Driven: The AE86 Toyota Sprinter Trueno GT-APEX - Tested On The Scottish Touge

Today I finally get to drive an anime and real-life legend, the Toyota AE86. Perhaps best known to many as "the car from Initial D", these now command serious money. But, could it possible be that nice to drive or has time overstated the prowess of this car?
#Toyota #AE86 #Trueno
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[@DestinysComputer]

The car in the anime had a Group A TRD racing engine with like 240hp and revved out to 11,000rpm, so it was a hell of a lot faster than a stock 130hp 4AG.

[@oopartuk]

Plus all the extra work Bunta put in over the cars life into handling hahaha

[@mateusz2465]

After engine failed, in the first seasons it HAT mostly standard 4AG

[@paulcronin551]

This is a more faithful recreation of the earlier seasons car. Just needs an italvolanti steering wheel and wantanbe wheels. The later car had a carbon bonnet and eyelids and a bucket seat. So it’s correct enough id say.

[@BeanzPenguin]

Didn't the car have a dohc engine before it was swapped in the anime?

[@user-zq6yz5gf6d]

​@@BeanzPenguinyeah it had the basic stock AE86 engine. The 4A-GE spans 5 generations: Bluetop, greytop, redtop, blacktop, silvertop. The blacktop was the best of them all. Both that and the silvertop had 20 valve heads and 7rib blocks. The bluetop was a 3rib engine block and therefore could not handle as much power as the later AE92 block, so to make more than 200hp with a 4A-GE it's ideal to have a 7-rib block and a 20 valve head. The blacktop is arguably Toyota's best 4 cylinder.

[@trevorhofmann1562]

I worked for a Toyota dealer in the mid-'80s, and received one of these as my daily driver. At first I was disappointed, thinking I got stuck with a tarted up Corolla due to being low man on the totem pole (I wanted a Celica GT-S or Supra), but as soon as I drove it I was in love. Our version was called Corolla GT-S, and was powered by the same 112-hp 1.6-litre four as the 1st-gen MR2 (which were available simultaneously). I made many happy memories in that car, and now that they're almost in the unobtanium category, I'm happy to have at least enjoyed some time behind the wheel. Thanks for a lovely trip down memory lane.

[@joeh7675]

Powered by Eurobeat

[@jo05dk]

I knew a guy who owned a regular AE86 around 25 years ago. Back then it was a 2500£ old Toyota, but still a very special car. I loved how it drove, the lovely engine, and the LSD making some very cool burnouts possible. Now a days they start at the equivalent of 15.000£ where i live, and that's too rich for my taste. Great car, wish i owned one, but won't pay the current asking price. Great to see one on this channel.

[@davekennedy6315]

Agreed, they look great fun but those prices are stupid. You could buy some far more impressive cars for that kind of money.

[@kiatsumi7355]

Yeah, gotta agree on the price aspect. Same happened to old 911's, 20 years ago you could easily buy them below 10k, nowadays they are waaay more expensive. Honestly though, I'd import an 86 from Japan even with that bonkers price tag on it. It's just worth it in my opinion. True, no girl will fall on it like they do on BMW's and You can't really race them against... well anything, BUT the amount of joy that it brings to its owner is just astounding

[@toddscars]

7:00 - wait until you're on a freeway with a speed limit above 100kp/h. I still have nightmares listening to it driving for two hours at 110kph in my old 1987 AW11 SC

[@timorgano]

Haha, yeah I watched MCM's Turbos & Temples 2 with the March SuperTurbo which had the same thing. Sat on the Japanese motorway with it bonging away constantly.

[@krisabrahamson8844]

One of my best driving memories was taking my AE86 on a 750 km road trip to a cabin my family was renting in NW Ontario. The AC didn't work and it was over 30C but me and my little AE86 made it despite some good thunderstorms, tons of bugs and roads covered with frogs. I could put up with a lot when I was 20!

[@justanotherinternetmusicia1248]

My earliest memories of this car was it being bright red alongside a Yaris as the first cars in GT3, very happy memories then a few years down the line I found initial D and I’m now addicted to these. Fantastic video that brought back a lot

[@OscarH-7894]

Fantastic car AE86

[@ShonnDaylee]

Yes indeed. Gran Turismo 3 was a great game, and introduced a lot of people to the AE86.

[@Clickyman_YT]

It crazy how the likes say 8-6

[@justanotherinternetmusicia1248]

@@Clickyman_YT took two years but we got there

[@BySixa]

Im from Northern Ireland and yes, the scene for ae86's (or locally referred to as twincams) is crazy. We are nuts for rwd jdm cars here and you see them regularly. Becky Evans has a great video on why Ireland loves the ae86

[@BySixa]

@@Fazer_600 yeah. Is200s are good chassis imo but the prices being asked are hilarious. I went to see one for £2k and not a single panel matched. They were good when it was a cheap chassis for easy skids but now it's a bit rediculous lads asking altezza money for is200s with a kit and annoying exhaust

[@irishgaminggenoratio]

Funny enough in Ireland (including the north) the levin is king for the most part , the obsession here isn’t from media but purely from the fun ability the car had from new , uk cars have enough differences to make them a unique,rare and expensive choice. In my family we have owned and sold about 10, 3 red/black , 2 white, 2 black , 1 blue , 2 green, loved the video jay lovely example.

[@kevinhowley1586]

Man if you had all those ones you sold bow you'd be sitting on a gold mine with what they're making now. I'd love to at least drive one. I think a lot of the reason they are popular here is rallying as well.

[@irishgaminggenoratio]

@@kevinhowley1586 we kept one but its a never sell haha , people just stare and stuff attention adds to the appeal , including th youngins looking you to "light er up" lol

[@kevinhowley1586]

@@irishgaminggenoratio I wouldn't sell it either. The price lads are selling them for now is mental. Obviously people are buying so they'll keep going for that money. Hope you enjoy your one anyways pal !!!

[@MrManBuzz]

I never really understood why the Levins are more popular in Ireland, is it just that there's more of them? A Trueno is a way cooler car than the Levin, but I guess not everyone thinks pop up headlights are cool....those people should go away and sit in the naughty corner.

[@irishgaminggenoratio]

@@MrManBuzz well it’s preference really and people usually think the iteration they see first as better looking from what I’ve gathered truenos just were not seen until imported and by that time the uk spec levin was already top dog still a lot of lads have them now though.

[@svsson]

JayEmm is such a legend for this whole episode 🐐🔥

[@JayEmmOnCars]

Thanks kindly :)

[@lorddoosworth8175]

Definitely. I come back to this review every now and again and it's always great. 🔥

[@wardeadfr]

This Eurobeat intro with the 4age reving... you made my day sir :)

[@Kamikaze1180]

The AE86 is a massive legend in Japan IRL too, a lot of people have made these into real life drift machines that get a lot of use in modern times, which is amazing! Speaking of Japanese classics, I'd love to see you review a Nissan Silvia, S14 or S15 if you ever get the chance, those were some of my Gran Turismo dream cars ❤️

[@andrewlucas6214]

Working for Nissan in early eighties, I fell in love with Silvia S12 (1.8 turbo and 2.0 twin cam) so similar in many ways to this Toyota

[@Kamikaze1180]

@@andrewlucas6214 oh wow, that's amazing! For me the S13 is the most iconic, the design is so simple yet so intriguing, I'd love to get a chance to drive one someday.

[@ScarletUK2010]

Excited to see this!

[@neonreign2988]

This car puts a smile on my face, oh my goodness. Excellent content.

[@adnanrashid4446]

best video of yours in ages

[@comeberza]

A car with pop headlights always brightens your day. Lovely video!

[@JesseSpec]

Very cool that you features this car! Welcome to my world! Enjoy it and keep going 👍🏼

[@willotoole4118]

Absolute legend of a car 👍 *Eurobeat intensifies* Great the review on it and keep up the great content

[@Frank-Jaeger]

I didn't want the intro to end :(. Fantastic review, as always, keep it up!

[@aust8273]

Good mix up Today JayEmm!! Its in great shape

[@pizzagogo6151]

As a huge JDM fan great to see this on your channel! . Always had the impression , I guess due to its proximity to Europe & it’s own range of small cars, the UK ignored a lot of these great lightweight Japanese cards (all in RHD of course). For us in parts of the world who grew up with Datsun/Mazda/Toyota ( not escorts/ Vauxhall/Peugeots etc). It funny to see the belated UK interest in these Japanese classics.

[@willmatthews878]

I love your episodes but this was the best. 😀😀

[@petrol_head_garage]

I had Hachi-Roku, one of the best cars I ever owned. So much fun behind that legend! :)

[@mr.cookie7308]

Love the eurobeats.....so underappreciated. And the car is nice also.

[@Rollin8.0]

This video sparks joy!

[@cozza819]

Love the TE's, what a brilliant example!

[@oopartuk]

Best.Episode.Ever. Well since the last AW11 one hahaha, what a great day that must have been J, I'm quite jealous.

[@jamesengland7461]

Perfect exhaust note!

[@Fee.1]

Stunning timing given Donut’s video. Hopefully that translates to views

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Nice little car. Great review. Keep up the good work.

[@viranjith]

Sounds so nice! Please upload a 2 hr video of the car driving. I'd listen to it just for fun!

[@krisabrahamson8844]

Thanks for the video. I must say, I left it feeling a bit melancholy. Not because of the quality of the video, that was great. Rather as I used to own one of these back in the day. Mine was an 87 coupe (not the hatch like this one) in red. I bought it in 1996 when I was 19 years old, it was in decent shape, but already had some rust on it. I drove the wheels off that car and loved every minute of it. It taught me how to really drive and I did some crazy things with it that I shake my head at looking back. Drove it through Canadian winters which was fun (on the right tires) but basically turned the body into dust. Sold it shortly after buying an SW20 Turbo. So why the melancholy? Biggest auto regret ever driving the car into the dirt and moving on to the SW20. The AE86 was vastly more fun to drive than the SW20 despite having barely more than 1/2 the power. I've got a Golf R 6MT and a 987.2 Cayman 6MT now and while I simply adore the Cayman and really like the Golf the AE86 is the car of my heart. I wish I could go back in time to my 19 year old self and tell me to enjoy the car in the summer, but don't drive it in the winter, make sure the car endures. Hold onto it and when you turn 40 and have money again after buying a house and having 2 kids get it fully restored. I can't think of a weekend car I'd rather have. It's crazy to think that selling my mint 987.2 wouldn't even come close to fetching the money I'd need for a really good AE86 resto. The happen adendum to this is that my son now has a 2018 BRZ Sport Tech RS (Brembo's baby!) and that car really does channel a lot of what was magic about the AE86.

[@Android-vk8yh]

You're a very lucky man that indeed is an icon it's not about the speed, I drive a Civic Type R and the smile it puts on my face is priceless.

[@TomasWatchReviews]

that exhaust note.. Feels so nostalgic. Sounds the same as my Mazdas 323 and 323f from the 90s with 1.8 doch engines.. Sweeeet.

[@mikemikeyee]

Great video!! There’s a lot of kids that grew up with the corolla and have been able to keep them. I’m lucky enough to be one of those owners and have kept mine for the past 15ish years now. It’s still a great hoot to drive and I would be hard pressed to let it go for a portion of my year’s salary worth.

[@audiocosmonaut3883]

Haha absolutely loved the Eurobeat intro 😁👍🏻 Could be the new channel theme song, even 😀👍🏻

[@version13b]

Good video, I also learned about this car on Grand Turismo and asked my self why this was so much faster than when you but the normal 86 on the game and then later I watched the Initial D and figured out why it was so nice on the game.

[@IsaacReddinger]

That sounds is magnificent! Especially when the revs are dropping during up shifts

[@robertwoodliff2536]

It sound like something to be found in an Italian wrap.

[@seinsmeld13]

I had a 1985 Corolla GTS which I bought here in Canada. It was a wonderful car with 115 HP. I had it for only two years as I had put 90,000 km on it in that short time. Those were the good old days. Cheers!

[@Alltracavenger]

Definitely a legendary car. I had(for a short time) the US-spec SR5 coupe, which was a bit fun but somewhat lackluster with the carb'd 4AC and 4-speed slushbox. I had plans for something like a blacktop 4AGE swap and a proper manual conversion, but they never materialized and I went a different direction. Not long ago I lucked out and found a genuine GT-S hatch with the original, proper 16v 4AGE and all the personality that comes with it. Yes, it's slow but this wasn't a case of 'never meet your heroes'. She needs some work, mainly cosmetic, but I'm going to enjoy getting her back to her former glory. :)

[@TiagoJoaoSilva]

I have the fondest memory of being 10 years old and seeing a red AE86 (no popup headlights) with bodykit (probably a zenki on kouki lip, wider arches, skirts, doubled-spoked wheels) always parked at night on the street of my hometown *in the late 80s*. The absolute nutter later swapped it with an EE8 Civic CRX with Mugen bodykit and engine upgrade.

[@271production]

Love the intro James!

[@greathey1234]

You are right about it winning all the races in GT, this and Spoon Hondas which you should review one day.

[@marvinsamuels1237]

My earliest memory of this was back in 85/86 in the garage where my dad worked. Back then it was just another Toyota Corolla (a case of “nothing to see here”). It was only in the early 00’s when playing Need For Speed Underground 2 with my son that I realised that it was a handling legend.

[@nexpro6985]

I had the front wheel drive AE82, same engine. Great fun on mountain roads in Italy.

[@cowtc]

I used to drive a s13 (200sx) a few years after initial d came out and was travelling to Nottingham and somehow followed an ae86 on the back roads at speed. We both had loud exhausts, it was an amazing experience!

[@TheMarineGamerIGGHQ]

Even the S13's have also exploded in price. People use to throw them away even here in the UK

[@BangAverageRider]

Jay Emm Sun You really get it!

[@phillipsharpe6459]

I had one similar the non pop up headlight version 30 ish years ago ,had alot of fun in it until the gearbox gave up , fond memories, 😁👍

[@Tigermoto]

I always thought the Levin looked cool too. I was waaaay too young to care about such things when they were knocking about.

[@ciaranburke3243]

Great to see this featured, back in the 80s and 90s these were everywhere in Ireland 👍

[@PhoenixsWorldVideos]

Juiceboxforyou makes me think they still are haha. Probably not as many as it would seem.

[@Dez456]

usually with a Janspeed exhaust and a set of minilites

[@ryaneccles1237]

That twincam sounds awesome! That was the soundtrack of the 90s in Cape Town, along with the Nissan 2.8 gtx and Ford 3.0s.

[@marcdelaunay1]

OMG!!! I had a Renault five Gordoni Turbo just after my Corolla 16v rear wheel drove in some weird metallic greeny/beige/gold lol….I loved driving it!! Hooned it, lost in a field somewhere in the Home Counties hahahaha. Wish I’d kept it.

[@InternetEntity]

Just been sent here by finally getting around to Jay's GR86 review.

[@jryalls]

Driving through the Campsie Fells. One of my go to driving roads.

[@CallMeChato]

We bought this car, a Corolla GTS Twincam as it was called here in Canada back in 1984. Loved it. Had to whip that engine to get it up to speed. Had to sell it when we had our first kid as a two door became a backbreaker. When our teen son found out we had one of these and got rid of it, he was furious.

[@johang7498]

I never would have guessed the cult surrounding these sprinters/corolla's would become so big and make them so valuable, but back then (well before Initial D and GranTurismo) I did find there was something special about them. Their were (far less memorable) FWD-corolla sedans and hatchbacks for sale, simultaneously with these coupé's and liftbacks, btw. Far more your typical smaller Japanese 1980s-car than this one. Great upload!

[@NathanElcoate]

Brilliant review. What a car. We have a 4AGE AE82 hatch and it's amazing.

[@PhoenixsWorldVideos]

Love those, would definitely own one

[@JDMJOE]

Beautiful classic!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@kokokev8]

Love that you incorporated Euro beat lol

[@tracktimevideos5164]

Original Gran Turismo on the original playstation in 1997 was when I started learning more about cars like these that weren't often seen on the road. I would have been 16. The Galant VR4 was crazy tuneable. What a time.

[@JD-eo7dr]

I tried talking my dad into a VR4 estate when I was 16 we even went out in it. He got a Charisma 1.8 instead 🤦

[@8765daks]

Absolutely love it!

[@25bchris]

Definitely team living legend on this fine motor, this is my dream car !!! 100%

[@eze8970]

Thanks J! Got to like a engine that wants to rev!

[@_repentence]

That engine sound man... eargasm

[@lorddoosworth8175]

she sounds amazing doesn't she 🤤

[@_repentence]

@@lorddoosworth8175 it is 👍

[@samthoma2719]

This is sooooo cool

[@tcae8658]

At 11'' the sound is just beautiful 😃

[@matthiasmartin1975]

Best instrument cluster ever. My parent's camry had the exact same one and I've never seen anything cooler than it. The camry wasn't cool of course, being FWD and all that, but the dashboard was the best, because VFD. The supra of the era had a variant of it with a differently curved Rev counter LED array.

[@johncooper1165]

Jay Emm is also a living legend 😎

[@henryshu6265]

Man! I love that Fujiwara tofu shop(Family use)sticker on its doors!

[@SHIREDRIFT]

Great to see you drive a AE86 on your channel. They are great fun but as you said, the prices now are just crazy for such a budget spec car. But when you get it up on it's toes, they are very rewarding. You should go up a notch and drive a Celica Supra MA61. Toyota's flagship at the time and a lot more car for a lot less money. I can put you to some contacts with finding one to try too.

[@mg1822]

I love the sound of a 4AGE. I have a 6th gen Celica with the 7AFE and will be doing a 7AGE hybrid build (7AFE block with 4AGE head). I can't wait!

[@MilitaryHistory2011]

This was always my first car in Gran Turismo

[@varunagunatilaka7569]

Thanks for this! While it is fun....a crucial review. Kudos to Dominic .If you can find the yamaha touched 4AGE-20v....

[@squishie7722]

i keep coming back to watch the eurobeat part

[@chriscaarnold]

But an electric car can do 0-60 in 100000000000000th of a second and has a top speed of 10 billion miles an hour…. As a couple of my mates would say. They just don’t get it! I had a GT86. And will be buying a GR86.

[@kjyu]

Jealous! GR86 is on my list of cars I'd love to have.

[@fortheloveofnoise9298]

I couldn't be friends with people like that.

[@tjpj1919]

£46,000 can't say im not a little bit heartbroken

[@thebigboybossy4232]

That's ridiculous

[@TheMarineGamerIGGHQ]

Last one I saw for sale as a fresh import from japan and it was at 18,500. Completely stripped out, roll-cage and bucket seats

[@hondacivic2295]

jus get an AE85 or a USDM SR5 and just 4AGE swap it

[@mickmiller9936]

Gran turismo 3. First car you could buy. Childhood memories 😊

[@flyback_driver]

I'm glad Ricky upgraded his car. No more clearing stick!

[@johnny-jdb]

Think that's the fastest drive by shots you've ever done. You were certainly enjoying the AE86.

[@timetoshine6979]

I had 2 UK cars. Best fun ever! My last went to Ireland just before they started drifting them! Shame I sold it with spares for £2000...hindsight!

[@kdpwt]

This is the car that got me into cars

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Yes how cool is that !!

[@kdpwt]

ive been waiting for this one for quite a while actually. What id like to see though is a ke70 with the same engine and how that compares, since at least up till now they're priced in different universes

[@annienguyen1799]

I have an AE86 and I approve this message.

[@walksfarwolf6070]

Growing up in Okinawa(1983-1990) this and the generations of cars at that time, gave me a love for so many JDM classics. I owned a number of them during my time there. 1979 Mazda Capella - swapped to a 13B w/ Weber 48. With a number of other RX-7 bits added. It was brown and a sleeper. Fairlady Z 1970. Only for a short 3 months. A USMC Capt. offered a great price for it. 👍🏻 1983 Starion GSR III. Only mild mods. Intercooler add, newer front air dam. Loved the quarter mirrors on these three. My favorite was the 1985 DR30 RS-DOHC Turbo. FJ20DET FTW!!! Sounded great, looked better. Slight mods intercooler, watanabes, HKS exhaust...but waaaay too much attention attracted for a Y plate car. 😔 had to let it go or I would have undoubtably lost my license. 😁 The keeper from 1985 ½ to 1990 ended up being a 1984 Corona Coupe GT-TR. Fabulous car. Fun, not too big, VERY easy to modify. Now that I'm at the nostalgia point in life I do think of picking one up and bringing it stateside and matching the mods from the original. 😁👍🏻

[@Some.One_Unknown]

3:16 Love that paper cup !

[@coldvaper]

I love mine and haven't been able to part with it for over 20 years now.

[@sifty87]

I first always wanted one of these when it was the coolest starter car on need for speed underground 2. Best need for speed btw.

[@greatbritannialine]

EXACT initial d replica!!!! Yessssss omg yes please thats amazing:D I love it

[@polopowered]

That exhaust note though x

[@hornetiquette]

Love this car!

[@Dominik189]

Hmm, I wouldn't call it a living legend. My dad had an AE86 Levin, and I loved it. It was brilliant. I absolutely adored it. i just wish we could still have it and that I could still register and drive it. One of the reason I was disappointed with the GT86 was because I remember our Levin having lovely rear seats that were actually usable. Truly usable, not just there for show or to tick a box.

[@garyb9552]

buddy of mine had a near mint one of these in white. mechanically sound all around. this was when you could get one for 2 grand. he wrapped it around a telephone pole in the snow and 5 years later it was worth 15k.

[@KLUTCHdot58]

In the 80s 90s, along with several MK1 escort rs. My dad gutted a few Levins/ Turenos to grass track race. What a retirement pot if he'd saved 'em all!

[@thedetailingdoctor5746]

Epic car absolutely legendary

[@daddymulk]

I noticed There are a few JDM Hondas in Ireland, Was an Original Honda Ballade Sports CRX mk1 for sale few years Back over there, Sensible Folk, Good to know there JDM mad

[@vvwvvwvv]

YES, THE MEME INTRO. THANK YOU!

[@swift9417]

I have to point out that the played track at the beginning is no Eurobeat song. Did enjoy either way tho :D

[@martinlaver007]

Gran Turismo for me! Classic.

[@Wiggy321]

My stud earliest knowledge of these cars is my neighbor having red and black Levin. Then one of my mom's coworkers had a silver and black Levin. Then I had Levin AE92 GTZ in blue, with several friends having multiple colors such as white, black and grey.

[@tariqtvproductions]

Would love one of those. Prices been on the rise. Looks like a good laugh to drive. Gotta get it sideways!

[@polopowered]

10:42 My 2020 Corolla Hybrid has that same style (and graphic) pull lever. Love Toyota x