The way I see it is, that these cartel coins are basically how other games use a rewards system for free to play. Plenty of other games have gone free to play, and they wouldn't be doing this if the game wasn't in some trouble. So it is a slight change, and it may effect the quality a little, but it is to save the game that we quite obvious all enjoy to play or we wouldn't be paying monthly for it. Comparing SWTOR to LOTRO, when LOTRO went free to play it virtually saved the game and LOTRO is currently doing very well. I think free to play is going to really help SWTOR. For all you people doubting that, all you are doing is hearing rumors and believing story's over the fact's.

I got the speeder. I invited a friend a good month ago and he bought it right after his trial ended. So even though it all happened before this was released I still got the speeder