My new AE86...BitterSweet (long)

[Lakehaze]

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...)

[ac427cpe]

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

[sidewayzS13]

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

[Lakehaze]

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...

[Whumbachumba]

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.

[sidewayzS13]

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

[Dreamspawn]

^^^ 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.

[balmo]

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!

[balmo]

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

[ac427cpe]

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.

[drftk1d]

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

[gigglesnirt]

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?

[ac427cpe]

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

[sidewayzS13]

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

[EVOclipse]

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