<article below> Hopefully this is just an issue in North America. The largest pickup truck or SUV one can afford rules here in S. Carolina. I blame it on pop culture and how 2 out of 3 new country songs are about a pickup. The songs sound like commercials and they all pretty much sound the same. Anyway...
Car is a status symbol and HP would be a problem for too many guys here in N. America that want a TRDemon out of the box without needing a garage at home. 2/3 of owners would have no idea and/or no funds to mod their brand new car. Under the Scion badge, about 1/3 of owners are probably still being supported by parents. The trend here, unfortunately, is ________ (fill in the blank vehicle) with the greatest horsepower I can afford/finance out of the box.
Once most buyers realize many family sedans can blow their doors off, they start looking at other cars. These guys didn't grow up with MGs and do not understand the point of a car like the GT86, HP-wise. They grew up with Mustang and Camaro, and drooled over cars like the last Supra and RX-7 because they were beautiful and powerful, but too expensive. Honestly, Mustang, and it's many incarnations, is the formula to beat. Given time, I think the GT86 could evolve into that car for Toyota.
I'm glad I got my FR-S when I did and that I got it brand new. Years down the road this car will hold a certain value and will always be in demand with a certain group of people, just like the Supra.
"Built by passion, not committee", may end with "killed off by committee". Whatever happens, I'm glad they made the car and I'm glad I got mine!
Article:
http://carbuzz.com/news/2015/4/5/Has...Loser-7726276/