RE: Toyota to preview GT-86 drop-top with concept

[Lemonyfresh]

I dont understand why manufacturers (most of them anyway) make such a fuss over convertibles - new concept cars this, design sketches that - its just going to be a gt86/audi a5/vw golf with the roof lopped off, not a totally different looking car!!!!

The above comment refering to costs, if its over 30k they might as well forget it. We got a bum deal on pricing in the uk th first time round with the gt86, to bump the price into that sector is just taking the michael!

(Edited because i was imagining things again!)

Edited by Lemonyfresh on Saturday 2nd February 10:24

[em177]

Needs to be a 2 seater to work for me.

[Froomee]

If its a four seater and not too expensive it may do relatively well especially considering a 1-series, golf, A3 convertible all cost around £30k list price for a decent spec.

[Rumblestripe]

I'm no expert on the Japanese Domestic Market, but I would suspect that the market distorts demand for "stripped out" cars. I think I'm right in saying that once a car reaches a certain age in Japan it is almost impossible for it to pass the equivalent of the MOT? This means that enthusiast culture is denied options like running a twenty year old Porsche as a "drivers car" and "shedding" is impossible. Hence the market for "JDM" cars which then end up shipped to Blighty at teh end of their legal lives in the land of the Rising Sun.

Perhaps someone with greater knowledge of Japan and it's car culture could correct my perceptions?

[Stig]

Hellbound said:

They should only release this variant in STI/TRD guise, with the extra 30bhp to disguise the added weight and compromised chassis.

Is there a large enough market for a car like this at over £30k? I'm not so sure.

But then what do I know?

Do you really think Toyota design the car, then think 'Hey guys, here's an idea - let's make it a convertible too!' or that they factor it into the chassis design in the first place?

As for 'is there a market for this car'. Ironically, given its size and weather the UK outsells Europe for convertibles - however, that's not the point. The US market alone justifies the development.

Besides, being a convertible makes it easier to fit a roll cage

[Stig]

brasse said:

From 7tune earlier today:

.

Wonder if they'll lose the back seats…

P/shop. The concept will be shown in Geneva.

[Stig]

Lightningman said:

Not at all.

However, it is a shame that they don't look outside the JDM and give a percentage of the population a chance to buy what is missing from the mass offering: a cost effective track car.

The R26.R was the last factory caged, semi-affordable, mainstream offering that I can recall (can anyone name an OEM spec car with a cage option that is sub 911 GT3 price?)

Please Toyota, Subaru, etc, give the UK a stripped out, cage option, GT86/BRZ - there is no competition in this market segment!

Make power windows, A/C and rear seats an option.

Add cage and harnesses as a dealer fit/factory option

Job done.

2 things prevent this.

1) Have you seen the GBP/YEN exchange rate?
2) Toyota GB is a business - not a charity

As for making a stripped out version an option; trouble is the market for it would be tiny as to make the business case VERY hard to justify at a time when even selling mainstream models is a struggle. See point 2 above.

[Stig]

LaurasOtherHalf said:

I agree, I would-I've just bought the mini gp which although not totally stripped out is at least in that direction.

However, although the R26.R was released at the beginning of the financial recession, it has to be said they hardly sold any. Mine was no154 & was one of the last batch of 6 brought into the UK

And a mini GP costs what - £28,790?

Making (and buying) cars is not longer something that can be done 'on the cheap'.

At least, until Dacia or Tata release sports cars...