Back in the days I had a small KP61 Starlet from year 1984. I
did not have any problem with it. Did however change the brake disc, but I
think that’s it. I really liked the rear wheel drive and the simplicity of the
car. Unfortunately my KP61 was very rusty and the car did not like to be driven
on lead free 95 octane fuel (I think the valves didn’t like it). Other memories
are that I slept over in the car one time (sitting in the front seat) and it
was not comfortable. I only had the car for about 2 years before trading it in
for a Volkswagen Polo (which was not as reliable…). The shock absorbers of the
Starlet were also worn out. They froze during the winter and it was not nice to
ride the car with shock absorbers who did not work!
Why not get another one (KP61)?
Being in a crash in this car would not be safe. Very poor
impact stability. And therefore not suitable for an every day cruise car.
However, ever since then
I have had a soft spot for the Toyota Starlet. And I almost bought a KP61
again, but was not fast enough, so it got sold before I got my hands on it.
This summer I bough a 1997 (EP91 or P9) Starlet with about
7364 Swedish miles (73640 km). (very little!)
The EP91 model is one of the best of the Starlet series as
it has manual everything with no nasty electric windows (one is broken in my
other car: Kia Pride), no steering wheel servo or air conditioning to go wrong,
and it has pretty low weight. My 3-door model is sign of simplicity. And I
prefer simplicity. No hand-controlled windows in the back seat. No rev-counter.
It is Just a simple car, perfect. Simplicity is genius. Why complicate things?.
The car has only two front speakers. The boot is bigger than on my Kia Pride.
And when folding the rear seat the boot/trunk get completely flat. The Kia
chair can be folded a bit more, but you cannot have it all.. (I guess).
It does however have 5 gear transmission and a nice reliable
engine (4E-FE), 16 valve and a Cam belt (I would however preferred a cam
chain..).
The car I well known to have genuine Toyota quality (at the
top?) and has a rumor of being outstandingly reliable.
The Car creates the impression of being built like a small
tank – admittedly a lightweight one with a good bit of speed.
The instrumentation is a bit Spartan, having no rev counter.
The interior is finished in a hard wearing grey cloth, but looks clean. The
speed velocity is very simple with green backlight. The glove compartment is
bigger than in the Kia Pride.
The transmission is distinct and the clutch I think is hydraulic,
picking points in my heart.
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