has anyone driven both of them? im just looking for some one to compare the handling.

 

ive owned both a gsl se and a ae86. the gsl se is still here. but on a serious note both have amazing handling capabilities but i wouldn't trade the fbs handling for anything in the world

 

The AE-86 I would argue is a little sharper and more responsive when It comes to handling. It has a proper steering rack after all instead of that god-awful steering box in the SA.

Also the FWIW the Corolla GT-S AE-86 is more powerful, has more torque and is arguably lighter.

I find I get a very similiar driving experience when I drive either one though however. They both never fail to put a smile on my face. GSL LSD is always a bonus

 

this! i just actually enjoy my rotary over the ae86 but both cars are amazing non the less

 

I have owned both, and I mean a lot. 7 AE86's, and 4 1st gens. Stock for stock, the RX7 is way more fun. The AE86 with just suspension work is really really fun. I loved the practicality of my AE86's(especially the liftbacks). AE86's won't ever be fast(not without an engine swap), the RX7 can be fast with the rotary. I love them, but if I have to choose I take the RX7.

a few of my AE86's

 

the stock Rx7 is really fun, but i found the stock hatchi to just drive like a wet noodle, and its hugely slow.

 

I'm currently building an 86 Hatch and the frame/body on those cars is nowhere near as well built as the SA/FB. Much smaller frame rails made from thinner metal, and numerous weak spots that need to be addressed if building a track/drift car. The Rx7 body is a much better hands down.
As for the Ae86 having more power and torque, if you're talking about a GTS its only like 11 hp more than a 12a, and still close to a second slower 0-60 than the FB.
Both cars are good but if push came to shove and I could only keep one, the FB isn't going anywhere

 

i don't know what you guys do on the east coast, but the AE86's rust here! bare metal doesn't rust here....

 

The irony is, the stock AE86 4age is way peakier than the 12a, and 13b in the 1st gen RX7's. On paper it may have the 12a beat, but in real around town driving it's got noooothing down low. And highway driving an AE86 is nuts. The buzzy 4cyl is screaming at 4500RPM. I loved my AE86's, but I love my RX7 more.

 

put it this way...i sold my 86 corolla GT-S with coilovers and a 20 valve 4AG swap, to fund my '82 rx7

 

How do hachi's handle in the winter? i live up in minnesota with GOD AWFUL winters...

i know they're rwd, and "lighter than fb's"? really? haha thats awesome..

But yeah.. im trying to find a new "commuter" cause my FB i wont drive in the winter..

 

I couldnt really answer that question, as im well aware of 80's japanese cars renowned ability to disappear into piles of flaked paint and rust when exposed to water, salt.... or even simple damp air... so my cars hibernate from the months of November to March every year. But that being said, 86's are made cheaper and of thinner metal, and will fall apart faster than the SA/FB (even though the weight difference is marginal at best) and the given price that a decent bodied 86 fetch, I would heavily advise against buying one for a full year round DD in northern climates like ours...buy a early-mid 90's Subaru ...they're cheap, AWD and get decent gas mileage

 

alright! thanks. yeahh as much as i would kill for an 86 for a daily.. it wouldnt be right to daily it up here...