The AE86 is a very good handling car.
Ghost C
Americans don't like to see Europeans label their cars as hungry for fuel, horrible to drive, big displacement - no power and only good in a straight line. But you promptly label 99% of Japanese cars as "Econoboxes" wich is something that I don't like and I'm sure Japanese people don't like also.
The AE86 was, and still is in the right hands, a very fast and fun car to drive. Not a beast of a performer of course, but it has 50/50 weight distribuiton, 4 brake discs and (some) came with lsd. Proof is that it is still used in drifting races and exhibitions and, can put up some impressive moves.
What was that all about double digits??? The Standard 4A-GE engine produces 124hp. That's with 1600cc of displacement and it was designed in 1984. Besides you can easily convert it to 20v versions, or install a factory Toyota Supercharger. That will increase power to 170hp. Still not a brutal strength but more than enough to drift a 940kg car.
I agree that because of Initial D the car is overpriced, but not overrated. I have seen a Best Motoring video in wich a Skyline R34 loses to an AE86 in a tight twisty mountain course. As you can see Intial D isn't that far-off!!!
sicbeing
The codes in Toyota models is very simple. Let's take a look at this particular case:
AE86
The first letter: A -> Reference to the family of engines this car uses; 4A-GE
The second letter: E -> Reference to the family chassis/model; E stand for Corolla
The numbers specify the generation of the car.
Let's look at another well-known Toyota. The MKIV Twin-Turbo Supra
JZA80
The firsts letters: JZ -> Reference to the family of engines this car uses; 2JZ-GTE
The second letter: A -> Reference to the family chassis/model; A stand for Supra and also older Celicas if I'm not mistaken
The numbers specify the generation of the car.
Simple no?
