so i think id like to try one of these for my next car but ive never been in one and have no idea what theyre like. i know theyre super light, NA and handle well, rewarding to drive etc. my car history is b16 civic, evo9, s2000, s13. out of these, ive enjoyed the s13 and s2k. didnt like the evo even tho it was by far the fastest car ive ever had because of its electronic gadgetry and awd. it just wasnt a rewarding car to drive. civic was ok but fwd and kinda gutless. does the power of an NA 86 take away much from them? or are they still punchy and fun like an s2k? comments from guys who have had 86s and also more powerful cars please
Rusty, shit slow and over priced. All that said cool as fuck and i'd have another tomorrow but there alot better cars out there for alot less money.
To some....the holy grail of JDM coolness and nothing will ever better them in terms of drifting them To most others.....Overpriced Jap version of a Mk1/Mk2 Escort.
I probably painted a poor picture, my comments refer to a standard car but a well prepped one as much fun as you can have (although a MX5 will do the same for realistic money you just have to be hella manly to pull one off )
This is why I bought mine, I wanted an Escort but realised I was never going to get anything decent for reasonable dollar - an 86 is just a better built, higher spec Mk2 Escort.
Peoples opinions based on near stock examples are worthless - these cars are shit standard, pretty much like every other car out there. Some effort, and some decent suspension transforms them. I honestly think an MX5 handles better though, however dosnt have anywhere near as much charm and everyone calls you gay!
absolutely awesome cars, Ours has had some serious cash spent on it, Its a £10,000 car. Revs like hell, T50 gear ratios as standard are shit, Back axles are weak if your a bit of a peperami driver! Amazing handling, Turn in so sharp it set up correctly, Lifts inside front when you floor it if the back is set up correctly. Ours hates drifting too much coz its not what its built or set up for but its such a tractable car to drive. Everything you would do for a decent spec mk2 is standard on an ae86, Exactly the same bore and stroke on the 4age engine as the 1600 BDA found in the mk1 rs1600, Discs on the back, Linked, LSD etc etc Though still in my mind an overpriced car, I see how they are valued but ive never really understood it, Same as escorts really but i still live for them. Yes i know im a jammy cock for having both in the garage. Both fecked at the moment though!