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14 Affordable 80s Cars I Want for My Dream Garage

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Vincent Aubé
Our intrepid contributor puts together a list of 80s cars that would look just fine tucked safely in his garage

Toyota Corolla GT-S (1984-1987)

Toyota Corolla GT-S
Toyota Corolla GT-S | Photo: Toyota

Another Toyota icon earns a spot in my rapidly filling gagrae. This model was a hallowed icon of the sport of drifting, a discipline that originated on the winding roads of Japan. Like with the Cressida, the value of the AE86 generation Corolla GT-S is on a meteoric rise on the used car market. North American examples still in order are becoming increasingly rare, while a Japanese import can easily top $25,000.

It’s not hard to see why. A nimble coupe with mechanics that really revolutionized things with rear-wheel-drive architecture is the kind of car that makes its driver smile – and makes me want one.

I recently drove the new 2022 Toyota GR 86, as it happens, and I couldn’t help but feel it comes even closer to what Toyota wanted to accomplish in 1983 when it introduced the new GT-S version of its affordable Corolla coupe.

Toyota Corolla GT-S, three-quarters rear
Toyota Corolla GT-S, three-quarters rear | Photo: Toyota
Toyota Corolla GT-S, interior
Toyota Corolla GT-S, interior | Photo: Toyota
Vincent Aubé
Vincent Aubé
Automotive expert
  • Over 17 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 60 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 200 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists