I would buy a Elise but it's freaking $45K for a Toyota Engine with a shell. If a major manufacturer were to make a similar car, I think it would cost about the same as a Accord to manufacture. If a Elise is same price as an Accord, I'd have one in my driveway.

 

to add onto my previous post. There is a market for small lightweight RWD sport car: Miata.
If this car is still around when my S2000 dies, I'll likely pick one up.

 

Toyota is already working on a lightweight RWD car for less than $20,000

 

Light weight
RWD
4 seats
Relatively inexpensive
.....hmmmmmmmmm...... Nope, can't think of any.

My first thought was a MINI, but it's FWD.

I thought about an old MR2, but it only has two seats.

Of course the Miata comes to mind, but again the seat issue pops up.

I am sorry, I have gone through magazines and talked it over with Mrs. GM3, we can't come up with an answer.

 

I want an Ariel Atom (whatever the 350 hp model is, or whatever) in a real coupe or convertible.

 

Actually I read this a while ago as well (can't remember where!).

Toyota is working on a successor to the classic Hachi Roku AE86. This is going to be my dream car...a light, RWD, inexpensive, coupe. They don't even have to offer much horsepower, I'm sure the aftermarket will devour a car like this. I'm not sure what platform Toyota would use though...would it share the (speculated) new Supra platform (only chopped). Maybe it would be on the Lexus IS platform?

 

[QUOTE=scottrunsxc,May 8 2008, 11:03 AM] Honda needs to bring back the Insight.

 

The reson that nobody manufacturers these lightweight basic fun cars is that every time they come out with on enthusiasts buy them and so do the average numbskull. Then when they are asked for feedback, the numbskulls all list the improvements they want.

"I want nav, and heated seats, and bulletproof glass, and seats with bedpans built in, and a fridge in the dash....." So then the automakers build them that way and we all get heavy cars with crap we dont want or need and then post threads about ripping out stuff to shed weight.

I think if I ever get my billion and launch my car company, we will have a stated policy that if a customer starts talking about all the crap they want added to the car, they should be escorted from the premises.

In a sub 2000 pound car with a honda sourced four you could easily achieve 0-60 in six seconds or less and 40 mpg on the highway with the right gearing. It would also probably handle like a go cart, and hey, we even include air so you don't roast your nuts off on a hot day. You need more than that? In the words of Judge Smails from Caddyshack, "You'll get nothing AND LIKE IT!"

And it would not have to look like a SMART car either. I think those have missed the mark. My wife works for an energy company and they have one as a demo car for promotional purposes. Yeah it hold up well in a crash, but does not look that good and given that it is underpowered that engine has to work too hard. Thats the reason I believe that the milage on that thing is not as great as you would think. And its fugly.

 

[QUOTE=S2020,May 8 2008, 08:15 PM]I would buy a Elise but it's freaking $45K for a Toyota Engine with a shell.

 

Man, I really wish the Subaru / Toyota collaboration (RWD Coupe project) would come to fruition, tell me that wouldn't be badass! Ah well...

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/subaru-...d-dilute-brand/