I find myself agreeing with you with all of it bar the early debate with the gt86,,,,
I don't think I would look at 2 cars and buy the one that was rubbish just because no one bought it. I mean go buy a nissan cube if you want a rare car
I think the 350, around the time you would have bought the car and at the price you where paying was more than a match for its competitors and offered the rare factor as well. I think there is merit for both points but I think the car would have to offer a bit more than just being rare to merit taking it