12-22-2008 09:20 PM

Our hopes for a return to RWD Toyotas have been dashed on account of the drastic worldwide economic downturn. The lightweight coupe, widely assumed to be a RWD Corolla successor, has been in the works since August 2007 but according to this article the project has been put on hold until at least 2012. This comes with the news today that Toyota has posted its first operating loss since 1938, its first year in business. But those are just the beginning of woes that are slamming the Japanese auto industry.

Our hopes for a new Honda NSX are dead, and Honda also recently put its Formula 1 team on sale (latest word is that a Mexican billionaire may purchase the team). Subaru also pulled out of WRC. These are tough times ahead indeed.

Toyota president Katsuaki Watanabe said today, “The change in the world economy is of a magnitude that comes once every hundred years.” The automaker had just come off eight straight years of record profits, and few thought its fortunes would change so drastically. Analysts are predicting a “realignment” of Japan’s eight automakers. Earlier this year, Ford already sold off most of its share in Mazda.

Meanwhile Detroit’s gloom has spurred a redux of 80s Japan bashing at at least one Chevy dealeship, which sought to crush a “vintage” Honda Accord with a monster truck Suburban. Only, the truck was unable to do so when the attempt resulted in a blown hydraulic hose.

[via Autoblog]

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I've been patiently waiting for the return of the small RWD coupe to replace my aging 240SX. Guess I better pay a little more attention to maintenance, I should be seeing 300K + by 2012.

Steve

You might want to look for a good deal in a low-mileage BMW E46 coupe, Steve. Perhaps a bit bigger than you had in mind, but about the only game in town for semi-affordable RWD these days. Used Bimmers can be great buys, as long as you do the maintenance yourself. The parts aren't too bad pricewise - but BMW labor rates are bad. That's how I bought my current family sedan ('96 328i). I paid just over $16k for it with 37k miles on it about 6 years back. Best buy I could find in RWD, and it's been a great car.

You might want to look for a good deal in a low-mileage BMW E46 coupe, Steve. Perhaps a bit bigger than you had in mind, but about the only game in town for semi-affordable RWD these days. Used Bimmers can be great buys, as long as you do the maintenance yourself. The parts aren't too bad pricewise - but BMW labor rates are bad. That's how I bought my current family sedan ('96 328i). I paid just over $16k for it with 37k miles on it about 6 years back. Best buy I could find in RWD, and it's been a great car.

Thanks for the suggestion. A little bigger than I want but maybe there is no more "what I want". I love the 240SX but it's getting harder to keep the rust at bay and I'd like some anti-lock and airbags. Maybe an S14 'till my dream car gets built.

Steve

Another thought might be a used Lexus SC 300/400 coupe. They are cheap these days and very nice RWD cars.

I just loved the story about the Chevy not being able to smash the vintage Honda due to "domestic quality issues"...

Another thought might be a used Lexus SC 300/400 coupe. They are cheap these days and very nice RWD cars.

I've looked into those too. Very nice but too luxurious for my taste. the 400 doesn't come with a stick and the 300 is a 3500 lb car and it feels it.

Steve