If you really read the complaints from folks...both the actual road tests and rank and file who really know nothing more about the car than what they read...the drawbacks boil down to...

1) Power. If DC has massaged the hp to 250, that would've had a psychological impact on potential buyers. Now, they see the dif between the 280 of the 350Z and the 215 of the Xfire, the price, and figure the Xfire comes up short. But the car is right in there with the TT. Forget that the Xfire is plenty quick for the average driver...which is most of us. Lotus is likely to put the Toyota GTS engine in the Federalized Elise, tweaked to about 200 hp, which in an 1800 lb car is good for a mid 4 to 60. DC could've tweaked the engine, or just gone with the Kompressor SLK package for a few bucks more. I would've put out a couple grand more for a Kompressor.

2) Numb steering. In real life, though, the steering is very good for what folks will really use it for: Straightening out exit ramps, doing the back road twisties, and track day. No good for autocross or slalom, but that's not what this car (OR the Z/G35 either) is all about. Wanna autocross? Get a Caterham or even a Miata.

3) Plastic interior. I like it. I do. BUT it wouldn't take much, I think, to replace the silver plastic console pieces with aluminum. I'd like to see someone come out with aftermarket woodgrain replacement pieces for the interior.

4) Price. People are comparing the car with the 350Z and RX8, and it looks like $6K more for less power. But the Xfire ONLY comes up lacking against those cars in power. It's equal/superior in every other aspect. BUT if you option either car out to the Xfire's specs, you will pay as much or MORE for those cars.

The dealers doing the price gouging are paying the price with unmoved cars. That's idiotic.

Chrysler needs to play up the positives of the car:

GOOD performance. Not class leading, but good. It compares favorably to the TT and RX8. The 350Z/G35 is truly a quick car. Ok.
STICKS LIKE GLUE to the road. I'm used to mid-engined cars, so I'm getting used to this. VERY different handling characteristics. But this car is really stuck down, and I'm just starting to get to know it.
Looks. Speaks for itself.
Heritage. The drivetrain is not a new platform. Maybe a little long in the tooth, but it's tried and true. I cringe at the thought of the 350Z engine being a Renault engine.
Standard features vs options. Traction control, ABS, BAS, air bags all around, heated seats/mirrors, the list goes on. The $28K 350Z and RX8 simply don't compare...

Great warranty. I've had very good dealer experience. Is this car best in class? Depends on the class you want it to be in. It's a good car right now. I'll see how many 'first year production' problems I have before I make up my mind, but this is a good car and worth its MSRP.

IF the sales numbers stay low, and IF it looks like the plug might get pulled in a year or so....I'm gonna buy a second one to put away and shrink wrap...

Hell, people are paying good money for DeLoreans, and those cars were crap in their day (a Volvo engine hanging off the back?), and are truly engineering garbage now!