Guess who will get the call when it breaks down?

they want to be seen “making sensible choices, buying a reliable car” 

Or, in one particular case, they buy a car you told them to absolutely NOT buy because of x, y, and z, and then, in a year when it breaks, they say “Man, I really wish you told us about all these potential problem.”

I also bought one new car once. Likely never again. I don’t think people want to spend that much just to get new. I think they are just terrified of buying used. Or doing any leg work at all for that matter.

Hehe, I have a 440 in my Charger so I thought I would make the joke. Big Block motor = Big Block $$$.

Nonsense.

Strap a Hyper Pak into that bad rascal

Your logic on midsize sedans is sound, but I feel I need to throw a wrench in it if the idea is to buy a NEW Camry:

I think you may need to take a closer look at situations like this. I have a friend with similarly absurd requirements... for ANY car; his requirements always seem to sit right on the edge of absurdity for any particular market. And here is the trick: there is a reason it’s right on the edge.

They ALL want you to validate the choice they already made.

When friends and family ask me for advice for what car they should buy .... Then, they ignore those choices and end up buying a Camry.

Interlocks are great and all, right up until they break, and you cannot start your car. Generally speaking, car crippling devices are not often put into automobiles because a car is one of those things you really need to work, especially at 65+ mph.

You are not the only one, this kind of shit drives me crazy as well. Notable examples:

Mopar, of the big three, always seemed to have the most trouble building a reliable car that wouldn’t catch on fire. I had a 440 six pack and I never felt it was a great idea to drive without a fire extinguisher.

I so wish this was real...

Honestly, I have to disagree here. 16 is certainly young, but does not necessarily equate to “idiot”. I was able to handle a very similar car when I was not much older and I honestly believe complete lack of power is a safety issue: sometimes braking isn’t the answer to avoid a wreck; the gas is.

Also, don’t have kids. They are terrible financial investments. Or hobbies. Or anything fun. Just stare at the stock market all day and make money that you will never spend. :P

Hi Joey. You are lucky or worked very hard to be in a position to have up to 10k to buy a car that can be sporty; I was relegated to a 1990 Toyota Camry when I was younger. It sucked. So I am happy for you!

OK. So what is the solution then? Where did we fail as a society? Let’s concede the fact that flux capacitors aren’t a thing so we cannot go back in time. And let’s not let this be a debate about how harsh drug charges are, as even a change in policy would not affect this man’s past.

Oh man, here you go again. But I applaud you nonetheless. It’s always fun to see you breathe life back into something no one else will touch.