SICK, your stock just quadrupled in my book. Not that I'm a Toyota hater but I remember when they did have *****. They are the biggest fish in the automotive pond and yet they continue to play it straight down the middle. Yea, some may say that that's exactly how they got to the top.

But now that they're there why don't they take some of their mammoth resources and provide a little something for the enthusiast. Leave it to the smaller companies like Nissan, Mazda, Honda and even Hyundai to deliver the goods.

Nissan, especially, is to be admired since they probably will not see great profit from things like the GT-R for quite some time but they built the thing anyway. Why? Not because they thought it would be a cash cow but because they thought it was important. They cared. Today they dropped the new Z and word is that a small RWD coupe is in the pipeline. Yes, it's still just rumor but with their track record one can almost believe it will happen.

Toyota has been talking about fast sport coupes for the last 5 years with nothing concrete to prove their intent to truly bring anything to market. Make a Supra replacement. I will celebrate on that day. I would love to see them produce the fabulous LF-A but my hopes for that car have grown dim.

Money hunger and a need to dominate the world has castrated Toyota and there's no sign that they'll grow a new set anytime soon.

 

I've been saying this about Toyota since they announced they were getting rid of the MR-Spyder and Celica. Those weren't particularly interesting cars but after they got rid of those two I knew we were done with the interesting, fun Toyota.

I've had very little respect for Toyota and their products since. Only reason I bought the IS is because I thought it was the return of an interesting Toyota/Lexus with passionate design and passionate power (306 horsepower was class leading by a HUGE margin when it first came out!). But it's clear now that the IS seems to have just been a fluke. Seriously, Toyota, get your act together.

 

Well Toyota realized that if they apeal to the regular/common man they will sell more cars/trucks, therefore they put all the sporty stuff in the back burner and started making everyday boring cars!!...Remember thier ad campaign at one point......Toyota/everyday!!!

I wish they changed it to TOYOTA/TRACKDAY!!!

 

I remember when I was 13 me and my friends stopped by a Toyota dealership to sit in a brand new Supra and dream about one day owning one. Then a salesman came by told us not to steal the shifter lol. Who knew that 13 years later if I wanted to buy a decent Supra TT I'd have to pay close to MSRP

 

I bet a lot of enthusiasts' opinions will change as quickly as the direction of the wind come 2011/2012 when the Toyota/Subaru RWD coupe is released.

 

whats wrong with the IS? why is it a fluke?

 

I don't think one car will change the image mess they have created for young buyers. And it still might not come, or it might get watered down.

Its not a fluke. Its also not a Toyota.

 

Toyota has publicly confirmed it's coming, and so has Subaru. Both companies would have a big problem if they didn't deliver on their public statements.

Toyotas may not be that appealing to enthusiasts, but I think we can all agree Toyota models are getting gradually sportier.

One model has more ability than you think to change people's minds. Don't forget, Toyota HAD sports cars in the past, and some of those sports cars still have loyal followings. The Supra and MR-2 remain legendary vehicles.

Don't forget what happened with Nissan; late 1990s they were close to bankruptcy, had a lineup almost entirely full of dull, bland cars and same case with Infiniti. Nissans first car after Ghosn came in was the redesigned Altima, closely followed by the 350Z. The Altima got a lot of people looking at Nissan again with cool styling, and the Z really changed things for enthusiasts. Also, the Z platform was modified and used on several other Nissan/Infiniti cars.

 

So when is Toyota going to make some real sports cars for the US?

 

you arnt crazy buddy

 

I was around when the older Celica, Corolla was prowling the streets in the late 70's.. Those cars were solid imo.. The 80's & 90's was a great time for Toyota enthusiasts for sure.. Hopefully, Toyota will follow Nissan & Mazda in bringing back fun cars.. The only fun & funky car right now for Toyota is the Matrix. With the available supercharger kit, this car is a rocket..

http://www.caranddriver.com/buying_g...rix_auto_shows

 

The ***** are in the unique design.

 

That's part of the point, though. Why does a giant like Toyota have to partner with Subaru on a sporty car? Why didn't they develop it all themselves? They have resources out the wazoo.

It shows to me that Toyota was never completely committed to the idea and that they are basically buying into Subaru's plan so they don't have to commit too much of their own resources into it. In other words, it's them taking a shortcut to the product. If it had been anything else, (a new hybrid, minivan, crossover) you would have had Toyota spending all kinds of money in the development process.

Like you said, Toyota is totally capable with sports cars, as shown by their history. It's not the capability which is in question, it's the mindset... the commitment.

 

Who said subaru was ever planning to build this car? That's toyotas mandate afaik.

 

Yeah, I can not wait for this future half assed effort from Toyota for their new "Toyota sports car" they don't really want to do or care about hence them having to partner up with Subaru and use Subaru parts including the engine because they want to put as little effort or spend as little possible on this next small underpowered sports car. I am sure their will be very long lines waiting to drive this new Subaru/Toyota hybrid with that NA 4 cyl making 180-200hp, if we are lucky it will be faster then a Miata or the base Pontiac Solstice/Saturn Sky, can't wait, I am sure people are selling their Supras right now so they can get into this thing.

There was a nice sketch of it from a illustrator in a previous thread but I know it is not going to look like that blue sports car with the two small lights on the hood because Toyota is way too conservative now to make something that looks like that if they even go ahead with this new sports car.

Hopefully Toyota will go a different direction then this stupid small Subaru/Toyota NA 4 cylinder rwd sports/sporty car and give enthusiasts something they truly want instead of another safe conservative miata/sky competitor. What is stopping Toyota from a v8 or turbo 6 cylinder high performance sports car like the last Supra to compete against the Corvette, 911, GTR, 370Z, M3, etc that enthusiasts will get excited about and give Toyota some credibility in the sports car department and something to show for with all their F1 effort. So what it may not get great fuel economy or sell in big numbers, they still should offer something and gain some credibility in that market. Toyota can certainly afford to have a high performance halo car that does not sell all that well but is loved, highly sought after, and outperforms other cars in its class and gets reviewed well. If Toyota wants to use some Subaru designs, why not get together and make a twin turbo flat six engine for the next sports car instead of just using a NA 4 cylinder.