See any future classics with a Toyota badge?

5197 Views 43 Replies 22 Participants Last post by 100$ GUY, Mar 2, 2008

Jegan_V

Discussion Starter · Feb 25, 2008

I was somewhat inspired by a thread on another forum discussing potential American classic cars from the 80s to today and wondering which ones from this era had a chance of being a classic.

Then I started wondering about Toyota and wondering whether any of the cars of that said era would be a classic. The only cars I could think of that easily qualify are Toyota's sport oriented cars ie. Supra, MR2, Celica GT-Four, AE86, etc. but this is no surprise since any sports car is more interesting than a regular car. Generally the company's top flagship in this case the Lexus LS400 also have an easier time becoming the classic, the LS being the primary reason for the Lexus brand's success makes it probably guaranteed.

Yet I do wonder whether since there is a sense of respect for regular Toyotas from the 80s since this was the era where Toyota finally was noticed and made major gains worldwide in order to become the giant they are today. Perhaps there's some rare Toyota trim level making it a collectible which I forgot about.

1 - 20 of 44 Posts

Tideland Prius

· #2 · Feb 25, 2008

xB/bB.

- It's a box. It defies what a stylish car should be yet somehow it's cool to have a box.

- The way it's design, it can easily be a "lowrider". Just slap some 18s and minor body extensions and you've got "the look"

- It's roomy inside so it's just as practical as the next station wagon

My other vote goes to the Sera. The only non-exotic to have a factory gull wing door.

repinS

· #3 · Feb 25, 2008

Nope.

kdhspyder

· #4 · Feb 25, 2008 (Edited)

Jegan_V said:
I was somewhat inspired by a thread on another forum discussing potential American classic cars from the 80s to today and wondering which ones from this era had a chance of being a classic.

Then I started wondering about Toyota and wondering whether any of the cars of that said era would be a classic. The only cars I could think of that easily qualify are Toyota's sport oriented cars ie. Supra, MR2, Celica GT-Four, AE86, etc. but this is no surprise since any sports car is more interesting than a regular car. Generally the company's top flagship in this case the Lexus LS400 also have an easier time becoming the classic, the LS being the primary reason for the Lexus brand's success makes it probably guaranteed.

Yet I do wonder whether since there is a sense of respect for regular Toyotas from the 80s since this was the era where Toyota finally was noticed and made major gains worldwide in order to become the giant they are today. Perhaps there's some rare Toyota trim level making it a collectible which I forgot about.

Without a doubt the current Gen Prius.

It turned the entire auto industry on it's head. It was the right vehicle at the right time. BT, SKS, affordable Navi in a midsizer...oh and then the fuel efficiency. It was jawdropping when it debuted in 2003. Look at the MT CoTY issue. It went through everything and said '..we still don't understand how it works..'

falnfenix

· #5 · Feb 25, 2008

repinS said:
Nope.

eurohazard

· #6 · Feb 25, 2008

So we're not talking about 80's Toyotas only?

-1970-1973 Celica
-1st Gen LS400...I agree with that pick
-1993-1998 Supra TT
-AE-86 I guess...but the good ones were JDM

And these will never be regarded as true classics, but they have an important history.

Sulu

· #7 · Feb 26, 2008

Are we considering only Toyotas that have been available in the USA? What about Toyotas available in the home (Japanese) market? I would nominate the original 1997 Prius. Although never available in North America, it was the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, beating all others, including Honda. (But here in North America, we think of Honda because Honda keeps pushing the fact that they were the first hybrid vehicle sold in North America.)

Jegan_V

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 26, 2008

Sulu said:
Are we considering only Toyotas that have been available in the USA?

Oops I forgot to say no restrictions regarding region.

I can't believe I forgot the Prius. :disappoin

toyotafanfan

· #9 · Feb 26, 2008

what? no:

?

Sure to be at Barrett Jackson in 2045.

Fan

See less See more

TTercel

· #10 · Feb 26, 2008

Supra Turbo
MR2 Turbo/Supercharged
Celica GT-Four and the RWD version from the 80s
AE86 GTS only
Scarlet
Chaser
Altezza 3SGE
Corolla TS?? The car that had the 2ZZ suprcharged... I know its available in the UK
Camry? :lol:

ryannel2003

· #11 · Feb 26, 2008

1st Gen LS400...
and possibly the RX300, which kinda started the whole car based SUV craze.

kdhspyder

· #12 · Feb 26, 2008

ryannel2003 said:
1st Gen LS400...
and possibly the RX300, which kinda started the whole car based SUV craze.

Actually the Gen1 RAV in 1995 started it but the Gen1 RX300 made the crossover segment explode and got other peoples attention because it was so good.

touringcamry

· #13 · Feb 26, 2008

Sulu said:
Are we considering only Toyotas that have been available in the USA? What about Toyotas available in the home (Japanese) market? I would nominate the original 1997 Prius. Although never available in North America, it was the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, beating all others, including Honda. (But here in North America, we think of Honda because Honda keeps pushing the fact that they were the first hybrid vehicle sold in North America.)

The 1st gen Prius was available in the US.
You are referring to this one right?

See less See more

toyotaholic

· #14 · Feb 26, 2008 (Edited)

toyotafanfan said:
what? no:

?

Sure to be at Barrett Jackson in 2045.

Fan

i think this one has a better chance

See less See more

Tideland Prius

· #15 · Feb 26, 2008

ryannel2003 said:
1st Gen LS400...
and possibly the RX300, which kinda started the whole car based SUV craze.

Good call on the 1st gen LS400.

Tideland Prius

· #16 · Feb 26, 2008

touringcamry said:
The 1st gen Prius was available in the US.
You are referring to this one right?

Yep but that's the Gen 1.5

Tideland Prius

· #17 · Feb 26, 2008

3

This is the Gen 1 Prius in RHD only. Our Gen 1.5 version that we got in 2000 included:

- new NiMH battery (instead of D-Cells)
- engine max rpm raised to 4,500rpm (up from 4,000)
- battery voltage raised (naturally, it's a more powerful battery. Don't know the amperage)
- more engine power
- colour-keyed bumpers (without the plastic strips)
- standard rear spoiler
- 6.5" updated touchscreen
- Some markets got folding rear seats. Obviously we didn't.
- new lightweight alloys
- new taillight cluster

Look closely at the interior shot and you'll notice that the screen is NOT touchscreen and that there's a row of buttons at the bottom.

See less See more

BlueFusion6851

· #18 · Feb 26, 2008

I really don't think that (other than said Prius, xB/bB, LS400) Toyota has really had another 'hit' that was so successul.

ECale3

· #19 · Feb 26, 2008

I'd say the Supra and AE86 are already classics.

RningOnFumes

· #20 · Feb 26, 2008

Among the ones already listed...I'm going to go ahead and add my "unbiased" opinion and say Yaris.

1 - 20 of 44 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.