AE86 Viable year round car ?

[RobvB]

I've been thinking about getting a cheaper car (currently drive a WRX), but it still has to be fun.

The AE86 has peaked my interest for obvious reasons.

So what do you think ? Will a well-maintained AE86 be suitable for a year-round car ?
How reliable are they ? How do they handle in the snow.

Please don't compare it to a WRX, because that's apples and Oranges.

BTW, I am in Canada, Toronto Area....

Thanks,

Rob.

[Crzy Joe]

Most cars are suitable year round, provided it is set up correctly for the winter.

AE86 is a fun car to drive. But remember, it is nearing it's 20th birthday. Tonnes of aftermarket parts available, lots of used parts available in the junk yards.

Engine is nearly bulletproof, if well maintained.

Pick up a Toyota Factory Service Manual, and you may even be able to troubleshoot the majority of the problems yourself.

But a 15+ year old car, you should EXPECT many parts failing. So be ready to spend money fixing everything else.

But if you are looking for a beater, you'd probably not care about the rust. As the AE86 and rust go hand in hand.

Cheers,

Crzy Joe

[hopeful]

the most fun you'll ever have.

[Theron]

get a corolla wagon All-trac...

They handle great.. in the snow

[neil85AE86]

great car, lot's of fun in the winter, but will not last long, very few in the wreckers and limited aftermarket body panels. If you drive alot, even a clean ae86 will probably look like heck after a few winters, these things love to rust. I drove mine for a little while when I lived in AB, it worked pretty good with a new set of ice tires on all 4 corners.

Keep it oiled once or even twice a year, they just use waaay to much salt in Toronto. Rinse the undercarriage once a week with fresh water (no soap).

good luck

Neil

[MRQtwinturbo]

i used my coupe as my winter beater the first three years i bought my MR2....but like most olders car....winter and salt just killed her......

[oldeskewltoy]

With a set of these you should have no issues.

[mikes_matrix]

Hay man just sold my 87 GTS last year It was starting to rot bad. So I sold it to a guy that wanted the rear axle and engine etc.. it had 350,000 km on the clock and was still screaming to 8000 before every shift..If you can find a limited slip diff even better ... But a set of snows will go a long way

I do have a set of stock steel wheels still around if you are interested PM me and I will email you Pics of the Wheels....

MIKE

[Flashmn]

Oldeskewltoy, those look like Nokia Q tires, should be good enough
I have klebers with studs.

[oldeskewltoy]

They are "Q"s. Btw... the tire division is now Nokian... The phone branch of the company prefers it that way.... I've used Nokian tires for years now. I first used the 9s on my Volvo 1800S and the wifes 123GT. I then moved to 10s... and when the "Q"s came out, I bought a set. They are awesome snow tires... CRAPPY street tires... but to preserve my beauty, if it must go out in the snow... it gets the "Q"s