I've wanted an AE86 for years but sadly was never able to find one once the popularity of Initial D took off where I live for a reasonable price. My folks recently gave me 4 grand to use towards the purchase of a new vehicle and I was looking for something I could get that was good on gas mileage. Sadly, here in Phoenix where vehicles last forever, I wasn't able to find much in that price range that I liked unless I wanted a Saturn S series with 200k miles on it. I've owned one before, but wanted something a little better.
Folks suggested that I expand my search to San Diego where vehicles are cheaper. Just for the hell of it, I did a search for "AE86" and I don't see anything for sale, but the first listing I see in neighboring cities is this:
"Ae86 Toyota Corolla 1 owner good condition original - $2700"
Clicked on the ad and saw one of the most beautiful cars I've ever seen. 170k and amazingly clean inside and out. I texted the owner at 2 in the morning and spoke with him soon after. He said he got about 50 calls about it, and the majority either didn't believe him, thought something was wrong with it, or thought what I did initially - this isn't someone selling a car, this is someone waiting to jump you in an alley when you show up with cash.
He gave me the VIN and I ran the carfax on it. Completely clean, one owner. Only issue was Cali smog in 2012 failed, and it's been sitting since 2007. The story is that his aunt bought it brand new in 1985 and it was her daily driver. She kept it garaged every day and got a new car in 2007 since at her age she didn't want to drive stick anymore. Last year when it failed smog, she gave it to her nephew who is a big import nut and already owns a Skyline and an S13. He hung onto it for the last two years, but doesn't have the time or budget for another toy, so up on Craigslist it goes. He knew exactly what it was and how much it was worth.
Showed it to my car savvy friends and the reactions varied from "I think it's a good deal, you should go for it" to "If you don't buy this car I will eviscerate you and strangle you to death with your own entrails."
Drove out the next day from Phoenix to LA to meet with him. The body is PERFECT. There isn't a single dent on it. The 4AC engine has about 30 years worth of grime on it and needs a good steam cleaning, but it fired right up on the first crank. The headlights don't flip up or down but that should be a simple fix. The door panels need some TLC as the plastic has cracked, as did the dash from the last two years in the California sun. Overall though? Only small microscopic chips on the car from rocks that rusted, clearcoat still intact, etc. The sunroof even still works flawlessly.
Bought it and got it down to San Diego. REALLY rough, from needing a tuneup and also from having 3 year old gas in the tank. Idle was bouncing all over the place and I could feel it missing until I got it up to 3k+ RPMs. Put about half a bottle of STABIL in the tank and topped it off, and the next morning the idle wasn't bouncing but the car was still dying randomly. Took it to the local mechanic I use and got it inspected.
Main issue is that the carb is shot, running way too rich, and needs to be rebuilt. So I'm getting a few hundred dollars worth of repairs done to it, but afterwards I should be able to bring it home to Phoenix after Christmas. I'd do the work myself on it, but with my job, timing is an issue.
Looking forward to this thing! For the few minutes it ran smooth on the freeway driving it the 100+ miles to my folks house in San Diego, it was a dream!
