The speed/times should come as no shock (and subsequently, no knock) to you.

Last time I checked, staying in my throttle for 14 seconds would land me a hefty reckless driving ticket, if caught. So, it's fast enough for me

When I bought this car, I knew several things before even turning the ignition:

• The list of cars that can beat me is roughly equal to the number of cars I can beat. So, choose wisely
• 215 HP is not going to scare much of anything
• 150mph in a bone-stock vehicle, on the other hand, WILL scare some folks
• I would NOT be able to buy any other car with half the pedigree my Crossfire has, in half as good of condition, for the dollar I paid
• I would be driving an eye-catching, extinct piece of automotive art.

What I didn't know:

• I underestimated the amount of attention this car draws... You'd better be an extrovert
• This car not only does 150 in stock form, but it does so magnificently. 150 never felt so smooth, and I've been there a few times in several different machines. Truly impressed.
• The combo of a 6MT, cedar interior, and Alabaster more than makes up for the OMG acceleration of the SRT that I passed up... for me, at least. The only time I had buyer's remorse was when I tried to keep up with an SRT... but, when I looked down and saw 135mph, I realized that was just as fast of a trip to the jail as theirs was. All other times, I'm completely happy with my purchase. My combo is a rare one.... And a gorgeous one.
• Don't even get me started on the attention this thing gets from women. My girlfriend is absolutely in love with it, too.
• It is the most practical sports car I can imagine... I regularly observe 26-27 mpg, something I wasn't expecting.
• It draws kudos from all age demographics... I get thumbs-ups from the elderly, winks from the cougars, attaboys from my peers, and faces planted against the windows from young eyes that are half the legal driving age.
• It is, by far, the most comfy sports/touring coupe I've ever had the pleasure of driving.

So, there you have it. I passed up some $10K cars that were much faster, and also much more beaten-up. I sacrificed a little speed for a LOT of class, and a gem of a used car. I passed up a bit of raw power, and gained a TON of exclusivity.

And, I gained all the unexpected things I listed.

The mustangs can have their 13-second quarter miles... I'll arrive a few seconds later, after the smoke clears, and arrive in style.

After all... if you're important, they'll wait.