I just want to say that the car culture with these RWD corollas, from my experience, is much better than anything else out there. For example, the S-chassis community is really annoying. Much more so than AE88, 92, or 82.
These cars are not like S13s/14s. You usually can't just buy one and drive away. You can do that for a lot of Nissans and other drift tastic cars. It takes so much work, money, time, and effort to restore these cars that usually the type of demographic of someone who owns these cars is not parallel to that of a dori kid, or someone who just destroys cars.
This is all my personal opinion, but I like owning a Toyota in general. I've had Subaru, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, etc. etc. and even though parts are harder to come by, especially for LHD, it makes for some similar owner tastes. There are so many cool people that I've met through classifieds, Ebay, on here and other places where they will just talk about cars.
Who cares if it's old? I'm going to enjoy these cars while parts are available (you can still buy a shi* ton of parts through the dealer), and have my fun. When these cars get realistically unfeasible to keep, I'll buy myself an FR-S once the depreciation comes down and I get older.
You guys also have to remember that when Toyota shipped these cars to the states, they were not money makers in the eyes of the dealership. Japan was making a killing selling the MR2 and it was in high demand.
Lastly, I don't think it's fun to buy a completely stock car, no matter how rare it is. I'd rather find an SR5 shell and go from there, It's more fun to me to MAKE something stock than PURCHASE something stock. But different strokes for different folks, and maybe my own personal philosophy will change as I get older. Also, I have moved around the country a lot, and have found that WHERE you live, has a direct relationship with the PRICE of JDM cars; whether they are a niche or common chassis. For example, here in Florida, my state is one of the worst offenders of "5k SR5 shells". You will commonly find crap condition GTS hatches in the 6-7k range, possibly not even daily driveable. S13s are a joke: people sell the Single Cam models, drift damage, gutted interior, and broken engine or drivetrain in the 2-3k range.
However, if you live in an area like California, Washington, or Oregon, you can find some AMAZING deals on cars that are in great condition. I also search all over the United States for cars frequently through Craigslist, and you can find stock, mint, low-mileage cars for dirt cheap by some guy in places like Kansas, Arizona, etc.
I also agree with both posters above. In my eyes, to be a true car enthusiast, you have to appreciate what you have, no matter how it's labeled, or what it's worth. That being said, this is not a supercar, I will agree, and I frequently have to explain to people WHY these cars are so great. Most of America is still stuck around the idea that if a car is not expensive, or doesn't have a huge displacement, it's not worth the money, and that is truly sad. Cars are starting to evolve less as an experience, and more as a mode of transportation. Bluetooth, cupholders, and heated seats are more important. This is why I own the AE88. It is an EXPERIENCE to drive this vehicle.
However, I think there are a lot of those out there who are interested in straight-line power, and highway racing. I am not, I am interested in going back to that first experience in the mountains I had with my little DA9 on chicanes, chinooks, sharp rights, lefts, and downshifting heel-toe, braking exhilaration. But, that is my preference, not everyone's. Car enthusiasm is relative, and I think we should respect everyone and their interests whether they are different or not. LIke I said, I agree with both posters however as I like to restore my car, and use it how it was intended for, as the engineers recorded the chassis limits.
And you really have to take things for what they are worth sometimes. Nissan obviously made the S13 a disposable chassis. That is just the way it is. It's a Datsun with a truck motor, you really have to think about that. It wasn't the R&D and cultivation that an FD, NS-X, or MKV Supra was. I don't think that I would agree the 88/86 chassis was designed with disposable intentions in mind, but it is a 80's Hatchback.
JoeKnee is also correct, in that the amazing feeling of fulfillment is truly appreciated, I believe, when you are a tuner who does something different. The first guy that showed up on BestMotoring (Vtec special?) got laughed at by everyone for putting that motor (F20C?) into the 86. Then they drove it, and although it had an annoying noise were all impressed; even the Spoon-man rambled on about it's application. The guys that do this are the true pioneers, doing something that nobody has done before, more than likely ridiculed in the process, and Ironically ssometimes even establishing the norm for a swap or modification within the community.
It's all relative to what YOU are looking for in a chassis, how MUCH work you are willing to do, and how much CASH you are willing to pay.
Also don't forget that with the amazing advent of 3D printing, we will probably be able to scan a completely stock GTS, or use old schematics to just print the car in the future. Don't get stuck in the past, it's a depressing and dangerous thought process.
Don't lose hope homies
Success guardian... Successsssssss..
