Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxim
And therein lies the issue. A buyer of the Mustang won't be giving up .04g in lateral acceleration. In fact, I'd be willing to bet money that the opposite is true. The Mustang GT with the brembo brake package and summer tires is pulling .99g. Think about that.
In terms of handling limits, I promise, the Mustang GT (or the V6 performance package, which has the same limits but better weight distribution) will have higher limits than the FT-86/FR-S.
I think truthfully, the only metric that the FR-S will beat the Mustang in will be transient response (aka emergency lane change and slalom). The FR-S will have much narrower tires (and I'd be willing to bet, due to the price point, lower performing ones as well).
The Mustang also has absolutely stellar steering feel (seriously, drive one, they're incredibly surprising). The FR-S will be slower, have lower handling limits, lap slower, and probably will not beat the gas mileage of a v-6 mustang by more than 2-3 MPG. It will also cost about the same as the v-6.
Where the FR-S will win out is likely in handling feel and transient response. Low speed handling and initial turn-in will beat the mustang. It will feel much different than the mustang while it goes about it's business.
In short, because of the incredibly good job that Ford has done on all versions of the mustang, the FR-S is going to have some serious competition. The mustang is roomier, faster, will have higher handling limits, be faster on anything but an extremely tight autocross course, and will be able to carry more stuff.
The only place the FR-S will come out on top is the feel..and that's only if they get it absolutely spot on. It's enough of a factor that the Mazda Miata continues to sell excellently based solely on that, so it's not like it's nothing. But the choice will be very difficult. This car is entering into an EXTREMELY competitive market segment (performance 2+2 coupe) and unless Toyota can really keep the costs down and succeed in a major way with the aftermarket (and I do not mean Scion dealer-installed stuff), the car will likely not sell very well. Look at the Mazda RX-8 for an example of how a great car can sell extremely poorly.
I want this car to succeed as much as anybody because I've been jonesing for a lightweight RWD performance car for a long time. But it's still going to be a hard sell. I have no brand loyalty, like many of you do have, and so I will buy whatever gives me the best warm and fuzzy feeling. I think in terms of performance cars, I'm a good example of an enthusiast. I'm a horrible example of the average car-buyer though, because those people buy almost solely based on looks and price.
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I only put up a conservative skidpad number because when it comes down to it, most drivers don't come close to that edge. I have driven LOTS of cars, even a 2012 Mustang today. Comes with the job.
I agree with you that the FR-S is more about dynamics, like an RX-8 vs. the 350z a few years back. The 350z got better gas, had more power, more weight, better G, but doesn't have the feel of the Rx-8, and that's where I think the pull is for those respective customers.
Same goes for the FR-S and a Mustang. It's a more extreme comparison but the argument still holds. Even if you want something in between, the Genesis Coupe is available.
As I said before in a post awhile back, all I really want is an Rx-8 with reliability and I'm hoping the FR-S is it. The Rx-8 has the best combination of steering feel, ride quality, g-ability, and response at the price point for a 2+2. The central tunnel in an Rx-8 works wonders for rigidity.