Return of the Hachi Roku?

[numbnuts240]

the us govt can take a lot of blame for overweight cars (think safety). the rest of that blame can go to spoiled americans that "need" their creature comforts. the enthusiasts who don't want airbags, stereos, power locks/windows, etc. are in the minority so it won't make sense to produce enough bare minimum cars to keep them satisfied (as iff the govt would allow less safety equipment anyways). in the end, if the enthusiasts want the car bad enough to overlook the extra unnecessary equipment, they'll buy the car anyways. in which case, the auto manufacturer doesn't care anymore because they already have your money.

[flohtingPoint]

from what i've heard... could be wrong... but its a government regulation that they weigh more now so that they are 'safer'

Never heard of that, but sounds believable enough from Uncle Sam. Kinda contradictory of the whole "green" movement though, as more hp is needed to slop the pigs around.

[PEZi]

the enthusiasts who don't want airbags, stereos, power locks/windows, etc. are in the minority so it won't make sense to produce enough bare minimum cars to keep them satisfied (as iff the govt would allow less safety equipment anyways).

the problem i have with this is that technically this car is aimed towards enthusiasts... so minimal stuff should be applied... but yeah no way getting around the gov't safety BS

[simmode1]

All this talk of a minimalist approach to this car is nice and all... but we all know it's not gonna happen. The common shopper wouldn't look twice at something that stripped down and Toyota would lose money.

Wait, maybe... if they sold it as just that: A limited production, stripped down model just like the Evo RS. Maybe then it might fly, but certainly not as the mainstream model....

[PEZi]

i woulda took the EVO RS assuming i coulda afforded it... oh well

[ScrapMetal]

Tito how dare you diss toyota. Puerto ricans can not hate toyota.

I thought Puerto Ricans were partial towards Mazdas. I've even heard you guys even have a Mazda museum down there. I've also heard you guys stick rotary engines in everything, from old school Toyo pick ups and Corollas to Datsun dimes.

They want to release a real next-gen 86, give me the following:-A technologically stupid car (no fancy lights, only analog gauges, etc)-plain-Jane interior-3SGE motor-No more than 2500 lbs curb weight-option for crank windows-No bigger than 15 inch wheels stock-no plastic motor garnish anywhere under the bonnet

I can keep going but it's a moot point. This idea by Toyota is misguided.

That is so unrealistic not only for a $20K car, but for any car nowadays. This is a modern version of the AE86 as in it is a front engine RWD compact(by today's standard) coupe. It is not meant to be an exact replica of the original AE86 by how you describe it should be aside from the 3SGE. Is the new 370Z an exact replica of the original 240Z? No way in hell, but it still embodies that same "spirit" of the original.

[Mr1der]

All this talk of a minimalist approach to this car is nice and all... but we all know it's not gonna happen. The common shopper wouldn't look twice at something that stripped down and Toyota would lose money.

Wait, maybe... if they sold it as just that: A limited production, stripped down model just like the Evo RS. Maybe then it might fly, but certainly not as the mainstream model....

if you make it cheap and visually appealing, it'll get gobbled up for having the sombrero on the grill.

the problem with the REALLY cheap cars on the market right now is that they're all 4 doors and godawful ugly with no balls to them.

[numbnuts240]

I thought Puerto Ricans were partial towards Mazdas. I've even heard you guys even have a Mazda museum down there. I've also heard you guys stick rotary engines in everything, from old school Toyo pick ups and Corollas to Datsun dimes.

nowadays that is very true. there are rotaries everywhere on the island. for a while, though, the fastest drag cars were dimes with nasty ka24e's. i can't even find any youtube videos anymore amongst all the rotaries,