Supra and MR2 making a comeback

[hans007]

Those two are not different in size enough to be 2 different categories. If you've seen an FR-S in person, they are tiny as hell. The only difference between it and the Miata, is the useless backseats that the FRS has. Toyota should remove the back seats and turn that into a storage area/extended trunk space to make the car more useful.

To get much smaller, you would have to move into Lotus Elise/Smart range which isn't appealing at all for anything but a dedicated autocross vehicle.

My coworkers and I went to lunch in an FRS. 4 guys we are all about 5'10 .

It wasn't exactly super comfortable but its enough for a 15 min drive.

 

[hans007]

At some point they are going to see therr isn't a business case.

I could see them making a Toyota "halo" car out of the bones of the new rc350 Lexus coupe as a new supra. The mr2 level car just seems like it won't fly. Look at how long it took them to make the business case for the frs and how many times it was delayed.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

eh?

http://www.mr2turbo.info/sales/

Unless you're referring to the Spyder, then yeah - it didn't do so well:
2000: 7,233
2001: 6,254
2002: 4,705
2003: 2,934
2004: 2,621
2005: 780

The early years of the Mk2 sold pretty well, though.

MK2 sales weren't exactly stellar either: http://mr2wiki.com/AllModels/WorldwideProductionNumbers North America numbers are pathetic

Great for enthusiasts, horrible for a business that needs to turn a profit. I don't see Toyota green lighting these cars. Safety & Emissions testing is just too damn expensive for low production volume cars.

In April 2014, a brand new Mustang comes out with an IRS and 4-5 engine choices and will hopefully cut 100- 200lbs from its weight: including a V6, Turbo 4, 5.0L V8, 5.4L V8 and possible a Turbo 6cyl.

All new Miata/MX-5 for 2015 as well.

Lots of competition, Toyota will stick to Camry's. Its what they do best.

 

[Leyawiin]

If they're going to bring back the Celica I hope they do it right this time and don't use some gutless Corolla platform. That early 2000s thing was an embarrassment.

 

[QueBert]

They do, but why even have the option. The backseat is completely useless. If I were to get a BRZ/FRS, I'd probably remove them.

Not completely useless, they lower the insurance considerably, I was close to getting an FR-S, a lot of the insurance agents I talked with said the FR-S/BRZ's being a 4 seater lowered rates a ton. Even if the back seats technically can't comfortably fit adults.

 

[pcgeek11]

Unfortunately these are rumored to be " Joint Venture " cars and will never measure up to a true Toyota such as the older MR2 and Supra.

 

[dawp]

The link says they're actually bringing back the Celica (or more likely the Celica)? That's a bit saddening if they do choose that instead of the Supra badge, especially if it is supposed to be a higher performance RWD sports car.

the supra started out as a sub-model of the celica and it wasn't until the late 80s that it was split for the celica line and dropped the Celica from the Supra name.

 

[Pariah]

Not completely useless, they lower the insurance considerably, I was close to getting an FR-S, a lot of the insurance agents I talked with said the FR-S/BRZ's being a 4 seater lowered rates a ton. Even if the back seats technically can't comfortably fit adults.

Either those agents were lying to you, or you don't live in the US. I can't speak for the intelligence of insurance companies in other countries, but here in the US, rates aren't based on blind generalities like how many seats are in the car. Those back seats don't make an FR-S attractive to soccer moms. That's sort of like believing the color you choose will affect your rates.

 

[Imported]

Not completely useless, they lower the insurance considerably, I was close to getting an FR-S, a lot of the insurance agents I talked with said the FR-S/BRZ's being a 4 seater lowered rates a ton. Even if the back seats technically can't comfortably fit adults.

Funny considering I've been told having a 2 seater reduces rates due to the chance of there being less people involved in an accident. Agents will tell you anything to try and make a sell.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

Funny considering I've been told having a 2 seater reduces rates due to the chance of there being less people involved in an accident. Agents will tell you anything to try and make a sell.

Being a two door/two seater makes insurance higher for me because its considered a "Sports Car" at that point, which puts it into a different insurance bracket.

 

[Pariah]

Being a two door/two seater makes insurance higher for me because its considered a "Sports Car" at that point, which puts it into a different insurance bracket.

So this is a sports car according to your insurance company?

Or this?

Or, how about this?

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

So this is a sports car according to your insurance company?

Its just the way they described it to me. My car was considered a Sports Car because it had two doors and and was a two seater. Dont ask me to make sense of it.

 

[ElFenix]

Or this?

the smart is rwd, with the engine under the trunk floorboard. maybe toyota could make a rwd ick. that would come below the fr-s.

 

[hans007]

i dont think it really matters that much the number of seats for most insurance companies or doors.

i once sold my infiniti G35 coupe, for a same year acura TSX. my insurance actually went up by about $100 a year for some reason. when the G35 was both way more sporty, had less doors and probably nearly twice as much power and you'd figure would lead to more stupidity.