Motor Trend, August issue.

[ydooby]

Originally Posted by tranzformer

If they wanted to make a hip statement they would buy a Smart car. Oh wait, how long did that last again? This is going to follow the same fate. Why would someone spend $16k for a tiny Scion? If they are well off and want to make a statement they would buy a Tesla Roadster or a Fisker Karma. Your average person doesn't buy a small car like this in the USA. The sales record of Smart cars speaks to that. What makes you think the iQ will be any different?

Exactly my point isn't it? It's gonna increase Scion's hip image in the US, nothing more than that. Take it for what it is.

[Maxim]

Originally Posted by ydooby

Exactly my point isn't it? It's gonna increase Scion's hip image in the US, nothing more than that. Take it for what it is.

.....Your point changes every time somebody debunks the last one...

Also, today I parallel parked in a busy downtown german city, in my GIGANTIC ABSOLUTELY HUUUUUUGE.....Golf GTI. These micro-cars are pointless and their sales fizzle out shortly after they debut even in the environments where they were designed to "thrive"....major metropolitan areas and busy city centers. Even in Europe. I live in Germany and do you know how many Smart cars I see? maybe 1 or 2 a day. Do you know how many Golf/1-Series/Corsa/Cupra I see? I don't, because there's so many that I can't count them.

People here, when they want to park anywhere and not pay 16,000 dollars for a golf-cart....drive mopeds. They're freaking everywhere, they get 80mpg, you can get rain canopies for some of them, and they cost less than 3000 bucks in most cases.

[ydooby]

Originally Posted by Maxim

.....Your point changes every time somebody debunks the last one...

Also, today I parallel parked in a busy downtown german city, in my GIGANTIC ABSOLUTELY HUUUUUUGE.....Golf GTI. These micro-cars are pointless and their sales fizzle out shortly after they debut even in the environments where they were designed to "thrive"....major metropolitan areas and busy city centers. Even in Europe. I live in Germany and do you know how many Smart cars I see? maybe 1 or 2 a day. Do you know how many Golf/1-Series/Corsa/Cupra I see? I don't, because there's so many that I can't count them.

People here, when they want to park anywhere and not pay 16,000 dollars for a golf-cart....drive mopeds. They're freaking everywhere, they get 80mpg, you can get rain canopies for some of them, and they cost less than 3000 bucks in most cases.

What's the point of comparing the iQ to the likes of the Golf? Does VW stop selling the Polo or even its new city car Up! just because Golf outsells everything else? The iQ easily holds its own with more than 100,000 sold in Europe in its first production year, exceeding Toyota's expectation. Not everyone thinks the same way. Some think the Golf is small enough for their city needs. Some prefer riding a moped instead. But you know what, to some people the iQ hits their sweetspot. That's why each car maker has more than one model in the line-up, to fill different needs and preferences. Isn't it wonderful to have more options rather than less? Surprising, I know.

[Aki]

Originally Posted by ydooby

It's expensive because it has to use many unique parts that are not shared with any other Toyota models. To compare it with the likes of the much larger Mazda2 is totally missing the point.

That's not correct. It's expensive because Scion decided to tack on a bunch of options on it, not because it doesn't borrow from the parts bin. You can tell because when you compare the price of the iQ relative to the rest of the line-up in Japan, it's very cheap. The bB (Scion xB) is about $1,500 more than the iQ comparing the lowest base prices of the two. With Scion the prices are identical. Ditto for the pricepoint of the Corolla (Axio) vs the iQ. In Japan the iQ is maybe $2500 cheaper than the Corolla, whereas here they're pretty much the same price.

Neither the iQ or the FT86 will work for Scion if Scion's all about dumping a whole bunch of standard features in the car, imo. The iQ could be sold at say $15k or $14.5.

Nor is its packaging anything new. Smart and Fiat 500 occupy the same niche, and I'd much rather get the Fiat... even if it were to fall apart after 30,000 miles. The 500 is one nice looking ride.

[ydooby]

Originally Posted by Aki

That's not correct. It's expensive because Scion decided to tack on a bunch of options on it, not because it doesn't borrow from the parts bin. You can tell because when you compare the price of the iQ relative to the rest of the line-up in Japan, it's very cheap. The bB (Scion xB) is about $1,500 more than the iQ comparing the lowest base prices of the two. With Scion the prices are identical. Ditto for the pricepoint of the Corolla (Axio) vs the iQ. In Japan the iQ is maybe $2500 cheaper than the Corolla, whereas here they're pretty much the same price.

Neither the iQ or the FT86 will work for Scion if Scion's all about dumping a whole bunch of standard features in the car, imo. The iQ could be sold at say $15k or $14.5.

Nor is its packaging anything new. Smart and Fiat 500 occupy the same niche, and I'd much rather get the Fiat... even if it were to fall apart after 30,000 miles. The 500 is one nice looking ride.

Both reasons are correct, yours and mine. The iQ would be considered expensive even without the standard equipment that Scion mandates it to have. The fact is that, similarly equipped, the iQ is significantly more expensive than the larger Aygo, and almost on par with the Yaris in Europe. And the reason is simply that the iQ is on a platform not shared with anything else (except the Cygnet, of course).

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by PAImportTuner

Anyone know the sales # for a Nissan Cube?

edit** I'd rock this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aston_Martin_Cygnet

WTF??? Aston Martin iQ?

As for the iQ, I've stated on here before that I thought the iQ would be Scion's saviour, and not the FR-S. However I had no idea the Scion execs were smoking crack when they priced it. I think the thing would sell like hotcakes at $13k, loaded.

[Maxim]

Originally Posted by Dimman

WTF??? Aston Martin iQ?

As for the iQ, I've stated on here before that I thought the iQ would be Scion's saviour, and not the FR-S. However I had no idea the Scion execs were smoking crack when they priced it. I think the thing would sell like hotcakes at $13k, loaded.

If they could undercut the lowest priced production car on the market (the 10999 hyundai something-or-other, which finally broke the 10k barrier this year) and claim the honor of selling the cheapest vehicle in the US, it would sell great. A sound system, AC, the mandatory ABS and TCS, and it'd sell fine at that price. Doesn't need power windows..it's so small you can just reach across and roll them down no problem. Keyless entry would be good just because it makes it so much easier to lock your car.

Honestly, then it would actually make quite a bit of sense for city-dwellers.

Teens getting their first car from mommy and daddy would still wind up with used Grand Ams or compact pickups though, because they are dirt cheap, reliable as hell, and pack enough mass to sooth parents' fears that their baby is about to get themselves killed. Nobody is ever going to crack THAT market with new car; only a good Certified Pre-Owned program can do the trick there.

[Maxim]

You know what would REALLY save Scion?

A true COMPACT pickup. Ranger size. Young people continue to love compact trucks, with the S10 and Ranger being a common sight in highschool and college parking lots. They're also an excellent platform to offer a shit-ton of accessories for, which fits Scion's business model.

A light duty, 4 cylinder only pickup, weighing 3200-3600lbs, with a 170hp 4 cylinder would sell like hot cakes if it offered attractive modern styling, optional 4 wheel drive, and good fuel economy. Straying away from the classic pickup look and going with something designed with aerodynamics in mind for highway MPG would probably go over well with younger buyers, and with the Ranger about to die, NOBODY else even has a vehicle in the segment.

It'd be the perfect college vehicle, allowing people to move their stuff around with ease, enjoy good fuel economy, and also play around if they went with the 4x4 and put some optional accessories like a 4 inch lift and larger tires. It would also be good for hauling around motorcycles, either in the bed with an extender, or on a very small trailer. The youth market would be all over it.

[ToyotaObsession]

Originally Posted by Maxim

You know what would REALLY save Scion?

A true COMPACT pickup. Ranger size. Young people continue to love compact trucks, with the S10 and Ranger being a common sight in highschool and college parking lots. They're also an excellent platform to offer a shit-ton of accessories for, which fits Scion's business model.

A light duty, 4 cylinder only pickup, weighing 3200-3600lbs, with a 170hp 4 cylinder would sell like hot cakes if it offered attractive modern styling, optional 4 wheel drive, and good fuel economy. Straying away from the classic pickup look and going with something designed with aerodynamics in mind for highway MPG would probably go over well with younger buyers, and with the Ranger about to die, NOBODY except TOYOTA TACOMA even has a vehicle in the segment.

It'd be the perfect college vehicle, allowing people to move their stuff around with ease, enjoy good fuel economy, and also play around if they went with the 4x4 and put some optional accessories like a 4 inch lift and larger tires. It would also be good for hauling around motorcycles, either in the bed with an extender, or on a very small trailer. The youth market would be all over it.

Fixed it for you.

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by Maxim

You know what would REALLY save Scion?

A true COMPACT pickup. Ranger size. Young people continue to love compact trucks, with the S10 and Ranger being a common sight in highschool and college parking lots. They're also an excellent platform to offer a shit-ton of accessories for, which fits Scion's business model.

A light duty, 4 cylinder only pickup, weighing 3200-3600lbs, with a 170hp 4 cylinder would sell like hot cakes if it offered attractive modern styling, optional 4 wheel drive, and good fuel economy. Straying away from the classic pickup look and going with something designed with aerodynamics in mind for highway MPG would probably go over well with younger buyers, and with the Ranger about to die, NOBODY else even has a vehicle in the segment.

It'd be the perfect college vehicle, allowing people to move their stuff around with ease, enjoy good fuel economy, and also play around if they went with the 4x4 and put some optional accessories like a 4 inch lift and larger tires. It would also be good for hauling around motorcycles, either in the bed with an extender, or on a very small trailer. The youth market would be all over it.

Very decent idea. Basically a size below the Tacoma with different styling and no V6? Come to think of it there is probably an open market segment there as all the 'mini' trucks seem to have become mid-sized.

However is it 'urban' or 'hip' enough for Scion's 'cool' image?

[ydooby]

I agree. Something between the A-BAT concept and the rumored Scion pickup would be a perfect fit for the Scion's hip image AND sell.

[iff2mastamatt]

^ Great idea. SCION better be looking at this, maybe a truck can actually save the brand.

[ToyotaObsession]

Originally Posted by ydooby

I agree. Something between the A-BAT concept and the rumored Scion pickup would be a perfect fit for the Scion's hip image AND sell.

Oh like the hot Selling Baja?

Yeah I don't see some funky looking half truck thing saving Scion. What market are you going to try and sell it too?

Sport? There's the XRunner and even regular Tacomas.

Functional? Regular Tacoma.

Wheeling crowd? ROFL! Not gonna happen unless that thing has a Solid Front Axle.

[Random_Art]

Originally Posted by ToyotaObsession

Oh like the hot Selling Baja?

Yeah I don't see some funky looking half truck thing saving Scion. What market are you going to try and sell it too?

Sport? There's the XRunner and even regular Tacomas.

Functional? Regular Tacoma.

Wheeling crowd? ROFL! Not gonna happen unless that thing has a Solid Front Axle.

Maybe they want to compete with the Raptor?