I'm going to recycle one of my old post:
History repeats itself everybody. Back then I believe the AE86 competed with more powerful cars but was priced in the same ball park.
Back then it sold for around $11k which is around $25,000 today which is the price of an FR-S. It's competition which included muscle cars with V8s went for around the same. (I JUST saw a receipt of a 1985 Corolla GTS on club4ag)
1984 Camaro V8
1985 Mustang V8
1985 Corolla GT-S original receipt
Inflation Calculator
Anyways it's funny how this idea of the FR-S (and the AE86) being overwhelmingly underpowered was introduced to me in a classic Japanese Anime called Initial D. And it's funny seeing this feud occur in real life! It reminds of that one scene...
[ame]http://youtube.com/watch?v=ryp1ijSG3rI[/ame]
Okay, not everyone can do that in real life, but this scene represents something metaphorically--the people (who are criticizing the FR-S's lack of power compared to other cars at its price) are essentially Keisuke (the driver of the yellow RX-7) because they think that (for the price) the more powerful car will contribute to it being a better value.
If the lack of power is a deal breaker; then it is a deal breaker. I understand that some people LOVE powerful cars and it's obvious why they'd be disappointed with this car.
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Ok, so you might not care too much about power and more concerned about equipment. Well, um...hmm
Just be thankful we're fortunate we get it for 25k MSRP while other countries are getting it for 2x or more of our price.