In retrospect it seems like this car should have been a bigger seller. The styling was certainly in vogue for the time, and the emphasis of performance over creature comforts is what most hot hatch buyers tend to prefer. I'm scratching my head as to why it didn't do better. I think there was too much competition against it. If I was shopping for a sporty 2-door car in the late 80's I could choose a Ford Escort GT, Probe GT, Mustang GT, Thunderbird turbo coupe, Chrysler Laser (it had a turbo and a digital dash!), Dodge Daytona, Shelby GLH, Chevrolet Sprint turbo, Cavalier Z24, Camaro, Pontiac Fiero, Sunbird (a nice looking convertible!), Grand AM/ Grand Prix, Firebird, Lincoln Mark VII, Acura Integra (rode in one and hated the seats!), Suzuki Swift, Saab Turbo, Toyota MR2, Celica, a Subaru shaped like a wedge, Honda CRX or Civic. Times were changing fast, and the early 90's brought cars with dramatic new styling like the Mazda Miata, Buick Skylark, Eagle Talon, and Geo Storm. I find the visual look of the car so much more appealing than most of the horrendous new cars I see now. Thanks for the story on this piece of automotive history!
... View more