Why, pray tell, does every review show the driver drifting?
 

Most often on a wet track? Really? Why is that the only example they give of how well the car handles? I can drift the hell out of my car, but it does not indicate anything about its handling characteristics.

One video so far of an autocross day, one or two with straight line acceleration, all the rest with some hotshoe twisting it sideways around a sweeper.

Just don't care if it drifts. Now show me it handles, that I can go run competitively in solo I or II, and you have a sale.

I know it is aimed at the demographic, but if that demographic is sales to highschool/college kids where the parent is picking up the tab, I think they hurt themselves. Can't see Dad ponying up the change for a car when all he can picture is Junior tossing it off a curve.

My opinion of course, and the only impression I am getting from these "reviews". Now run one up on the "Dragon" in NC, get some shots of it in the trees on real curves, and you can sell it to me. The shots in the French Alps were a bit too slow and photogenic to make the same statement.

Because it's hard to convey handling ability, especially to the average viewer. Drifting on the other hand is flashy, noisy, and easy to get someone's attention with. Problem is, those of us who know how to drive understand that drifting conveys nothing about a car's handling prowess. But we're not the target audience.

You should check the video threat before creating a thread. There are videos of 86 drifting. Not exactly a review, you it can drift on dry surface.
You can check Chris Harris Review because his video is informative about how this car handle.

^LOL true. In media section there's dozen & dozen of vid of FR-S/BRZ test driving in the track (both grip & drift)

Do you really mean "threat"?

I agree with OP that I'm getting kind of sick of drifting at this point. Not that I do not enjoy the sport but there is more in driving than just drifting the car.

Edited. Thread*.

Swap that Prius tires for anything stickier. You can do whatever you want when you get the car, but it just defeats the purpose of making this car. They market the car as a drifter car. 4 wheel drift logo, less sticky tire, AE86 successor.

I think your jumping to conclusions too soon. Are you sure they marketed the AE86 as a drift car? Or did people just take them drifting after buying one? Not exactly the same thing.

From all the marketing I've seen, this car is "About Fun" and "Built by passion, not a commitee". Not "Look how sideways you can get!!".

My point is, Toyota/Subaru are marketing this car as a "Good Handling Car" and it just so happens that the designer said "The logo on the side is to represet a 4 wheel drift". Again, that doesn't mean they want you to buy it to go drifting. It's just something you can do with the car. Not what it was designed for. If they designer had never told me that the logo was inspired by drifting, I would have never guessed it was.

Your thinking to specific. They've marketed it for Good Handling. Not just for drifting. It's like saying "The ground is wet, therefore it must be raining". That simply isn't true.

bneale

Seriously? Relax everyone. Don't get your ****s twisted in a knot because you don't like some reviews or peoples opinions of what this car is intended for. You can buy the car and do whatever the hell you want with it. Drive it into a wall if that gets you off but seriously, relax.

If you were a journalist, and didn't have to pay for any of the cost of the car (especially maintenance, getting new tires, clutch, etc.), wouldn't you drift the car like there's no tomorrow? I know I would. :)

But I agree with your point. Drifting looks all neeto-mosquito. But it's not useful for most. Most people, even enthusiasts, won't drive like that in the first place.

So I see from your picture that you've got a Mustang and you're proud of it. I do too, and so am I. Now let me ask you question? How do you drive your Mustang and what gives you the most enjoyment? Because for me, I LOVE power turning around corners, screaching the back tires, gunning the engine. I flip out the back end frequently. That's what you do when you own a RWD car. I hope for your sake you're not one of the dozens of middle aged men I see on the road these days with Shelbys that drive like soccer moms on the roads. What a pathetic waste of car. I feel more sorry for the cars being underutilized than I do for the drivers with more money than sense as to what they will use a car for.

Now having said all that, the reviews so far emphasize the great thing about a lightweight RWD car. It's not the drifting per say, it's the tossable, RWD appeal that sells this car. Imagine your Mustang with 1000 less lbs, regardless of HP, and a proper suspension. Then you'll understand why the emphasis is where it is.

Because the reviewers are 2Cool

agreed im drifting mine at the track, ive been dying to join my 350z 240sx supra ae86 mustang friends at the track on a wet day

yeah and if you buy a sports car period and dont have fun with it, why in the F*ck did you buy it?

I didn't add pulley, tune, exhaust, full FRPP adjustable suspension, etc to carry the kids to soccer camp, heh.

I also built a '90 GT back in '03 specifically for drifting, with Kenne Bell Blowzilla setup and full suspension. So I have been there, done that, have the t-shirt.

I watched all the videos in the stickied reviews. Also spent some time on Youtube seeing what else was there. The majority show guys too busy going sideways to actually give a good feel for the car driving a good line.

They really need to get some footage of one at a NASA or PBOC HPDE event. That would be a lot more interesting... in my opinion. As stated in the original post, this is all "my opinion". I get the feeling this could be one hell of an SCCA Spec racer.