Did Toyoburu twins flop in the UK.

"djmt1" (djmt1)
10/20/2014 at 12:15 • Filed to: Ain't that some shit, Yup that is a Scion FRS

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So the twins have been discounted here in Blighty. Did they flop here or something because I have seen quite a few of them. That said I have also seen more F Types and 650s Mclarens than twins. I would say maybe we don't want RWD cars but find me a Brit who hasn't seen either a MX5 or a RX8 on a weekly basis.

DISCUSSION (17)

TheCraigy > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 12:20

Dealers / manufacturers discount to sell more cars... no big deal.

duurtlang > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 12:26

I don't know about the UK, but they're relatively overpriced compared the competition here in the Netherlands. Probably due to the CO2 tax (gas guzzler tax) I've seen one or two, tops. I have seen a few in Germany though, but even there they're overpriced compared to the competition. You can get a mk7 Golf GTI for €2000 less than a base GT86, while the Golf GTI is the far better daily driver. The GT86 should undercut the GTI, but it doesn't.

I also doubt people under the age of 60 are able to find Toyota dealers. Nobody can find Subaru dealers in continental Europe.

djmt1 > duurtlang
10/20/2014 at 12:29

I do think Ł25,000 is too much but then there isn't much else with RWD and I assume this car is aimed squarely at RWD fans since the twins get annihilated, price, value, practicality and performance wise by the dozens of FWD options available.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 12:30

Their main rivals are hot hatches really and I see a hell of a lot more GTIs and Focus STs than toyobarus. They're expensive to buy and run, completely impractical and dont stand out enough for posers to want them. If I was in the market I don't think I'd even consider one at anything over Ł20k.

A stripped down sports car shouldnt cost more than a kitted out, comfortable, practical 5 seater that has way more power.

duurtlang > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 12:33

It's an unfortunate looking weekend toy car with a badge that only appeals to the elderly, priced higher than faster, more comfortable, more practical vehicles that are still fun. Maybe not as fun, but still rather fun. How many cars did they expect to sell?

djmt1 > Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell.
10/20/2014 at 12:39

I don't think their rivals are hot hatches. This car was sold as the second coming for RWD fans but as Clarkson explains that wasn't true.

and like you said they make no sense price wise next to the dozens of hot hatches available. I wouldn't consider one at any price range if I'm honest, there will always be a better value option.

davedave1111 > duurtlang
10/20/2014 at 12:41

Yeah, they were a bit overpriced to sell well here. The target market couldn't afford them - and we do love our convertibles, so the MX-5 was always going to offer stiff competition for those who could.

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 12:45

Well their rivals arent meant to be hot hatches, but thats what they end up getting compared against. If they stayed at 22.5k like they are now, but added a little power, torque and slightly more refinement it might sell.

Honestly though even making them better looking would be a start. The 1.2 corsa is a meh car, but Vauxhall offered it with a full bodykit and big alloys and they started flying out of dealers, I see them everywhere. Styling options can go a long way, people like to show off.

Snooder87 > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 13:01

The price cut as actually due to sibling rivalry.

See, the FR-S/GT86 was always cheaper and had better sales as a result. So Subaru wants to get closer to Toyota's msrp and pick up some sales that way. Meanwhile Toyota is fighting back by introducing an even cheaper trim level to stay below the competition.

Tareim - V8 powered > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 13:04

they've only gone and discounted it by giving you a more base model (removing alcantara for cloth seats) which I prefer tbh so hardly a discount IMO

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > TheCraigy
10/20/2014 at 13:11

Especially this time of the year. A good chunk of dealers stop having them in stock in the US after they sell off their stock. People just don't want to buy a sports car this time of year which is why its the best time to buy one, less demand means more price cuts by dealers trying to get them off the lot to move in cars that will sell better this time of year, of course I think sales of the Toyobaru twins seems to be declining. With no real updates to the car being produced aside from some minor changes in the interior, means that the model could be getting stale and the people who wanted one already purchased them and sales have slowed. Really I didn't expect the car to stay in production longer than 2-3 years.

TheCraigy > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
10/20/2014 at 13:28

Yeah even non-convertible sportscar sales do slow in winter.

Almost every sportscar / enthusiast sporty car sees much higher sales in the first couple of years, waning thereafter. Even the cars that get updates have this drop until the next new model arrives. E.g. Corvette, there were tons of 98-99 sold, almost none comparably in 2004. Later on with C6, plenty of 2005-2006 were sold but very few 2012, 2013.

Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ > TheCraigy
10/20/2014 at 13:40

I don't think the Toyobaru twins will have the staying power of the corvette though. In the next few years if sales don't increase enough and keep falling they'll probably halt production.

TheCraigy > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
10/20/2014 at 13:51

Yeah definitely different products. But waning sales is very normal for this type of car. I don't think it was intended to be a large volume seller, which is partly the reason why Subaru & Toyota decided to split the costs.

Cé hé sin > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 14:18

They haven't sold as well as expected even in the first two years - coupés usually sell for only two years and then fall off a cliff, sales wise.

To give another example, the Peugeot RCZ isn't going to be replaced and PSA have officially said that this short shelf life is the reason.

JDIGGS > djmt1
10/20/2014 at 14:31

My buddy literally had 20k as a DP with him, wouldn't let him test drive or give him the time of day. He lives in the UK. instead he bought more used cars and threw his middle finger up at this.

Honestly why the fuck would you buy this car for like 30000 pounds? vs. a pristine used s2000 for 4,000 pounds

This car is a total rip off in the UK

When s2000 with under 30k miles on it with hardtop and pristine costs 4,000 why would you spend 30?

KirkyV > Doge_Supreme drives a BRZ
10/20/2014 at 14:54

It ought to be noted that it isn't as common to buy cars straight off of dealer courtyards in Europe. A lot of people prefer to wait a few months, and get their cars, with whatever specific options they want, from the factory. I mean, my stepdad custom-ordered his work van!

I'm not sure of the exact reason for it, but I suspect it has something to do with the sheer amount of options you tend to get on cars sold in Europe. Even cheap superminis come with four or five different engine options, and a bunch of optional equipment and interior trim stuff.