TeamBombersports

Wants back axle changing for a stronger one if your planning alot of hp

Thankfully that won't be on the cards at first - being a first car, gotta keep that HP down to avoid being stung on insurance ;)

Thanks for all the knowledge guys. Sounds like a bit of a stretch for a very first car, but one for the future.

I'm interested in one mainly as I've suddenly got quite the interest in rallycross, time attack, gymkhana and stuff like that - all stuff where 4WD comes in useful. How is the Starlet 4WD system, a good handling machine? I'm not asking for a Hoonigan car obvs...but maybe with some work...

Hello guys,

Total noob question here. I'm saving and on my search for my first car, likely a Starlet. Been recently watching a lot of rallycross, WorldRX and GRC and stuff like that. So the appeal of a 4WD hatch is growing.

And now I find out the Starlet comes as 4WD...

...so I need a rundown. What models come with 4WD? Can they be easily found over here, for not-ridiculous money? and would I have a hope in hell of insuring it? Haha.

Lay the knowledge on me.

Hello folks,

I am gonna be starting to look for my first Starlet in the coming months, a 90s 1.3 model (N/A, for insurance purposes - mention a turbo and it adds at least a grand to my insurance quote!), on a budget of £1000 - hopefully lower.

Having never bought a used car before in my life, let alone a Starlet, I wanted to know if there was anything to look out for when looking at a used one. Bodywork rust, mileage (any known problems at certain mileage points), even the basics - any info would be greatly appreciated so I don't get stitched up when buying my Starlet!

Thanks guys

Welcome! I've run an NA most of my time at uni and it was perfect!

Fun to drive with a few handling mods and very cheap to run! Check out my build thread in my sig ;)

I just had a look - yours looks really tasty! I love the idea of mine being a sleeper though - round here there's loads of hot hatches and boy racers, so one that stays low and doesn't look tasty could surprise a few people

I wish I'd known about the Starlet before, I've been putting off getting a car for years even though I passed at 19 because of running costs and mostly insurance. The Starlet seems to tick a lot of boxes

Awesome cars! Never had an n/a myself but one thing I must warn you, if you get a starlet prepare yourself to own one on and off for the rest of your life!! They are like crack, can never leave them alone!!

I got worried for a second reading your post...then realised the 'warning' was that Starlets are addictive! Haha! I've got no complaints if that's the case. Everyone just says get a lame cheap first car and it'll do until you can afford something better, but why not have something to start that you could genuinely enjoy driving and owning?

Welcome to UKSO, there is loads of info available, just use the search function or ask away and someone will help.

John

Awesome, I'll have a look around. Thanks! I'm particularly at the moment looking out for any common issues or stuff to look out for when looking at used Starlets, as that's exactly what I'll be doing in the coming months

Welcome Mate!

With out a doubt most helpful forum out there! And can't go wrong with a starlet as a first car!,

If your looking for a n/a I'd partially look for a Starlet SR, with the same 4EFE, just has a better spec such as electric windows, tte spoiler, tte exhaust, and does have (depending on if there on there) starlet sr decals. There like Lego In my experience, fairly easy to work on a n/a, nothing to tricky, handling wise, put a strut brace on the front and some decent tyres on like 15' wheels and you can't really fault it! It's gonna handle better if lowered, but for then it's a cheap mod, and many a roundabout, my n/a had fucked past people lol,

Great on fuel! Cheap insurance, easy to drive, easy to pick up, etc, all round decent first car in my mind, hope that's a little useful!?

Brilliant, I saw this forum whilst browsing around for info about the Starlet and figured this would be a good place to get the lowdown

Haha that's exactly the kind of mods I'm looking for. Nothing visual, I really want it to be a sleeper. Most of my friends I've told about getting a Starlet assume they're either granny cars or boy racer hot hatches - I want one which looks like the former but goes like stink ;)

Is it good on fuel economy? That's an added bonus - being a skint student every bit helps!

Hello folks!

Brief introduction, I'm Adam, 22 and just finishing university. Looking for a first car, and I wanted something fairly cheap but with character and the potential for future tuning...hence how I've happened upon the Toyota Starlet!

Looking from an insurance angle, the 4E-FTE turbo or any Glanza-S/Vs are out of the question. However, a 1996-99 1.3 Starlet (4E-FE?) fairly standard, looks fairly cheap to buy and insure. And perfectly for me, it looks like a good first car with potential for tuning and fun times later on

However, obviously I come in knowing next to nothing about Starlets - most of my car knowledge comes from Gran Turismo games to be honest!

So I was hoping to ask for advice from the various gurus here.

1) Good prices/places to look for one, and any tell-tale signs to look out for? As in, things that could potentially be deal-breakers?

2) How easy they are to modify, particularly handling-wise as for insurance purposes that is what I'd be looking at first rather than horsepower - although that can always come later ;)

3) Your experiences with them as daily drivers/general runabouts?

Thanks very much folks, any advice would be greatly appreciated