Wondering if this car will herald a new automotive age... or be a flop?

[miata]

Originally Posted by Dragonitti

If that were the case, I would think that the Miata, 350z, 370z's, etc...would not be here.

370z will go away soon. Look at the sales figures. And Miata is questionable also the sales numbers have been declining but it is still a profitable market for Mazda as there is no real competition in their price range.

Miata US AND GLobal

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Dragonitti

If that were the case, I would think that the Miata, 350z, 370z's, etc...would not be here.

Your right bro!

The 370Z sales at least 10k units per year
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_370Z#Sales
Which is enough for them to keep making it.

Update:
Oh wait Mr. Miata just posted 2011 sales of the Z car at around 7300 units...Damn the Z car is hurting. I don't think it will die, but come the next generation it will be even lighter and smaller and cheaper. Nissan could do it. I don't want the Z car to die again! If it does we will never see the Supra come back!

The next gen Miata is suppose to be way better than the current gen, with more power and even lighter weight. Hopefully mazda can deliver. They really have not competition in their segment. This car is suppose to be out in 2014 model year.

The FRS\BRZ will have similar sales of the Z car around 10k units per year...maybe a bit more since the pricing is lower.

This car will definitely be a success. This car will force Nissan and Honda to come to the game and compete.

Also I can see a 4 door sports sedan off this platform too..That would go nice into Scion's and Lexus lineups.

[86'd]

Originally Posted by tripjammer

Your right bro!

The 370Z sales at least 10k units per year
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_370Z#Sales
Which is enough for them to keep making it.

The FRS\BRZ will have similar sales around 10k units per year...maybe a bit more since the pricing is lower.

This car will definitely be a success. This car will force Nissan and Honda to come to the game and compete.

Also I can see a 4 door sports sedan off this platform too..That would go nice into Scion's and Lexus lineups.

Not to mention 370z are like 40K easy now, and start in the 30's. And people are still buying them.

My friend bought his 2006 350z base model NEW for like 26k.

As I said in another thread, a lot of people (if the marketing is done right) will flock to this car, especially if there's an auto option, and if there's enough room to haul things around.

I'd compare it to a Prelude, which had pretty good versatility and was a hoot to drive. I remember going to Home Depot and loading my dad's 98' Prelude with cement bags and bricks, lol.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by 86'd

Not to mention 370z are like 40K easy now, and start in the 30's. And people are still buying them.

My friend bought his 2006 350z base model NEW for like 26k.

As I said in another thread, a lot of people (if the marketing is done right) will flock to this car, especially if there's an auto option, and if there's enough room to haul things around.

I'd compare it to a Prelude, which had pretty good versatility and was a hoot to drive. I remember going to Home Depot and loading my dad's 98' Prelude with cement bags and bricks, lol.

I agree bro. If Scion can sell this car at $22.5k I think it will be a great success. People still buy Mini coopers, GTI, and Civic coupes and even Altima coupes. Those cars are not dying or dead.

[Snoopyalien24]

No, I think Toyota did their homework. Why would one of the biggest names in the Automotive Industries hype up something willing to fail, having put so much time into it?

Start $21k - $22k and it will NOT fail

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Snoopyalien24

No, I think Toyota did their homework. Why would one of the biggest names in the Automotive Industries hype up something willing to fail, having put so much time into it?

+1

[Capt Canuck]

It may be mass produced, but it is not going to be a Mustang or Mazda3. What type of numbers are Hyundai getting with the Genesis Coupe? Something north of that may be an indicator of how many units they expect to shift. If Toyota/Subaru set realistic small/medium-demand car targets it maybe successful enough in their eyes to stick with it.

I think the big test for the FR-S/BRZ is how the inevitable power upgrade in the 2nd or 3rd year of the car boosts (pun not intended) sales after the initial rush of gotta-have it buyers have purchased the 1st year cars.

[tripjammer]

Originally Posted by Capt Canuck

It may be mass produced, but it is not going to be a Mustang or Mazda3. What type of numbers are Hyundai getting with the Genesis Coupe? Something north of that may be an indicator of how many units they expect to shift. If Toyota/Subaru set realistic small/medium-demand car targets it maybe successful enough in their eyes to stick with it.

I think the big test for the FR-S/BRZ is how the inevitable power upgrade in the 2nd or 3rd year of the car boosts (pun not intended) sales after the initial rush of gotta-have it buyers have purchased the 1st year cars.

I agree, 10k to 12k units a year is about all they are expecting...and that worldwide.

Those Z sales figures are USA only. Worldwide figures are a bit higher. That's why the Z car will soldier on till the next generation. As long as toyota does not give up like Honda did...the FR-S will be fine and see a second generation.

[Dimman]

Problem with these cars is that they often start off for younger/sportier generation owners, but as the original owners age, the following models get comfier/softer or faster/more expensive to keep the same repeat buyers who are more mature or more affluent. This is bad, and why Toyota needs to follow up with a RWD Celica or new Supra.

What to you do when you 'out-grow' the 86? Buy a Z-car?

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by Dimman

What to you do when you 'out-grow' the 86? Buy a Z-car?

Have kids and buy a sedan, estate, or SUV.
I'm ancient (late 30's ) and am interested in this car because I want a sporty, nimble, FUN, RWD car that retains decent levels of practicality.
Maybe not a huge segment of buyers, but for some of us we never 'outgrow' something based on what certain cars are supposed to be and who they are supposed to be for.

[Guff]

At this point, when every single reviewer is saying this is one of the funnest cars that they have driven in a long time, and when big blogs like Jalopnik and Top Gear Online/Mag are heralding this car as the most anticipated car of 2012, it is damn near impossible for it to fail.

This car is getting BIG hype, and when the reviewers say that this car lives up to the hype, the consumers come out. I think not only will this car make good sales, I think it's going to fly off the lots (considering there won't be too many of them), and people are going to love it.

[Capt Canuck]

^It's a hole few categories up... but how many Evoras do you see on the street compared to Caymans?
The Lotus got praised up the ying-yang but few bought it. I really hope the FR-S/BRZ is a huge success... but again I think that success needs to be qualified within the smaller 'sporty coupe' segment.

[Snoopyalien24]

This car will see like the Honda S2000

Not a lot like Mustangs/Mazda3/etc. but, not too little either.

Just enough to target the enthusiast crowd and make them happy. The reason the Miata has sold so much is because they have been in the game for such a long time.

It will sell, and it will sell good. If 3,000+ members of this site are interested in this car already before it's even out, that says something. That's almost what the Honda S2000 did in its first year, and the internet was not as strong as it is right now.

See for yourself http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_S...and_production

P.S. Subaru and Toyota are 2 companies doing it right, their will be no fail. Unless price is wrong, but they are doing their homework

[Caliban]

this car will sell itself. We have been all dying for a cheap RWD sports car since who knows how long. Toyota/Subaru will deliver.