Search | Car Forums | Gallery | Articles | Helper | AF 350Z | IgorSushko.com | Corporate |
| Latest | 0 Rplys |
|
Show Printable Version | Email this Page | Subscribe to this Thread |
|
Thread Tools |
12-12-2011, 02:03 PM | #1 | ||
Your Source For Auto News
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Posts: 337
Thanks: 41
Thanked 57 Times in 30 Posts
|
Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
From time to time, the folks over at Jalopnik have some really good editorials regarding driving and its current state. Today is no different, with their recent article on the potential impact that Subaru and Toyota can have on the driving world with the announcement/unveiling of their upcoming models the BRZ and GT-86 (which are essentially the same car).
Before we get into my views on the topic, here is the story from Jalopnik: Editor's note: They swearing has not been removed from the article as I do not believe in unnecessary censorship. - Swigz Quote:
The dwindling appeal of the current auto offerings on the market it something that we've believed in for a while now but haven't really touched a lot on. The angle at which Jalopnik approaches this topic is an interesting one to me, because it's not only on the overall look and engine performance of the car, but also the exterior/interior styling and how that impacts (or in this case, doesn't impact) the power to weight ratio of the car. Or there's the price point, which often scares people looking for a cheap, fun car away from making a purchase. For the most part, I agree with what the Jalopnik boys are saying about the asscertion that these cars can save driving. Why? Because they are right: We need cars that we can drive the hell out of and still have the ability to maintain/fix as necessary. It's damaging to our hearts as enthusiasts to have to spend way too much for a car that has performance, but only if you can afford the steep prices of fixing something when it breaks - which defeats the purpose of having a fun car in the first place. You know what I mean, right? You don't want to buy a car to have fun only to drive it on ultra-nice days at speeds that only approach 70 mph or 45 mph through town. You want a car that you can put the hammer down on and feel good about doing so. You want to know that if you break something, the parts will be available and they won't cost a ridiculous sum (and that you won't need three of them when you thought there was only the need for one). Add to that the fact that you're not going to be driving something that's so heavy, if you hit a deer, you'll only notice a slight vibration and you've got a combination that's hard to pass up if you're looking for power and price. Finally, I think it's a very valid point that when it comes to power, bigger isn't necessarily better. Just because you can pump out 500 horses from a sports car doesn't mean you need to - especially when significantly less will benefit your experience significantly more. While my current budget for a new car is significantly lower than what the BRZ will start at, I can safely say that I would own one in a heartbeat, given the character it possesses. What do you think?
__________________
----------------------------------- Have a news tip/idea? Let us know! Email newsdesk@automotiveforums.com or send us a private message with a link to the content you think AF Members should check out! |
||
12-17-2011, 07:21 PM | #2 | |
Master Connector
|
Re: Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
I think it's another retro throwback marketing trick. A way to build a cheap car with high margins then sell it with a great story for the media to lap up. I think it's aimed directly at males now in their mid 30s (like myself) who considered cars like the original AE86 to be the ultimate driving experience. Light weight and under powered, yet agile and engaging to drive. There is a whole stable of Japanese cars from the late 70s and early 80s that embodied the English and European ideals from the 60s and early 70s. I remember those cars, I owned some of them, I loved them and I miss them. Even the ones I never got to drive have appeal to me, often as much as the ones I did get to drive. There is a whole generation who idolized these cars and I think Toyobaru is simply trying to cash in on us. The same way Ford did with the Retro Mustang and GM did with the Retro Camaro. I have a feeling this car will look the part and people will buy it all excited by it, but in reality it will be safe, the power delivery will gentle and the chassis will be direct enough to make you think your involved, but underneath it will be soft enough to keep you safe. I think it will be well built, sound deadened and boring. Most of all though, I really, really hope I'm wrong.
__________________
Connecting the Auto Enthusiasts
|
|
12-17-2011, 11:49 PM | #3 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Auckland
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
I hope you are wrong too Moppie!
|
|
12-22-2011, 02:13 AM | #4 | |
Master Connector
|
Re: Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
__________________
Connecting the Auto Enthusiasts
|
|
12-23-2011, 07:53 AM | #5 | |
AF Newbie
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: delhi
Posts: 8
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Re: Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
its only provide information about both but not clear to decide which is better
|
|
01-12-2012, 11:51 PM | #6 | |
Nothing scares me anymore
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: City of Light
Posts: 10,702
Thanks: 12
Thanked 82 Times in 77 Posts
|
Re: Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
This story is a rehash of an old, old automotive observation or complaint.
Anyone who read Road and Track, Car and Driver, Sports Car Graphic etc from 30 years ago would recognize this issue, Back then, enthusiasts recognized the sports cars of the early '80's were much faster and more competent, but simply less fun than the British and Italian sports cars of the 50's and 60's. I have lots of car magazines from the 1950's that came to a similar conclusion. New cars of the mid-to-late 1950's were often fast, but too quiet, comfortable and safe to be real fun. Real fun was found in modding cars from the 1930's. So, while I agree with the concept, it's nothing new, and leads me to the logical conclusion that the most automotive fun available is in driving the whiz out of a simple, primitive, easily-modded, poor handling ancient piece of junk with no roof |
|
01-13-2012, 12:29 AM | #7 | |
Master Connector
|
Re: Opinion: How Subaru and Toyota can save driving
__________________
Connecting the Auto Enthusiasts
|
|
|
POST REPLY TO THIS THREAD |
Tags |
brz , gt86 , scion , subaru , toyota |
Thread Tools | |
|
|