Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

KYHachi
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Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Wed Jul 26, 2017 12:12 am

After 5 years of living here, I've FINALLY gotten my act together, gotten my license, and saved up enough for a car! And I stumbled across a little gem of a Starlet that no Japanese person would consider buying but that was absolutely perfect for me!

Image

The basics:

1997 Starlet Glanza V
1331cc 4E-FTE, 133HP
C56 5-speed
Completely stock everything
Full maintenance history/paperwork
110,000km = ~68,000 miles and change

It's got a little bit of body damage you can't really see in the pictures from the ad. The rear bumper has a pretty decent scuff, there's a long scratch down the passenger door, and a noticeable dent in the hood next to the intercooler scoop. But no rust anywhere on the body or the undercarriage, no leaks, A/C blows cold, engine pulls strong...it's a pretty great little thing.

Went to test drive it back on 6/23 and put down $1000 on it not long after. Total price of the car, including the 5 weeks of paperwork to get the title into my name: 460,000 yen,or just over $4100. Not a bad deal, I feel like.

So, why would no average Japanese person have bought it?

1: It's more than 10 years old, i.e. junk in the eyes of all non-car people.
2: It has more than 100,000km, i.e. junk in the eyes of all-non car people
3: It will need it's shaken (roadworthiness inspection) done again in March next year, i.e. too much PITA in the eyes of all non-car people
4: It has some minor, but noticeable body damage, i.e. junk in the eyes of all non-car people

Fortunately, though, thanks to all that...perfect car for a stupid Gaijin who's willing to put in the DIY time.

Plans for the rest of this year: get it ready to pass inspection in March
- New tires (Either 185/55/14 Federal 595s on the stock rims, or get some 15x6+35 BBS Basketweaves off Yahoo Auctions for a bit nicer fitment)
- New brake pads and front rotors
- And probably a decent Nardi/Momo wheel and TRD shift knob, because they're cheap and easy and the OEM ones are pretty tired-looking

Plans after passing inspection:
- Intake/Ex. Manifold/Exhaust
- Raise the boost to ~12psi
- E-manage and tune
- Shocks and springs
- Rear swaybar
- Confetti Recaros if I get lucky on auctions/at UpGarage

I'd like to get it to something like 160-170HP within a couple years, but more than anything, I want to keep it a reliable car I can travel with the Mrs. in, go to meets at Daikoku with, and maybe occasionally do some gymkhana or mini-circuit time attacks.

Anyway, here's my new project for the forseeable future! More pics coming on Saturday when I actually pick it up, as well as a video soon after. For now, here are my screenshots from the dealer listing hahahaha

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1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

CloudStrife
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby CloudStrife » Wed Jul 26, 2017 4:11 am

Very nice man.. I was always jealous we didn't get the Starlet past.. oh... THE 70's!~!

Very nice car, and it is not a popular chassis in Japan so I'm sure the savings are great compared to a Levin or Trueno!

Nice car man
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Wed Jul 26, 2017 4:18 am

Thanks very much!! Man, compared to a Levin or Trueno, it's insane. A decent AE86 that is roadworthy tends to start at $8-10k from any dealers.

It'll be pretty interesting comparing it to my old AW11 DD, since this is more practical, but is lighter, more powerful, and more torquey hahaha
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

jinx
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby jinx » Wed Jul 26, 2017 1:19 pm

Good for u!
seen folks import those back in the islands ~10-12 years ago. Would rarely pull $12-1500
Clean Evo IIIs and S13s/ca18 or sr20 were very popular..... in the $1800 - 2500 range
Lower availability probably sent the prices back upwards ?

KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Wed Jul 26, 2017 8:23 pm

Probably so. Honestly in the past 3-4 years, the price of basically anything interesting has gone up, or in a lot of cases, nearly doubled. But the EP's have avoided the worst of it for the most part. The car itself only cost me about $2900, the rest was taxes, paperwork, and fees.
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

CloudStrife
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby CloudStrife » Thu Jul 27, 2017 4:04 am

Yeah, there are still some niche chassis out there that have avoided the jdm import boom. Mazda Familia is a good one as well if you like light-weight Group A style AWD turbo hatches.
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Gino1X1
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby Gino1X1 » Thu Jul 27, 2017 5:55 am

Just to give you more drive........... ;) Some tuning required. :roll: :lol:

A dd Maltese Glanza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meZ22R2808A



An Australian dd Glanza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJB8rP_bwrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wrtjUQOZTc


One more teaser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pNdELOOY7A

KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Thu Jul 27, 2017 6:35 am

Gino1X1 wrote:Just to give you more drive........... ;) Some tuning required. :roll: :lol:

A dd Maltese Glanza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meZ22R2808A



An Australian dd Glanza

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dJB8rP_bwrs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wrtjUQOZTc


One more teaser

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pNdELOOY7A


Y'know it's funny, I have an Aussie friend who I do a Youtube channel with who has been sending me these exact same clips hahaha
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

Gino1X1
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby Gino1X1 » Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:04 am

Ikr, these are the most successful builds. I wanted to send you the ones from the islands here in the Caribbean but they are dragstrip only builds........

CloudStrife
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby CloudStrife » Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:06 am

some island nations have crazy rally builds...
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Thu Jul 27, 2017 8:12 am

If I had a better salary and a second car here, I would be all about building up something like that hahaha

...but I don't...so I can't...
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

CloudStrife
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby CloudStrife » Thu Jul 27, 2017 12:58 pm

Lol no, trust me I get it man. Living in Japan and thinking about owning cars in Japan are two totally different universes. You start to realize, I'm sure, why super cars sit in empty lots rusting away.. Inspection and taxes alone are enough to keep em' there..
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Fri Jul 28, 2017 4:11 am

Man, I absolutely do. It amazes me when I see people in the area near where I live - which is completely suburbs and definitely not wealthy - rolling around in something like a Cadillac Escalade or a reverse-imported FJ Cruiser...ahhh, to have expendable income hahaha

In other news: 16 hours till I actually take possession of the car!!
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

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Jayrdee
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby Jayrdee » Fri Jul 28, 2017 5:09 am

KYHachi wrote:Thanks very much!! Man, compared to a Levin or Trueno, it's insane. A decent AE86 that is roadworthy tends to start at $8-10k from any dealers.


True story.

I've always had a soft spot for these. Can't wait to see what you do with it !!
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Mon Jul 31, 2017 7:38 pm

She's home!! And during nearly 4 hours of bumper to bumper Tokyo traffic in the middle of a literal typhoon, ran like an absolute champ. I am seriously looking forward to playing around with this little thing.

Image

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Side note: the green and yellow window sticker is not because I am "JDM tyte yo" but because I am required by law to have them on the car for a year, since Japan considers me a "new driver."
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

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Jayrdee
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby Jayrdee » Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:44 pm

KYHachi wrote:She's home!! And during nearly 4 hours of bumper to bumper Tokyo traffic in the middle of a literal typhoon, ran like an absolute champ. I am seriously looking forward to playing around with this little thing.

Image

Side note: the green and yellow window sticker is not because I am "JDM tyte yo" but because I am required by law to have them on the car for a year, since Japan considers me a "new driver."


Nice!!!

You could probably sell that sticker to some StanceBoi for some change Lol.
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Mon Jul 31, 2017 8:54 pm

Hey, you never know! Cost me about $3 at the home goods store...so I figure it must be worth 3 or 4 times that landed in the US, right? :p
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

CloudStrife
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby CloudStrife » Tue Aug 01, 2017 3:43 pm

The top of the floor mat gaurd is...

Ah N shi N ??? lol ahnshin?

Bottom is...

Ki Ro (KANJI MYSTERY!?) E?
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Tue Aug 01, 2017 5:24 pm

CloudStrife wrote:The top of the floor mat gaurd is...

Ah N shi N ??? lol ahnshin?

Bottom is...

Ki Ro (KANJI MYSTERY!?) E?


You're halfway there ;)

あんしん
まる見え

I'd translate it as something like "peace of mind" and "transparency." Car dealers always have some of the best messages written everywhere, such as "World high-quality car" on the one I got the Starlet from.
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

CloudStrife
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby CloudStrife » Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:26 am

Haha, thanks man! Still learning. Everytime I see something I just try to figure it out.

Even feet protectors say cool things in Japan lol.
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KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Wed Aug 02, 2017 7:26 pm

CloudStrife wrote:Haha, thanks man! Still learning. Everytime I see something I just try to figure it out.

Even feet protectors say cool things in Japan lol.


Hey, man, good on you for it! It is not an easy language to get into...ask me where the last 12 years of my life went hahaha

Yup, because English is cool!! Reminds me of when I was back in KY this spring and saw a girl with a kanji tattoo that just said "house." Cuts both ways, I suppose ;)

In other news, will hopefully have my actually-decent-coverage car insurance happening in a week or so, and then I can actually get some pictures of going places! Gotta get to an UpGarage for a satnav and a boost gauge ASAP...
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Sun Aug 13, 2017 12:17 am

Went out to a Cars & Coffee today and ended up with a decent picture from the people running the event! Although technically I didn't quite fit with the theme of "'GT' Cars"...but neither did a lot of other people hahaha.

Image
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:33 am

New pics!! Met a friend on Friday to get some rolling shots for our fledgling Youtube channel and a few of them turned out pretty good ;)
Image

Image

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And one of my friend's TopSecret tuned R32, just for the hell of it...and because his car is way nicer than mine...
Image

In other news, going on a roadtrip to Nagano to meet the fiance's parents next week, so it's time to get some new tires put on this week! Got a couple of options, so we'll see what price and availability ends me up with.
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Fri Oct 13, 2017 3:54 am

ROADTRIP! Got super lucky at UpGarage last week and picked up a gently used set of 185/60/14 Dunlop Direzza DZ102s, which then got put through plenty of highway miles as well as attacking a few JDM twisties. Gotta say, really pretty impressed, especially considering what I paid for them. Tons of grip in the dry with great turn-in response, and very confident in the wet, even at highway speeds (which admittedly in Japan means like 55, but still).

PICS!

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Image
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby aukword1 » Fri Oct 13, 2017 7:50 am

Very cool stuff, looks like you are having loads of fun. Did you come across any touge's where they lay down those rough patches in the road on the turns? I was in Osaka last year and we went to a popular touge between there and Nara and they ruined it with those. Autobach's is the ****!

KYHachi
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby KYHachi » Fri Oct 13, 2017 5:34 pm

If it's what I think you're talking about, yeah I did see quite a bit of that. I think if you look in the photo with the road, you can just make out a bit of red lines across all the corners. But I could also have the complete wrong idea.
1986 MR2 - Restoration Project
1987 MR2 - DD/20V Project
1986 Corolla GT-S - GZE/AutoX/Just-for-fun Project
1997 Starlet Glanza V - Tokyo DD Project

aukword1
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Re: Tokyo DD EP91 Starlet Turbo

Postby aukword1 » Sat Oct 14, 2017 9:45 pm

Ah yea those are them lol...the ones near osaka were green if i remember correctly.