PerformanceSound
Well-Known Member
Guff, great video...I was actually watching this with my girlfriend last night on YouTube before even seeing this post.
While I agree that Toyota will definitely be injecting alot of it's soul and feel with previous halo cars into the new "FT-1" (still can't officially call it a Supra until Toyota does ;-)), I think we are all forgetting what made the Supra's so great.......the superior engineering and high-quality material use no longer used or available in cars today.
The fact that Toyota (and almost every car maker nowadays) has dropped iron blocks from their arsenal greatly decreases the chances of having a solid platform for high horsepower potential from a STOCK BOTTOM END! I know, I know, the GTR is all aluminum blah blah...but the GTR also costs $100k! Sure the FT-1 will probably handle very well, feel great to drive, be comfortable, have Bluetooth and navigation....but, let's be real...everyone wants a "Supra" that can be modified heavily and drive all day long with no issues...we all want a 100% pure JDM conceived Toyota halo car. My point is, in order for Toyota to make another "Supra" it will need to have the same passion, engineering, and dedication from Toyota as the previous Supra's did...that is what made them so well...they wouldn't cheap out or sacrifice even the tiniest screw or nut to cut costs. Yamaha co-developed the cylinder head on the 1JZ and 2JZ right?....what was the last Toyota car to be co-develop with Yamaha?....ill give you a hint, it costs $400k and only 500 were ever made.
The MKIV is so great because your technically buying a $60k (20 years ago) Toyota halo car for half of that nowadays and are comparing it to a car that will be marketed for $50k (brand new) in today's economic climate. Somethings' gotta give....it's financially not possible to build such a quality sports car today unless it's missing something really important. $60k in 1998 is equivalent to $100k nowadays....if the FT-1 will be $100k, I can see a true "Supra" successor because at that point I know Toyota will have some top notch quality incorporated in the car.
One thing 90's Japanese cars have taught me (and I live by this to this very day) is:
- Fast & Cheap = Not Reliable
- Reliable & Cheap = Not Fast
- Fast & Reliable = Not Cheap
Apply the above logic in today's market, and you will see why Toyota had to work with Subaru and BMW on platform sharing. Even then, we are left with under powered cars and potential inferior motors. The days of quality fast cars that can handle power without cracking open the engine are over, for those with Supra's (and SC300's ;-)), keep them forever....there will never be replacements.
With all that being said, I am a Toyota/Lexus fan to the bone. I believe Toyota won't let us down with the FT-1...but to call it a "Supra" or "Supra Successor" is a little too hopeful. The FT-1 will be great in it's own way, just like the 2000GT, Celica, and Supra.
While I agree that Toyota will definitely be injecting alot of it's soul and feel with previous halo cars into the new "FT-1" (still can't officially call it a Supra until Toyota does ;-)), I think we are all forgetting what made the Supra's so great.......the superior engineering and high-quality material use no longer used or available in cars today.
The fact that Toyota (and almost every car maker nowadays) has dropped iron blocks from their arsenal greatly decreases the chances of having a solid platform for high horsepower potential from a STOCK BOTTOM END! I know, I know, the GTR is all aluminum blah blah...but the GTR also costs $100k! Sure the FT-1 will probably handle very well, feel great to drive, be comfortable, have Bluetooth and navigation....but, let's be real...everyone wants a "Supra" that can be modified heavily and drive all day long with no issues...we all want a 100% pure JDM conceived Toyota halo car. My point is, in order for Toyota to make another "Supra" it will need to have the same passion, engineering, and dedication from Toyota as the previous Supra's did...that is what made them so well...they wouldn't cheap out or sacrifice even the tiniest screw or nut to cut costs. Yamaha co-developed the cylinder head on the 1JZ and 2JZ right?....what was the last Toyota car to be co-develop with Yamaha?....ill give you a hint, it costs $400k and only 500 were ever made.
The MKIV is so great because your technically buying a $60k (20 years ago) Toyota halo car for half of that nowadays and are comparing it to a car that will be marketed for $50k (brand new) in today's economic climate. Somethings' gotta give....it's financially not possible to build such a quality sports car today unless it's missing something really important. $60k in 1998 is equivalent to $100k nowadays....if the FT-1 will be $100k, I can see a true "Supra" successor because at that point I know Toyota will have some top notch quality incorporated in the car.
One thing 90's Japanese cars have taught me (and I live by this to this very day) is:
- Fast & Cheap = Not Reliable
- Reliable & Cheap = Not Fast
- Fast & Reliable = Not Cheap
Apply the above logic in today's market, and you will see why Toyota had to work with Subaru and BMW on platform sharing. Even then, we are left with under powered cars and potential inferior motors. The days of quality fast cars that can handle power without cracking open the engine are over, for those with Supra's (and SC300's ;-)), keep them forever....there will never be replacements.
With all that being said, I am a Toyota/Lexus fan to the bone. I believe Toyota won't let us down with the FT-1...but to call it a "Supra" or "Supra Successor" is a little too hopeful. The FT-1 will be great in it's own way, just like the 2000GT, Celica, and Supra.
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