Buying an AE86 - What to look out for?

[postfach]

Hi all,

I'm considering buying an AE86, just started looking around now but I'm off to see one after work tonight. What are things to look out for? I've been told to check thoroughly for rust around the hatch and in the door sills. Is there anything else I need to be wary of?

Thanks

[Zak]

Rust on the on all the pilars is very comon, well, at least all mine

Other than that as long as your body is ok fixing the other stuff isn't too bad.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... key=149505 is that the one your going to look at?

I wouls just check around the front for accident damage as it looks like the lights and grill aren't aligned any more.

[postfach]

yeah thats the one

[Zak]

I was going to have a look at that one too, I offered him 8k for it, but he never replyed.... so I went and bought tinyz old one.

If I were you, and you don't mind notch backs, try and get that gold one from tama's autos. It's a lot more bang for your buck I reckon.

[quicklvn]

Also look for rust on the rear wheel arches and around the braces that hold in the rear seatbelts.

Also below the rear lights under the bumper, thats where the main rust on my AE85 showed up.

Not structual but still a pain

[postfach]

heh, if you have a look at his post on here, i offered him my car as a trade, he said he'd rather have cash at this stage

[postfach]

Also look for rust on the rear wheel arches and around the braces that hold in the rear seatbelts.

Also below the rear lights under the bumper, thats where the main rust on my AE85 showed up.

Not structual but still a pain

Thanks for the tips, I'll be sure to check those areas.

[Mr Revhead]

look EVERYWHERE

they rust just as bad as AW11s.

panels are stil avail new

[panda_dan]

I would be weary of that car. i just checked his auction listing and it says this:

"This Car was an auto, imported in 91, Has been professionally converted with T50 gearbox. "

As far as i know (happy to be corrected) but no ae86 ever came automatic. SO it might be an ae85 with ae86 gear. Even though it states clearly that it is an ae86. "The lastest facelift model GT-APEX."

Might be worth asking him before you wave cash around

[postfach]

I would be weary of that car. i just checked his auction listing and it says this:

"This Car was an auto, imported in 91, Has been professionally converted with T50 gearbox. "

As far as i know (happy to be corrected) but no ae86 ever came automatic. SO it might be an ae85 with ae86 gear. Even though it states clearly that it is an ae86. "The lastest facelift model GT-APEX."

Might be worth asking him before you wave cash around

First thing I had planned on looking at is the plate on the firewall

According to wikipedia, the later models came out with auto option

[AE86less]

Take a torch with you, it doesnt matter if it's a bright day.

I've heard of quite a few having rust behind the rear bumpers, on the bottom of the rear quarter panels up into the boot. Also behind that, on the big thick beam thing you can see

[Zak]

There are a few auto one's very rare though. I'd be looking more on how well the coversion was done.

[Meadzy]

yer if possible take the back bumper off to look for rust .. the guy selling it is a friend of a friend..pretty shore he said it is genuine too

[Snoozin]

The chassis plate should tell you if it was an auto or not originally though, right?

[postfach]

The chassis plate should tell you if it was an auto or not originally though, right?

It will, yes, but the concern was more is it an AE85 or an AE86. I don't care if its had a manual conversion, but if its an ae85 it loses some of its appeal.

[~SlideWays~]

Rear arches are bad for rust, get a magnet to see if it has been bogged.

Just check the chassis plate for ae86-********** and T50

[spencer]

Look everywhere as said above if its been outside they can rust in all sorts of places. the seam under the rear bumper is bad, also leaves and crap fill up in the lower rear part of the guards rotting them so open the door and look down there. some go in the fire wall or lower strut towers anywhere!! All the mechanical stuff is faily straight forward still heaps of parts around

[nzae86]

First thing I had planned on looking at is the plate on the firewall

According to wikipedia, the later models came out with auto option

I tried to buy that car maybe 6 years ago and yes it was a factory ae86 auto, they do exist, not sure for what reason though!

[Dorift 180]

Get the gold levin notchback from Tama autos. Heaps better than the hatch car for the same money.
And yes I Have seen both b4 any of you cut me down.
Yeah the red one was a factory automatic... doesn't have t50 on the build plate i think?

[beeker]

Mine was 100% rust free,

alas now it doesnt look so good.