This whole thing is about people not wanting unique vehicles be locked behind paywalls. Not being in the game for those two weeks during the event will force people to buy event vehicles, thus creating the event paywall.
You also need to define what’s worth the time for the average player. Vehicles not being unique might not be the deal breaker for many.
And I wouldn’t because in plenty of cases those vehicles end up behind an even bigger paywall than premiums.
It really is.
Based on what you said so far, you sound very similar to people who buy almost everything with GJN acquired exclusively by selling event vehicles.
Right now, “hourly wage” on these bland event vehicles is measured in pennies, so no wonder someone would be interested in event vehicles suddenly selling for triple digit amount of GJN for the same amount of work.
That said, only pro-player option would be if unique vehicles are inside a TT, with premium/event vehicles helping with grind or lineups.