Back in 1986, many car companies were switching their car models from rear-drive to front-drive. In this time period cars were not considered performance machines, but were regulated to the point where fuel economy took precidence over reasonable performance. As the year 1998 approaches, most cars, even economy ones, can reach 60mph in 10 seconds or less. Back in 1986, this kind of acceleration was reserved to sporting cars and even alot of sports cars couldn't produce this feat. There are of course exceptions to every rule. V-6 powered Cavaliers, V-8 Camaros and Corvettes could easily do this and are still considered very powerful cars today.
But for the most part, 12 second times were average and economy cars like the Sprint with the automatic could take as long as 17-20 seconds. I picked this year to make a page on because it marks the end of the last fuel crisis and also began the return to performance in the everyday car.
Powered by a one-litre 3-cylinder engine, this car was not for the performance minded. It came as a 2-door or an extended wheelbase 4-door model. It was built by Suzuki and was also sold as the Suzuki Forsa. Offered as an option is an automatic which just made the car even slower but allowed people who couldn't drive a standard or didn't want to to be able to drive a small car like this. Base prices back in 1986 were between $6,490cdn and $6,747cdn. Good luck finding a cheap car at twice that price today.
These cars were Chevy's original "economy" cars, introduced back in the mid 70's and changed little since then. A basic model was offered, which came with a 1.6l four and a four speed transmission and a body to surround it. Things like power steering, power brakes, and a radio were options. Try to find a new car manufactured without power steering and brakes. Also available were a 5-speed shifter, automatic and a diesel engine. The 'Vette could be had as a 2 or 4 door hatchback.
I have never seen this car before, so I don't know if it was ever sold in Canada or not. It was built by Isuzu and was built as a 2 or 4 door notchback. A 1.5l four and 5-speed transmission were standard. And automatic was also offered on a car that looks very simliar to another Japanese built, Chevrolet badged car, the Nova.
A name originally used on Chevrolet's first "economy" mid-sized cars, which would be considered oversized beasts today, were built by Toyota and badged as a Chevrolet. Powered by a 1.6l Toyota four from the Corolla and offered as a 2 or 4-door, an automatic was also offered on this car for people that like the convienence. These cars are always rated highly by Consumer Reports and other used car books, mostly due to the fact that they are really Toyotas, not Chevrolets.
By far the most popular economy car of this list, and the only nameplate still used today,
a variety of body styles were offered to suit just about everybody. A 2-door Z24 performance
model came with a 2.8v-6 and 4 speed transmssion. Coupes, hatches, sedans and wagons were
offered and there were also three different trim levels designated RS, CS and base.