This...
I've only had a short drive in the new 86, I have to say from all of the talk on the net I was expecting the engine to be a lot worse than it was.
In real terms, the car can lay down a 15 second standing quarter mile with more weight than an ae86. Im no drag racer, but I got a 15 in my old white gze 86 (with full street trim and settings), so I wouldn't call it a complete slouch.
I say live with the car for a while, experience it in a variety of conditions and through a range of different moods, then re-evaluate your opinion.
I love my Toyota gear as much as many other people on here, but I am also reasonably practical. I know there are a lot of people in this community who would hate this motor even if it put down twice as much power purely because it is not assembled in a Toyota plant. Personally I plan to give it a chance and see how I feel about it after I have run it in and experienced it properly.
my 2c.