To AE86 or not, that is the question!

[Red]

There are no special tips. It's an OLD CHEAP ECONOSPORT, which means the original and later buyers were often inexperienced (didn't know how to care for it) or broke (didn't care for it) or abused it. Add that to 20+ years of wear and the fact that Japanese sheet metal was not protected very well (thin & not galvanized) back then, and you have to look carefully.

There are box beams running under the door sills, which are the only real structure in the middle of the car. Check the rear end of them, in front of the rear wheels, and if they are rusted out expect you'll need to have them rebuilt by a welding job. It there is any damage to the rear quarters, you'll also need body work to fix what it there, or extensive welding to patch in used quarters--the new ones aren't available.

While most of the mechanical parts are available, trim parts often aren't, and interior parts (seats, etc.) aren't, but there's usually something aftermarket or available from the scrap yards.

Mainly it is just an OLD CHEAP ECONOSPORT so there's been lots of opportunity for abuse--and for outright fraud by sellers who see a hot market for these cars. Check the VIN on the engine, dashboard, and body plates to make sure the car is what is is being sold as.