The Dodge Stealth R/T Twin Turbo / Mitsubishi 3000GT VR/4 was introduced in 1991 at $33k. Then Japan had their "Lost Decade" and by the time the VR/4 exited the market in '98 (Dodge having lost the ability to sell them for a profit in 1996) they were $80k cars. A number of the rationalists have been screaming "currency war" since December 2012 and Drachma Games are definitely a part of the fun. Judt called the Eurozone an economic union masquerading as a political one with all the downside it entails. Politically, Greece is toxic. Economically, Greece is the bitter pill you have to swallow as part of being the EU. And I dunno. I'm beginning to wrap my head around a CTS-V or CTS-4. Having lived in Los Angeles for 7 years I know one thing for sure: I will never own a german car. Two presidential administrations in this shithole have made me desire American cars for the sheer perversity of it.
The new CTS-V that debuted at the Detroit auto show this year is a beautiful machine. It's also $80,000 or something crazy. I would buy one if I could afford it and I didn't live in an are where for three months of the year you can't drive a rear wheel with 650hp, so you need an additional snow car. Since I meet neither of these criteria, it will live as a dream where it rightly belongs. The 4 is pretty cool too, though, and that's an eminently drivable car in all normal situations. I'm toying between that and the smaller ATS for my next auto.
You know, if you have the room, you could get yourself either the CTS-V or ATS-V as your summer daily driver, then in the winter, buy yourself a beater to get you through those three months. After every winter comes tax return season and people have money they're looking to burn, so you can easily sell your car on Craigslist for just as much if not more than what you paid for it.
Sigh. If I had my way I would get an ATS-V and an early 90s Bronco to mess around with. The downside of the V to me (besides that I'm not sure I want to sink that much money into a car) is that the designer of its exterior is a former boyfriend of my wife. Silly as it may be, I find that kind of emasculating. Not a normal situation for one to have to consider when purchasing a car.
You know, if you want something similar to the RX-7, The Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ is actually a well put together car. You'll hear people gripe about their lack of power, but they're missing the bigger picture of amazing handling. They're nothing like the FR-S or the RX-7, but the Ford Focus and Fiesta STs are great cars in their own right. If power is your thing though, and you still want something that's a bit more practical price wise, the new Mustang is hard to beat. Though, I'd probably wait until the 2016 or 2017 model year comes out, so Ford has a chance to work out the first model year kinks.
I like the Mustang, and I'm Ford employee discount eligible, so it's crossed my mind, but I'm just not into muscle cars. The Camaro that's coming out next year is cool, too, but doesn't appeal to me for the same reason. When it comes to fast cars, I'm more a sport coupe enthusiast (ATS-V, M4, RS5, etc). As it stands, I'll only buy a Ford or GM, because I can get discounts on either (not because of any buy American ethos). Currently I drive a Silverado, and there's a strong possibility I'll just end up getting another one, but goddam is it annoying when faced with a small parking lot.
You know, each generation that Mustang becomes a bit sportier, especially this generation now that it has an independent rear suspension. You got a bit of a pricier taste in cars though. Pricier, but still tasteful. Besides the parking, how do you like your Silverado?