Ah, another "nobody" - I think we are in the same club but hadn't met yet. Your last two sentences wrapped up why I thought we disagreed (when we didn't): one person's American Dream vs. another. Step one - safety and security. Step two - growth beyond the basics. Step three - F430.

I don't know his wife but do know he spent a lot on cars. For example, he sold a few other cars at the same time as the Pantera and bought a Mosler. Not sure if his wife knew about that. Heh.

The GTS was a narrow body car. The GT4 and GT5 are the wide body cars with the flairs. The GT4 was for racing and the GT5 was a later model that didn't sell in the US except for a few gray market cars. Many American owners get the factory flairs and modify the cars. Mine is like that and was done by a previous owner…

A laundromat owner is a perfect example. Many people who seem to be hated for their car purchases are mundane people, not rich playboys concerned with conspicuous consumption.

I use the car as a symbol for anything people strive for. Personally, I think the American Dream is more than you do, but only because the things you mentioned (which I totally agree with) should be a baseline, not a dream.

No doubt it was pretty super back in the day...and mine is far from stock. Still, the supercars of today are just staggeringly awesome and expensive. The buying, owning and driving experience is so different from paying 1/4 for a 40 year old car.

I always see NJ owners on the forum. There does seem to be a lot of them. I don't know how east coast car guys do it...putting their cars in storage for half the year. Horrible thought.

Almost all the Lambo owners I know came from middle class roots. They all had a Countach poster on their wall as a kid and swore they would have an exotic someday. They are mostly small business owners and still work hard. The American dream is not a lie.

Not sure this qualifies as a super car. I wanted to buy a De Tomaso Pantera and discovered there was one for sale in my city...which never happens unless you live in southern California.

Pretty sure I read a press release that said it is pending.

My wife had a 996, drove it daily, hauled people (two, max) around and would always shove stuff like mulch in the trunk. She also took it to the track and had a fun time hauling ass around town. It wasn't a status symbol. It wasn't even our coolest or fastest car. Also, we aren't rich. She bought it used for $40k and…

Saying someone doesn't need safety equipment because they haven't and a major accident in the past is like saying they don't need auto or health insurance because they haven't had an accident or been sick in a long time. Future risk has little to do with past results as it has more to do with dumb luck than skill or…

I think being concerned with safety is more a function of growing out of the "stupid phase" of our lives. I don't have drunk, unprotected sex any more either and it has nothing to do with mortality...just better life decisions. Plus, we mature enough to outgrow the ridiculous "I don't need that stuff because I am the…

Market research has shown that their buyers are safety minded. Subaru seems to know their demographic and their marketing always has a different tone than other car companies. I tend to really like their ads even though I wouldn't buy any of their vehicles. Subaru owners seem really nice. I need more Subaru-owning…

Thank goodness most people spend almost all their money on things they don't need, because they are driven by desire and pleasure-seeking behavior once basics needs are taken care of.

That was him??!!

I have noticed a lot of motorcycle riders think they are motorcycle parking. Like you said, they think they are extra space...perfect for their bike.

I live the first gen Celicas. I have been working hard to NOT buy one for about a year now but eventually I will have a moment of weakness. It is an inevitability.

I had a Celica GT-S. Revving it was fun. The torque steer was fun. It looked fun. Shifting it was fun. It was light and driving it was fun. Fun, fun, fun.

And the clothes in Blank Space. Damn!