The Bug cost's a million dollars, hardly any are built and they are supposed to be wicked fast, but they are not something you are going to race someone in, Why, cus if you ball it up racing you are out a million bucks, and all but like six have gone to the middle east.
Climbing into my flame suit.
NO performance car/muscle car/ sports car has an automatic. If it ain't got three pedals, it's like taking Jenna jamison out on a day with her mouth wired shut... you're only getting half the package.
If you can't drive a stick, get your momma to teach you.
A sports car can have four doors, Drive a M5 or a M3 and then say otherwise.
Some tuner cars are fast. Most only dream about it. they may be fast for a little bit, but I have yet to see one that keep it up for more than a short blast, ALL that I have seen are limited by the cooling system. The only exception to this are a few of the "Team Subaru" WRX cars that for sale a couple of years ago, those had 4 gallon cooling systems with Peterbuilt radiators. But the TS WRX's are rarer than geeks date.
Parts costs. Dealer prices are never a way to judge prices. I can walking in to four dealers, and get four different prices all depending on what column pricing I can talk the counter man into. For example, on my sons S10, the sifter boot tore, I got prices ranging from 92.50 to 36 dollars. (which is still excessive for a foot tall black rubber cone with a little sheet metal molded into the bottom of it.) Foreign parts are even worse, BMW wants to charge me 3600 dollars for a new top for a 89 cabriolet, plus 1700 for installation, I had a better top made, with a real glass window, at a local canvas shop, for under 1100 installed.
For performance parts, the mega stores like Jegs, Summit and PAW have it all over your local shop who may or may not have what you want, more than likely want to sell you what they have and often do not understand the integration necessary for best use. IF and this is A BIG if, you can find a gear head counter guy at a dealership who will treat you right, you can get some amazing deals out of factory OEM parts from hot rods. We discovered this when I was building up a original 68 Z-28, once he got to know us, he was able to scrounge all sorts of NOS parts out of the catalog that allowed me to build a correct restoration for thousands less than the aftermarket and swapmeet vultures were getting. FACTORY correct decals, emblems, a complete seat recover kit,(for under $600!!!!!) that had everything needed to put that strip rat into showroom new condition. if you are building a street strip carbureated small block, there is very little sense in getting anything but the original Z28 Dual plane manifold. It just flat out works. AND it costs about 125 dollars!!!
I was out today visiting another hot rodder and he was talking about his latest project, a gen4 2001 camaro with a ZO6 crate engine, He had just ordered the motor, the car was v6 stick that will end up being a 500 Hp daily driver.
Regarding the comment on the honda 919 vs a Ferrari, yeah you might beat him on occaison, but in real life, a point a to point b trip with real corners and real roads, he will be there first, he will not have helmet hair and his car will get him far more willing women than any crotch rocket, and those women will be of spectacular talent. When I visit Florida, I am lucky enough to drive my cousins Ferrari. I am a 46 year old grey hair and I never get a second glance from the young hard bodies anymore, UNLESS i am driving that car. They walk up to me and want to talk to me. Gorgeous women ask for rides, THAT is the power of the prancing horse, a 5 year old 360 Modena is one huge dose of Viagra to chicks. I have owned and driven Corvettes, Mclass Bimmers, several other muscle cars, but NOTHING gets more women than a Ferrari.
