Japanese AE86 vs Irish/UK Cam

[chrisae86]

Going to revive this thread.

Everyone has their own preference at the end of the day. I recently imported an original 86 as I wanted something clean with no rust and no mods, you simply can't get that without spending big money for a clean uk spec which at this stage are nearly all restored and going for 20+K at the moment. It's only natural considering our climate that a uk spec that has'nt received some sort of restoration is'nt going to be very clean unless it's spent most it's life in storage.

Yes the Jap cam's i.e. gt apex came with a better spec and have seen an easier life than most uk specs. But for me growing up in Ireland and most people the uk spec was the one to have and still is to this day. In Ireland the uk spec is more common and holds more value over it's japanese counterpart. Personnally I love the uk spec as it's what I grew up with and aspired to owning one day. Yes I did import a Jap spec cam in the end but to be honest I just wanted something that was clean, rust free and that had'nt seen abuse. Planning to convert it to UK spec at some stage, yes for some uk spec die hearts it will never be full original uk but for me it will still be a straight, clean 86!