Reading the DYNO report comment section is depressing....
People are actually dismissing the car (FR-S / BRZ) solely based on a DYNO test which only confirms the cars 200hp rating. They compare to the GTI which is highly under rated@200hp and use its DYNO #'s as a reason to somehow justify to theirselves for why they think the FR-S / BRZ is "over priced" / not worth ~25K.
Their reasoning is that one can get a 300hp+ Mustang for the same price as if the #'s are the ONLY and or very most important/relevant reasons to purchase a particular sports car. I swear some folks have absolutely NO CLUE whatsoever.
And people wonder why cars such as the Honda S2000 are disappearing...This ridiculous obsession with test track #'s above all else is NOT good for the market. The way people just skip the actual reviews and go straight to the spec sheet/ test track #'s is very telling and depressing.
Folks are actually comparing the GTI to the FR-S / BRZ as if they're somehow even remotely a like. The argument goes something like "But the GTI cost about the same and is quicker to 60! so this means the GTI is the better buy.." This is the logic (sadly) most people apparently use when evaluating a sports car.
And then the same people wonder why Europe often gets dynamically superior automobiles of the same make while the U.S. gets the fast in a straight line but sucks everywhere else models. It's because this is what "you" are asking for!
It's a damn shame car companies can build a car (FR-S / BRZ) which deliver ~95% of the driving entertainment of a Porsche Cayman for 1/2 the price and yet people dismiss the car simply due to its 6.4 second 0-60 time. WTF is wrong with people? I mean it's dumb enough to dismiss a car before even test driving it.
In case anyone was wondering the FR-S DYNO results:
173Hp@ wheels
143Ft-lb.Tq@wheels
So taking into account the typical ~ 15% drive train loss via RWD 173WHP is right in line with 200hp@crank.
The torque rating is actually a bit under rated seeing as the FR-S put down ~ 143WTQ. Also the torque curve is VERY broad which is very good for daily driving. You wont have to shift the hell out of it unless you want to. Plus you got to remember the car only weighs ~ 2770lbs so it really doesn't need a whole lot of torque.
There's some talk about a turbo version possibly coming out in the next year or so. However I don't think it needs anymore than 200hp unless perhaps you live at like 10000+ ft above sea level / way up in the mountains, etc. Plus I wouldn't want the weight distribution to lean any farther to the front with extra weight added via an FI kit.
All in all it really just depends on where you live as to rather or not the power would be an issue but for most 200hp in a sub 2800lb. shouldn't be an issue. It's still going to be quicker than 90% of the cars out there.
If you're into drag racing just race cars like the GTI, SI, Mini S, MX-5, etc. It should be just as fun as say having a BMW M3 and racing against a C63 AMG, CTS-V, Cayman S, etc. It's all relative.
Personally I'm not much into street racing but I've been in my fair share of drag races and understand the appeal. It's especially fun when you're driving a "sleeper" and blow the doors off a "sports car" that should be a lot faster than you.
If I get a BRZ I would just enjoy it for what it has been described to be, as in one of the most fun / rewarding sports cars to drive regardless of price. 28K fully loaded doesn't seem over priced in the least if the car turns out to be close to as good as its said to be.