Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the base 2020 86 is $26,985. That amounts to $27,940 when the $955 destination fee is added. The 2020 Hakone Edition is priced from $30,825, while the GT starts at $30,790 before options. In all variations, the automatic transmission costs $720 more.
In This Article...
Can I still purchase an AE86?
The Corolla is still available today, even though Toyota discontinued making the AE86 in 1987. The Toyota AE86, on the other hand, is a rare and hardly seen vehicle. Some AE86 vehicles are occasionally offered for sale on auto websites.
Since models sold in Japan and the US have slightly different styling, you might even decide to import the AE86 from Japan. The cost of the Toyota AE86 Corolla on secondhand automobile marketplaces fluctuates from $15,000 to more than $40,000.
How can I acquire an AE86?
Despite being one of the game’s more elusive automobiles, there are several ways to obtain it.
- Getting the AE86 by spinning your wheels.
- Acquiring the AE86 via the auction house.
- Through the Series 1 Challenge, obtaining the AE86
- Gaining access to the AE86 via a gift drop.
What makes the AE86 so unique?
The AE86, with its typical RWD balance and graceful, mechanical simplicity that has drawn drifters to it, is a great vehicle to learn about the characteristics of rear-wheel drive. It’s almost 30 years old and feels it in some ways, yet it still has some handling lessons to impart to some more contemporary sports cars.
It really is amazing how the engineers were able to capture the spirit of the old car in the mannerisms of the new when compared to the AE86’s younger sibling, the GT86. The GT86 performs well in many of the same crucial areas, especially excitement, feedback, and balance, but being easier to drive much, much faster. But if it had power steering, air conditioning, or even a sat-nav, we’d be more than happy to use it every day.
In 2022, how much will an AE86 cost?
One of the most thrilling sports cars to have yet arrived in stores is the 2022 Toyota GR 86, in large part because to the vehicle’s brand-new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Toyota just disclosed the second-generation 86’s price, which might only excite fans more. This is because to the redesigned 86’s low base price of $27,700. For those who like to keep track at home, that makes it $295 less expensive than the Subaru-branded version.
Are AE86s quick?
It’s difficult to argue against the Miata’s and the AE86’s greatness. But it doesn’t appear like their anticipated performance matches what they actually do. Since these two vehicles are so similar to one another, I decided to write a single article that covered both. This time, I’ll do my darndest to get this piece right; after all, my article about overrated BMWs was arguably one of the worst articles I’ve ever written.
ONE The Miata and the AE86 aren’t particularly quick. Many JDM vehicles appear to be plagued by unreasonably high expectations and hype. Both the Mark 4 Supra and Skyline GTR are known for their high top speeds and immense power. They aren’t as quick as they are advertised to be in stock form, though. The AE86 and Miata are comparable in this regard. In Initial D, Takumi is outdriving people in Toyota Corollas that are far faster than his on the touge. Fanboys’ fantasies about the AE86’s potential, however, are never as good as what the AE86 actually is. Its 0-60 MPH acceleration time is 8.5 seconds. For comparison, a 1997 Toyota Camry could complete the same sprint in 1 second less time. The Miata also has a problem with sluggish acceleration. A 1996 Mazda Miata needs 8.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, which is also longer than a 1997 Camry. Both the Miata and the AE86 are the antithesis of sleepers in that their performance falls short of expectations.
TWO The popularity of the AE86 wouldn’t be as high without Initial D. Stock Deloreans were dreadful vehicles, but ever since they appeared in the Back to the Future films, they have become desirable automobiles. The AE86 has experienced a similar transformation. People are willing to pay high prices to own Takumi because he distributed tofu and competed in races in an AE86. A good-condition AE86 costs around $14,000, which is a tad excessive considering that it is a 40-year-old vehicle with 128 horsepower. The price of AE86s would probably be cut in half, and only half of us car guys would be aware of the Takumi mobile, if Initial D had never been broadcast.
THREE Unshakeable stereotypes surround the Miata. The Miata is a hairdresser/chick car, BMW drivers never use their blinkers, Audi drivers tailgate others, and truck drivers compensate for things, according to automobile stereotypes. Both car guys and non-car guys will make jokes about you “Have you yet come out to your parents as gay? and “Where do you put your hair dryer in your car? As a result, people start to become someone they are not because they feel like they need to be more male to make up for this (Alex Kersten perhaps?). Just be yourself.
FOUR The AE86 is essentially an upgraded compact vehicle. A Corolla is the Toyota AE86 Sprinter Trueno. Most people don’t associate a Corolla with going to the racetrack; rather, they picture a tiny sedan for commuting to work. Car enthusiasts idolize the Corolla AE86, but they neglect the brand-new Corolla S. Don’t you think there’s a little bit of a double standard here?
FIVE The Supra from the 1980s is undoubtedly a superior sports vehicle over the AE86. The Sprinter Trueno lacks power, which the 1980s Supra can compensate for. A Mark 2 or Mark 3 supra is available with a selection of more powerful turbocharged engines. As a result, it is quicker and simpler to manufacture faster. The Sprinter Trueno was not included on Car & Driver’s list of the coolest vehicles from the 1980s, but the Toyota Supra was.
SIX The Miata makes people oblivious to other options. Despite the fact that there are other vehicles they could gush about, Miata owners appear to talk exclusively about Miatas. There are numerous light front-engined RWD cars that are enjoyable to drive, like the MR2, Nissan S Chassis, and MG roadsters. The pedestal we place the Miata on prevents us from seeing a range of options, including better, faster, and more affordable ones. Keep in mind that the sea is full of fish.
SEVEN To compete with other sports cars, you must alter both vehicles. While a stock Miata might be a terrific learning vehicle for the track, eventually you’re going to need better brakes, suspension, and power. You can’t learn to control real power with these automobiles. Driving a Mustang GT or a Camaro SS, not a Miata, will teach you how to regulate power. The overexposure of the miata raises the cost of secondhand ones. This indicates that the Miata doesn’t fulfill its potential as a decent project car or an economical canvas on which to practice your driving. The Miata is simply a beginning; it arrives at the factory as a blank canvas, ready for you to transform it into the vehicle you need and desire to drive. If the Miata had a turbocharger from the factory, that ought to make things much better.
Takumi’s AE86 is from what year?
It is the 1983 version of Takumi’s 86. (Zenki). The paint is the recognizable two-tone panda color, and the sticker is from the venerable Fujiwara Tofu Store (Fujiwara tfu-ten). That essentially sums up the interior and body.
The AE86 was it sold in the US?
According to Petrolicious, “AE86” relates to the car’s generation code, same like “ND” and “NB” do for the Mazda Miata. But it goes by a few other names in different parts of the world. According to Autoblog, Toyota marketed it as the Corolla Sport GT-S in the US. The Corolla Levin, Sprinter Trueno, or simply “Hachi-Roku” (Japanese for “8-6) are its official names in Japan.
The Toyota AE86 Corolla doesn’t appear very unique at first glance. However, the Corolla wasn’t nearly how it is now when the Toyota AE86 was introduced in 1985, according to Automobile. True, the fifth-generation Corolla had a sedan and a hatchback option, much like the current model. Like today, you could get a fifth-generation front-wheel-drive Corolla.
However, Toyota provided the Corolla with two separate platforms at the time. The Toyota AE86 is a RWD vehicle, in contrast to contemporary Corollas and hot hatchbacks like the Volkswagen GTI.
According to Road & Track, the vehicle is a rather sophisticated sports car behind its hatchback exterior. It includes independent front suspension, vented 4-wheel disc brakes, and a limited-slip differential as an option.
The 1.6-liter four-cylinder 4A-GE engine is also exclusive to the Toyota AE86 Corolla Levin/Sport GT-S/Sprinter Trueno. It has a 5-speed manual transmission, reaches 7600 RPM, and produces 112 horsepower. According to Top Gear, the car only weights roughly 2140 pounds, which isn’t a lot. And tuning the engine is not too difficult.
Straight-line speed wasn’t important to those who would make the Toyota AE86 a legend, though.
Is the AE86 trustworthy?
I can never imagine a scenario in which I would have to pay for a Hachiroku out of my own pocket. Yet here I am, just a few weeks ago, attending a celebration honoring the illustrious AE86. Am I a phony for doing this? Though I doubt it, allow me to explain.
86 Fest at Mondello Park was an event that I had completely forgotten had taken place. I didn’t forget it because I was completely ignorant or anything; rather, I believe that lately, time has been slipping my mind. I was preparing to leave for a weekend visit to my parents’ house in the south of Ireland when I checked a few Facebook status updates that served as a reminder of the occasion.
It would have been impolite not to stop by Mondello Park for a quick tour given that my route home passes right by it.
I do respect the AE86, and I understand why they have the fanbase they do. They have a good engine in a FR layout, are reasonably priced, and reliable. Along with a solid chassis, they also have a ton of character. Never in a million years would I say they’re a bad car. The exact opposite.
Levin, Trueno, Corolla GT Coupe, notchbacks, and hatchbacks are just a few of the variety I adore in them. I adore the many techniques that owners choose and the tenacity with which some owners maintain an all-Toyota lifestyle. I enjoy it when people break with convention.
Although there was a live track at this event as well, I chose to focus on the paddock portion in an effort to comprehend the Hachiroku’s appeal. I’m not attempting to upset any owners here; rather, I’m just trying to solve a problem for myself. When attempting to describe the benefits and downsides of the AE86, you are frequently yelled down because of how well-known it is in the automotive world. I suppose this is a nice place to express and explore my own opinions on the car since nobody can shout at me right now.
There are two distinctly different factions in Ireland with regard to the AE86. The JDM enthusiasts are on one side, and the men and women who favor the original Irish and UK specification are on the other. Being so divided, it appears as though they are discussing two different cars, which is rather amusing to an observer.
The Corolla GT Coupe, which was officially sold here when new, is the basis for the Irish or UK specification. With this style, customization and modifications are strictly prohibited. The standard components are original bodywork and Minilite or Superlite-style wheels, while add-ons like rally-style lighting, mudflaps, and even a CB aerial are optional. You might laugh, but these are regarded quite seriously and frequently sell for enormous sums of money.
The JDM method, which is imitated all throughout the world, will be more familiar to you. I would undoubtedly lean toward the JDM side if I had to choose between the two camps. I like the variety and individuality.
This particular notchback was a tough-looking vehicle and was undoubtedly a fan favorite of the time. There was also a quite unique Trueno gift, but I’ll reserve that for another day.
The cars in the paddock represented the split in track time between drift and grip sessions. I was really aback by the equal balance for either session, though, given how well-liked drifting is in Ireland.
This Trueno has a rather illustrious past here, however I don’t think I came much closer to it. Originally, it was Eric O’Sullivan’s Levin, sporting the Rockstar livery, that utterly destroyed everyone throughout its championship-winning season. It’s wonderful to see the S2000-powered car being utilized as planned even though it has subsequently had a few different owners.
This Levin was hanging out behind the pit building when I found him. The white RAYS Volk Racing TE37s and the red-over-black color scheme are a rather classic pairing.
There were some recognizable faces, like as Chris Gray from the exquisite Levin by AE86 World, which we highlighted at Japfest the previous year.
The ratio of JDM to Irish/UK spec cars was skewed considerably in favor of the Japanese side of things, which included everything from engine-swapped drift cars to understated and unassuming displays. Bonus points if you can locate the previously highlighted AE86 that isn’t the silver Levin stated above and is hiding someplace in this picture.
In the end, despite how much I enjoy driving AE86s, I still haven’t changed my mind about buying one. They’re just, in my opinion, at an odd spot right now. The little Hachi was originally advertised as an economical car that anyone could enjoy for a reasonably low investment, but of days it isn’t a cheap automobile.
The fact that they are actually quite pricey and that components are becoming increasingly difficult to get implies that the automobiles will become even more out of many of our reach. If you already have one, that’s great, but it’s becoming increasingly challenging to go to the first rung of the AE86 ownership ladder.
Now, at least in Ireland, a decent Levin or Trueno will cost you as much as a good E46 BMW M3. Although they are difficult to compare honestly, an M3 is a lot more automobile for your money. If you’re looking for features similar to those of the AE86, a Mazda MX-5/Miata may be purchased for a far lower price while still providing enjoyable, inexpensive transportation.
I honestly don’t want this to be taken as AE86 criticism; rather, it’s an observation of the existing situation. Simply put, I don’t believe I could ever defend the premium the Hachiroku currently commands.
Maybe the AE86 has peaked in popularity, and prices will start to decline. I have my doubts. Their population can only continue to decline, which will lead to additional price increases.
Maybe it’s a good thing they cost a lot of money? You would have to truly want one if you were willing to pay the present prices for a nice one, and common sense would suggest that you would take good care of it. Right, this is a good thing.
Although I’ll never own one, I sincerely hope that people will continue to treasure them and develop new builds for a very long time.