American dealers never offered this third-generation Starlet, making the right-hand-drive import a rare sight in the states. The 1995 Toyota Starlet outside Portland, Oregon shows well inside and out, as it should with under 60,000 miles since new. The “S” trim Toyota packs a host of power features and creature comforts, and four-wheel-drive should help you reach your destination in nasty weather. Check out more pictures and details here on Craigslist where $7995 buys this nifty ’90s hatchback. Thanks to reader Curvette for spotting this Oregon cutie.
A five speed manual gearbox would make this econo-box more fun, but the automatic had gained a fourth gear by ’95 and may alleviate concerns about shifting with your left hand. Personally, I’ve logged 1000s of miles in left-hand stick-shift cars and find my brain automatically handles the shifting without distracting me from from more important things like remembering not to make right turns into the near lane or driving counter-clockwise in empty rural roundabouts. Check out that leather-wrapped steering wheel!
Hatchbacks make a super-practical use of space, and you can see the luggage compartment and learn more about this Japanese Starlet in this YouTube video. I test-drove a second-gen Starlet in the ’80s, and enjoyed it! They came to the U.S. during model years 1981 to ’84, in a rear-wheel-drive configuration. It was stiffly suspended, quiet, and tight over bumps, exactly the opposite of the five-speed Chevrolet Chevette I drove the same day. The Chevette was so gutless I repeatedly checked the parking brake to make sure it didn’t have a couple clicks of drag engaged. The Starlet accelerated smartly and felt solid.
The 1.3 L (81 cid) fuel-injected Toyota 4E-FE makes 75 HP and features four valves per cylinder and dual overhead camshafts, which should do a fine job in this sub-1700 lb hatch. Thanks to Engine-Specs for some details.
Cloth pattern inserts dress up the seats and door panels, and this specimen appears to have plenty of miles left. Power locks and windows set this mid-’90s Toyota apart from most basic ’80s hatchbacks. The seller claims higher than 35 MPG in real-world driving even with the automatic, and the same engine powered the North-American Toyota Paseo so parts are readily available. Toyota reliability and ’90s simplicity should keep this Starlet on the road longer than today’s tech-laden alternatives. What’s stopping you from adding this neat LHD hatch to your fleet?
Might want to change the headline, Todd….
I will say what’s stopping me from signing on is the $8K pricetag. A “25-year rule” import can be a lot of fun, but a Starlet is way, way down on my list of desirable cars. Combine the slushbox with 75 ponies and I’m thinking sparkling get-up-and-go is not on the menu.
Granted, it has low miles and condition going for it, but what after that? If I were in the market for such a car, I’d hold out for a GT Turbo.
Thanks, RayT! That’s what I get for starting to write at 0-dark-30. Much appreciated!
At that hour, the left hand rarely knows what the right hand is doing!
It might make a fun winter go cart. You might even make a few dollars delivering mail down country roads.
Nice little car and Toyota dependability, if you like this little thing check out the website cars from Japan you can get one for under $5k many are same price and more but you can also get the little trucks and vans that keep popping up for sale around the country.
I had just started working at a Toyota store when these were being phased out. 2 of the mechanics in the shop had a couple of two year old cars that they autocrossed. They were quick little cars. They were my instant buddies when they found out that I could order any part Toyota made for these things and were marketed anywhere in the world. So it was not unusual to order parts that were strictly “European Delivery” stuff. The mid ’80s cars were bullet proof and could be made to be really fast. They had Starlet Series’ in Europe where the cars had flared fenders, fat tires and a lot of fender to fender racing. I think I even remember the series having Bilstein as one of the sponsors. I would dearly love to have one of the early ’80s cars.
My sister and her husband owned one in the mid to late 80’s. It rusted out pretty quick. Had a manual choke and manual gearbox, which for me was fun. She let me borrow it to get to school, but despite the nostalgia, it’s a hard pass on this one.
RHD just doesn’t do it for me. Doesn’t matter what car it is.