- Toyota announced in Japan that prices for the new 86 sports car will range from $25,600 for a bare-bones "customizable" model to $38,200 for the top-of-the-line GT Limited trim level.
- The Toyota 86 will be offered in Japan in four trim levels — Customize Grade, G, GT and GT Limited — according to the Web site gtchannel.com.
- The starter Customize Grade comes without air-conditioning and gets unpainted bumpers.
TOKYO — Toyota announced Tuesday in Japan that prices for the new 86 sports car will range from $25,600 for a bare-bones "customizable" model to $38,200 for the top-of-the-line GT Limited edition.
The Toyota 86 will be offered in Japan in four trim levels — Customize Grade, G, GT and GT Limited — according to the Web site gtchannel.com.
The starter Customize Grade comes without air-conditioning and gets unpainted bumpers for "racing and customizing purposes," according to the Web site. The standard G grade is priced from $31,000 and the step-up GT grade is $35,900.
Among the extra-cost options are a six-speed automatic transmission, limited-slip differential, aluminum pedals and three-spoke steering wheel.
Production for the Japanese domestic market starts March 12, and dealers have started taking orders.
The 86 goes on sale in the U.S. this spring rebadged as the 2013 Scion FR-S. Prices haven't been announced, but Toyota has said the U.S. car will start "under $30,000."
Inside Line says: Could be a tough sell in the States against a Miata that starts at less than $25,000.
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qdp says:
08:48 PM, 01/26/2012
Based on my past working experience, both Japan and Europ have much higher consumer products standards than that of the U.S., so that their products are much more expensive that American's
hudwa says:
06:46 AM, 01/26/2012
Completely agree with all comments about IL being trolls and guilty of irresponsible journalism. I expect this kind of glossing over of the facts and from major news outlets like WSJ, NYT, CNN, etc., not from a website that bills itself as an enthusiast-focused media company.
Another point on the pricing is that Japanese companies regularly charge higher prices in Japan so that they can sell the same products on a discount abroad. Unlike the 80s and 90s, we will be getting a version of the 86 that is extremely similar (mechanically) to the Japanese model, basically for reasons of economies of scale. So traditionally and to this day, Japanese automakers have charged more in Japan because they don't have to compete with foreign (Korean, German, US) automakers there, whereas the extra money they make goes into reduced prices (though profitable) abroad.
This is a very simple concept and something that any long-term observer of the global auto industry or the Japanese economy would understand. That IL didn't think to explain this or any of the other common sense issues brought up by other posters speaks ill of their understanding of basic points in car pricing and their professionalism as journalists.
jscion says:
04:28 PM, 01/25/2012
If Toyota wants to amp up its Scion brand and its so called "youthful image", then it has to price a car like this affordable enough so the youthful people can afford the car. $25K coupes sell much better than $30K coupes
teatime2morrow says:
03:48 PM, 01/25/2012
I agree it's not the best written article but to be fair, they did put in their disclaimer.
"Prices haven't been announced, but Toyota has said the U.S. car will start 'under $30,000.'"
I've always read the "Inside Line says" comment as their opinion, nothing more, nothing less.
louiswei says:
02:05 PM, 01/25/2012
"Why would it be trolling or irresponsible?"
If won't be trolling or irresponsible if IL has:
1. Stated the JDM price in JAPANESE YEN and then converted to US DOLLAR, and
2. Stated the fact that same model cars cost MORE in JDM than here in the US.
Instead of doing the both above, IL concluded the report with...
"Could be a tough sell in the States against a Miata that starts at less than $25,000."
As that it's going to be a FACT that the FR-S is going to start at over $25k here in the states, which by the way, was not one of the information included in the article.
teatime2morrow says:
01:02 PM, 01/25/2012
Why would it be trolling or irresponsible? IL reported pricing for the Japanese market. They did not say this pricing would be the US pricing. Is it not true Toyota said the FR-S will start under $30k? IL also reported the trim levels and trim content. Doesn't IL run articles on models like the 2012 Civic 1.8 i-VTEC EX (spec, content, pricing) that aren't even available in the US. Does that constitute trolling or irresponsibility?
Maybe people are a little nervous that US pricing could start above $25K?
louiswei says:
12:35 PM, 01/25/2012
"Edmunds has no business publishing converted car prices from other countries and calling it news."
"Completely irresponsible."
THANK YOU!
It is borderline trolling in my opinion.
vq35hr says:
12:02 PM, 01/25/2012
@ taelaron people compare them to the WRX, GTI, speed3, stang V6/V8, genesis coupe, or 370Z because people want a sports car within a specific price range. More than likely people will be cross shopping between the 86 and the cars listed. Is the 86 really comparable to a wrx, gti, or genesis? No, but considering they are performance cars and similar price ranges, the general public would compare them. People care more about HP because most people do their driving on the highway and want power to pass people. A car with great handling is useless on most roads. Me personally, I prefer to have a balance of power and handling, but if I had to choose, I would prefer more power over handling, only because of where I drive.
jmaroun says:
10:50 AM, 01/25/2012
In it's most expensive form, taking inflation into account, this car is asking Supra money, and it ain't no Supra, in any form. So no wonder a 911S goes for over 90K base these days.
igo1 says:
10:39 AM, 01/25/2012
@taelaron
I completely agree with you. People seriously looking at this car as their next ride won't even consider Mustang. They are totally two different cars.
It is obvious that people comparing this car to Mustang just because they are in the same price range have no idea what this car is about. They compare, horse power, rap time and price and talk like they know about cars. You have no idea about cars. There are a lot more to it.