[bitexploder]

I drove a 1990 Mustang V8 from ‘00-06 or so. It was 0-60 in about 6-flat. So that is a good reference point. Our 4Runner also makes 300hp and is actually sluggish, even by older standards. So not all cars are insane and it is really nice to have efficient 300hp engines for a lot of reasons. My truck makes 500hp and 1000 ft/lbs torque and gets like 18-19 mpg in its stock form. Extremely useful for towing and amazing efficiency given what it does.

So, some cars are too fast, but that efficiency and power also has a lot of practical purpose in many vehicles. Anyhow, I agree with the thrust your statement, but most people are responsible enough to not drive a powerful car recklessly.

[JKCalhoun]

Anecdotally, when going on walks in my neighborhood, the cars with massive fender damage in the driveways are the modern "muscle cars": the Dodge Charger, new Ford Mustangs....

Are car manufacturers, knowingly or not, selling a reckless lifestyle?

[giantg2]

My anecdotal evidence shows it being mostly small cars like civics, darts, etc that have the fender damage. Most of the muscle cars I see are very well taken care of. Also, when I used to drive a muscle car, the people acting like idiots wanting to road race were always in small stuff like an RSX, Golf, etc.

Most car guys love their cars and are well aware of the power and dynamics that can destroy it (or have it seized). But that's just my experience.

"Are car manufacturers, knowingly or not, selling a reckless lifestyle?"

If they are, it's across the board. Any vehicle can be dangerous - civics, F150s, mustangs, minivans, etc. Many people don't understand vehicle limits, dynamics, and their own limitations. A lot of this is because people have rarely experienced situations that would require, for lack of a better word, extreme actions. Things like autocross can give people some understanding of these, provided they aren't the personality that would use it to create false confidence.

[throwaway0a5e]

The demographics that buy cars that are high on the performance per dollar spectrum are the same demographics who are going to think twice before or at least delay spending money to fix cosmetic body issues.