[Supras] (no subject)

[Brian Walker]

I agree for the most part Geoff (mainly the assembly line cost
minimizing, a large part of how Toyota has now become #1) but I think
they're realizing the mass produced, satisfy all at once cars aren't
going to continue to feed brand recognition. I was surprised Toyota
decided to offer the FJ cruiser in mass production. It's less roomy
inside than a 4runner but at ~10k less (at least ours was compared to
the 4 runners we'd looked at)

 

It's definitely not a vehicle for everyone as I've heard quite a few
people say they that don't like the look. It does however show function
over form in my opinion (much more offroad capable than my Tacoma yet
rides like a Camry) Maybe Toyota will look 'outside the box' once again
with the Supra but I wouldn't expect it to be less expensive than
previous models.

 

Brian

 

Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2007 23:33:08 -0700

From: "Jeff Mohler" <speedtoys.racing at gmail.com>

Subject: Re: [Supras] New Supra

To: "Doug Salb" <mr21985 at yahoo.com>

Cc: supras at supras.com

Message-ID:

      <a969fbd10701032233n79b3245euf459100e0417fa7c at mail.gmail.com>

Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

 

The Z aint all that..its fun, its moderately quick but you cant

finesse the car's power AND walk the edge of handline at the same

time, and the RX8 (I got one)..its not a HP car, its a potent momentum

car...not exactly Toyota's calling in sports cars.

 

The Z was a compromise in order for Nissan to build something to MAKE

money with.  The G35.  A Supra would be the same thing..a compromise

to make the chassis engineering profitable in a mass production

commuter car, and the Supra skin model would have to suffer from those

market decisions.

 

The 3000GT was a good model in how to support a low-volume sports car.

 Mitsu had the sense to build a mass-market affordable _base_ class

unit to support the cost of the chassis design and production. The MK4

never had a mass affordable base model.

 

A 1999 base 3KGT-SL was $24-25k.  A base automatic N/A MK4, was

$31-32k...and sold tons more.  The MK4 was a sweet car although I

still prefer a Mk3, but it never made money for Toyota because they

wanted it to be 'exclusive' and it got very limited production line

time.  Today..the chassis would have to be a mainline model..and that

would almost have to be a lexus to gain the regocnition by the market

that can afford it..and to be able to market a base model on the

chassis that would represent an entry point into an existing market

line for future owners.  Kinda like the crossover of the Camry -->

Lexus crowd in 92 or so.

 

Im outlapping the two moderately prepared (within class allowances)

Z's in my local Time Trials class in a base RX8 on upgraded tires

only.

 

 

 But..we can agree to disagree, but I dont believe Toyota will risk

their extremely efficient production environment to a one-off

unprofitable sports car, unless it also exists as an affordable

faux-sports-car to absorb the costs of engineering, production,

marketing, and distribution.  That compromise would harm ANY of

Toyota's existing markets, unless its in the Lexus corral where its OK

to have an edgy sporty ride and feel (ergonomically speaking..how

people fit in it).