Toyota Will Try to Increase 86 Sales by "Limiting Production"

"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
02/01/2017 at 19:40 • Filed to: SUBARU BRZ

If you watch a lot of car-related videos on YouTube, there is a good chance that you’ve seen this new ad for the 2017 Toyota 86 mentioning that “only 8600 Toyota 86's will be made this year” and to “be one of the 8600.” Here’s the thing: in 2016 Toyota only managed to sell around 7,500 FR-S’s. Surely some of that had to do with the winding down of Scion, but likely just as much was that it was the the 5th year on the market for a niche vehicle. Regarless, Toyota is now actually increasing production while claiming that it is a special opportunity to own a limited production vehicle. I don’t know whether to be impressed or disgusted. I finally saw an 86 out and about the other day. I’m still not sold on the front lower fascia, but I do like the small tweaks to the headlights and the rear. Also, the 86 logo in the steering wheel is much cooler than the Scion one that lived there previously.

DISCUSSION (29)

jimz > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 19:46

it works, though. if you give people the idea that something is going to become scarce, they may be more likely to buy.

garagemonkee > jimz
02/01/2017 at 19:47

Like the PT Cruiser Limited. lmao.

InFierority Complex > garagemonkee
02/01/2017 at 19:52

That is a collector item, dammit!

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 20:16

I think the low hp criticism is a red herring. I keep wondering if the biggest problem with the majority of potential buyers is just that the car lacks style. Of course that’s subjective, but to me it just doesn’t look special.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 20:20

Wow, being one of 8600, when it’s not any different than the Scion that’s already been for sale for the last 4 years isn’t anything.

I was thinking theyd do what both Scion and Subaru have already done and make limited production models like the 2017 BRZ Yellow edition, with some STI performance parts, big brembo breaks, and a limited edition color. And you could only get it if you preordered a 2017 model. That I under stand. That is something special.

LongbowMkII > Chariotoflove
02/01/2017 at 20:42

It’s pretty eye catching around here. It’s very low compared to almost all other cars.

Chariotoflove > LongbowMkII
02/01/2017 at 21:18

Yeah, like I said, it’s an eye of the beholder thing. Maybe I’m the only one who thinks it.

Nauraushaun > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 21:24

Don’t blame Toyota, blame marketers. They’re the scum of the earth.

Related: was drinking juice in the kitchen at work this morning. It was a new juice so I was having a look at the bottle. 50% reduced sugar! it said.

Turns out it’s 48% water. It’s just watered down juice (with added pulp). But it doesn’t say “watered down juice”, it says “reduced sugar”. Because marketers.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove
02/01/2017 at 21:58

I wonder how many they actually expected to sell over the lifetime of the model. It’s a small niche with several competitors if you include FWD/AWD models. Combined with the BRZ the Toyobaru twins have been outselling the Miata. I’d call that a success despite the various criticisms.

My bird IS the word > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 21:59

E for effort toyota. Then you get an f, for not understanding your target market in the slightest.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > LongbowMkII
02/01/2017 at 21:59

It is almost unreal how small they are compared to the average car on the street here in TX. They look like they could drive completely underneath the average bro truck.

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 22:36

You know, I think that’s the correct perspective. They may not be a volume seller like most Toyotas, but they bring cred in a space that the company feels is important to its identity. Profit may almost be icing on the cake.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove
02/01/2017 at 22:44

Good points. What I find incredibly weird about these is that the motor isn’t used in any other applications that’s I’m aware of. I believe it shares a short block with the WRX motor, but since it isn’t turbo it is running higher compression (12.5 vs. 10.6), so the heads are likely different. I get the idea of a small boxer to help keep CG low, but it can’t help the case for profitabilty.

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 22:50

That does make it sound like a labor of love and not just a business case. I don’t know much about Toyota engines, but don’t other companies like lotus use Toyota engines for sporting purposes? Seems like Toyota could have repurposed one for their own. Then again, I remember that Subaru did most of the development for this car. So maybe the engine is from them? I’m likely showing my ignorance here.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove
02/01/2017 at 23:02

Yeah so you’re right about Toyota motors. Their inline 4's have been used in sportier cars and racing for a long time. The Lotus Elise has used a variety of motors that are also found in Corollas. A longitudinal I4 would’ve worked well in the 86/BRZ. But they decided to let Subaru do that part so they went boxer. The motor is an “FA” series 2.0L direct-injected 4-cylinder that shares a block with the turbo motor used in the WRX and Forester XT. Most Other 4-cylinder Subaru’s use the “FB” motor that doesn’t share much with the FA. In other words the 2.0L boxer that is in tons of Imprezas doesn’t really share much with the 2.0L in the BRZ. Oh and just for fun Toyota calls it a 4U-GSE when they install it in the 86 just to keep with their engine nomenclature.

Chariotoflove > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/01/2017 at 23:23

Thanks. Glad to know I remembered correctly. They say the two companies developed the car together, but it always seemed to me too close to a rebadged Subaru. Don’t understand why Toyota didn’t put more effort into the design.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > Chariotoflove
02/01/2017 at 23:57

Beats me, I’ve heard so many conflicting things that I’d love to read a memoir by one of the project managers if they ever wrote one. In the end I think it pretty much boils down to Toyota bought a stake in Fuji Heavy (Subaru) and said we want to be a part of this and then who knows who did what but it always seemed more Subaru than Toyota to me.

getFuckedHerb > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/02/2017 at 23:08

It’s a smart choice. I’ve employed that tactic several times in various forms... Car people are still car people, you limit it, they want it. I bet they “Sell Out”. It’s a win win, they have a limited known production run/cost and if they sell them all I promise they are making some kind of profit. It’s difficult to order parts/supplies and plan for assembly lines if you don’t know how many you’ll make/sell.

uofime-2 > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/03/2017 at 09:30

the chassis development they did for the 86 did good things for all of subaru’s lineup that came after. The VA WRX chassis is absurdly good for what it costs. (I am of course biased)

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/08/2017 at 16:15

Really though, just get the Subaru like a normal adult.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/08/2017 at 16:24

Toyota rarely builds a good sports car motor on their own though. They go to Yamaha for that. The Elise engine isn’t the same as in a Corolla even though it’s the same block. It has a different head designed by Yamaha to let it be revvy. The loved 4AGE that’s in the AE86, AW11, and better Celicas from the 80s? Yammie head. IMO, Toyota kind of screwed up the FA/4U, not Subaru. They insisted on things like using the Toyota direct injection system and (I’m not making this up) an 86mm square bore and stroke to put the number 86 in more places. That being said, I think Subaru did a decent job with those restraints. No one really makes a revvy motor anymore because of emissions requirements. Even the formerly stratospheric redlines of the Honda K series engines have mostly been pulled back into the 6ks, so getting close to 8K out of a boxer (not usually the revviest engines) with a square bore/stroke is still pretty good.

B_dol > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/08/2017 at 16:58

Great car - interested to see what Gen II brings. My wife and I tried to find a test drive a few months back and only a handful of dealers even had one on the lot - sales have slowed for sure.

50K miles and some poor mods later, I still miss my FR-S

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > B_dol
02/08/2017 at 17:10

Its good to hear a 2nd gen is in the works. Despite being, I think, a success, they didn’t sell a ton of these and I wouldn’t have been surprised if it were a one and done thing.

Bourbon&JellyBeans > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
02/15/2017 at 23:16

Hot Take: Why not increase sales by not making it look butt ugly?

dogisbadob > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
03/04/2017 at 22:04

How about the OFFER A SUNROOF!!!!! Then, sales will increase.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > dogisbadob
03/04/2017 at 22:05

Shhhh. They’re saving that for next year.

Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura > dogisbadob
03/05/2017 at 21:11

Honestly, though, a sunroof would not only be meaningless, but you have to realize that some people are tall.

Eric > dogisbadob
01/21/2019 at 13:26

To heavy, it'll ruin the balance of the car... Just like horespower

Eric > Eric
01/21/2019 at 13:27

Yes, in discolsser I have a 13 FRS and it’s a better car having mod dified it