Buyer's guide
15 min read
Buyer's guide & specs
Quick answer
The Toyota Starlet is a small hatchback. Toyota's turbo models include the P70 (2E-TELU), the P80 GT (EP82, on sale 19 December 1989) and the P90 Glanza V (EP91, 6 January 1996). The latter two use the 135 PS net 4E-FTE. EP82 and EP91 also cover naturally aspirated cars, so check the engine code.
Background
The Toyota Starlet changed from rear-wheel drive to front-wheel drive with the third-generation P70, which went on sale in Japan on 1 October 1984. Two later turbo models are the P80 GT (EP82, on sale from 19 December 1989) and the P90 Glanza V (EP91, on sale from 6 January 1996), both with a 135 PS net 4E-FTE. Toyota UK says the Glanza V was restricted to Japan.
The P70 turbo series used the 1.3-litre 2E-TELU, introduced on 8 January 1986 at 105 PS net. Best Car gives 110 PS from the December 1987 revision.
The 4E-FTE in the P80 GT and P90 Glanza V is rated 135 PS net at 6,400 rpm and 16.0 kgf·m at 4,800 rpm. Toyota's launch release says the GT uses the CT9 turbocharger. Toyota's launch weight is 830 kg for the GT and 920 kg for the Glanza V with a manual gearbox.
Toyota lists the GT, the naturally aspirated Soleil and the Si all as EP82. EP91 covers the Glanza V, the Glanza S and the ordinary front-wheel-drive Reflet. The Glanza S has the naturally aspirated 4E-FE at 85 PS.
The full-time 4WD cars are EP85 (P80) and EP95 (P90) and are naturally aspirated. The diesels are NP80 and NP90.
The US federal safety exemption applies 25 years from each car's manufacture date. EPA emissions requirements are separate and, for older vehicles, call for an engine of the same model and configuration as the original. Canada's age exemption uses 15 years from the manufacture month and year.
Editorial notes
Quick read
Constants
Chassis history
The Starlet changed to front-wheel drive with the third-generation P70 in October 1984. These pages cover the P70 (EP71), P80 (EP82) and P90 (EP91), with Japanese sales from October 1984, December 1989 and January 1996.
Identification
Generation names are broad families. The factory chassis codes below identify the variants represented in JDMBUYSELL's current Toyota Starlet guide data.
Confirm the complete code on the vehicle's frame or VIN plate; drivetrain, body, and market variants can use different prefixes within one generation family.
Buyer's call
Figures come from Toyota's Japanese releases and catalogues.
Reliability
Toyota's recall 886 is the documented issue for 1998 cars. Inspect each car individually.
| Issue | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Passenger airbag recall (1998 builds) | Toyota recall 886, filed 24 October 2002, found check-valve pins incorrectly fitted in the passenger-airbag inflator, which could stop full deployment. | Toyota's remedy is to replace the passenger-airbag assembly free of charge. The recall lists three EP91 cars built 4 June to 11 September 1998 and one EP95 built 8 April 1998, so check the chassis number with Toyota. |
Market
Toyota's Japanese pages are the source for the grades and figures on these pages. Toyota UK says the Glanza V, Carat, Remix and 4WD versions of the P90 were restricted to Japan. The UK range for 1996 to 1998 was 3- and 5-door 1.3-litre Sportif and CD cars with a five-speed manual or three-speed automatic. The UK P70 was announced on 20 February 1985 with only the smaller engine and a five-speed gearbox, and the UK P80 launched in April 1990 as a single 3-door GL. The US federal safety exemption applies 25 years from each car's manufacture date. EPA emissions requirements are separate and, for older vehicles, call for an engine of the same model and configuration as the original. Canada's age exemption uses 15 years from the manufacture month and year.
Specs
Toyota's heritage table labels its listed outputs net. For the P70's naturally aspirated 81 and 93 PS, the launch release does not state the basis and Toyota GAZOO describes both as gross, so that basis is unresolved. The P70 turbo launch rating and the P80 and P90 turbo ratings are stated as net.
Partial lean-burn system; Toyota's heritage table calls its outputs net, while Toyota GAZOO describes this figure as gross.
EFI-D with TCCS engine control; Toyota's heritage table calls its outputs net, while Toyota GAZOO describes this figure as gross.
Rating changed in December 1987
Commercial body, front-wheel drive
DOHC, four valves per cylinder
9.6:1 compression
8.2:1 compression
Naturally aspirated, not a turbo
22.0:1 compression
9.6:1 compression
8.2:1 compression
Not a Glanza
Diesel Reflet range
Lineup
EP82 and EP91 each cover turbo and naturally aspirated grades. Two later turbo models are the P80 GT and the P90 Glanza V.
| Generation | Trim | Engine | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Third generation (Japan, 1984–1989) | DX (3-door) | 2E-LU, 1,295 cc | Carburettor, 81 PS; 710 kg in Toyota's representative specification; the gross or net basis of this rating is unresolved (Toyota heritage: net; Toyota GAZOO: gross) |
| Third generation (Japan, 1984–1989) | XL (5-door) | 2E-LU, 1,295 cc | Carburettor, 81 PS; 720 kg in Toyota's representative specification; the gross or net basis of this rating is unresolved (Toyota heritage: net; Toyota GAZOO: gross) |
| Third generation (Japan, 1984–1989) | Si (3-door) | 2E-ELU, 1,295 cc | Fuel-injected, 93 PS; 730 kg in Toyota's representative specification; the gross or net basis of this rating is unresolved (Toyota heritage: net; Toyota GAZOO: gross) |
| Third generation (Japan, 1984–1989) | Turbo series, including the Turbo S | 2E-TELU, 1,295 cc turbo | From 8 January 1986: five models, bonnet air scoop, 175/60R14 tyres; five-speed manual or four-speed automatic |
| Third generation (Japan, 1984–1989) | Starlet Van (CD-L, CD, CS) | 2E-LJ, 1,295 cc | Commercial body (EP76V), front-wheel drive; 700–710 kg |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | GT (3-door) | 4E-FTE, 1,331 cc turbo | Front-wheel drive, 135 PS, four-wheel discs; 5MT or 4AT. Momo steering wheel and Recaro seats were optional; verify the fitted equipment. |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | GT Limited (3-door) | 4E-FTE, 1,331 cc turbo | Catalogue grade from December 1992; 135 PS, 4AT sampled, 900 kg |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | Gi (3-door) | 4E-FE, 1,331 cc | 100 PS; rear drum brakes; 4AT and 850 kg in the 1992 sample |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | Si (5-door) | 4E-FE, 1,331 cc | 100 PS; 790 kg in Toyota's representative specification |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | Soleil (3-door) | 4E-F, 1,331 cc | 82 PS; 710 kg in Toyota's representative specification |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | Soleil L 4WD (EP85, 3-door) | 4E-F, 1,331 cc | Full-time 4WD from August 1990; 82 PS, 5MT, 860 kg |
| Fourth generation (Japan, 1989–1996) | Diesel Soleil (NP80, 3-door) | 1N, 1,453 cc diesel | 55 PS; 4AT and 840 kg in the 1992 sample |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Reflet (3- and 5-door) | 4E-FE, 1,331 cc | Basic grade, with Reflet f and Reflet x above it; 85 PS; 860 kg in the 5-door 3AT sample |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Reflet x 4WD (EP95, 5-door) | 4E-FE, 1,331 cc | Full-time 4WD and 5MT; 82 PS; 980 kg in the sample |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Reflet diesel (NP90) | 1N, 1,453 cc diesel | 55 PS; Toyota's catalogue lists 4AT and 5MT versions |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Glanza S (3-door) | 4E-FE, 1,331 cc | Front-wheel drive, 85 PS, rear discs, 165/70R13 tyres; 840 kg (heritage) or 880 kg (4AT sample) |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Glanza S Limited (3-door) | 4E-FE, 1,331 cc | Special grade, December 1996 to April 1997 catalogue entry; 5MT and 4AT; no allocation figure found |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Glanza V (3-door) | 4E-FTE, 1,331 cc turbo | Front-wheel drive, 135 PS, ventilated front discs and rear discs, 185/55R14 tyres; 920 kg (5MT) or 960 kg (4AT) |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Glanza V Motorsport Package (3-door) | 4E-FTE, 1,331 cc turbo | 5MT, 920 kg, LSD optional; catalogue marks ABS and both airbags absent |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Carat (3- and 5-door) | 1,331 cc | Retro-styled addition of 1997; catalogue lists FWD and full-time 4WD versions |
| Fifth generation (Japan, 1996–1999) | Remix (5-door) | 1,331 cc | RV-look special specification with two-tone paint and roof rails; 5-door only |
Inspect
Match the engine code, grade equipment and chassis number to what the seller says.
Gallery
Editorial
Start with the engine code, because EP82 and EP91 each cover turbo and naturally aspirated cars. The Glanza V has the 135 PS net 4E-FTE; the Glanza S has the naturally aspirated 4E-FE at 85 PS.
Toyota's catalogue lists a limited-slip differential as optional on the Glanza V packages, so do not assume one. The catalogue marks airbags and ABS as absent on the Motorsport Package.
Check the chassis number against Toyota recall 886, which lists three EP91 cars and one EP95 built in 1998. The US federal safety exemption applies 25 years from each car's manufacture date. EPA's age exemption requires the original engine model and configuration, or an equivalent or newer EPA-certified replacement engine and emission-control systems. Canada's age exemption uses 15 years from the manufacture month and year. State rules vary, so check state and provincial registration separately.
FAQ
Citations
Sources last verified: