Over the years, Japanese car manufacturers have become more and more popular throughout the globe. As such, Japan has become a net exporter of vehicles and many other commodities. Of all the Japan-based carmakers, one of the best is that of Toyota.
Although Toyota is incredibly well known and extremely successful, they aren't immune from failures. Some of their vehicles, over the decades, have been discontinued for one reason or another (not always due to poor sales/performance). So, to showcase some of Toyota's classics, here are ten Toyota models that they no longer produce...
10 10. Toyota Carina
To begin, lets look at a long-standing model in Toyota's early lineup: the Toyota Carina. To many enthusiasts, the Carina is an unknown vehicle, especially during its later days in Toyota's model selection.
At first (during the 1970's), the A10/A30 Carina looked like a bona fide Japanese muscle car. Unfortunately, though, Toyota slowly turned the Carina into another boring sedan (a lot like Nissan and their new Skyline). Before too long (in the year 2000), the Carina was discontinued to make room for their newer Toyota Corona T.
9 9. Toyota Solara
As the 1990's were coming to an end, Toyota executives looked over their vehicle lineup and noticed something, or, rather, the lack-there-of. They had very few convertible cars and quickly went to work on remedying this issue. The result was the Toyota Solara.
In essence, the Solara was just a drop-top alternative to the standard Camry. For a long time, the Toyota Solara sold very well (and for an unreasonably high price too). However, like many other Japanese carmakers, the Solara fell off in popularity, leading to the discontinuation of the Coupe version.
Toyota stuck with the convertible Solara for as long as they could (since they had no other convertibles), but were later forced to stop production in late-2009.
8 8. Toyota FJ Cruiser
Up next, we have a relatively new Toyota: The FJ Cruiser. The design and intention was based on the classic Toyota Land Cruiser, however, it didn't quite live up to its predecessor.
What caused the FJ Cruiser's fall was simply poor timing. The vehicle was unveiled before the late-2000's recession and, as such, suffered poor sales figures during the economic crash. Nevertheless, you can still get a new FJ Cruiser, just not in America (rather Australia).
7 7. Toyota Venza
Even though Toyota has made some amazing looking cars throughout the decades, they don't always succeed in their attempts. A prime example of this all too common phenomenon can be seen in Toyota's Venza.
The Venza is your basic SUV like several others in the same category, however, it had a strange appearance that divided enthusiasts/consumers. This division would all come to a head in 2015, when Toyota announced that, due to poor sales, competition, and a hated design, the Venza would no longer be in Toyota's lineup.
6 6. Toyota MR-2
As brands like Ferrari and Lamborghini were cornering the sports car/hypercar market, Toyota thought they'd throw their hat into the ring, as well. What came of this was a small, and scary to drive, mid-engine sports car named the MR-2.
In terms of aesthetics, the MR-2 was clearly inspired by small, mid-engine, Ferrari's like the F355 and 348 TS. The difference between these, though, is that Ferrari has mastered the mid-engine setup, while Toyota had not. What resulted of it was a fun car, but would constantly experience "snap-oversteer": when the vehicle randomly initiates a drift mid-corner.
Because of this flaw, thousands of consumers deemed the MR-2 to be too dangerous to drive and, eventually, was discontinued.
5 5. Toyota Celica
When compared with the other discontinued Toyotas on this list, the Celica is (Easily) the longest lasting of them all. Since all the way back in 1971, Toyota marketed the Celica as a car for the racing enthusiasts until its removal in 2005.
Like with just about every other discontinued car, the Celica slowly saw a drop in popularity. As time went on, it resembled more of a plastic toy car instead of the beloved Japanese-Muscle design from years past. Then, after the Celica's sales dropped over 30% by the early-2000's, Toyota finally pulled the plug.
4 4. Toyota Soarer
For the American's in the crowd, the Toyota Soarer is an unknown sports car from Toyota's lineup. You may better realize the Toyota Soarer as its U.S. equivalent: The Lexus SC300.
The Soarer/SC300 was, in practice, a perfect tuner car. It was powered by the same 2JZ engine found in the Mark IV Supra, just without the twin-turbochargers (2JZ-GE instead of the 2JZ-GTE). With that pairing, however, came a dependence on the Supra's success. Once the Mark IV Supra, and its 2JZ engine, were ended in 1998, so too did the legend of the Soarer.
3 3. Toyota 2000GT
Almost every car manufacturer has their "Golden Goose," their legendary car that will be known for ages. Toyota, though, is one of the rare instances in which they have more than one; including the 1960's Toyota 2000GT.
The 2000GT is the 250 GTO of Toyota's classic cars. Because they were built in the late-to-early-'60s and '70s, only a few were made, making the 2000GT a rare collectible. Nowadays, the average 2000GT will cost you more than a million dollars to own.
2 2. Toyota Cresta
Once again, Toyota has built another legend among the J.D.M. community. This isn't the Chaser or the Soarer, but the four-doored Toyota Cresta (often mistaken for the Cressida and Chaser).
The Cresta looks like a boring, boxy, sedan from the '90s. Yet, looks can be deceiving, as evidenced by the countless Cresta's modified to drift, drag, and race. This, though, wouldn't stop the Cresta from being cancelled in favor of the newer Verossa.
1 1. Toyota Supra (MK IV)
Some of you may be wondering "Why is the Supra on the list? They just made a brand new one!" Normally, you'd be correct, however, the new Supra is more BMW than Toyota and, as such, has been denounced by many Supra "purists."
The Mark IV Supra, to many enthusiasts, is the last true Supra. The 2JZ-GTE engine was masterfully crafted, as well as the Getrag V160 transmission, and could easily put down over 1000 horsepower with modifications.
Due to mechanical issues with the 1996 models and the excessive costs involved in producing the Supra, the MK IV was put to rest after the 1998 model. Hopefully the new one will learn from its big brother and change as the years go on.