There are lots of fast cars on the streets these days, most are in the hands of adults. Then there are the young rich kids with 30-50k cars running around (and there's the drug dealers and other Riff-Raff etc.) who can afford them.
Why do they build these Ricers? It's an easy answer in 3 parts: Girls, Comfort, Availability
First Chicks:
The "trendy" cars will always win the popularity contest when it comes to choice of make, model, etc. When I was in High school the "trend" was anything that said Mustang or Camero on it's butt (yuk!). Now it's Honda and Toyota, If you drive one that's all decked out with stickers and a Coffee can exhaust, etc. young girls DO NOTICE you (Unfortuneately, poor misinformed things
Yes, you will get noticed in your restored "Muscle car" but most younger kids don't know a Cuda from a Camero and really have no appreciation for what they are.
Comfort:
Todays cars, even when modified for serious speed (let's say 11 seconds or slower) are generally just as easy to drive as your typical grocery getter comuter car. I know because I have one, an 96 Eagle Talon that runs 11.80's here in SLC Utah (4,000 ft elevation to boot!) with no nitrous, just a chip, exhaust, and a few games with the turbo setup. It gets over 20mpg even when I drive it hard. Try driving an 11 second Mopar to work everyday, it's NOT FUN after a while and you won't pass many gas stations either, handling? Who needs stinking handling....get my point here? Most kids only have enough money for one car, not a race car, and a driver, etc. they need one that does it all and todays cars do.
Availability:
You can buy parts for reasonable prices in most cases for nearly any new car (yes there are exceptions) but the most important part? You can FIND the parts anytime you want! I know the opposite well, I just recieved a power window wire harness for my 71 hemi Cuda project....... Found it IN HAWAII ! Even vintage "starter cars" are way expensive, anything with a decent body style like an E-body for example, costs a small fortune even for a plain Jane 318 car with a nice body.
Don't get me wrong, the import "wannabe's" really get on my nerves, especially the ones with all the flash and no real power who THINK they have a fast car. I'm a die hard Old school Mopar owner but these new cars have their place, you better figure out how to fit in with them because it's only going to get worse...... When my Cuda is done I will be "educating" allot of the younger guys in their imports.....trust me! my knick name will be "The Teacher"
