with the already successful FT86 and upcoming FT-1...
 

Will there be a possability toyota might bring back the MR2? Or would that clash with the 86? I see it being similarly priced as one, but a two seater T top aimed at the miata.

I doubt it........

I don't see it happening unfortunately :(

I can't see that happening unless they end up making it in a much higher price bracket than the 86.

I don't think any major car maker has two small/light/cheap sports cars, and I'm assuming that's for a reason.

They mentioned that there is going to be a car "above" the 86 (FT-1/Supra), and a car below it in price. It might be possible to undercut the twins by a little; the old MR2s all had off the shelf drivetrains for the most part which saves a ton of money.

The new Corolla drivetrains are actually pretty respectable, they have the 2ZR-FAE certified for the US market now in the Corolla ECO, and they have a new 6 speed manual in the US as well. This engine is WAY cheaper than the fancy FA20 and the transverse mount transaxle is probably cheaper than the longitudinal setup the 86 has, not to mention the standard LSD adding more cost. The question is of course the chassis. The ZZW30 was 23k new, which is not that cheap, but you see Honda selling CRZs for 20k so maybe it can be done.

The biggest problem I see is that a 1.8L Corolla powered MR2 would be quite a bit slower than a Miata with its 2L DI engine, which may be an issue lol. They might be able to fix this with some high compression pistons and requiring premium fuel.

Is it possible that the car priced below the FRS is some kind of sporty hybrid? Kind of like the CRZ but actually fun to drive.

https://autoomagazine.files.wordpres...-carscoop6.jpg

I highly doubt anything called a sporty hybrid could be priced sub $25k. There would just be too much R&D to justify the price. especially if its FWD, and then it would just flop like the CRZ did.

How much money does it really take to make a RWD platform though? I don't know much about the CRZ, but I guess its chassis is probably a close derivative of a Civic or Fit or Insight since the price tag is so low. But that said, the CRZ is a hair over 20k, so you have 5k breathing room to buy some extra chassis modifications to stick the engine in the back and chop some height off the car, which seems possible, even if unlikely.

Disclaimer: I constantly dream of the day a reliable Japanese midengined car comes to the market, so maybe I am not seeing reality correctly. :bellyroll:

Toyota doesn't seem to be capable of making new sports car platforms without sharing a chassis with another company these days... Who would they be sharing it with? And what model would it be based on/shared with?

with the already successful FT86 and upcoming FT-1...
 

How much do you honestly think it costs to equip a car with an LSD? It's really not that much.

Anyway, seems pretty clear by the way Toyota has neglected the FRS to expect them to care at all, in the future, about affordable sportscars. I mean they're making record profits across the globe and claim they can't afford to develop sports cars on their own? Total BS.


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I remember a few years back, Toyota introduced the TES concept.

http://img.gizmodo.jp/upload_files/u...s_DSC_8688.jpg

http://www.autoguide.com/gallery/d/3...3/_MG_0383.JPG

Lotus!

that would be cool

The SW30 was $23383 in 2000 which is over $31K now. I do not see Toyota slotting a MR2 under the FT86 pricewise. No matter what they do they will have a great deal of difficulty matching the new MX-5 in weight, price or power. Kudos to Mazda for what they are able to accomplish by staying true to form.

Besides and FT-1 is going to have no impact on FT86 sales because it will be very very expensive. A MR2 priced near the FT86 or under it will hurt the twins sales. They already have on niche vehicle in that market segment. I cannot imagine that they would build another one.

I would like to see a new generation MR2 but I am pretty sure that if they make it either I will not be able to afford it or it will be a shadow of its former self.

I remember when the rumors were floating around if the production of the 86 would stop and subaru and toyota would go their seperate ways; this made me think toyota would have made an MR2 successor for the FRS replacment and he BRZ would get an STi version.

An MR layout slated under the 86 i think would be too costly, MRs dont normally end up being cheap.

Does that argument really work though? The AE86's price adjusted for inflation is like 25k now, the Supra in 1998 is ~60k in today's dollars, but I don't think the new Supra is going to be 60k. The Boxster back then was way shittier than the 981 and still ran over 40k, aka 10k more than the new one. Like I said, you're buying more car for your 25k in the 86 than the old MR2s.

I agree that they can't match the Miata for the same price, but the old MR2s didn't beat the Miata in value either. Toyota has a problem in that their bread and butter engines are worse than much of the competition, but that's because they don't bother upgrading them and that's what makes them cheap.

Obviously the sword cuts both ways, since an MR2 needs a much different chassis than anything they have they would have to cut a lot of costs elsewhere which is hard. Hard, but doable if someone really wants? I would personally be okay with paying 31k for an MR2 if it comes with a barely upgraded Corolla engine, more if they use a fancier engine depending on what the market offers, but I also really miss my MR2 lol.

Well you said it yourself. The AE86 would be 25K and the second coming (just ask Toyota) sells for 25K. True, you get more features with the modern car but isn't that always the case? I would guess with increased robotics, cost to manufacturer has probably dropped versus the total cost percentage. The Supra would be 60K now. I am betting the new Supra will be higher than that because they are moving it up market. Formerly, they went head to head with the Nissan Z cars. Now, they are targeting the GTR and the C7.

IF (big IF) Toyota could bring to market a 2200LB mid-engine, 150HP car for anywhere near 30K I would be right there in line with you to buy it. Ain't gonna happen.

There's nothing exotic about taking a Corolla drivetrain and wrapping it with a MR package. The only reason they're more expensive is due to economies of scale.

If an MR platform had sales numbers like the Corolla it would be just as cheap.

Yup. In fact, it would probably be even cheaper than the Corolla because it takes less doors, seats, interior trim, and less metal to make an MR2 lol. They didn't bother giving the old MR2s upgraded brakes (not that they needed it) or suspension either.

Historically they have advertised a 3 car sports 'family'. Depending on the era it was first gen MR2, Corolla GT-S and Celica-Supra. Later was second gen MR2, Alltrac Celica and Supra.

It would be nice, but not sure world economies are cooperating...

Knowing Toyota its probable that they wont release squat that is compelling, consider us lucky we got the 86 platform.

I was super excited last year when they showed off the FT-1 and I had my mind made up I was holding out for one. When this year after the big car shows nothing was mentioned I gave up on holding out for Toyota.

I dont want to wait anymore so I am leaving Toyota and rolling the dice on a manufacturer I have never purchased from but came out with an awesome affordable sports car.

What are you looking at? (Sorry if above someplace I didn't see it)

this ? Subaru Wrx? Mazda Miata? Hyundai Genesis? Nissan 370z? What else is out there? and all the ones I mentioned have been around forever. Unless perhaps you're talking about the Focus, which does look pretty awesome.

I ordered a 2015 Corvette with z51 package.

:scared0016:

I know "affordable" is a matter of perspective but I was able to get mine ordered the way I want it and after supplier discount its only $56k.

:flame on:

flame on for what? if I had 56k I might be in the same place as you, hell most of us might be. Congrats!

Nothin' wrong with that and anybody flaming for it is a jerk!
(same as anybody that changes to it and then rags on the 86 owners is one as well).

That would be well within the affordable range for me but I would not want it as my long distance DD as I would destroy any resale/trade in value and is just more car than I need. That is a great price though, especially if you got specifically what you wanted on it.

Not a 'Vette fan myself but pretty sure you will get the HP you lust after.

Not a bad idea, but good luck getting the price to come in under the FR-S if it's a partnership with Lotus.

Which is why all we can do is continue to dream on.

Not exactly a platform, but there are ways...

http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/...jehuvbhjpg.jpg

Funny I've never been a Vette fan either and even more broadly never been a GM fan.

New vette caught me by surprise though.
2 friends have them and are very pleased.

This is the first time a vette has ever had an interior that does not look and feel like crap.

Again I'm kinda rolling the dice here but I figured why not, live and learn.

I've never been a GM or Vette fan, but I'd take a C7 all day long if I could comfortably afford one. However, I can't.... nor am I even remotely close to being able to lol which is why I can deal with modding a cheaper car. :P

Looking forward to hearing your firsthand opinions. I feel the same way not just about the interior, but overall. Even with the controls they've always felt like I'm driving a really fast BarcaLounger. Not my bag.

http://feeds2.yourstorewizards.com/1...stargo-red.jpg

Ka?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...e-interior.JPG

Oh, please... ;)

Bro, even the C2's!
http://www.amcarguide.com/wp-content...rior-panel.jpgLook at all that plastic! It's even poop colored!
Oh wait...

Ok ok... Classic is a whole other ballgame. Besides, I've never had the pleasure of driving one built before the 80s GM catastrofuck.

Buy a late C3, do this conversion and an engine swap.
Go to Autocross and brag, then get 2nd slowest time of the day. http://www.speeddirect.com/wp-conten...oil_actual.jpg

lol - personal experience?

Probably, but in all honesty, that's badass as fuck.

No way, i'd run air bags and show up at a helllaflush meet, win all the awards and then rip my bumper off on the way home. #lowlife