Quote:
Originally Posted by zigzagz94
ST185 Celica All-Tracs were sold in the U.S. up until 1993 so that's like what 16 years ago. For us 30+ year old guys 1993 seems like just yesterday.  |
Now you're stretching zig. 18 years vs 16 years, the 2 years matter little. It still portrays a long gap between sport models. Even then, only a handful of Alltracs were even sent to the U.S. It has no
significant cult backing in America; ie: of any consequence to effecting sales on a future model. To top it all of the FT's price range along with its very reason for existance (the cult following of the AE86 which stretches beyond gear-heads like us) hints that the car is aimed at an age group of potential buyers who were probably barely out of diapers when the Alltrac was scratched.
Quote:
And as reported earlier, The ST185 is Toyota's most successful rally car. It won the WRC Driver's Championship in 1992, and theWRC Manufacturer's and Driver's Championships in 1993 and 1994.
Despite what many of you think the Celica name has a lot of very successful racing history tied to it and would be way better than SCION, although I'm not completely opposed to a new name either.
|
I'm not questioning nor denying the Celica's rich racing heritage. I may be a young enthusiast (comparitively) but I'm not uninformed on old school toyotas. Quite the contrary actually and thats one reason for my forum handle. I grew up riding in these old Toyota's (88 Celica GT-S, 89 Supra, 87 Corolla GT-S, 91 corolla GT-S) and thats one of the reason's I've owned 3 Toyota sports cars from the '80s.
My entire point up to date has been this: Not only does it make little sense to market this as a Celica (due to target market shown above) but its a complete slap in the face to the fans that motivated Toyota to make such a car. This car is completely molded after the AE86, right down to the fact that Toyota wants this car to DRIFT better from the factory than Grip, as hinted at by Tada. Thats not even because the AE86 is an ultimate drift car; it isn't! Not even close! But it holds a very special and highly respected position in drifting, and because of that, this car is being tuned for that direct purpose.
There isn't a spec, a miniscule, a tiny fiber of this car that makes it an inheritor of the Celica name. Its all been because of the 86. People act like this will be the only new sports car to come out from Toyota. They're wrong. Its not guaranteed but Toyota has publicly stated that this is just the beginning. So, to you Celica junkies I say to you, hold on and wait for your Celica successor. Because to me, a true celica successor, is one modeled after the WRC cars....AWD anyone? Who is Toyota partnered with? Oh yeah, that company that excels in AWD....think its called Subaru. I could keep going but I think everyone gets at what I'm gonna say next.
I WILL own an ST165 someday. Thats not an if, its a when. I love this car, I always have, and always will.