Toyota is too busy raking in the dough to give two craps about the frs or bRZ.
Subaru/Toyota enthusiast cars not selling
Car and Driver has an interesting piece on the declining sales of the FRS and BRZ. Carmaker builds the kind of cars enthusiasts seem to want and goes broke in the process. I submit that if they took the ponycar approach, this wouldn't be happening.
With the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger, first there is the volume model, followed by regular special editions. That keeps the cars in the press and on buyers' radar.
Where is the track version of the FRS and BRZ? Stripped out, hard core suspension and track-ready tires. Where is the more power version? Super or turbocharged, or a wild, high revving n/a motor. Where are the limited edition colours and wheels? The SCCA edition, pre set up to be competitive in a promising class? So many opportunities to leverage the platform and command higher prices. As Chrysler: a surprising number of Challengers are the most expensive Hellcat version.
If GM does choose to do a Code 130 type car: please follow the Camaro, not Toyota/Subaru product management model!
With the Camaro, Mustang and Challenger, first there is the volume model, followed by regular special editions. That keeps the cars in the press and on buyers' radar.
Where is the track version of the FRS and BRZ? Stripped out, hard core suspension and track-ready tires. Where is the more power version? Super or turbocharged, or a wild, high revving n/a motor. Where are the limited edition colours and wheels? The SCCA edition, pre set up to be competitive in a promising class? So many opportunities to leverage the platform and command higher prices. As Chrysler: a surprising number of Challengers are the most expensive Hellcat version.
If GM does choose to do a Code 130 type car: please follow the Camaro, not Toyota/Subaru product management model!
1 - 20 of 30 Posts
Toyota didn't make the GT86 cars because it would make money. They did it to reignite some passion within the company and get them to focus on making fun cars.
Problem is that the people that wanted the GT86 cars owned cars like the 240SX, AE86s, and went to one too many drift competitions. Those people are about the customization of an older car that they don't have to make payments every month and the cars that are going sideways are powered by American V8s.
The GT86 is a VERY good car and very fun to drive, but material and build quality are subpar at best.
Problem is that the people that wanted the GT86 cars owned cars like the 240SX, AE86s, and went to one too many drift competitions. Those people are about the customization of an older car that they don't have to make payments every month and the cars that are going sideways are powered by American V8s.
The GT86 is a VERY good car and very fun to drive, but material and build quality are subpar at best.
If it was named Celica instead of FRS, things would had been different I guess.
It's too bad that GM screwed up it's partnership with Subaru. GM could have made a Code 130R out of the BRZ architecture.
BRZ/FRS/GT86 wouldn't be a there if it wasn't for Toyota.
There would be no 130R without the GT86 triplets
There would be no 130R without the GT86 triplets
But, if it's about the passion, why not continue to build excitement with special editions. They seem very dogmatic about what these cars are about. They aren't about more power or sticky tires or whatever. Yet buyers are spending money to add superchargers and turbos and upgrading suspensions. These should be special editions with upgrade parts available through TRD and STI. Works for Mustangs and Porsche; can't see why they aren't following that strategy here.Toyota didn't make the GT86 cars because it would make money. They did it to reignite some passion within the company and get them to focus on making fun cars.
Problem is that the people that wanted the GT86 cars owned cars like the 240SX, AE86s, and went to one too many drift competitions. Those people are about the customization of an older car that they don't have to make payments every month and the cars that are going sideways are powered by American V8s.
The GT86 is a VERY good car and very fun to drive, but material and build quality are subpar at best.
The BRZ/GT86 was too compromised between the two brands - Subaru should just have built an Impreza coupe, which would have got to market much quicker.
It's nice to see that GM predicted the trouble that these 2 cars are having and didn't follow with something comparable. BIG HEAVY PONY CARS FOR US ALL!!!! VIVA LA GM!!!
They have a few special editions, but they built the car to be upgraded and for the customer to do it. They built the trunk so that it can carry two racing wheels with slicks and there are TONS of aftermarket things there for the car. They do offer a TRD supercharger IIRC, but the idea is to rebuild it's rep by making factory cars that are meant to be tinkered with.But, if it's about the passion, why not continue to build excitement with special editions. They seem very dogmatic about what these cars are about. They aren't about more power or sticky tires or whatever. Yet buyers are spending money to add superchargers and turbos and upgrading suspensions. These should be special editions with upgrade parts available through TRD and STI. Works for Mustangs and Porsche; can't see why they aren't following that strategy here.
The car was overhyped as the 2nd Coming, that car that would kill the ponycars once and for all.
Then reality came calling.
Toyota grossly underdelivered.
To make matters worse they foolishly tried to sell it as a Scion, a dead brand walking.
Buyers of sports cars don't exactly go flocking to Subaru, either.
The car was doomed from the moment of its release.
Then reality came calling.
Toyota grossly underdelivered.
To make matters worse they foolishly tried to sell it as a Scion, a dead brand walking.
Buyers of sports cars don't exactly go flocking to Subaru, either.
The car was doomed from the moment of its release.
Probably right.BRZ/FRS/GT86 wouldn't be a there if it wasn't for Toyota.
There would be no 130R without the GT86 triplets
BTW, I was reading an interview recently, where they said a 2nd gen version is in the works.
No joy in the following - quite the opposite in fact.
But....... the writing continues to evolve on the wall.
Apparently BMW knows more than many others about were it's all really headed - in all ways possible.
Perhaps.... the last hurrah closer to these two will involve ...... some sort of small F-awd CUV....
Yeah....... I know.
I did say - last hurrah.
But....... the writing continues to evolve on the wall.
Apparently BMW knows more than many others about were it's all really headed - in all ways possible.
Perhaps.... the last hurrah closer to these two will involve ...... some sort of small F-awd CUV....
Yeah....... I know.
I did say - last hurrah.
But people bought 240 SX's like hotcakes when they were new... at least the first oneToyota didn't make the GT86 cars because it would make money. They did it to reignite some passion within the company and get them to focus on making fun cars.
Problem is that the people that wanted the GT86 cars owned cars like the 240SX, AE86s, and went to one too many drift competitions. Those people are about the customization of an older car that they don't have to make payments every month and the cars that are going sideways are powered by American V8s.
The GT86 is a VERY good car and very fun to drive, but material and build quality are subpar at best.
It would be hard to make a business case for the 130R after seeing these sales figures, although, a lot of the Toybaru's issues are in the fit and finish (something Chevy could easily surpass).It's too bad that GM screwed up it's partnership with Subaru. GM could have made a Code 130R out of the BRZ architecture.
^^ Chevy surpassing Toyota fit and finish?
The Miata and 240 filled a void at the time. Today, there's plenty of fun, well-made cars to choose from.
Miata carries on because it's a topless two-seater aimed at adult men who want a cheap toy.
http://www.miata.net/faq/production/MazdaMX-5_AnnualProduction_CY1988-2006.pdf
Miata carries on because it's a topless two-seater aimed at adult men who want a cheap toy.
http://www.miata.net/faq/production/MazdaMX-5_AnnualProduction_CY1988-2006.pdf
They sure did. Hell, I almost bought one, new.But people bought 240 SX's like hotcakes when they were new... at least the first one
1 - 20 of 30 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
GM Inside News Forum
A forum community dedicated to GM owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about General Motors news, concepts, releases, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
BlackGTP
153 Replies
AWHoden
116 Replies
1958carnut
100 Replies
Recommended Communities
