[raven1231]

Originally Posted by DAEMANO

The tire upgrades matter... the brake upgrades matter.

If our cars were handed to the press with real tires (even the Potenza S001's from this car) they'd knock 1-2 full seconds off most of the lap times seen in these reviews and another .04-.08G's of lateral acceleration in instrumented tests. Upgraded brake pads and fluid would go a long way in preventing talk of fade in the press' instrumented track tests. In the court of public opinion this is essential. Just look at the 2016 ND Miata Club ringers that Mazda has been sending to the Auto press. Those highly upgraded $32k cars have people thinking all Miata's are track stars when in reality, the $26k base Miata (with lower spec tires, lack of LSD, softer suspension, iron caliper brakes, heavier wheels and less) would be even or behind a $26k base FR-S on the same track.

No these special edition's aren't the end all be all, but so long as there are upgrades to key performance components like the tires and brakes, in the court of public opinion, they improve sales, and they definitely do matter.

I agree but once again the states and others outside Japan rarely see any if the actual upgraded 86s with anything other than cosmetic changes lol were stuck with half ass body kits and color changes with limited edition plaques!