Didn't we discuss AE86 prices recently?

One just sold in the UK for something like £46k. Looks like it was in nice condition but not a low mileage creampuff either: https://www.carthrottle.com/post/one-owner-toyota-ae86-auctioned-for-record-46250/

Mind, it was a one owner car.

£46k For a Corolla...  I bought three for $500, $1000, and $1,500. Sold all for $1500. 

may I ask , what is special about a AE86 ?

there is a Japanese shop  on Youtube doing all the patchwork on one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwxjisC8YZQ

this is just one video , there are a couple dozen now :)

but he has tons of hours in a car I do not think I ever noticed !

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Light and rwd....a combo pretty much non existant today.

 Mine was one of a handfull in the world with a completely composite body,about 1700lbs with a turbo 4ag making approx 230hp.

kevlarcorolla said:

In reply to californiamilleghia :

Light and rwd....a combo pretty much non existant today.

 Mine was one of a handfull in the world with a completely composite body,about 1700lbs with a turbo 4ag making approx 230hp.

 

Wait....What? 

In reply to Carbon (Forum Supporter) :

 Yep all done by me.....

californiamilleghia said:

may I ask , what is special about a AE86 ?

Everything that is special about an Escort, pre-modded with four link rear suspension instead of leafs, with Toyota's take on a BDA.

AE86 prices still got nothin' on what a BDA-equipped Escort is worth.

https://glenmarch.com/cars/results/quick/Ford/Escort_RS1600?unsold=0

I'd venture its because a lot of kids remember this, and want the car 

In reply to Pete. (l33t FS) :

IMO, you hit it on the head. I'm biased, but I think people that don't have much experience with them tend to equate them to other models of 80's Japanese cars, many of which were more appliance than performance, or if they were, the "performance" consisted of something like alloy wheels, tape deck, 5-speed, and a stripe package. The more apt comparisons should be the sportier variations of E30, or Alfa Twincam coupes, or a more-modern Fiat 131 or Twincam British Escort.

The AE86 occupies a sweet spot of just enough old school simplicity and RWD with just enough modern-ish technology like disc brakes, EFI, multivalve Twincam, etc, and it is lightweight, and there aren't many other platforms available with this combo. Add in the fact that it is a driver's car, and is fairly friendly/easy to come to grips with, but difficult enough to master it can grow with you as a driver over the long run (the true storyline of Initial D, which often gets misconstrued as the AE86 is amazingly fast and a Goliath-slayer.) 

I'm actually really glad I sold the last of mine last year so I can avoid all this hoopla. I mean, I'm not glad that all I got was tire-kickers for a $10K ask on a completely-built, healthy 4AGE-powered, rust-free, full-interior, non-sunroof, six-speed swapped, big-braked hatchback GT-S with a bunch of JDM parts, and a pickup bed completely full of spares...but at least I am free from the dilemma of trying to drive, modify, flog, and enjoy a car worth quite a bit.

Tofu Tax.

Appleseed said:

I'd venture its because a lot of kids remember this, and want the car 

"Kids"....

If you were born when Initial D first was serialized, you would be a couple years out of college today.

If you were of young adult driving age when the anime first aired, you'd be in your forties today...

kevlarcorolla said:

In reply to Carbon (Forum Supporter) :

 

 Yep all done by me.....

That's dope. 

In reply to Carbon (Forum Supporter) :

Totally dope. More pics and info? 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

Have more pics on an old desktop I think.

 I started trying to supercharge a quad throttle 20v but that one gave me too many electrical issues trying to tune it.

 Sold the 20v head,installed gze pistons and rings,built intake and exhaust manifolds and used a TD04 turbo off a wrx and a set of carbs from a yamaha RX1 carbs.

 Malpassi rising rate fpr and some other tricks sorted the fuel.

Distributor was custom built using the 4ag housing and 3tc guts. 

 Ran really well actually :)

Relocated suspension points up front,3 equal lenght link rear and adjustable height panhard bar(both ends).

I've briefly driven one AE86, though not with the factory engine, and I've ridden in a few others. IMO, the steering feel and precision were really good , the chassis felt simple and responsive, and the car I rode in with the 3SGE swap was an absolute screamer while still retaining the spirit of the original car, (n/a, lightweight, high rpm power). Those cars are a lot of fun, similar in some ways to my FB RX-7 but with much better steering and I think actually lighter than the Mazda.

With that said, they were built cheaply and simply, if you watch the Juicebox AE86 restoration on youtube, rust hides everywhere on those bodies, and the metal is very thin. It's kind of sad that they command such crazy prices now, because the appeal of them is that they were cheap, simple and fun. I'd gladly drive one with the original 4age, or an n/a 13b swap..

I'll admit I want an AE86 solely because of Initial D.  I'd want to build as accurate a replica as possible.  And it would be a weekend/occasional use toy car.  No different than any of my other classic cars.  Will it ever happen? Since I have so many current projects I'm behind on, probably not... but it'd be fun. 

In reply to Ian F (Forum Supporter) :

I spent 9 yrs with my AE,race only the entire time and have never seen a single Initial D :)

In reply to kevlarcorolla :

I guess my point is I've known about the AE86 since it was new - although it was just a Corolla to me back then. Since I'm old and remember them when they were new. But they never really meant anything to me until I saw Initial D.  I'd imagine there are many like me and that is one reason why the prices are insane. 

See also: 1969 Dodge Charger values...