Yes but if this car is priced in the low to mid 20k range and sold as a scion then there will be a lot of teens and early twenty something drivers with little experience driving rwd sportscars buying these things.

Driver error is a very high probability and Toyota can ill afford the media backlash of their new sportscar being labeled as dangerous because a bunch of young folks are wrapping them around trees trying to dorifto every corner.

Toyota's reliability and safety reputation has already taken a major hit with the whole "unintended acceleration" bs so they will do everything they can to minimize snap oversteer.

Funny thing, toyota spent billions over that fiasco just to conclude that it was in fact due to driver error. People nowadays *facepalm*

Still doesn't take away from Toyota's need to ensure this is marketable to the general audience and perform it's due-diligence in ensuring the average driver can handle it. Toyota will not want to deal with another fiasco/have their image damaged further. This car is made to be for the average person wanting a cheap fun car.

Umm, no. I don't think the average person distinguishes between front wheel drive and rear wheel drive. With that being said, alot of FWD cars are fun to drive, and cheap.

The FR-S is designed more for a niche market; those that like autocross, circuit race, and drift possibly. I see this car filling the need of an awesome base car for those enthusiasts.

Yes it is. Watch the NYIAS talk by Jack. The cars price and design is meant to reach the average person without breaking the bank.

For a lot of people, I think the styling will draw them to this car, regardless of which wheels do the driving. I think it's great that they are making sure it handles predictably.

I disagree... this car is designed to do one thing above all else - sell. The heritage is there, the technology is there, and certainly the potential. But the fact is most buyers (I'd venture to guess 95% or more) of this car will never autocross, circuit, or drift, at least not intentionally. ;)

Stability & traction control without off switch. Problem solved.

noooooooo:paddle:

+1. This car will include design elements and the soul of the 86, but in the end Toyota wants to sell more than 500 of these cars (LFA).

Agreed. Even take the enthusiasts, aka the people who take the time to sign up for forums and stalk test mules like us. Even out of us there are a great percentage of people who will never circuit, autox, or drift their ft86. I really doubt I will do any of those things.

Please let me know what the selling point of this car is? To a normal person, not an enthusiast, that is.
"Ladies and gentlemen…passionate drivers… canyon carvers… auto-crossers and weekend track warriors…" Oh yea, sounds like the average person.

*facepalm*

Guys, this car is a niche car for a niche market . . . like the miata. Get over it.

I guess you just don't get it. That is ok. #facepalm

I'm not sure what you don't get about the appeal of a low cost sporty 4 seater vehicle and marketing hype.

This car will sell to all types.
It's cheap compared to similarly designed sports cars.
It automatically attracts Subaru, Scion, and Toyota customers.
It should be fun to drive.
It's a small 4 cyl car so it will appeal to those looking for decent mileage.
The exterior design elements will attract those for a nice looking car.
It has room for 4 so it will attract more than just the sports-car crowd.
And yes, it is a good start for the tuners out there if they wish.

These marketing people say stuff like that to get your attention. You think every person that owns a Subaru is a rally champion? Every person that owns a Porsche is a GT superstar? Every person that owns a 370Z is a drift king? They aren't specifically targeting those people - they are selling that "dream" to the enthusiast and potential customers that are watching and hanging on every word.

This car is NOT a Porsche... not a Lotus... not a 370Z. If it was it would be priced accordingly.

Likewise, this car is not a Miata either. The most important differences are it seats 4 and (I think we can all agree) its more visually appealing. It is a fresh start instead of the different stigma's carried by a car that's been around for 22 years.

This car is priced low, looks great, and built on quality manufacturing legacies and said to perform well. You will see many different demographics in this car simply based on price, design, and the fact that it seats 4, but I guarantee the lowest demographic will be the people that take their car to the track every weekend. I guess you will have to see it to believe it...