Toyota Celica and MR2 to end soon

GTO · 23rd July 2004, 14:20

Two of my favorite entry-level sports cars are to be axed...and both are Toyotas. The early 90's second generation MR2 was a killer in looks and performance...especially the turbo version. With its mid-engined layout, rear wheel drive and 200 horses I thoroughly enjoyed a brief but exhilirating drive in an early 90's MR2 Turbo.

What is most surprising is that Toyota is doing this to probably its only exciting models. The average age of a Toyota buyer is 47, and this is a serious concern for the company vis a vis Hondas 39. More than half of Toyotas buyers are over the age of 50.....keeping this in mind, the Japanese giant launched the youthful Scion.

Complete article

GTO

CaliAtenza · 23rd July 2004, 16:32

yeah i knew this would happen..but the Scion tC is very cool though...one question though, why aren't sports/sporty cars popular in inda like here in the US?

Stratos · 23rd July 2004, 17:41

Oh! thats really sad.! That last generation MR2 with those pop headlights was my absolute favorite!!

Rehaan · 23rd July 2004, 17:42

Hey CaliAtenza,

Well firstly, there aren't really any affordable "sporty/sportcars" available on the indian market which are really worth looking at. I'm sure you have seen the TBHP opinions of the San Storm as well as the Chinkara.

I guess the reasons why sportscars are not popular, or practical in India is because
-bad fuel quality
-bad road surface (aint no fun with stiffer suspension and lower ground clearance)
-overpriced for most of the "practical" indians who could rather buy a good family car for the same money.

However, things are slowly changing, fuel quality is improving, better roads are comming up, and people are willing to spend more money on sportier cars. There are sports cars comming in, the Audi TT, 911, Boxster, and ofcourse ferrari and maserati! but those are still way out of reach of the average car enthusiast, and it is sad that of all the cars launched here not a single one has a "type R" or "S" or "RS" model available. (Cant really count the sonata 2.7 or accord V6, because there is a difference between "powerful" and "sporty" that i am sure you will agree with.)

cya
R

v12 · 23rd July 2004, 22:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] ]That last generation MR2 with those pop headlights was my absolute favorite!!

I guess that was the 2nd last gen of the MR2 [popup lights]. The MR-S [S for Spyder] replaced the MR2 in 1999 i guess [not sure]. Saw the MR-S some years ago for the first time and was really surprised how one could land here within just 2 montsh of its launch. And guess what!!!!!! It had fake regn.

Aditya · 24th July 2004, 03:27

Rather sad.... I still remember the old Celica with pop-ups been slung sideways in the WRC by Juha Kankkunen. Awesome sight!

VTEC11 · 28th July 2004, 01:31

Never liked the celica. But the early 90's MR2 turbo (as GTO mentioned) was a balst to drive. 200hp, mid engine for a small car was a great combo. Looked great too. I believe toyota stopped making for a some number of years before they introduced the current MR2.

VTEC11 · 28th July 2004, 01:38

here's a pic of a 1993 example.

VTEC11 · 28th July 2004, 01:38

back.

dipen · 28th July 2004, 02:03

check this link guys ...highly informative

http://directory.google.com/Top/Recr...es_and_Models/

VTEC11 · 28th July 2004, 05:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (dipen @ July 28 2004,00:33)]check this link guys ...highly informative

http://directory.google.com/Top/Recr...es_and_Models/

nice link.

Start a new topic for it.

23rd July 2004, 14:20	#1
GTO Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 72,643 Thanked: 317,692 Times View My Garage	Two of my favorite entry-level sports cars are to be axed...and both are Toyotas. The early 90's second generation MR2 was a killer in looks and performance...especially the turbo version. With its mid-engined layout, rear wheel drive and 200 horses I thoroughly enjoyed a brief but exhilirating drive in an early 90's MR2 Turbo. What is most surprising is that Toyota is doing this to probably its only exciting models. The average age of a Toyota buyer is 47, and this is a serious concern for the company vis a vis Hondas 39. More than half of Toyotas buyers are over the age of 50.....keeping this in mind, the Japanese giant launched the youthful Scion. Complete article GTO
	() Thanks

23rd July 2004, 16:32	#2
CaliAtenza BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: LAX-SNA-BFL-BLR Posts: 321 Thanked: 20 Times	yeah i knew this would happen..but the Scion tC is very cool though...one question though, why aren't sports/sporty cars popular in inda like here in the US?
	() Thanks

23rd July 2004, 17:41	#3
Stratos Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Belgium Posts: 2,620 Thanked: 1,602 Times View My Garage	Oh! thats really sad.! That last generation MR2 with those pop headlights was my absolute favorite!!
	() Thanks

23rd July 2004, 17:42	#4
Rehaan Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bombay Posts: 24,368 Thanked: 35,765 Times	Hey CaliAtenza, Well firstly, there aren't really any affordable "sporty/sportcars" available on the indian market which are really worth looking at. I'm sure you have seen the TBHP opinions of the San Storm as well as the Chinkara. I guess the reasons why sportscars are not popular, or practical in India is because -bad fuel quality -bad road surface (aint no fun with stiffer suspension and lower ground clearance) -overpriced for most of the "practical" indians who could rather buy a good family car for the same money. However, things are slowly changing, fuel quality is improving, better roads are comming up, and people are willing to spend more money on sportier cars. There are sports cars comming in, the Audi TT, 911, Boxster, and ofcourse ferrari and maserati! but those are still way out of reach of the average car enthusiast, and it is sad that of all the cars launched here not a single one has a "type R" or "S" or "RS" model available. (Cant really count the sonata 2.7 or accord V6, because there is a difference between "powerful" and "sporty" that i am sure you will agree with.) cya R
	() Thanks

24th July 2004, 03:27	#6
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 19,637 Thanked: 84,872 Times View My Garage	Rather sad.... I still remember the old Celica with pop-ups been slung sideways in the WRC by Juha Kankkunen. Awesome sight!
	() Thanks

28th July 2004, 01:31	#7
VTEC11 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 89 Thanked: Once	Never liked the celica. But the early 90's MR2 turbo (as GTO mentioned) was a balst to drive. 200hp, mid engine for a small car was a great combo. Looked great too. I believe toyota stopped making for a some number of years before they introduced the current MR2.
	() Thanks

28th July 2004, 01:38	#8
VTEC11 BHPian Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 89 Thanked: Once	here's a pic of a 1993 example.
	() Thanks

28th July 2004, 02:03	#10
dipen Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: mumbai Posts: 2,295 Thanked: 951 Times	check this link guys ...highly informative http://directory.google.com/Top/Recr...es_and_Models/
	() Thanks