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Originally Posted by MokSpeed
This is how you end up with cookie cutter cars. If they did that then every company would end up being BMW. I'd rather car companies take a swing at a wild concept and completely hit or miss rather than just constantly making minor tweaks to existing platforms. As for the iRobot cars that's just the direction the market is going now. Not to mention the reason some of the cars you've listed are so revered is because of their limited production. If I saw a S15 as often as I saw a Corolla I would start getting sick of them real fast regardless of how nice the car is. Emissions aspect plays a HUGE factor in taking into consideration the production of a car today. At the end of the day these companies are businesses. Once sales start plummeting they really have no reason to keep making car. You basically see this happening with the twins right now.
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Cookie cutter cars? Yeah I don't know about that. The fact is that the cars that I mentioned (FD rx7, S2000, S15 silvia) are all very popular and highly demanded cars across the world. There is a fan base for them everywhere and they're largely popular. Building a modern rendition of those cars would be anything but "cookie cutter".
Cookie cutter is what that Kia or Chevy would probably end up being. Styling characteristics that are choppy and don't flow; lack of feel or driving connection etc etc.
You want to know why the twins are failing? Because Toyota and Subaru refuse to do anything new with the car. The car first came out and did well because everybody who wanted one bought one; or did so the following year. 3 years later and still no major changes. The twins are a niche car for a niche buyer. Now they have to try and sell this car to ordinary people and honestly, why would any normal person spend 25k on a coupe with little rear seat space, low power, and a noisy, unmodern cabin? There are plenty of other cars that offer much more for the same money or less. In all reality, the FRS and BRZ are overpriced when compared to other cars in the same price range.
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Originally Posted by Sideways&Smiling
Having modern small, light, RWD performance cars available > focusing on the rarity of old platforms. Modifying and improving GOOD cars doesn't give you cookie cutter cars. It gives you improved versions of good cars.
If I could buy any of those cars new now with updated styling, a more modern engine, and refined handling/dimensions/suspension geometry, but overall similar and faithful to what made those cars great in the first place, I would be much happier than if modern versions of those cars didn't exist at all.
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Yes, and to expand on that, the cars are going on 15 years old and are still widely popular. There is a demand for them, provided the price is right.
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Originally Posted by MokSpeed
I don't think you're getting my point. I'm trying to say that some people are so attached to older platforms that they've become stubborn and close minded. Even the idea of a modern car possibly being better than older ones seems ridiculous when, in fact, it's very possible.
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No. I like the FRS and BRZ as well as loads of other cars. Not everybody is a 15yr old fanboy complaining about the fact there is not R34 GTR in the states, even though they can't even afford a 15k Corolla. The fact is the basic foundation is there. Instead of being stupid and overcomplicated, manufactures can build upon what they already know and make a modern sports car for the masses.
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Originally Posted by tahdizzle
You think if they modified an s15 chassis to meet today's crash/rollover standards, and all other road and safety standards it would still be a light weight RWD sports car?
I think it would probably look like this:
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Yeah, not. The 350z/370z is a pig of a car. Toyota has proven that a car can be made with today's current safety standards and be less than 3,000lbs. Notice the twins are about the same size as an S15 too... It's definitely possible.
The fact is it can be done. Is it a risk financially? Absolutely. However, other manufactures can learn from the achievements and mistakes of Toyota and Subaru's attempt. If it doesn't offer a "good value for money" factor, it will be overshadowed by other cars. Having niche cars massed produced will only work for so long before sales plumit. That's where the twins are heading now.