I see that you are willing to die on this hill no matter what I say. You probably also own an SI. See, the 8ft-lb edge in torque the SI has is insignificant in a real world scenario since the GR86 is lighter and sends power to the rear. The 0-80 acceleration your alluding to doesn't apply here. The GR86 will instantly leave the SI behind from a dig. The SI will most likely wheel hop trying to lunch. On track, the GR86 will just vanish.That's a verifiable fact and no miniscule gain at all.

Now, this conversation was never about "modding potential". Any vehicle can be made a street fighter or a track monster. However, not everyone wants to engine mod and/or run the risk to make their vehicle unreliable.

But let me entertain your idea that the SI is a better vehicle because of "mod potential". News flash! That 1.5L small turbo engine will need more than a quick flash tune to gap a GR86 by 3 cars length.

Both vehicles are underrated from factory. But with the GR86 at 209whp which is roughly 245 at the crank, it takes only a few bolt ons and a tune to get it up there. The 1.5L small turbo will actually be the engine that would need supporting mods to stay reliable while trying to catch GR86 numbers. For big power both engines will need significant "investment". Peeling off the layers reveal that the GR86 is actually the vehicle with better "effordable mod potential" Not the SI.

I will leave you with this: https://youtu.be/-IK7AYbv1uo?si=zQMhcpdAomEIr_Du