Now That The GT86 Has Been Freed From The Shackles Of Scion - Will Toyota Make It A Proper Sports Car?

Enthusiasts are extremely picky when it comes to getting into a car. Unlike regular drivers, enthusiasts look at reviews, compare stats and bat an eye at usability by picking a car that speaks to them. That’s why cars like the Scion FR-S (now being called the Toyota 86) and Subaru BRZ are heralded as some of the best affordable sports cars. While sales for both have been appallingly low over the past few years, I have a feeling that things are on the way up for both of them.
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MDarringer - 3/21/2016 11:14:06 AM

-6 Boost

Toyota needs to throw in the towel on this one. Letting Subaru design a rear wheel drive coupe when Subaru had no experience doing so resulted in a terribly flawed design. Toyota had much more RWD experience and would likely have done a more credible job. The GT86 is too small for me. I'm tall, so the cabin feels claustrophobic. The chassis needs far better tuning. It's set up to slide around corners rather than being able to clip an apex cleanly. Then factor in the lack of power and pulling the plug is the best remedy.

Toyota needs to do a new Celica.

TomM - 3/21/2016 8:28:32 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota certainly had no interest in fixing this car while it was a Scion - and now that it is not - I don't see the desire to spend money on an old design.
I suspect that they will simply dead end this car.

MDarringer - 3/21/2016 10:56:12 PM

-7 Boost

Indeed. In the USA and Canada last year Toyota moved 12K Scion FRS units. For an affordable coupe that is TERRIBLE. For the price, the Mustang and Camaro both offer better performance and handling as do the GTI, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, and Mini Cooper S. Those 6 cars are apples to the FRS's orange, but they illustrate just how much of a performance failure the FRS is.

If Toyota did a Lexus "944" as a replacement to the FRS that would be a good move. Imagine a 7/8ths scale footprint of the Mustang/Camaro, RWD, $30K 2.0T base, and $35K 2.3T uprated model.

Dexter1 - 3/22/2016 7:20:04 AM

0 Boost

The only thing Toyota will do is make it uglier (like the rest of their pitiful lineup of eyesores).

MrEE - 3/26/2016 10:22:43 AM

+1 Boost

The design incorporates FT-1 nose design in an elegant evolution for this model. Good to see Toyota continue in a niche market, that is giving reasonable priced track capable, fun to drive with balanced power and handling. Not for the older crowd that is stuck in reliving the muscle car era.