I remember there was a local guy who had a 454 Chevette. Did 9's with a big nitrous shot. He sold it and the guy killed himself on his first pass down the track when it barrel rolled through the lights. Then there's the reputation of the old Hemi Dodge Colts that were outlawed from racing. I think we're all better off with a bit longer wheelbase if we choose to go fast. The real short wheelbase cars are deathtraps.
As for the DSM cars, I agree that they are more problems than they're worth. I've had two of them and they both left on rollbacks because of catastrophic transmission and engine failures. The one Eclipse I had spit a countershaft bearing into the oilpan with only 38K on the odometer. Ditto with the Corrolla that my Daughter had. Engine knock
with less than 60K. It's a total myth that Japanese cars are "more reliable". Reliable to me means not getting stranded on the road.
