RE: Toyota FT86 Price Heads North
Wednesday 21st April 2010
Toyota's eagerly anticipated FT-86 rear-drive coupe could cost significantly more than expected when it arrives towards the end of 2011, moving it away from the original idea of a bargain entry-level sports car.
Toyota FT86 Price Heads North
Spiralling costs cause Toyota to re-think its 'budget' sports car's market positioning
According to an Autocar report, rapidly growing development costs mean that the car could cost between £15k and £17k on the Japanese market rather than the £13k originally envisaged.
Part of the reason is that the planned Subaru-sourced boxer engine is not clean or frugal enough to satisfy Toyota's bosses – so Toyota's development team is hard at work on maximising the car’s fuel-efficiency.
The news means that hopes of a sub-£20k UK price – setting the FT-86 up as a direct rival to the new Honda CR-Z – are rapidly fading. Instead it seems likely that the Toyota coupe will come in at between £20k and £25k.
Toyota has also now decided to aim for older buyers – aiming at buyers in their 40s rather than their 30s, as market research has apparently revealed that fewer younger buyers would be keen on the sporty coupe than Toyota originally predicted.
Discussion
k this up.... which you seem to be in the process of doing. FFS!Currency rate fluctuations have probably had a lot to do with the perceived rising price of the car - the yen is very strong against the pound currently, so it's going to look very expensive to us.
If things turn round and the pound gets a bit stronger over the next year or so, it could still turn out to be relatively good value. Hopefully.
If things turn round and the pound gets a bit stronger over the next year or so, it could still turn out to be relatively good value. Hopefully.
Having sold for Toyota, i think alot of their existing customers will not be put off the price tag, nor will the BHP put them off. We used to sell Celica's close to the £20k (T Sport models) mark.
As a petrol head the price and bhp may put you off the new Toyota but as a current Toyota driver I don't think it will.
IMHO
As a petrol head the price and bhp may put you off the new Toyota but as a current Toyota driver I don't think it will.
IMHO
quote
Toyota has also now decided to aim for older buyers – fewer younger buyers would be keen on the sporty coupe than Toyota originally predicted.
REALLY? or do they mean younger people wouldnt want a Toyota coupe as most people around my age group would rather coupes to 2seater or family saloon plus id have thought what is meant to be a modern version of a cult classic would appeal more to slightly younger drivers.
That said 13k was never going to happen, christ there are AE86s for sale for near that. £17-25k is much more like it and it will fit into the hot hatch/coupe cross over area as opposed to being on the edge of £25k+ TTS/Z4 territory.
dave
Toyota has also now decided to aim for older buyers – fewer younger buyers would be keen on the sporty coupe than Toyota originally predicted.
REALLY? or do they mean younger people wouldnt want a Toyota coupe as most people around my age group would rather coupes to 2seater or family saloon plus id have thought what is meant to be a modern version of a cult classic would appeal more to slightly younger drivers.
That said 13k was never going to happen, christ there are AE86s for sale for near that. £17-25k is much more like it and it will fit into the hot hatch/coupe cross over area as opposed to being on the edge of £25k+ TTS/Z4 territory.
dave
Article said:
Toyota has also now decided to aim for older buyers – aiming at buyers in their 40s rather than their 30s, as market research has apparently revealed that fewer younger buyers would be keen on the sporty coupe than Toyota originally predicted.
I seriously hope they're not suggesting that only over 40s would be interested in RWD. If so their market research must be messed up. I suspect the marketing/research is self-fulfilling, really. So many FWD hot hatches and coupes (hatches by any other name) are aimed at the youth market, it would be no wonder if ignorance prevailed.quote=Article]Toyota has also now decided to aim for older buyers – aiming at buyers in their 40s rather than their 30s, as market research has apparently revealed that fewer younger buyers would be keen on the sporty coupe than Toyota originally predicted.
[/quote]
How is it going to do this? Extend it and give it 4 seats for their kids?
Young buyers in their 30s?? Im 40 (yes honestly!) and very few people my age have a sports coupe. Buyers in their mid/late 20s and 30s are the most likley buyers IMO.
[/quote]
How is it going to do this? Extend it and give it 4 seats for their kids?
Young buyers in their 30s?? Im 40 (yes honestly!) and very few people my age have a sports coupe. Buyers in their mid/late 20s and 30s are the most likley buyers IMO.
If you believe for one second that Toyota didnt know the boxer engine had a worse drink problem than Keith Richards in the 70's then you're a bloody fool.
What has happend is they are getting loads if interest in the model and are expecting to sell lots of them so they will charge as much as they possibly can to make maximum profit (remember they have just had a massive kick in the nuts in the US). Not rocket science.
What has happend is they are getting loads if interest in the model and are expecting to sell lots of them so they will charge as much as they possibly can to make maximum profit (remember they have just had a massive kick in the nuts in the US). Not rocket science.
I am in my 30s and I'd love to give it a go. No onve asked me, of course.
Strange story about that engine. Apparently Lotus can do the sport car with those Toyota engines, but Toyota can't?
Of course boxer would give a lower centre of gravity, but is it worth hastle? Would love to see it getting V6 instead. even small one, like nissan did in 90s - 2.0V6
Strange story about that engine. Apparently Lotus can do the sport car with those Toyota engines, but Toyota can't?
Of course boxer would give a lower centre of gravity, but is it worth hastle? Would love to see it getting V6 instead. even small one, like nissan did in 90s - 2.0V6
Edited by Denorth on Wednesday 21st April 13:22
Edited by Denorth on Wednesday 21st April 13:29
Denorth said:
I am in my 30s and I'd love to give it a go. No onve asked me, of course.
Strange story about that engine. Apparently Lotus can do the sport car with those Toyota engines, but Toyota can't?
Of course boxer would give a lower centre of gravity, but is it worth hastle? Would love to see it getting V6 instead.
like wise, and im 22. That must bring the average age into the 30's surely!!Strange story about that engine. Apparently Lotus can do the sport car with those Toyota engines, but Toyota can't?
Of course boxer would give a lower centre of gravity, but is it worth hastle? Would love to see it getting V6 instead.
Edited by Denorth on Wednesday 21st April 13:22
Keep the weight down and chuck the 1.8VVTI or K20a2 in.
russy01 said:
Denorth said:
I am in my 30s and I'd love to give it a go. No onve asked me, of course.
Strange story about that engine. Apparently Lotus can do the sport car with those Toyota engines, but Toyota can't?
Of course boxer would give a lower centre of gravity, but is it worth hastle? Would love to see it getting V6 instead.
like wise, and im 22. That must bring the average age into the 30's surely!!Strange story about that engine. Apparently Lotus can do the sport car with those Toyota engines, but Toyota can't?
Of course boxer would give a lower centre of gravity, but is it worth hastle? Would love to see it getting V6 instead.
Edited by Denorth on Wednesday 21st April 13:22
Keep the weight down and chuck the 1.8VVTI or K20a2 in.
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