A top 1980s hot hatch from Toyota! 4AGE powered Corolla FX-GT. 

had a rough year last year nearly died and spent 8 months in hospital found this channel helped me get through it all back home now and still watching thank you very much sir

gosh we used to have thousands of these little terrors buzzing around in NZ in the late 90's early 00's.. I had the NZ new models ae82 GT and ae92 Gti, so much fun ;)

i cant believe how solid this interior is! no flimsy stuff there! especially these switches

Here in Oz this was my favorite company car in the mid-eighties, my company had a policy based on the price of the car nothing else... So I could have had a pretty standard six-cylinder car, ie falcon or holden but I went for this, never had a regret. I wish I still had it..

My dad had the GT Twin Cam and looked the same spec as that one. It was a rapid car in the 1980s and often overlooked. It was the shape after this one that had the GTI Badging in the UK

Had a similar era Mk1 AW11 MR2, that engine was awesome, revved to 7700rpm, great noise, combined with a slick gearbox, was a revelation after a Fiesta XR2.

The most peppy and economical car I ever owned was the 1984 Corolla FXGT, the longest I ever kept the car too ( from 1993 to 2006!) . Thanks for the review,.

Yay! just in time for coffee! I love the 80´ hot hatches! that one is high on the list!

I had a red Ae82 back in the late 90s, reved forever and loved a bit of lift off oversteer... cracking motor 👌

7:05 Those were Learner/New Driver stickers from Japan. There are also Old Driver stickers for people over 65 that are the same shape but orange & yellow in colour.

Legit my dream car. So very very pretty.

Why oh why are Japanese cars of this era so bloody good looking? The boxy style is at its peak, and even the steering wheel is infinitely better than most European hot hatches of the 80s. A fizzy engine boxy boi. Who doesn’t like that? Nobody, that’s who.

I know Japanese car manufacturers loved taking their styling inspiration from European cars... and I can certainly see some Renault in there. That huge flat hatch and back window is very Renault 5. The interior reminded me of Renault too, like a late 5 or an early clio.

One of my favourite cars, love these JDMs, love the engines and the sound and the looks of these cars, why cars aren't made like this anymore these were solid and high quilty interiors and well made easy to work on these, like the old 80s 90d toyotas AE86 was great car, supra of the 90s and these twin cam engines. Proper cars not the new crappy cars of today with just power and technology but you don't get that fun and feeling of working on your cars anymore becoz you really can't do anything to new cars always have to take them to dealer all the fun is gone. Cars of todays are just for Comfort and A to B with load of crap techy junks

What a delightfully dynamic, diminutive diamond of a motor. Love it!

Looks amazing in white. Love the styling, especially the confident looking front.

Awesome Cars, My brother had the 1987 Toyota Corolla FX GT, and it was superb, it just came alive, stunning handling, awesome engines!

Great video about this car. When i was 20 year old year 2001, i bought light blue metallic FX GT with low mileage. I drove 3-4 years, also in Finnish winter. 4A-GE starts every time even -35C weather. It was very good car, and sort of fast at the time. It took all the beating without single failure. Good memories.

A great little car. I had a metallic light blue 1.3GL automatic for a time back in the day. I remember the dashboard & interior styling fondly. Great seeing one in that condition. Nice review & video.

I love that little car. To my eyes it doesn't look that dated either. Looks great to drive. And those seats 😍

Love these cars and the 4AGE! Have both an AE82 Twincam 16 Seca (Aussie 5 door liftback version of this) and the AE93 Seca SX (also 5 door liftback, 100kw 4AGE smallport), great fun, yet quite practical even 30 years on!

These were so common in New Zealand, in high school two of my friends had one and I had the ae101 version. Was my first car owned it for 16+ years with basically no maintenance! Could redline it everywhere would beat a lot of euro cars at the lights.

Former NZ F1 driver Chris Amon assisted Toyota NZ from the mid 80s with suspension tuning. I used to have an Australian built AE82 5 door liftback version of this car with the later red top 4AGE. Was a great little car, but sadly both age and rust did it in

Really enjoyed that mate! I owned this exact model back in the mid to late 90's loved it to bits..so many memories 😁 ended up putting in a 4-cylinder DOHC, model 2ZR-FE from a 1987 sprinter 3 inch straight through exhaust pipe which gave it a super deep sound ! Miss it big time! Cheers again🤙🏾

I marvel at your knowledge Ian, a real Oracle. Marvellous video.

Lovely. I had a Civic Si back then, a VW GTI later, and a Fiesta ST now... so hot hatches tick all the right boxes for me, and this one’s a gem.

Fun fact, nz had a specific model sold, which had leather seats in two door with black bumpers. Australia had the 4 door gti. Lucky enough to have owned both of those and an ae92 fxgt two door and an ae92 levin. Great cars, but the nz version being the lightest was the most fun. Loads of lift off understeer. And yes uk got a gti too.

IRCC, that green/silver "arrow" in "JDM as (blip)" is a "Novice Driver" sticker in Japan

Ah if only I was young again !! Hot hatches - I used to love them.

They did do ergonomics and visibility very well in the 80s! It's a Nice looking little hatch. I don't go for FWD myself because of understeer, torque steer, diminishing traction under power, lack of stability during hard braking etc.. Driving a 90s Fiat was an education in all that's bad with FWD! Favourite layout is rear engine, I've also enjoyed RWD and found the layout to be well balanced, but have now had to settle for a small AWD hatch, which does help with some of the issues of FWD, including grip and balance. Excellent review, as always, your camera work and sound is spot-on. Gordon :-)

We got these in the states, but for whatever reason ours were called the Toyota Corolla FX and Toyota Corolla FX-16 for the 16 valve. 4AGE was a 4th generation of the A series motor G=head design by Yamaha, E=electronic fuel injection. The T-vis is Toyota's vtec where it was variable valve timing on the intake valves only, vvti has it on both the intake and exhaust, the letter colors on the valve cover can also help with determining which version of 4age you have, one's with tvis are small ports, ones without tvis are either big ports, or have the Z which was the 4agze engine where z=supercharger.

What a fantastic car - love that squared off 80's style. Great vid.... again!

brilliant video ian, of one of my favourite cars! i used to love the shape after that one,which we had in the uk, which had 130bhp by 1989!

I had a 1987. The American model. It was the fx 16-gts. 110 hp. It was my high school car and I remember letting people drive it and they would short shift and complain that it was slow. That is until I drove it back through the canyon running it out to 7 grand. It also surprised the big BMWs when I'd pull with them up the grades driving out to Las Vegas.

Thanks for your videos! 👍🏻👍🏻

I had an NZ new 1985 model. Cars were still being assembled in NZ at the time, and our ones had the same seats but covered in dove grey leather, with red seatbelts and carpet. It's many years ago, but I'm pretty sure the local ones did not have power steering, as I vaguely recall a lot of sweating and straining when parking. While the Golf GTI and 205 GTI were sold in NZ, they were rare and expensive. This was the closest concept we could get at a more reasonable price.

Very enjoyable, thanks Ian.

What a lovely car, well done for sharing it with us.

Remember these cars really well and as usual reliable and fairly fuel efficent to boot. Thanks Ian, great review.

My dad bought one new. It has a Fujitsu Ten stereo, a quirky thing with saparate radio and cassette units. An amazing hi tech car for the time. Went like stink.

This car sounds an absolute blast. Nice looking, too. As a Toyota fan anyway, I say well done Toyota! Thanks for another great review, Ian. Looking forward to the next one. Pppssssshh...

The Toyota Twincam is Ireland's national car. 😉

14:49 That's the era of Corolla where Chris Amon was employed by Toyota to tune the suspension on their cars for the NZ, Oz, Japan, and EU markets. The models he worked on were noticeably better ride and handling than most other mass market cars at the time.

A mate bought the Aussie equivalent of this with the same motor when they were new and it still sticks with me as the best Corolla I had ever driven - until last month. Believe it or not the newest model Corolla Hybrid now takes the title for me. A different car for sure, but amazing on fuel economy, seamless transition between electric and petrol and still really fun to drive. It has a bit of a dual personality too, which I really liked and was a great steer and all rounder.

A wonderful car and review. This and the Nissan sunny/pulsar GTI-R (90-94) are both so fun to drive, and have a buzz that make you feel alive.

People have forgotten how to make fun cars like this. How brilliant. Cheers.

Great review Ian :) Love 1980's hot hatches as they have such accessible performance as you said with this Corolla. I had the chance to drive a MK3 Ford Escort XR3 non injection recently. Very different to the Corolla as the Escort was all about torque with 97lb-ft at 4000 rpm. Both lovely cars though and the Escorts ride was very comfortable too. Both had a great amount of performance for the public road :)

Mr.HubNut , you really need to do a car history video. Like your first car to your current car , would love to see what gems you've had.

Lovely car, remember these from the 80's. enjoyed the video

I had one of these in New Zealand also. 1984 FX-GT same shape, blue-top motor, bought in 1992 for NZ$11000 when the NZ versions in 1986 were the best part of NZ$36000 new. Japanese imports got NZers into cars they otherwise couldn't reach. Car was a firecracker. NEVER had any problems and only sold it when children came along ......... wish I'd never sold it.

Watching this in 2024 from the UK. I have some fond memories of 80s and 90s hot hatches. I currently drive a 2005 EP3 Type R which is fun and engaging and a great little car compared to the clinical and dare I say dull feeling hot hatches of today

Ooo.. Missed to this one. Coffee, croissant and a Hubnut vid. How everyday should start.

Had to look up the Hubnut Thesaurus for the meaning of Bimbaling, but needn't have worried as it was on the first page. Great little car Sir, and another Hubnut adventure gets added to the history book 👍 Tam.

I love these. My sister had a bright red one in the late 80s/early 90s, D639DPX (if only I could remember important stuff 🙄), then she chopped it in for the next gen which I also liked but it just lacked something from this generation. I'd love to own one today. Cracking vid as usual.

Another brilliant v log

This takes me back.I was living in South Africa where it was marketed as a Toyota Conquest RSI 16 valve. The South African ones had that body shell but as a 5 door hatch.

Had a ‘90 Corolla Gti , loved it! Very fast and the engine was like a Swiss watch even at 150k miles.

Just needs to be on its bump stops and have a 4inch exhaust, and that is how these things rolled around Auckland in the mid to late 90s !

My best driving experience's were in these, wicked handling and that engine just loved to be red lined, had two, they were called Corolla GT twincam. The struts were standard and UK models didn't get ac. Worst thing about these was the rusting sunroof.

I owned two Corrolla GTTwin Cam and a GTI. An 87 and a 1992. Absolute amazing cars and the 1.6 Twin cam could sure move.

In 1984 I bought a new Toyota Corolla 1.6 GL Sedan. In 1994 I bought a Corolla from 1985 same color as this one , Hatchback 1.3 litre... 4 gears both fine cars Ian!!

such nice corolla! i would LOVE me some of that!

What a brilliant car! My sister and her ex had a C reg (1985/6) 1.3 GL in this body style in the early 1990s.

I had a few of these back in the days, the Uk version didn't have power steering but had an electric steel sunroof, they had over arch trim kits, the black ones were limited editions with different decals and interiors, cracking cars

Interesting video Ian , that car looked as happy as F**k just like I was watching it 😂, it’s great to see you back on form even if it was a few weeks ago.

4AGE ❤️ Sounds like it drives very much like my AW11.

Nice little hot hatch 😁👍

Hope you're having a great time Down Under.

Used to own one back in the 90,s until an unfortunate lift off oversteer incident put a stop to my jaunt, absolutely loved it 😭

For a car that's done 320k+ according to the cam belt change sticker its in amazing condition, goes remarkably well too. I remember these growing up but never had anything to do with them so didn't know they went so well.....missed out there!!

Certainly gallops along a treat for a 35 year old motor! Very nice indeed.

I test drove one of these, they go pretty well NO slug!! I think Yamaha were involved in the design of the cylinder head.

Just 1 more thing: While the output for a 1,6 litre may initially seem really high, it wasn't unreasonably so. The VW 1,8l 16v in the Golf 2 and Scirocco 2 had either 139PS or 129PS with a 3-way catalyst fitted. In Germany, dependant on which vehicle it was in, the Toyota 1,6 16V had 124, 121 or 116 PS with the cats. Now the later Honda 1,6 VTEC with 160 PS in the CRX, that was a mindboggler 😉 Edit: Just remembered, there also was the 84-85 Celica GT notchback coupé with the popup headlamps that also had the 1,6 16V.

Many of us, during the 90's ; myself included, had the Japadisease for fast hatches. My joy was the 83 Mitzi Cordia 1.6 GSR, a lot of fun and didn't send you broke keeping it going. Nodays i have added a 1987 Toyota Corolla 1.5SE Limited, based upon these earlier FWD's it is also very punchy and reliable after several trouble free years of ownership.

Reminds me of an 84 AW11 I used to own, that was a quick little car with it's 4AGE engine.

Classic car. I remember these as being not advertised in AU. Few around though. Cool!

Never saw many of these about, a work friend had one for a while but definitely not a common sight, id love to own one now 👍way ahead of their time,cracking reliable motors, they're the Civic type r of the 80's

I think you call that a "Hot" Hot Hatch. Love the 80s cars telling you exactly what they are 2.0 GTI 16valve 4x4 turbo e.t.c. e.t.c.

I had the five door fastback version of this model. It was the most reliable car I have ever owned. It had a 1.3ltr engine and I saw 130mph on a motorway. Great car.

Wonderful little car, can't say the same as the sticker treatment. Always loved these. 👌

You’re right Ian, bloody Toyota’s everywhere in Ireland!!! We have a mad fascination with them..that’s a great looking car though, long live 80’s hot hatch’s!!

6:07 - Manual windows are my preference. Less to go wrong, less chance of trapping fingers, etc, but most of all, they work in an emergency if the electrical system has failed. Thanks for demonstrating that fun little car.

I always liked them, and also the mitsi colt gt (the shapely 3 door of the 80s) especially in that met mint green...

Hi Ian,another great video,this Corolla looks very similar to a Toyota Starlet,it’s a fat arched beast with the kit and nice choice of alloys,it don’t hang around at 4,000 revs.

I had one of these in rhe early 90s in New Zealand. Many a fun trip driving from Auckland to my home town Wanganui in the middle of the night. Usually doing around 160kmh but when possible winding it up to its max speed of around 215kmh. With some banging 90s grunge (Tribe - Abort the criminally underrated album). I loved this car - it just loved 160-200kmh and purred. Hard but good handling. Too much fun 🙌

Lovely Jubbly, a UK supermini is probably bigger than that now. How long till Mr Hub Nut comes home, I'm missing Ellie and the Welsh countryside, surely I can't be the only one on here.

Nice review of a classic Toyota. The NZ assembled ones were a bit different; no power steering and front end styling which was essentially the same as all the other models. They also had leather seats which was a big deal at the time, especially for a Corolla. The suspension was tuned by Chris Amon so apparently was even better than other markets. There was also a five door lift back version as well.

There was short-wheelbase 5-doors as well as the longer 5-door, often badged specifically as a Seca, though that name was put on later swb Corollas from around 2000.

this car is super mega rare ive been loocking for that for years

One of the cars that showed us Europeans that the Japanese really were upping their game. Even non sporty models were way ahead of local products by this era. They did what it said on the tin and kept doing it for a very long time. Nice one. Thanks Ian

Have to say I have never given these a second glance. BUT - I have missed out; it's a great little car! Those wheel arch extensions that take up half the wing?! Great sounds, very nice interior- something rather Renault-like about the dash though don't you think? Thank you for opening my eyes to this one!

Great video, Ian. LOTS of comments, I see. Fx (8v econobox) or Fx16 in the USA as I’ve seen pointed out by another commenter. Could even be had as an Fx16 with low line trim: poverty spec black bumpers and chunky looking steel wheels. Typical USA, some were saddled with an automatic transmission. Rare then, non-existent now. Great visibility. It is so much more pleasant to drive a car that feels open and airy inside.

My brothers friend used to have one over 20 years ago. I was probably barely in my teens at the time. Later my brother bought the uk ae92 still remember the lumbar support and oil pressure gauge it felt quick at the time

Nice little JDM nugget and the thing hanging from the mirror is a Gundam.

So cool!

Just as I was about to put the money down for one! Easily one of my favourites

Great engine compartment detail. I see you are easing yourself off slowly from the performance saloons :)

Thanks Ian =).

Fantastic cars !

Awesome car, I have one. hope to have it restored as it been off the road many years, damn I miss driving it, best car I've ever driven, so fun.