Motor Trend Article

by **red2002solara** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 11:54 am

I was waiting at the Atlanta airport and bought the latest Motor Trend issue to kill some time. In it was an article titled, "Toyota Axes The Solara" We all knew that Toyota was not coming out with a gen 3 Solara. But it's still tough to actually read it in an auto magazine. The article said that Toyota wants to pursue empty nesters with a four door crosover along the lines of a Chrysler Pacifica or Ford Edge. It even mentioned that Toyota may end Solara production early to roll out the new crossover. The big question, will Honda drop the Accord Coupe on its redesign?"

by **theprodigy79** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 12:17 pm

It's funny to me... These things seem to go in cycles. 2 door cars (not counting 2 door sports cars and exotics) tend to gain demand, come out, lose demand, discontinue... gain demand, come out, lose demand, and so on... We've seen it with the Camry coupe, the Accord coupe, and several other cars that have done away / come back with 2 door versions...

It also tends to occur with sport compacts as well... They disappear, then they come back later on when the company realizes that the market misses them...

I guess it's cuz the market gets flooded with similar cars and the demand for any one in particular dwindles or is split so finely there becomes too little profit to support it... The coupe market is also more of a target market than others, with a more focused following, so it makes it all the more difficult... So all of the companies over correct for it, completely dropping the vehicle / version until a few years later when the market is completely lacking any competition and the manufacturer realizes that there is some demand out there that they can potentiall meet (but by that time, all of the other manufacturers have something in development as well)... It's a vicious cycle...

by **Biggi_e** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:00 pm

im just sick of every car company making cars so similar to eachother...

by **MikeATL** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:10 pm

I think they Toyota just does the opposite of what domestic manufacturers do.

Poniac starts to push the G6.... Toyota figures the midsize 2 door coupe/drop top market is dead and goes to crossovers.

Toyota is probably right...

by **woa_its_j3ff** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:39 pm

Biggi_e wrote:im just sick of every car company making cars so similar to eachother...

I agree...

by **TripleBlack** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 1:58 pm

I'd like to see Acura make a convertible. They never have, right? I bet it'd be nice.

by **joebxr** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:07 pm

This is what MT states as replacement FT-SX Concept:

http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/future/ftsx.html

Same issue of M/T shows Challenger SRT possibly 2009 producton....seems like right timing for when I will be ready to trade!!!!

by **07DropTop** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:14 pm

I'd like to see Acura make a convertible. They never have, right? I bet it'd be nice.

Let's wait and see what the new NSX brings. The new front engine v10 design that Acura has teased us with begs for a ragtop model.

by **Jai_Jai_Binks** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 2:21 pm

HORRA for station wagons making a come back!

by **linmk2** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 6:49 pm

Acura will drop its only two door car for 2007 model year. For 2007, there will not be any two door Acuras at all. The NSX is gone too. There is some talk of perhaps making a 2 door TRX when that car gets a major up-date, but I don't think that will happen. As for me, I don't care for 4 door cars, never have, never will. Shoot me if I have to drive a van! I don't care for trucks or SUV's either. When the lease on my Solara is up, I hope there will be some well equipped mid-size 2 door hardtop, convertible, or a combination with my name on it. I guess there will be no more Toyotas for me.

by **MCOjerry** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 7:41 pm

Wow, I guess I will definitely have to go German for a convertible if I want one for my next car. It's a shame Toyota won't come out with a same type replacement for the Solara.

I don't like Pontiacs or the Sebring...so that really only leaves VW or Audi as a reasonably priced point in the convertible market.

by **Somedude** » Fri Jun 30, 2006 8:12 pm

if I had to get a convertible I would get a Honda S2000 or a Nissan 350Z convertible model, those cars are fast and nice.

by **MCOjerry** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 1:06 am

Somedude wrote:if I had to get a convertible I would get a Honda S2000 or a Nissan 350Z convertible model, those cars are fast and nice.

True, but they are both two seaters. Not really great for a daily driver. I prefer to actually be able to fit more than two people in my car.

by **Somedude** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 6:19 am

I have yet to see a four door convertible.

by **MCOjerry** » Sat Jul 01, 2006 8:09 am

Somedude wrote:I have yet to see a four door convertible.

Who said anything about 4 doors?

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