Interesting exercise, although I'm glad you pointed out that its all relative to your chosen starting point.

The biggest problem with this is that it ignores so many other factors. A used car, for example, will always score far better, even if it isn't a faster car.

For example, my "beater" track car

1991 CRX

Purchased for $3500
Performance parts $4000
HP: 210 crank hp (185 whp)
Weight: 2100 lbs
Power factor???

But in the real world, this car approximately keeps pace with cars like the Boxster S, S2000 and Z and would get its *** handed to it by the faster cars on the list - and if you gave me any of those cars I'm pretty sure I'd trade in my CRX in a sec :-) For cars like a used 5.0 liter Mustang or LT1 Camaro the argument can become even more persuasive on a pure performance/dollar basis.

Shawn

 

yep... I have to agree with all your points, Shawn.

It's one of those never-ending arguments of new car versus old car. There will always be those that favor one way or the other

For the purposes of comparison, I was trying to keep it to new cars. Hence the references to having something maintained under warranty. This is probably the biggest difference when looking at cars like your CRX... price probably around $10K total... 210hp... 2100lbs, but no warranty when you break something. Small price to pay for a car that is probably a blast to drive, tho!

I'm sure, in most cases, you could improve my power value measurement drastically just by buying a used version of the same car on the list...