Toyota to kill Celica, MR2 Spyder

jimpastorius · **Posted:** Mon Jul 19, 2004 10:26 am

Richard Casto wrote:

Frankly my problem with something like the MR2 is that I just can't fit into it. I fit into it slightly better than a Miata (which is a total no-go for me). At 6'5" I am larger than average, but I also have no problem fitting into a Porsche 914.

I also had a hard time dealing with the tacky interior of the MR2. But if I could have fit into the car, I probably would have bought one as I am a mid-engine fanatic. If only Honda built something like it.

You need to try a 2nd gen MR2 on for size. Lee Piccone is one big boy and he fit into Doug Newhardt's car with little problem. His driving position was straight up, so the top of his helmet peeked out of the sun roof.

Ashraf Farrag · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 9:06 am

Richard Casto wrote:

I probably would have bought one as I am a mid-engine fanatic. If only Honda built something like it.

Acura...errr....Honda NSX

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:03 am

Ashraf Farrag wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

I probably would have bought one as I am a mid-engine fanatic. If only Honda built something like it.

Acura...errr....Honda NSX

Yeah, I knew someone would bring up the NSX. I would love to have one, but it is in a totally different "class" both in price and target audience. I am looking more for somelike like the Honda version of a 914/MR2. They will never make it however. The S2000 is about the closest they have, but it is not mid-engine (or rear mid-engine). At least it is rear wheel drive.

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 10:04 am

jimpastorius wrote:

Richard Casto wrote:

Frankly my problem with something like the MR2 is that I just can't fit into it. I fit into it slightly better than a Miata (which is a total no-go for me). At 6'5" I am larger than average, but I also have no problem fitting into a Porsche 914.

I also had a hard time dealing with the tacky interior of the MR2. But if I could have fit into the car, I probably would have bought one as I am a mid-engine fanatic. If only Honda built something like it.

You need to try a 2nd gen MR2 on for size. Lee Piccone is one big boy and he fit into Doug Newhardt's car with little problem. His driving position was straight up, so the top of his helmet peeked out of the sun roof.

I will have to sit in one sometime soon to see how well I fit inside.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

What's wrong with one of these, Richard?

http://home.att.net/~kevinmallen/mitch_ ... 071704.jpg

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 12:05 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

What's wrong with one of these, Richard?

http://home.att.net/~kevinmallen/mitch_ ... 071704.jpg

Ok, now Porsche is another love affair of mine as well. I also want a Boxster. With the prices of the early models getting affordable, I think about that as well. I fit in the Boxster pretty well, but have yet to ride or drive the car.

I continually rotate through the following cars as being my "next" car...

99-00 Civic Si
89-91 Civic Si (I just don't love this car, but it rules STS)
914/4 (build a CSP car and then eventually drop in a 6 cyl to make it SSM car)
914/6 (do I want to really take a rare '6' and autocross it?)
Acura NSX (where are all of the salvage title "bargains"?)
Boxster (It's a 914 with air conditioning and real heat!!)

Flavor of the month is either the 99-00 Civic Si as a dual purpose daily/autocross car (all of my existing stuff can move over from the 98 Civic LX), or build a dedicated 914/4 for CSP and SSM later on with my LX as my daily driver. Or do the 99-00 Si now and the 914/4 a little later on. I have a hard time really wanting the 89-91 Civic Si even though it rules STS. If it was to be a daily driver, I probably wouldn't like it and if it was to be a dedicated autocross car, I probably would want something more fun (for me) like the 914, NSX, Boxster.

Ask me tomorrow and I will give you a different answer.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

If you think the 89-91 Civic Si prepped for national-level solo2 isn't fun, you obviously haven't driven one.

I drove Scott Sawyer's in a single fun run & matched my best coned run in my 2.5RS, without even pushing it that hard. Handles GREAT, good power, easy to drive fast, and it felt like a go-kart compared to my car. But I don't think we need you in one, especially if you start showing up to all the events. :wink:

Richard Casto · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 12:42 pm

Kevin Allen wrote:

If you think the 89-91 Civic Si prepped for national-level solo2 isn't fun, you obviously haven't driven one.

I drove Scott Sawyer's in a single fun run & matched my best coned run in my 2.5RS, without even pushing it that hard. Handles GREAT, good power, easy to drive fast, and it felt like a go-kart compared to my car. But I don't think we need you in one, especially if you start showing up to all the events. :wink:

You just need to swap one of the 2.5RS for a 89-91 Civic Si and let me co-drive with you.

Kevin Allen · **Joined:** Thu Aug 28, 2003 6:42 pm **Posts:** 3479

(that's all I'm saying for now)

Jason Panciera · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:00 pm

Richard-
Hold out for that 914, they go plenty fast in CSP trim

Karl Shultz · **Posted:** Tue Jul 20, 2004 6:51 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

Personally, I think the problem with Spyder sales has been a complete lack of marketing. No one knows the car exists. I've had several folks see mine and ask what it is! I've had a couple who owned Miatas even say "man, if I had known about that I would have bought it instead!" (These were not racer types, mind you.)

Sure, storage space isn't *quite* as good as the Miata, but it isn't horrible, either. *shrug*

Donnie for the most part I'm with you. When I'm driving Mom's blue 02 Spyder around, nobody knows what it is...and this is a car that's been on sale for four years in this country.

But the storage space thing is a problem. I had to buy a new duffle bag and cooler for the autocross this weekend because my old ones would not fit with the air tank and umbrella. Cramming the duffle into the "storage bin" behind the seats resulted in a broken pair of eyeglasses.

It's a shame really. You've got all these enthusiasts asking for a car that exists purely for sport and purely for driving. When manufacturers make them, these people don't buy them.

--Karl, worried for the long term health of the new Elise...

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Well coming from someone who is not an import fan... I've never cared for any of the Toyota family. Always looked like boring family cars. Have to give the Camry credit for its reliability. But I never consider Toyota to be a sports car maker. Now the 01/02 Solara is a nice looking car. That is the only one I would want to own. But I've been told this is really a car from the Lexus division that they badged a Toyota.

The only import sports car I like is the Honda S2000. If it wasn't a ragtop I would definetely consider one. That is the best looking Japanese car I've seen to date.

Kind of a shame for you folks who really love those cars that they will get ditched on the American market. But $$$ is the bottom line.

Of course you can take this with a grain of salt from a die hard Chevy guy who only has to figure out which flavor Vette is the next one I get. And I already have it picked out

Graham

Donnie Barnes · **Posted:** Wed Jul 21, 2004 12:33 am

Karl Shultz wrote:

But the storage space thing is a problem. I had to buy a new duffle bag and cooler for the autocross this weekend because my old ones would not fit with the air tank and umbrella. Cramming the duffle into the "storage bin" behind the seats resulted in a broken pair of eyeglasses.

Oh, don't get me wrong...the storage space in the car sucks. I'm just saying it doesn't suck *much* worse than the Miata. The car is definitely not a multipurpose vehicle...it's meant for weekend jaunts for smaller folks that don't require a lot of stuff. Pretty much the same with the Miata. Oh, you can get away with more (I have these visions of four tires stuffed into the Spyder along with compressor, jack, tools, and lunch...ugh), but there's a reason why tow vehicles are popular.

Quote:

It's a shame really. You've got all these enthusiasts asking for a car that exists purely for sport and purely for driving. When manufacturers make them, these people don't buy them.

--Karl, worried for the long term health of the new Elise...

Well, judging from the Elise waiting list, there isn't much to fear for Lotus as far as Elise sales are concerned. I do think they'll flop a bit after the waiting list gets satisfied, but they'll still sell in quantities that Lotus will love. I can't wait till mine shows. That said, I pretty much treat my autocross cars as I do my road race cars...they are single purpose. My STi is a daily driver that I'll occasionally autocross, and the Elise will be a more recreational road driver that I will occasionally autocross as well. Err, unless the SCCA does something crazy like make the Elise a bit of an overdog. ;-)

--Donnie

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Jul 21, 2004 4:06 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I can't wait till mine shows. --Donnie

When are they saying you are going to get it Donnie?

Todd Breakey · **Posted:** Wed Jul 21, 2004 4:11 pm

Donnie Barnes wrote:

I can't wait till mine shows. --Donnie

When are they saying you are going to get it Donnie?

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