Right, but the track is the only place to appreciate the performance levels at the level they were intended (not many streets allow you to brake 100% from 160mph to 75mph, take the corner with the back end coming around, work the throttle, then lay into it 100% until you're back at over 150mph).

To most, extracting performance means that they've given it a little throttle until they reach 80mph, and then back off (or if they're seeking danger, 100mph on public roads for a few seconds - woohoo).

Basically - I believe it is the only place to extract performance. BUT - I agree with the premise that you can enjoy a majority of the engineering (traction, power, braking, control, etc...) almost every day on almost every street.

My issue (inline with the OP) is that the new Dodge Neon - sorry, - Dart - comes with an 8.4 touch screen with more telemetry than F1 cars had about 10 years ago, and you could get this Neon/Dart WITH the touch screen for about the same cost as Porsche would charge for the screen mount adapter screws (that you'll pay extra to have them actually installed).

 

not, rip-off, just Veblen good. you actually don't want a cheap Porsche.

 

The OP mentioned that the SQ5 is the "cousin" of the Macan. But it should be noted that the Q5/SQ5/Q5R shares less than 20% of it's components with the Macan. So it's a very, very distant cousin. Even the frame and subframe mounting points have been altered for the Macan. If you drive them back to back they are clearly very different vehicles. The turn in on the Macan is without a doubt the best in it's segment and understeer is practically non existent compared to the Audi. And then there's the engines...

And as far as the cost of anything Por$che, you are essentially buying a vehicle from a "sub super car" brand. Why would you expect anything to be cheap and affordable? Of course cheap and affordable are relative terms.