Toyota Starlet Glanza V EP91
Import a Toyota Starlet Glanza V (EP91) from Japan, found at auction, scanned before it ships, and delivered with a report anyone can verify.
- Built in Japan
- 1996–1999
- Engine
- 4E-FTE 1.3 L turbo four, front-wheel drive
About the EP91
The fifth-generation Starlet launched on 6 January 1996, and production ended in July 1999. The Glanza V is the turbo version, with the 4E-FTE 1.3 L turbo four and front-wheel drive, and it came only as a three-door. The Glanza S was the naturally aspirated version.
It is a light, cheap turbo hatch with a cult following in the UK and Ireland. Commonly quoted power figures for it were not verified in our research.
The Glanza replaced the Starlet GT Turbo and the 1.3 Gi, with the Glanza V as the turbo model. A viscous limited-slip differential and a rear strut brace were factory options. Toyota also offered a lightweight Glanza V without air conditioning or electric windows, aimed at competition use. In December 1996 a Glanza S Limited added the turbo car’s body kit to the non-turbo model, so check the badge and the bonnet scoop.
- Power
- 135 PS at 6,400 rpm
- Torque
- 16.0 kgm (157 Nm) at 4,800 rpm
- Weight
- 920 kg (manual)
- Gearbox
- 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
- Drive
- Front-wheel drive
- Price new
- ¥1,405,000 (1996, manual)
Can an EP91 come in?
Both countries count from the month on the build plate, so a car can become eligible part-way through a year. We check the plate on every car.
Quebec registers right-hand-drive cars only at 25 years. Every other province follows the federal 15-year rule.
US sourcing is planned for 2027, once a customs broker confirms the duty rate on Japanese classics. Enquiries are welcome now.
Which cars roll in next? See the 2027 US calendar and the 2027 Canada calendar.
What to look at on an EP91
The model-specific weak points we look for in the auction sheet, the photos and the scan.
Engine
Worth checking for head-gasket trouble and leaking turbo oil seals.
Gearbox
Worth checking the synchros.
Rust
Worth checking the sills and rear arches.
Crash history
Worth checking for accident repair; many were driven hard.
Modifications
Ask for details of any boost increase or engine work.
What we check on every EP91
The auction sheet, in full
Every line of the original Japanese sheet translated: repair marks, rust notes, interior score.
The build plate
The month of manufacture decides eligibility, so we read it off the car, not the registration.
Mileage against the records
Dash and ECU against the auction sheet and Japan's inspection history.
Flood and accident history
Checked before export, while a claim is still possible.
A full diagnostic scan
Every module read inside the auction's 5-day claim window, so a hidden fault goes back to the seller.
Underneath
Chassis rails, floors and suspension, where snow-country salt does its damage.
What landing one costs: see the worked examples; an enquiry gets you the figure for this car. New to auction sheets? Read how to read one.
What an EP91 costs
Published figures with their source and date. Prices move with condition, mileage and grade; an enquiry gets auction results for the car you want.
| What | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1996–1998 Starlet, all grades (13 listed), average asking price Carsensor, Oct 2026 | about ¥2.03 million (range ¥0.4–2.5 million) | Carsensor , Oct 2026 |
Figures as published by each source; not offers from us. Landed cost in Canada adds shipping, duty, GST/HST and provincial fees.
EP91 buyer questions
Is every EP91 Glanza V eligible?
Yes. Production ran from January 1996 to 1999, so every car is more than 25 years old and clears the US rule, and all of them clear Canada’s 15-year rule.
How much power does it make?
Toyota’s catalogue rates the 4E-FTE in the Glanza V at 135 PS at 6,400 rpm and 16.0 kgm at 4,800 rpm. The manual car weighs 920 kg, which is why it feels quick.
Can I tell a real Glanza V from a Glanza S Limited?
The Glanza S Limited from December 1996 had the turbo car’s body kit but not its bonnet scoop or turbo engine. Check the model code (E-EP91) and grade on the plate, and look for the intercooler and turbo under the bonnet.
Want an EP91?
Tell us the grade, colour and budget. We reply with eligibility for your province or state and what these are fetching in Japan now, and contact you when sourcing opens.