Dear Toyota,
 

I like this forum and I like the fanboy (meant in the nicest way possible) topics we're discussing :D

Here's what we fans need to do -- assuming someone here hasn't done it already -- we need to compile some of the best ideas (i.e., desired power to weight ratio, options, paint colors, etc.) into a letter and let Toyota know what we want.

Put another way, what's the point in all this chatter if Toyota isn't listening...? :bonk:

The good news is that in theory, Toyota is very interested in what their potential customers want for this new car... and come the TMS, they want to hear from us.

But... is there a "Dear Toyota" letter being drafted?

If not, let's start compiling a list of suggestions for Toyota here... :iono:

I'll start: A TRD blower and factory re-tuned ECU as an option -- something that bumps it up into the 225- 250 bhp range. A lack of TRD power-ups really made the 7th gen Celica too much of an experimental test car...

Or does anyone have any e-mails of anybody important at Toyota? Maybe we can point them to this site and certain important suggestion threads.

My most important request to Toyota: please keep this car light light light (no more than 2600 pounds and preferably lighter than that). Most of us are interested in this car because it harks back to the AE86 and its lightweight / handling characteristics, please don't ruin that by making it overweight.

I'd say everyone just start their own "dear toyota" letter and send them all in. Even if they're different in some ways, if enough people start contacting them with similar ideas and "wants" ... I would like to believe they'd be more inclined to listen.

That said... weight will be a huge factor here. Especially if they end up with an NA 2.0L boxer, which will probably only put out 150-160 hp, max.

I'd like to be sure there is something as simple as a telescoping wheel on it. Being a tall guy, I sit kind of far back in most cars and while I can usually reach the wheel, I'd often like to bring it towards me a bit more for better control.

- Two Engine Options (Preferably 2 models):
> Base NA 150-160 HP/TQ
> TRD Supercharger, low compression 225-250 HP/TQ
- Stay Light
> Under 2700

My Subaru letter would be different..

1) Power/Weight/Cost similar to (or better than) a MINI Cooper S (170hp, 2600lbs, $22k). Also note the availability of a 6sp manual on the MCS.

2) Liftback configuration (a request, not a demand)

Ummmm... Think that's probably about it. Obviously more power is always appreciated, and if they can coax 200hp out of the 2.0 engine, great. If not, as long as it's lightweight and nimble, the power won't be missed (that much). A turbo'd variation would also be appreciated, as you can get a decent amount of power out of a small engine (265hp out of the 2.0l Cobalt SS, 210hp out of the 1.6l MCS JCW, 160hp out of the 1.4l Abarth SS), but if you can get close to the power/weight of those engines mentioned *without* a turbo, I'd be happy...

Please don't let the Matrix S have more power than the FT.

Multiple letters are a good idea... this thread is still a good place to compile them. Keep it coming -- think about options, price issues, complexity, weight, etc.

As a comparison, a TRD S/C on the tC was just under 200hp at 7psi, so your numbers are a bit optimistic. But I wonder if boost would really come from TRD if they're sourcing the engine from Subaru?

Regardless...

I know it was already mentioned in another thread, but an ABS off option would be great. Popular bolt pattern for wheel options.

A trunk opening like a hatchback would be nice - more space to fit stuff into the trunk. For those who plan on tracking the car, it would enable you to fit maybe two wheels in the trunk and than the other two in the back seats.

TRD SC for the tC wasn't intercooled which is why the power was low. Intercooled turbo setups running 7psi pushed the output into the 220-230 range.

My wish...forget the NA engine. 2.0L Turbo pushing 210hp/180tq tuned for 87 octane since they want the car to be economical. Optional TRD ecu retune to run 91 octane for higer output (230hp/200tq). Lift back would be nice as well. Weight 2600-2800lbs. Keep the brakes from the concept into production.

Probably should wait until the info coming out in the next day or two is out before sending any letters.

Sounds like you want an MR-2 revival. Don't worry you'll get it eventually I assume.

What you posted is a completely different car than what they're trying to build. It misses the entire point of trying to "revive" the AE86.

I think 250 is doable. The EJ255 makes it with a turbo..
I guess it could be difficult

I would like a stopping distance under 100ft :)

Dear Toyota,

Please ignore these guys trying to turn an 86 revival car into something its not. Please keep, as always, the weight and size down, but please also, keep the engine N/A, with a high powerband and redline, and roughly around 14 : 1 weight/power ratio. Force induction not needed. Highway racer not needed either. Thank you.

-AE86 owner.

Toyota is going to produce whatever makes them $$$. If they think turbo will sell better than NA then they may go that route. Right now, it doesn’t look that way, my preference is in the minority.

The concept is already pretty far removed from the original AE86 anyway. A true reincarnation would be what Nissan did about 15 years ago when they refurbished a bunch of old 280z’s with left over factory parts and sold them through select dealers.

Bottom line, my money’s as good as yours so Toyota should be listening to both of us.

They already listened to AE86 fans when they flew the club4ag webmaster / hachiguru Moto-P to Japan to talk to engineers and in give an outside perspective on what current AE86 fans would want to see in order for the car to sell, based off of that fan base.

The fact that you're looking for a car to beat a eurotuner on the highways already tells me you're going to be solely disappointed in what Toyota is going to release, in its factory form.
1)The biggest punch to a car like that is keeping an MSRP thats < $20,000.
2) They've already stated this is to be the spiritual successor to the AE86, not a litteral successor. To keep in the spirit of such a car you would need to keep the weight down, the size small, RWD, and a moderate HP peppy engine (the 4A-GE was a huge chunk of what made up the soul of the AE86 to begin with). The only things I see so far that make this car unlike the 86, is the fact it is going to have an IRS and probably a more rigid chassis than the spaghetti noodle I currently drive. That's to be expected though, this isn't the 80's.

That being said, I'm sure within months of its release that HKS and other aftermarket tuners like it, will have bolt on turbo kits, turbo exhaust, etc. to go onto it. They did for the original AE86 back in the 80's (Impossible to find this kit nowadays). Basically, what I'm saying is simply in its factory form, don't look for it to be a high-horsepower highway burner. Its not going to be.

Look for the scoobie version, it might be closer to what you're aiming for in this car, as I think they are more likely to release a factory turbo'd version than Toyota.

Yeah, I agree. Just like Z series, HKS, Apexi and other after market company gonna make Turbo kits for sure. I'm pretty sure Subie ver (& guessing that it's gonna be called STI instead of FT86 or 086A) gonna have Turbo (or even change the engine to 2.5 Turbo)... but for Toyota FT-86, if they can keep it <$20k & 200ish hp 6sp tran, I'll be happy.

That would be awesome and a true mark of a proper sports car. :bow:

toyota give me a liftback with folding rear seats!!!

Dear Toyota,

Don't screw me on this one.

Signed,
Nate


P.s. just about everything else that is listed in here

Needs to be light!.

Give us many grades from a bare basic model right up to a Levin standard that comes with turbo and LSD. Aftermarket will take care of the rest such as coilies, bigger turbos, etc. Needs to be kept light though, even if it is underpowered, so we can mod and have win!

Someone here gets it! Thank you! :party0030:

Thats the point ;)

Dear Toyobaru
All we want is a car that weighs less than 2800lbs, lsd, 6sp manual, RWD ONLY, 220-260hp and atleast 170 lbs tq perferably turbocharged but not required...if NA use a screamer engine something that redlines atleast 8000rpms...Oh yaeh, $27K very well equipped. Hopefully all this under the Toyota name. (they need it more)

Dear Toyota/Subaru,

I am ready to sell my MX5 for the new FT86. Make it a proper sports coupe and I am there.

- Manual gearbox
- Limited Slip diff, a Torsen would be ideal
- a boxer engine
- good torque characteristics (either rev it to the sky with an ultra close ratio gearbox or give enough torque from low revs)
- small in dimensions. No executive limo needed to petrolheads
- No ESP, VSD, etc. stuff (at least not without full deactivation button)
- No huge wheels for the Fast'N'Furious show offs. 15" is perfect.
- light weight, light weight, light weight, light weight, light weight, light weight, light weight, light weight its the most important factor.


Given all of the above, add a nice price and you've got a winner capable of rising the price of Toyota's and Subaru's stock price more than enough.

Thanks,

Nikos, ex-automotive journalist

So... has anyone composed an email to Toyota? I just did...

I have before the announcement. Got a generic reply of thank you for interest in Toyota motors blah blah blah

Well, yeah, it's not as if they're going to repsond to anyone directly... the point is that they claim they are listening/reading, so we're not just shouting into the void by writing.

Maybe you should send to Subaru? They listen...

This is the biggest necro I've ever seen. Wow.

6 years, 6 months, 3 days. Is this the forum's record?

You really have to be bored to be searching that far back in the archives.

FIFY

I didn't know this forum even existed in 2009.

Some of it fun to read but not sure there is a single pre 2012 thread that has one bit of relevance today much less needs to be brought back. People think we speculate now?

:laughabove: Hahahahahahahahahaha :clap::clap::clap:

Don't think they cared back then nor do they care now about their bastard child.

I hope! @go_a_way1 victory is mine!

Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk

There's still a few of us around from Back then, less than a handful to be exact.