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Originally Posted by 82mm 4g63

Yes, weight is important. Yes, power is important. I don't know about you, but I look at more than just power and weight before buying a car (assuming the FRS >$20,000). In my opinion, you get more with the GC per dollar than you get with the FRS. You're getting more with the GC's turbocharged 275hp engine than you are with the FRS' 2700 pound "light" curb weight.

The engine/power output award goes to the GC.
The ease of squeezing more power out of it per dollar and ability to handle boost award goes to the GC.
The overall exterior styling award goes to the GC.
(Yes, I like the FRS' front end more than the GC, but the side lines and the rear end are nicer on the GC.)
The interior style and creature comforts award goes to the GC.
The manual transmission award goes to the FRS.
The automatic transmission award goes to the GC.
The lighest curb weight award goes to the FRS.

The GC has the upper hand in the four most important things I look for in my new car. Factory power output, ability to handle boost, exterior style, and interior style. I want to try out a paddle shifted car, so the fact the FRS has a better manual transmission doesn't really affect my decision. When it comes to "light weight" the FRS scores a D, I just barely consider 2700 pounds to be light weight. Giving up so much overall size and creature comforts should have the thing weighing closer, if not lighter than, the Miata. Especially seeing what Mazda is shooting for with their next Miata, this thing is going to be a boat. Of course the GC scores an F, but in the end it has a higher overall GPA than the FRS in my book.

To each of his own.