Umhh....interesting observation which has been somewhat oversimplified. You've forgotten the component of what you're willing to spend. I drive a very reasonably priced commuter car. I can afford a luxury car. I chose to leave my money in the bank for things that might come along (e.g. an SRT Challenger). I think Davecpa's point was that it would be nice if the highways were awash with Challengers and Chrysler made so much coin on these that it would draw new and more potent versions. As opposed to a run of 5000 in 08, 10000 in 09 and 10000 more in 10.
Remember the prowler? I thought it was a tight ride. Too bad it didn't last longer, right? If they made it more affordable (and not in orders of magnitude necessarily) it may have had a longer run. I'd like to see another golden age of muscle cars. That's not going to happen if there isn't a large market demand and that is largely predicated by some reasonable pricing.
A reasonable assumption but, like the price of gas, if you are so intently focused on the cost, then you can not afford it. So what you want and what you can afford are two totally different things.
As for gas, I travel 500 miles a week to work. This 500 miles costs me $50 bucks a week (@ approx 34 mpg). If I were to get a car that averaged 17 (for easy math) I could spend $100 for those 500 miles a week on the same commute. So, I work 45 weeks a year (vacation, holidays, I don't take sick days). Again, I can afford the $2750 extra every year, but over 10 years that $27500 (that's w/o accrued interest/roi etc, I'm not doing future value of that money but significantly more) but as person with a reasonable intellect why would I choose to squander my money in such folley. Hell, in ten years I'll have enough in savings for the next big Mopar toy.
Again not a question of CAN AFFORD, but a question of willing to squander away cash. The SRT8 for me will come to work on occasion, but will mostly be a weekend car for me. Little trips, car shows, a toy car.