Poor Sales of Toyota GT86/Scion FR-S Likely To Rule Out New Variants

[BadMoon]

Originally Posted by Kids Heart

Aren't you guys getting buckets of snow?

Yep, which is how I was able to negotiate a decent deal when trading cars.

But I now have about 7 rock chips to deal with. Ordered my Dr. Colorchip last night.

[BadMoon]

Originally Posted by SillySaxon

I think it's lack of marketing. I've seen exactly 1 commercial for this car.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk

I agree with this as well. People just don't know much about it. Hell I get looks from some people like I'm driving a super car. Here in PA these things are pretty rare. I had one kid sitting behind me at a light whip out his iPad and take a pic.

[GT86meMR2]

Originally Posted by racecat

Not to mention the lack of "creature comforts" expected by the general public these days. Unfortunately, a lot of people just don't appreciate the driving experience...they want fancy trims and electronics.

I guess coming from a '99 Toyota with manual everything, this car seems pretty fancy to me.

The FR-S is doing fine without the "creature comforts" in the US.. its the European GT 86 that does have all the comforts that isent selling well. And its very well equiped over here for its price.. i think people just find it to expensive for a toyota/subaru but the car is really worth its price over here.

[Deep Six]

I really wonder whether Toyota or Subaru will have the greater influence on the twins future. I've always felt that this car was targeted more towards the Subi enthusiast crowd as a new variation from the AWD performance formula. For Toyota, it meant new appeal away from the typical Corolla / Camry buyers. Marketing will be paying close attention for the first 2 years to see who bought and sold and that data will influence any future updates.

My speculation is that if reaction is weak to the easy cosmetic or feature updates, then performance options will eventually arrive. In the 3rd or 4th year, they will be looking to lure the original buyers back and most will need something substantial to motivate another purchase at that time. With other manufacturers jumping in this market I think the turbo variant from the WRX is inevitable even if it is strictly a Subaru offering. Easy moniker that people will gravitate to as well, BRZ Turbo or BRZ STI

[mwjcyber]

The FRS/GT86 aren't selling like Corolla's, Camary's, or even Prius's, and unfortunately that is the benchmark current Toyota management holds their other models to. Judging by their statement, if they're not selling 100k+ a year, it's not worth producing. Also judging by their statements, I'm not sure how Scion is still in business, but that's discussion for another thread.

[jcat5150]

I think its Toyotas inability to inform the public of what the car is. I constantly have people waiting by my car in parking lots to ask me about the car and what it is. I have been asked if it is an old Celica that I did a body kit on.............. People honestly have zero idea about this car.

To me the Scion badge also impacts the car as most people 30+ liken it to the XB / XA etc and a cheaper stripped down version of a Toyota. Well that is if they even know Toyota makes Scion (most do not). I would liken it to the stigma Hyundai had at launch, and the stink that the maker still has today in USDM. While it may not be accurate it takes a while to sway perception.

[FRSure]

Originally Posted by jcat5150

I think its Toyotas inability to inform the public of what the car is. I constantly have people waiting by my car in parking lots to ask me about the car and what it is. I have been asked if it is an old Celica that I did a body kit on.............. People honestly have zero idea about this car.

To me the Scion badge also impacts the car as most people 30+ liken it to the XB / XA etc and a cheaper stripped down version of a Toyota. Well that is if they even know Toyota makes Scion (most do not). I would liken it to the stigma Hyundai had at launch, and the stink that the maker still has today in USDM. While it may not be accurate it takes a while to sway perception.

True. I'm sure most people will buy this car more if it's under the Toyota lineup.
And it's also 200HP
Most of my friends go like
"WTF U COULDA BUY A GENESIS COUPE 274HP VROOM VROOM , or "insert muscle car""
"WTF U COULDA BUY A 2009-2010 BMW 3 SERIES FOR SAME PRICE. BMW YO"
"wtf is a scion?"
"Oh so that's the new TC?"

[AznBRZer]

Originally Posted by racecat

Not to mention the lack of "creature comforts" expected by the general public these days. Unfortunately, a lot of people just don't appreciate the driving experience...they want fancy trims and electronics.

I guess coming from a '99 Toyota with manual everything, this car seems pretty fancy to me.

What creature comforts is this car missing?

[gily25]

Oh marketing jargon...I read this article completely differently...I read no convertible no tS or STi or monogram; I don't read it as "no mid-year refresh" or as "no future engine change" as those aren't really variants, they're changes to the product as a whole. If the article had said all R&D is canceled, confirmed by press release, I'd feel differently. These types of mentions are meant to drum up sales under the theory, "you dont know you want it until you can't have it."

Since there was an article that supposedly confirming the FT1 is going to production and that Kia is confirmed then they're not pulling this car from production anytime soon, since any sales means staying in the competition. Will it still be around in 6 years...meh who knows, but don't expect it gone in the next 2. *from a marketers perspective*

[Chattanooga FR-S]

Originally Posted by AznBRZer

What creature comforts is this car missing?

I think that lots of people expect to see things like stereo controls on the steering wheel, back up cameras, things like that, since so many new cars have those. I think even the small cars like Ford Fiestas have those kind of options.

I think I understand the reasoning behind the plain steering wheel, as it is more of a sports car than a comfort car, but when people see the controls on just about every other steering wheel out there, this one looks empty and plain.

Honestly, I was quite glad to see the "nicer" features that the Monogram series includes, as I am coming from a 2003 Toyota Matrix that does not have that stuff. That's why I ordered the Monogram!

[Basket Case]

Originally Posted by Chattanooga FR-S

I think that lots of people expect to see things like stereo controls on the steering wheel, back up cameras, things like that, since so many new cars have those. I think even the small cars like Ford Fiestas have those kind of options.

I think I understand the reasoning behind the plain steering wheel, as it is more of a sports car than a comfort car, but when people see the controls on just about every other steering wheel out there, this one looks empty and plain.

Honestly, I was quite glad to see the "nicer" features that the Monogram series includes, as I am coming from a 2003 Toyota Matrix that does not have that stuff. That's why I ordered the Monogram!

My mentality is different then the norm. The way I see it is the more electronics and whatnot, the more to go wrong in the future, and the costlier the car will be to repair in 10 years....I love how simple these cas are.

[root]

I'll say it again, I do NOT want this car to be limited and rare, would love it to be like the Miata. You can go to the junkyard around here almost any weekend and find parts. As time goes on, you'll be able to buy used ones cheap. You can have one nice daily, one track monster, one rally, one parts bin. Yes, I know guys like that, actually lots of guys like that. Great aftermarket.
I have a Corolla FX16, it's "rare" and limited, was produced for only two years in US. Its a great fun car and is making a good rallyX platform, but try finding parts for it. Try going to the junkyard. I've found one in maybe the past 8~10 years. Aftermarket? There was some but what there was is disappearing. You need to get creative.

Originally Posted by robwbright

The tC is still around, isn't it?

Given that I've not seen a single BRZ anywhere within a 50 mile radius of where I live, I am perfectly fine with low numbers and the potential of the car becoming truly LIMITED.

Heck, I've only seen one FRS around here a couple times.

I've never really wanted a Mustang because around here every 5th car you see is a Mustang. I'm sure I'd be happy to own one, but I'd rather do something different.

[Sparda29]

I'm probably not going to continue with the FR-S after my lease is up. I need something with more power without mods. I'm simply not willing to have to buy parts, take them to garages, void the warranty, etc. The most I'm willing to do is buy a chip and maybe intake/exhaust. I was hoping that the next version of this car comes turbocharged or supercharged, pushing 300 hp+ stock, and with an AWD option.

Most likely, I'll just end up getting a STI or an EVO as the daily driver and a Corvette for the weekends.

[rayted24]

dont get me wrong I love my frs. but it doesnt come cheap, first off MSRP is at 25g's plus additional tax and all other bs could end you up 28g's out the door and thats pretty expensive considering you can get a civic si for 21g's and otd 23g's plus it does commercial higher HP. More people will like to get the "Most" for a buck.