Wheels magazine - Feburary/March - I'm in love with a Toyota?

[davey90]

You guys probably read this already, but i'll post it here anyways, just for those who hasn't read this. Probably gives us an indication (maybe...?)

Anyway it's the editors perspective.

Link here

http://motoring.ninemsn.com.au/cars/...-with-a-toyota


Text only version - in quote box

Last week, Wheels’ Peter Robinson was the first man to get behind the wheel of the first Toyota 86 coupe to arrive on Australian soil. “Not since first driving the Boxster in August, 1996, has any car left me as thrilled, or utterly excited, as the 86,” said Robbo.



The Toyota 86 and Subaru BRZ twins continue the renaissance of the affordable coupe. You can read about Robbo’s full verdict in the March 2012 issue, on sale February 15. His enthusiastic local drive has left us office coves salivating over the prospect of our own first steer.
With Subaru Australia deciding to import the BRZ after all, and Toyota announcing that its 86 will be priced under $40K, the question remains how each brand will price what is essentially the same car. Subaru Corporate Affairs Manager, David Rowley, likened each company’s decision to “a stare-off match … it’ll be a case of who blinks first”. Subaru must either match the Toyota’s pricetag (likely $39,990) or add equipment for a modest extra cost. Although the 86/BRZ is an engineering joint venture between the two Japanese manufacturers, neither will coerce on pricing and marketing their versions.



According to Robbo, and editor Bill Thomas, the 86/BRZ are an early tip for 2012 Car of the Year honours. If the twin coupes can pull it off, it will mark two straight years that a coupe has won Australia’s most prestigious award.



There’s more coupes to come this year, too.



Hyundai has announced pricing for its innovative ‘three plus one door’ coupe, the Veloster, which arrives in Australia this week priced from $23,990. The 1.6-litre four-cylinder Korean entrant is $11K cheaper than our COTY-winning Honda CR-Z. Where the Japanese product blends brilliant dynamics with an intelligent hybrid drivetrain, an overseas first drive indicates that the Veloster isn’t an involving steer like the CR-Z. Instead, Hyundai aims to woo young buyers with its sharp styling and unique bodystyle. In terms of price, only the three-year-old Kia Koup comes close.


Late this year, Opel returns to Australia with the swoopy, three-door Astra GTC likely to debut. It will use the same 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine seen in the Holden Cruze, matching the 103kW output of the 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated Veloster. Another European entrant to the segment will be the Mini Coupe, which will soon be available with a 90kW four-cylinder engine in addition to the just-released 1.6-litre turbocharged S variant.



But back to the start – the ones we’re really hanging out for are the 86 and BRZ. Welcome back, affordable coupes.

Enjoy the read.

[Mr Franky]

It was actually for Wheels Magazine not Motor.

[davey90]

Originally Posted by Mr Franky

It was actually for Wheels Magazine not Motor.

ahh crap... i typed Motor magazine and this was the first thing that came up. LOL! thanks for picking that up. Should change it now. Cheers Mr Franky

[LivingLegend]

Not to take away from this post but did anyone see John Olsson's R8? That thing looks beastly!

[davey90]

Originally Posted by LivingLegend

Not to take away from this post but did anyone see John Olsson's R8? That thing looks beastly!

you mean this R8?

[GrimmSpeed]

holy jesus...that is what my dreams look like.



Justin

[Skorov]

More very positive reviews... =) More excitement. =D More stress... =(

[Sep]

I flew into Tokyo today so I thought I'd pop into the Megaweb dealership to see the 86. They also had three cars to drive around their test track there but you needed an international driving permit if your from overseas which I didn't have.

Overall its not a bad looking car, definitely needs to be lowered a lot. Reminded me a lot of the 7th Gen Celica. Interior was a bit of a disappointment especially around the center console area. The black seats with red stiching looked really good and were proper sports seats. The low driving position somewhat reminded me of my old Exige. As for the rear seats, totally useless for carrying anyone larger than a small child.

Nice sounding car from what I heard as I watched people drive around it track (albeit slowly).

They had a base spec 86 there too. Toyota wasn't kidding when it said it was making a bare bones version of the car, it didn't even come with a door for the glove compartment.

One would like to hope that the car would drive brilliantly if pricing ends up close to 50k for the upper spec because after sitting in the thing, it felt more like the 40k car as some have speculated.

[crouchy35]

"Welcome back, affordable coupes."

AMEN

[armythug]

We'll see

[LivingLegend]

Originally Posted by davey90

you mean this R8?

Oh yes that would be the one

[jenwhite]

This one reminded me of reviews I've read few weeks ago as I was looking for toyota repair guide like replacing Wheel Cylinders and brake pads. Toyota 86 are great classic cars with bargain price...