Wet Starlets

The Toyota Starlet was launched in 1973, back then it was called the "Publica Starlet", was offered in a small displacement engine and was essentially a shortened Corolla. We don't see the older KP series rear wheel drive starlets here anymore, but we do see a lot of the front-wheel propelled EP series. What Toyota intended to do with the Starlet was to replace the Publica with a small displacement compact family car.

Fast forward 10 years and you will find the first front-wheel drive starlet, and generations to follow, the EP70 series which also happens to be the first Starlet to feature a turbo-charged 1.3L engine called the 2E-TELU producing 110hp. From then onwards, Toyota moved to the fuel-injected 4E-FTE for the EP82 GT-Turbo and Glanza V. The EPs are the closest thing to a budget hot-hatch you can build in this country. The Glanza or EP90 series starlet was last produced in 1999 ending the Starlet name. The Toyota Yaris was called in as a replacement for the Starlet, but it could never really capture the essence of the GT-Turbo, which makes these cars highly sought after.

Here are comments from the owners explaining why they love their Starlets and what makes it special to them:

"I've always loved hatchbacks. A starlet is light weight, and also renowned for its CT9 powered 4E-FTE engine, which can achieve good power with minimal tuning. Some good projects can be done on this little pocket rocket and getting a good power to weight ratio than other cars with same performance modifications." –Adeeb Chowdhury

"Affordable, agile, a small hatch yet it makes enough power to make you smile when you put your foot down. With little effort and a slight push to the right direction instantly makes it a powerhouse." – Nasif Rashid

 "You don't need a ton of money to drive around something you love. Of course you'll meet people with more money and faster cars who will try and convince you otherwise. But the ultimate driving experience is in a car that you've worked on and grown a relationship with, over time. Accepted its faults and stuck at it anyway. Just like any relationship you work together to make it work." – Tahsin Masud

"For me it was my family owned first car. It's been with us for 21 years. So my first car ride was also in my EP. And last but not the least it is a cute little hatch." – Rabib Shouky Ratul

"The Starlet has to be one of Toyota Motor Corp.'s best creation. It is a dream come true owning a Starlet. I chose the EP71 Starlet because it weighs relatively less than the newer EPs. As a result, my car with an EP91 sourced 4E-FTE is probably faster than most other stock GT-Turbos and GlazaVs." – Mohon Sharif