It seems a lot of people base the value and or merits of a vehicle al most entirely on test track #’s. They think “well my car puts down better numbers and is cheaper so therefore my car is better than your car”. As if the test numbers (or #’s vs. price) a vehicle happens to achieve is the sole reason for what renders a particular vehicle worth it and or superior, etc. I think Road & Track explained what I’m talking about really well with their ZR1 vs. GT-R vs. 911 Turbo comparisons.
Yes, the Nissan GT-R put down superior numbers and cost a lot less than the Porsche 911 turbo but in the areas where it really matters (driver involvement, connectivity, fun to drive, etc) the 911 turbo is by far the superior vehicle (regardless of price). Basically the 911 Turbo wins by virtue of being the far better “driver’s car” vs. the GT-R which lacks driver involvement, connectivity, excitement, and passion and so on and so forth.
The moral of the story is that test track numbers don’t tell the full story and is hence horrible way to evaluate a vehicles worth. There are so many aspects of an automobile that simply can’t be measured with a timing device but with human senses, emotion, etc. It’s not as black and white as so many apparently think. But a “fan boy” (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fan_(person)) will always look for excuses as far why he thinks his vehicle is better regardless if he’s actually even driven the car being discussed.