Toyota Starlet (1985 - 1999) used car review

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BY JONATHAN CROUCH

Introduction

In almost every manufacturer's range, there tends to be a forgotten model - the car you just don't see around. For Toyota in recent years, that car has been the Starlet which, prior to the more recent Yaris, was the smallest vehicle in their line-up. The reasons for this are rather difficult to fathom. To put it bluntly, there's really very little wrong with it.

All right, so dynamically the Starlet always lagged behind the class-leaders. And older 1.0-litre models certainly struggled to keep up with the traffic. Against that, however, you have to put exemplary reliability and strong build quality. If these things are important to you above all else, the Starlet is likely to be your kind of supermini.

Models

Models Covered: 1985-1991 - 1.0GL 3DR

1991-1996 - 1.0 GL 3dr / 1.3 3dr & 5dr [GL, GLi, XLi]

1996-1999 - 1.3 3dr & 5dr [Sportif, CD, i, S, SR, GLS]

History

Believe it or not, the Starlet was imported into the UK in one form or another for over 20 years. Thanks to restrictive import quotas, however, it became the forgotten car in Toyota's UK line-up, the importers preferring to focus on larger models with meatier profit margins.

The most recent version that's worth buying is the 1985-1991 shape which came only in 1.0-litre three-door form. It was an unremarkable car, popular mainly with older drivers and undemanding female motorists. Better was the newer shape model announced in 1991. Here, there was independent suspension for the first time, along with disc/drum brakes, so at least it felt more modern.

Initially back then, buyers were still restricted to the 1.0-litre three-door formula with the 1.0GL. This car was made safer in 1992 with the addition of side-impact door beams. Its worst feature however, the snail-like 999cc 54bhp 1.0-litre engine lasted until 1993 when it was replaced by a far perkier 74bhp fuel injected unit from the larger Corolla. Originally, this came in GLi three-door form.

In October 1993, a five-door Starlet was launched for the first time; this became the 1.3GLi, whilst the three-door was badged XLi. This version was further upgraded in July 1994.

In March 1996, the most significant Starlet yet was launched. There was an all-new (but still bland) shape and power in the form of the 16v 1.3-litre engine, once again borrowed from the Corolla. Originally, just two versions were offered - the Sportif and the CD - in three and five-door forms. By now however, Toyota wanted to sell more Starlets with British production of the Carina E freeing up a greater import quota. In 1998 therefore, the range was lightly facelifted and expanded to include i, S and GLS variants, as well as a sporty SR with lower sports suspension, a sports exhaust and 15'' alloys.

The range continued into 1999 - but was only sold half-heartedly after the introduction of the similarly sized - but much more hi-tech Yaris. It was gradually deleted, with only automatic models remaining until the end of that year when they too were supplanted by the newly-introduced Yaris 1.3 auto.

What You Get

An inoffensive little car that won't let you down - but won't excite you very much either. Build quality is impeccable and the last examples were quite well equipped.

What You Pay

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What to Look For

Rust around the tailgate and sunroof of early cars which can also get smoky and noisy with high mileage. Later models shouldn't really cause you any problems at all; they've usually had owners who drive them carefully and look after them.

Replacement Parts

(approx - based on a 1996 1.3 CD - excluding VAT) A clutch assembly is around £80. Front brakepads are around £30, a catalytic converter about £465 and an exchange alternator around £175. A headlamp is about £70.

On the Road

Out on the road and in normal day to day use, the Starlet will appeal to those who view the purchase of a car much like that of a dishwasher or a fridge. The model they choose must perform its functions reliably and without fuss, stress or expense.

It must be as simple to operate as a payphone and should demand as little input as possible from the operator. On all these counts, the Starlet scores heavily. It's a cinch to drive, simple to park and economical to run - expect over 40mpg on a motorway trip.

The post-1993 fuel injected catalysed 1.3-litre engined models make these kinds of longer journeys a more realistic proposition; cruising at 85mph is easy and quiet and the top speed is around 106mph. On A and B roads, while the 1.3 isn't exactly a ball of fire, there's plenty of acceleration on tap for fleeting overtaking opportunities; rest to 60 takes around 10.3 seconds.

Later versions also handle competently too, thanks to an independent suspension and the addition of an anti-roll bar. Not that many potential buyers will notice the difference, though they may remark on the fact that the car rides bumpy tarmac with surprising assurance. The five-speed gearbox fitted to later cars also makes cruising less stressful.

Overall

Buy a late one and it makes some sense. Early cars have little to recommend them other than reliability.