Toyota released the pricing for the 86 this morning. It's certainly taken me by surprise, and is a far cry from the $50k+ that Toyota was demanding for the MR2 some 15 years ago! Today's pricing puts it almost in line with JDM pricing once you add the shipping costs and such.
 
The RRP for the GT is $29990 and the GTS is $35490.
 
More at:
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/driven-toyotas-30000-coupe-20120604-1zqv3.html

That's pretty reasonable. But no LSD in the GT?? or just the auto?

No LSD in the Auto GT.

i am so surprised by this pricing. PLAESANTLY!! It goes to show that it can be done, so a bout time other companies did a similar thing - produce a driver's car at a reasonable price, not taxi's at an expected price

Ah ok I wouldn't get an auto one anyway lol

Here is the full list of RRP prices
 
GT Manual $29990
GT Auto $32490
GTS Manual $35490
GTS Auto $37990
 
I have no idea why anyone would pay more for a worse model i.e. auto
 

MaXim

Toyota released the pricing for the 86 this morning. It's certainly taken me by surprise, and is a far cry from the $50k+ that Toyota was demanding for the MR2 some 15 years ago! Today's pricing puts it almost in line with JDM pricing once you add the shipping costs and such.

The RRP for the GT is $29990 and the GTS is $35490.

More at:
http://theage.drive.com.au/motor-news/driven-toyotas-30000-coupe-20120604-1zqv3.html

Because $2500 is less expensive and far less painful than a left knee replacement

I would think that would be a very low percentage of buyers worrying about their knee......
It just seems strange that they offer an auto in a "drivers" car. I thought the same about the S15 200SX. I bought one of the last ones - the GT. I loved it and always thought the auto version was a waste of effort.

If it wasn't for an auto I couldn't drive an MR2 or any other car for that matter because of disability and no power in the left leg to operate the clutch.
Auto's certainly have their place but it will be interesting to see what model and type the auto is. The one on the AW11 S/C I have is a great transmission and really suits the car, in fact in testing when they came out the auto S/C was quicker in a straight line than the manual.
Toyota is obviously trying to appeal to as broad a market a possible, which is better than having a focus that is too narrow and thereby limiting appeal, and in the long term probably limiting the life of the model.
It would be interesting to find out how many current MR2 drivers will be able to afford even the cheapest model, or intend to buy it.
Toyota will apparently be using an S800 in some of their publicity shots with the 86 to talk up the sporting heritage, too bad they didn't use the MR2.

Have a look at the perctenage of Sciroccos Golf Rs and GTIs that are being sold with the DSG box. Maybe the marketing gurus at Toyota know something about making money. You can't buy a manual Polo GTI. You can't buy an auto Bluemotion Golf. And VW is losing sales in both these areas because of the lack of the alternative transmission, if you can believe the motoring news.
 
As Tralfaz says, it's all about a broad market appeal. Toyota will watch the market carefully in deciding the manual/auto mix.  Lots of F86 buyers will buy it and never use its potential. At the advertised prices, it's going to be about the cheapest way to pose in a two seat sports car and there will be plenty who buy it just for that. Lots of buyers of the F86 will probably never have seen a clutch pedal.
 
I only wish there was a six speed manual Aurion available for a 2GR swap into the MR2.