I think the main reason is they just want something else. I won't complain though. I'm waiting to buy one, probably used, and I'm watching these prices creep down slowly.

I think the harsh ride has to do with it as well, there was a female around here who sold her car. Bought for looks and found the ride to be harsh, bet her boobs bouncing everywhere was to much for her.

My father told me in the 90's, all his friends would buy ferrari's and sell them a few months later, to harsh, bad seats, etc. Though modern day ferrari's have been more suitable for daily driving...

Hhhh... I want an S 240 so bad, I just "settled" for an FR-S because it's a much more financially responsible decision. This car is a Cadillac compared to an S 240, so it's hilarious to me that people would trade it in because it's too hardcore. You're probably all correct though. But I still think babies and jobs are the biggest factor.

Especially with who this car is very appealing to. Kids in college or right out of college who probably shouldn't be buying new cars (or certainly not $25k cars). I don't think people realize that $25k loan for 5-6 years at 5% interest ends up being a lot of money.

This might sound counterintuitive, but some of the people who understand this car the best are GTI owners from what I've seen. The GTI isn't a particularly sporty hot hatch (compared against the Focus ST, MS3, MCS, etc.), but its owners buy them for that reason. It's more refined, insulated, and quiet than other hot hatches (and the FR-S). And compared with the FR-S, it's got loads more low-end torque and is much roomier.

Most GTI owners see the FR-S and immediately know they would never be happy driving an impractical car that is so unrefined and requires that much effort to extract its performance. In some ways, I think they see this car for what it is. It's sad that they don't appreciate the driving experience it offers, but at least they know what they're looking for.

I've been toying with the idea of picking up a Lotus. Ultimately though, I think it does cross that line of being too hard-core, at least for how I use my FR-S now (DD, plus handful of autocrosses and track days per year). In the future, if I can find enough time to hit the track more regularly, I may reconsider.

Exiges are cars that seem to get re-sold quite frequently for all the same reasons. As you said, they're an even more extreme example of this in practice.

It's a noisy, creaky, 150lb aluminum tub with no power steering or visibility. Just shy of perfection, in my book.

Haha well said.

I would say the biggest reason is people buy this car on an impuse and then realize they bought it for the wrong reason. As someone that has a 69 Camaro I knew going in that this car was not designed to go fast in a straight line. I think people buy the car and wish they had that 800hp EVO they see on youtube

I was shocked at how many people stated they never test drove the car before they bought it. So you could be right. People read all the reviews, bought into all the hype, never drove the car before they bought, and now wished they owned a Mustang.

I am sure there is a percentage of that going on.

For the record I feel the exact opposite. This car has completely lived up to the hype for me and I would not trade one straight up for a Mustang GT or Camaro SS.

Really... the FR-S is miles ahead of a POS Mustang... Such a horrible, poorly designed, uncomfortable POS :barf:

A big part of how I justified getting mine was that it would save me from doing a full on Pro Touring build on my 70 Mustang. I knew that the FR-S wasn't going to set any land speed records, but it would go through corners with pace and grace. As a side benefit it gets pretty good gas mileage going down the highway.

I'm 23, bought the car a year after I graduated (bought a new 2012 TC when I graduated - FR-S would have taken months and I didn't have months. Eventually couldn't stand it anymore and traded in for an FR-S a year later). I've put about $5k into the car in terms of mods and I'm loving every bit of it. First time I've ever modded a car and it's a little overwhelming, but researching everything I could definitely helped. I'm getting married this weekend and I doubt I'll be able to put in as much as I have been, but I do still have plans. Finances will get tight and I'll back off for a while, but there's no way I will get rid of the car unless we are both unemployed.

:burnrubber:

For me this was an impulse buy but I knew what I was getting and it doesn't take me long to know if I like and can live with something. I put 120 miles a day on the car too and have no issues with it as a DD and have no plans for any significant mods.