Function or Form?

[1993 Ceres]

The Question of a generation!! I just got a 1993 Corolla Ceres (JDM AE-101) and want some opinions..... Do I start with the engine or the looks? It has a 4A-FE with 86,000 KM and the interior is in pretty good condition (nothing is torn or worn out) and the body is rust free (plus it just got re-sprayed)!! These pics were took by the dealer here in Japan!!

[Donald]

Go with no show is better than show with no go.
I would go for performance first, then looks.
To me a fast car gets more respect than a flashy car. Ofcourse fast and flashy is good.

[StealthSeo]

thats damn sexy

[PhatRoyale]

I would swap the engine first to something more powerful, worry about looks later.

That's a neat looking car you got

[1993 Ceres]

Any Sugestions on which engine/trans set up I should go with? I can get my hands on just about any Toyota Engine/Trans ever made for under a grand (execpt the 2JZ-GTE those are going for about $1800 here). Just FYI I am planning a ground up re-build (total insanity that I will probably lose my ass on) to take place when I get it back to the States next Summer, So I am really just lookin' for fun drivin right now!!

[EverAE]

normally i'd say a map 4agze or silvertop, but since your doing a full ground up build you might as well put more effort into it and do something like a 3sgte?

[Voodoo.Priest]

Please do me a favor and snap off that antenna thing on the front of the car. It looks bad and very out of place.

[Donald]

Originally Posted by Voodoo.Priest

Please do me a favor and snap off that antenna thing on the front of the car. It looks bad and very out of place.

I think that antenna thingy is a requirement in Japan now. Not sure though, somebody correct me if I am wrong, but almost all the photos I have seen of current model Japanese market cars have them. I think it is supposed to show you where the far front corner is. They will probrbly also have them on the back soon.
Wait a minute, I see something back there!

Nice car.

Off topic: I have never been able to understand why one model/year car should look so different in different countries.

[1993 Ceres]

First the Antenna thingy on the front is for just that, seeing where the far corner is, Because the parking spaces are so damn small!!! Its gone already!!! The one on the rearend is a little more difficult, it goes up when you put the car in reverse, I am working on this one!!!

Second its just the different Markets JDM, USDM like that. The Japanese use their market as a test bed for the other markets. That why here we have the Corolla: Levin, Trenno, Carina, Ceres, ED, Cynos-A, Cynos-B, and a few others I can't think of right now!!! The Camery: Camery, Vista, Mark II, Crown, Aristo and Windom!!! Some of these were released in the States as Lexus.

So a map 4agze with 5 speed now for fun drivin' now here and a 3sgte on the back burner for the massive under taking to take place in the Summer of 08'.

One question what kind of internals need replaced to Turbo the 4agze!! Or any ideas how much Boost the stock internals can hold? Ok that was 2 questions but who is counting!!!!

[1993 Ceres]

Anyone seen this and if so how accurate do you think it is?

LINK