Don't confuse electric steering with steer-by-wire. 

The NSX did not have steer-by-wire and a failure in the system reverted to manual steering without electrical assist. 

I'm pretty sure that the Honda used electronic power steering as well.

Quote from: DaveBSC on July 30, 2013, 09:22:56 AM

I should also add, the original Acura NSX had electric steering. That car is now 23 years old, and I haven't heard any stories about it killing anybody from steering failure. Same with the S2000, another e-steering car. I think you're gonna be ok.

Yup, the MR-S uses electro-hydraulic too which is why it feels better than the FRS.  People seem to like the electric assist in the FRS though relative to competitors and I'm sure the price makes it less of an issue.

Well, looks like the last impediments to my getting a FRS have dissipated.  Was waiting for more word on the next Alfa/Miata.  Would have gone w/ the Alfa version for more power, better styling and hoped it had a retractable hardtop all around 2000lbs.  Don't care after today's update that the car will likely weigh close to or over 2400lbs (w/o hardtop) and have 168hp turbo'd while Mazda will only have 140hp or so but likely be a little lighter.  Plus the Alfa will be out in late 2015, which in Italian means late 2016+.  I'll probably die of a heart attack by then from watching 70 year olds drive their Corvettes and Porsches 45mph on the freeway to the golf club.

I can live w/ 250hp+ @2600lbs, low CoG, good cargo space, 30+mpg.  Gonna suck if they do end up putting KERS in the FRS and I have to trade in. 

To be clear, my MR-S kicks the FRS's ass in pretty much every driving dynamic, it's not even close until I finish modding and stripping the FRS.  I just wanted a better DD w/ better mpg, dynamics, lower weight than my Legacy w/ more cargo room and long distance refinement than the MR, but also track ready out of the box.  New rules mean I have to put a full cage in the MR for the track and I'm not going to do all that since I'm going to be replacing it w/ the 4C Stradale in about 3 more years.  And/Or a BAC Mono someday. 

Now there's rumours VW wants to turn the XL1 in to a XR1 which is a German 4C killer getting 70mpg.  Of course this means VW will never build it cuz they are a bunch of pussy bitches that say 'drivers wanted' cuz they build shit for fun.

http://jalopnik.com/scion-will-not-build-a-convertible-or-turbo-fr-s-975053693

Well there goes my hopes and dreams for a turbo 86 in the coming years. I just HOPE that they can up the power a little with some tweaking to the engine

Nice!  Is that Argento or Whiteout?  You referring to the Cusco e-brake button for the drift knob?  I'm getting ever closer to pulling the trigger on a 10 series FRS myself.  Eyeballing the Innovate Lysholm twin screw SC and perhaps a set of Ohlins coilovers.  That should get 250 crank easy w/ tons more flat torque, just waiting on CARB finalization.  Wish the Ohlins had both adjustable rebound and damping but should be fine for a daily beater.  Probably top them off w/ Swift springs.  Grab some TRD door stabilizers, JDM under panels, Seibon CF trunk w/ integrated duck tail spoiler, new wheels, rubber and brakes too.

Seems I was mistaken about the AT responsiveness also, VSC sport only was disabled w/o engaging the trans in sport as well.  Two different sport modes, ugh.  Forgot about this Subie feature as my Legacy is always in sport.

It's a whiteout. and yup on the cusco drift knob.

Too bad on the FI option from scion. I guess they learned their lesson when they offered the Tc with a supercharger and got so many warranty recalls for it. Somewhere down the road i hope subaru releases a STI package and puts on that fancy FA20 that is turbo'd on the new legacy. Only reason why I'd  trade this car in since i like it so much already. But who knows? By that time hopefully Nissan and Honda come out with their competetively priced rwd platforms. Crossing my fingers for a new 240\s15.....

Too bad about the turbo... but good riddance to a heavy, flexible convertible.  I'm just not a fan.

RE:Turbo... no knowing sh_t about these cars, any change the aftermarket comes to the part with a bolt on?

Not a fan of a convertible 86 as well, but if I absolutely HAD to choose between the MX-5 and 86, I would probs choose the 86, even if it's heavier and less rigid than the original,

But the no turbo decision is a little disappointing. It might have been something I would've paid a good amount of extra dough for, especially with my aftermarket FI warranty-voiding phobia. It would be nice to have a turbo-ed BRZ with the same, or better, warranty period as the WRX or STI.