Email from Key Toyota Engineer regarding FT86

[bofa]

+1 Mazda needs to do something about those hideous front ends.. and to think they've expanded it to other cars in their lineup.

[PAImportTuner]

Originally Posted by WingsofWar

Yep, the reason why the current MX-5 is larger is because it shared platform with the RX-8..But now its going to be reverse..the MX-5 is going to have a brand new chassy being a smaller car..and the RX-9 is going to take from it..so the RX-9 will be much smaller.

I'm hoping that the RX-9 or at least the concept debuts at the TAS, need more info because I would wait even longer if this car was a 2+2 and get it over the FT86/216. They are thinking of going back to the Rx7 route, so it's still up in the air whether they will have them or not.

[iff2mastamatt]

Originally Posted by PAImportTuner

I'm hoping that the RX-9 or at least the concept debuts at the TAS, need more info because I would wait even longer if this car was a 2+2 and get it over the FT86/216. They are thinking of going back to the Rx7 route, so it's still up in the air whether they will have them or not.

Their concepts have looked sick for years, but they never put them into production. Now hyundais have caught up and provide better styling.

[Dark]

Originally Posted by iff2mastamatt

Their concepts have looked sick for years, but they never put them into production. Now hyundais have caught up and provide better styling for the money.

Fixed. I would take RX-8 over any Hyundai if it doesn't burn oil.

[zigzagz94]

Originally Posted by iff2mastamatt

Their concepts have looked sick for years, but they never put them into production.

This. I love Mazda but they are the biggest cockteases in the industry.

They put out the Kabura concept (lightweight, RWD coupe built on MX-5 platform) in 2006 and then nothing. Given a two year development time between concept and production, they could have beaten toyobaru to the market by a full four years and owned the segment to themelves.

I'm tired of rumors and sexy concepts from Mazda. Until they actually release a production version of a sportscar they are effectively dead to me... long live toyobaru.

[Aki]

Originally Posted by Random_Art

Excellent examples of good badge engineering are the Ford Fiesta and Focus compared to the Mazda 2 and 3.

Badgineering usually means two cars that share the same sheet metal, but with different bumper/fascia. GM was notorious for this a couple years back, a good example being the Pontiac G5 and the Chevy Cobalt.



The Mazda 2 and Fiesta are different enough that they're usually not called badgineering. And I agree--it's a great example of the extent of how the Subie and Scion FR-S should be differentiated. On a side note, I've always preferred how the Mazda Demio (Mazda 2 in Japan) looked to the Fiesta. The USDM Mazda 2 has that big smiley lower grill opening that I don't like.

[nate89]

Also the Matrix and Vibe:

[f1ver]

stoked for the hot version! =D

Originally Posted by MatadorRacing_F1

Got this bit of info from a member on club lexus;

[f1ver]

hey guys, i don't know anything about customizing cars or anything... so just asking the experts! =)

if i think the ft86's tires look too skinny, can i get like uh wider tires for them? does that make sense? thx!

[Giccin]

Originally Posted by bofa

+1 Mazda needs to do something about those hideous front ends.. and to think they've expanded it to other cars in their lineup.

Do you mean the smile face? lol

[bofa]

Originally Posted by Giccin

Do you mean the smile face? lol

Yep

[Random_Art]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. The Mazdaspeed 3 and the Genesis Coupe are the only two cars I would buy where the first upgrades would be cosmetic procedures to fix their derpy front ends.

[iDriveFast]

Mazdaspeed 3's front is so disgusting

[Kage]

Hm...I like both the mazda's and genesis front ends. Those are two of my favorite new cars.