I will keep driving AE86.
This week was a thoughtful week. Thought one was buying a third AE86, one that is for sale locally and equipped with an AE111 20V, as well as a good selection of footwork parts. The price was fair, and this is a purchase I would recommend to anyone looking for a moderate tune AE86, however, there were a couple factors that lead me to not making a purchase. First, it would have left me with two very similar cars (my coupe and this new hatch), which is not something that is either convenient or affordable. Despite what most AE86 owners like to think… the market has become saturated with cars for sale, and value is dropping incredibly. Marketplaces contain endless for sale ads, and no one seems to be buying. For me to buy this one car, and then turn around and sell my coupe, or part out various items onto my coupe and sell the hatch, would be a great hassle, and most certainly I would lose big on the deal. No one wants to spend 7000$ on an AE86 anymore.
The second factor, was that after a few test drives, I decided I didn’t want a high revving, torque less NA car. I took a short drive in P. Tan’s mild tune PS13 and was shocked and amazed. His SR20 is about as powerful as the supercharged K20 in Anthony’s RSX, and certainly the K20 would be the better motor for auto-x, however… something about the delivery of turbo power is so much more aesthetically pleasing and satisfying. Turbo Lag is actually fun. Blow Off valve noises are definitely cool. Enormous top end power and torque is great. I feel like full throttle and a clutch kick is all I could ever need.
After this drive, I wanted nothing but an S13. I crunched numbers and thought of a schedule that would get me ready for —————–. It started to look impossible. It started to look expensive, so I considered HCR32… same turbo power, good chassis… ugly ass car… maybe more affordable. If I didn’t have so much invested in AE86 I might be there.
But I will keep driving AE86. I feel like it has become a large part of who I am. I’m even pompous enough to say that I have influenced AE86 culture in small ways. Things I have written on this sight, are no commonplace ideas and names in the AE86 community. Believe it. I’m not going anywhere. There is a legend to reinforce afterall.
Which means… I have to stop being a bum. Start going to events, stop talking and start doing. I’ve been a hermit afterall. I’m not saying I’m going to win anything. I just want to have fun and do my thing.