No Budget Reviews: 1988 Toyota Starlet 1.0 GL (EP70) - Lloyd Vehicle Consulting

[@robertevans8161]

I bought a 1986 one of these in 2002 for very little money. Rust had very much set in sadly, but it was remarkably reliable for the 6 months or so I ran it for. Interestingly the switchgear on it was different to the later version you test here. I seem to remember the rear wiper switches were down near the speakers, and there was no remote boot or fuel flap release. The choke was cleverly staged into 3 settings. Though it had seen better days, I still remember the indicator and wiper stalks being of a lovely smooth premium feel and almost damped in their action. By the time I traded it in I struggled to get it above 55mph, so I think there was a clutch issue. It still started on the button and never let me down. The Toyota marketing strapline from the time was ‘Toyota: that’s motoring’. Indeed it was! A great little car, and I’m envious of those who owned one from new and probably enjoyed total reliability for a decade or so.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed for watching and commenting. I had quite forgotten that I had filmed this rare little car. I imagine in 2002, they weren't worth a lot of money. I don't think these are worth that much even today!

[@adamtoms2726]

Nice to see one of these. I haven't seen one in the flesh since about the year 2000. This version of the Starlet didn't seem to be very popular the one before and the version after seemed to sell very well here. I think the looks of this model have aged incredibly well given it's original design is over 35 years old. Good comparison with the 121 and Pride as it does look remarkably similar, even though this car launched first. Another stellar review sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Jude owns a number of Kia Prides, so the comparison was inevitable. They are both very rare now, but not necessarily that expensive. The styling is very much of the era, it now looks quite simple and uncluttered in comparison with many modern cars. You are right, not a big seller over here at all.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Never seen one of these apart from maybe at a car show but the rocker switch buttons look quite similar to the the Mark 2 Fiesta, but very similar Japanese heater controls you would find in a K10 Micra, certainley a rare gem and thank you for sharing Sir.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, definitely similar in some ways to other cars of the era, not perhaps the most distinctive car, but quite charming nevertheless.

[@UnusSedLeo-w5l]

You saw them just anywhere in the 1980's and 1990's. The 1,3 was very fast for its time. This one looks good. It may need some TLC, but even without that... Toyota...It will drive.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, really not too bad for a car from 1988. Some work to do, but worth it for such a rare car in this country. Toyota grossly undermarketed these.

[@MrSheymie]

I saw one of these only this week! Not that uncommon around rural parts where I live. Nice jolly little car. I actually prefer these old cars to the annoying tech-loaded stuff of today.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

A lot of No Budget Reviews would agree with you that they prefer these older cars to the newer ones. Once you get your head around the strange wiper controls, it is very simple to operate indeed!

[@seancooke7332]

A very tidy little Starlet. Nice designed, nice interior would be great to take a trip in a survivor like this. Toyota did have a presence in every class at the time. Starlet, Tercel, Corolla, Carina, Celica, MR2, Camry, Crown, Space Cruiser, Land Cruiser, Land Cruiser Amazon, Hiace, Litace, Hilux.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It was very easy back in the day for your car needs to be covered by Toyota's vast product range, and we didn't even get all of them over here in comparison with the Japanese domestic market.

[@markonmotoring]

I'll be honest I've never seen one if these. My dad test drive a later generation Starlet in the mid 90"s which was a nice little car. Apparently these early cars were very expensive for the class by comparison to other cars. I expect the quality was perhaps better than much of the competition though.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they were expensive and under marketed, but they do seem to be a bit nicer than something like a Mark II Fiesta. Apart from the heavy steering, quite easy and pleasant to drive.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

With Mark on this I cannot think ever seeing one apart from maybe at a show, I always remember the mid 90's version as it looked similar to the K11 Micra from a side profile.

[@mattw8332]

I imagine that shipping Japanese superminis all the way to Europe was an expensive process, hence the high list price. I think that's why Daihatsu no longer sell cars in the UK (Europe too?) and the Yaris and Aygo are built in Europe.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@mattw8332 , yes, Daihatsu pulled out of the country about ten years ago due to poor exchange rates.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain , there were quite a lot of different Starlets, surprisingly.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thanks for the video! Another New Zealand favourite - although we tended to get the larger capacity engines. Believe it or not all Starlets are popular rally cars in New Zealand, which is how most have survived - often with wild engine conversions!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

I imagine that this was a much bigger seller in New Zealand than here, and probably with the 1.3 and 1.3 turbo engines too.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting Yes! The 1.3 was extremely popular in New Zealand. So were the Turbo ones, although they were usually used Japanese imports. Been in one, very quick! This particular generation you were looking at was very popular as a rental car (I remember my Aunt from Australia visiting my Late Grandmother in one when I was 5!) or business fleet vehicles, pizza delivery etc.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@alaricbragg7843 , yes, sort of like the Ford Fiestas and Vauxhall Novas would have been over here, really.

[@alaricbragg7843]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting ...and the Turbo GT Starlets were like our versions of your Escort XR3s, Sir. Very much the bane of traffic cops lives! Believe it or not some were re-engined with Rotaries or in one example a 2.2 Prelude V-TEC!

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@alaricbragg7843 , I suppose there is just about enough room under there for a 2.2. That is a bit like the old Escorts, as people have crammed a lot of different engines under the bonnets of those over the years.

[@PlanetautoUK]

Nice honest, fun little motor, I’d have to slam it, deep dish 12” or 13” and stick an interesting engine in it, however the 1.3 T 4x4 sounds perfect- maybe a roof chop, proportions are a bit off key, lots of potential for a rapid hot hatch.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

There is a long tradition of modifying Starlets, which culminated in the final generation Starlet Glanza Turbo being imported in relatively large quantities to this country and then being further modified for more power....

[@PlanetautoUK]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting not surprising when you look at Gazoo

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@PlanetautoUK , yes, the Masters of the Nuerburgring!

[@drybokes7055]

I have only ever seen the 1.3 turbo 4 wheel drive. There was a very tricked one close to where i lived for a while. Never seen one of these, ever.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, they weren't exactly common over here, it's probably more likely that someone would see a Japanese Domestic Market one these days, possibly with the turbo engine, than an original UK market car.

[@PlanetautoUK]

That sounds mint, our type of car

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@PlanetautoUK , this 1.0 only had 55 bhp, so the 1.3 turbo would be a bit more desirable...

[@PlanetautoUK]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting yes, good call, 55 maybe a tad low

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@PlanetautoUK , if only Toyota UK had realised that at the time!

[@stuartsaunders4518]

My mother had a 1978 T Reg Starlet I'm sure ithe first generation was rear wheel drive(?) I remember it was very basic and even had rubber flooring with no carpets. Anyway, the generation you tested was incredibly rare even when new, it's not a bad car just incredibly bland & similar to the Micra I can only remember this as a driver's instructor type of car

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Yes, the first couple of generations (the P40/P50 and the P60) were rear wheel drive. The 1978 model would have been a P60. I do remember those, and you are right, they were very basic. It is a bland car, but I don't know if it is necessarily worse than a contemporary Metro or Nova.

[@mattw8332]

I knew it was going to be one of Jude's cars when I saw the car park! Nice Toyota.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

You are clearly quite familiar with the channel now, sir!

[@trabali5168]

Yes very rare when available, I believe because of the K10 micra's price and popularity, but a very accomplished car.

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Indeed, sir! Undermarketed over here, it would seem, the K10 Micra was quite popular back in the day.

[@callumdeyah1889]

How do I contact the owner of this car ??

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Is there a particular reason why you wish to get in touch with him? I will need to ask him if he is happy to share his details.

[@callumdeyah1889]

@@lloydvehicleconsulting just wanted to know if he any starlet parts for sale as I have one to

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

@@callumdeyah1889 , that makes sense! I don't think the car came with any spares, but I will ask....

[@petermurray7055]

Great car

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

Thank you very much indeed!

[@lg3359]

Oh whats happened

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

What do you mean, sir?

[@marktasker9581]

I had a 1988 Starlet GL in gold as my first car and ran it for over 7 years. To be honest I regret ever selling it and would happily have it back 🥲

[@lloydvehicleconsulting]

It is quite a charming little car. I was extremely blessed to have been given the opportunity to have a go in this one. Thank you ever so much indeed for watching and commenting!