55 passenger bus could do it if NASA spent three years of R/D and the entire US Defence Budget on it.)

Still, I'd like to see that Vid. I do love the AE86's, I love underdogs. Just because I don't want to drift mine yet (YET), doesn't mean I am anti Hachi :)

B-An SR5 Corolla (AE86?) could be built with a new aftermarket rear end (or MA61 LSD for budget), aftermarket supsension, and a 4agze/7age(t?) (prolly not 20v) conversion for near the value of a stock (weak) GTS. With the downside of the still weak frame, I have no idea how much it takes to reinforce the frame. (resolves issue 2, at the cost of 2/8.[lol])

My friend and I were thinking about foam filling the chassis. It can actually improve rigidity more than a roll cage. Should be cheaper, too. Sport Compact Car foam filled their Z32 300ZXTT, and it cost them less than $200, if I remember right. The Z32 is a much bigger car than a Hachi, so it should require less foam and cost less.

There's other forms of bracing available, too.

My friend and I were thinking about foam filling the chassis. It can actually improve rigidity more than a roll cage. Should be cheaper, too. Sport Compact Car foam filled their Z32 300ZXTT, and it cost them less than $200, if I remember right. The Z32 is a much bigger car than a Hachi, so it should require less foam and cost less.

There's other forms of bracing available, too.


Really, I'll have to do some research. Any vehicle I use could always use a good stiffening, if it was affordable.
What are some other forms of bracing, aside from a roll-cage?

Thanks :)

Really, I'll have to do some research. Any vehicle I use could always use a good stiffening, if it was affordable.
What are some other forms of bracing, aside from a roll-cage?

Thanks :)

For other types of bracing, there's the usual strut tower bars. There's also floor bars(runs side to side across the floor). There may also be a trunk-type brace that goes near where the rear strut tower bar would be. I think I saw one on an AE86 hatch.

Katsuhiro Ueo's tuning company Ueo Style makes a few other types of braces, too. I think one is called the Gacchiri, and it goes somewhere on the front. It's supposed to stiffen the front while still allowing a bit of flex for drifting.

I have spent $919.99 total (after tax) on the car in the form of:


purchase of the car/ papaerwork
oldschool supra rims
new battery
Tokico Blue shocks *all the way around
Tein Camber plates *front
new valve stems
new brake pads


i have had it for only a couple months, but the cost seems to be pretty close to the same as my mr2.


wow thats insane.. I just recently purchased a 85GTS hatch with damn near the same exact setup as you.. except I paid a hair over 2.5k :/

least I have some weird body kit that says trueno on it.. woo hoo :sly: :uhoh: :rolleyes:

*ah well, I like it. :iceslolan


Plans for a 3sgte? :evillol:

pffft, not this time... maybe when i do another mk1... then i'll have a 1.5 coupe and a 1.5 convertable ;)

convert? You sly pooch. :)

anyone noticed lake haze has been missing i cant send him a video since he never emailed me. lol

great for drifting... but lacks a little power. It'll be hard to learn on it but you'll definitely come out better after some intense practice sessions.

i like the idea of "preserving" the cars too. I think it'll do us some good. I'd hate to see the day where you can never find anymore light-weight, impractical, rwd cars... haha...

i've seen a pretty clean ae86 on ebay two years ago... i actually went for it but some idiot paid $10g's for it and took it home to cali. lolz... talk about vintage...

here's the actual 86 sold for $10,000

http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/s/d/sdt128/misc/86a.jpg
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/s/d/sdt128/misc/86b.jpg
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/s/d/sdt128/misc/86c.jpg
http://www.personal.psu.edu/users/s/d/sdt128/misc/86d.jpg

yea... i had these pics on my comp for over 2 years. well... i'm sure you can see why... everything is still oem.

for the current market price in the us, the ae86 is a total ripoff. theres better cars to be had for the money.

exactly... thanks to Initial freakin' D... everyone who had a POS corolla can now be rich.

damn 10k for that thing? I think its time my car hits ebay..

If you want the type of thrill the ae86 gives, except better.. get a 1st gen rx7. Those things are wicked. Very underrated and VERY VERY cheap!

/\ just what i will be doing in a few months, once i find one in my area to my specifications.

awww... no 2nd gen's? i still think that car looks extremely rad for a ~15 year old design... i'd definitely invest in one... plus the rotary isn't as beat up as a FA (if that's even possible)

I dont really like the 2nd gens that much compared to the 1st gens. They lost a lot of their gokarty appeal.
Still very very bad ass cars though, they just arent the same... almost apples and oranges kind of thing. *shrugs

*plus you can get a good 1st gen DIRT cheap! :D

yes, and the first gen is a perfect car for drifting, i just dont know why noone sees it as they are all over scca and other club races, its a cheap as hell, very lightweight, and somewhat powerful car.

that old SA rotary motor won't last long... and it's harder b/c american shops normally don't carry rotary parts or even work with rotary period... it'll cost you money there.

SA owners in japan actually refabricate their cars to look stock as possible. These are actually vintage cars now and they try to maintain the condition of the car instead of throwing it around...

well, it's understandable since, in return, they have an abundance of FCs, FDs, 180sx, silvias, and GT-S's..... godamnit..

that old SA rotary motor won't last long... and it's harder b/c american shops normally don't carry rotary parts or even work with rotary period... it'll cost you money there.

thats crap, when taken care of, non turbo motors last FORVER.

the whole reason why you dont see the 1st gen rx7 alot in drifting is because you dont get a turbo engine with it (in the US at least) and the rear suspension wont give you control like the multilink of the FC or the double wishbones of the FD.

....

Well, its been a while. Sorry for the disapearing act. Probably nobody is paying any attention to this thread anymore. I was shocked to see it had four pages now.

I moved to Martha's Vineyard and was driving a cab 80 hours a week, saving for the Corolla. I saved 9 grand. Unfortunately the money goes quick and over the last few months it has been nickeled and dimed down to just under 4k.

I participated in a drift day in November and am very pleased with the GTS. It took 8 hours of abuse, then drove 150 miles home, stock. I have TRD replica headers ($230-$330 ceramic coated?) arriving on the 29th (dec) and am still trying to choose between short-stroke adjustables ($550), or tokiko blues ($180)... I found a track that will let me run, but I've got to install a roll cage($450).

Anyway, I kept it and I love it. Thanks for all the talk while I was away.

very cool!

update on mine: needs a GZE :P

heh, try saying that to the guys in the street racing section, they'll be like "oO u drive a corolla? THeT CaRr aiNt wo8rtH deH sh*(tT" --honestly some ppl gotta learn their corolla history, but i say good luck with the ae86 mang

you mean the corolla shouldn't be worth shit, for some reason the prices are up to 5k for one in shit condition, its getting ridicoulous, i'll just get a bmw for cheaper.