We’ve all been caught in the act at one time or another, haven’t we? No matter how careful you are to check under the car seats, delete the call log on your phone or wipe out the cookies on your computer before the significant other asks, “Why were you at a website called tinytrannyhookers.com?”, sooner or later we all get busted.

As campaigned by Patrick Bedard in 1974

In 1974, Car and Driver magazine sponsored the construction of a Pinto race car for IMSA road racing competition. After studying every automotive option, the Pinto was chosen for its weight, handling, displacement and affordability. Pics after the jump.

1975 Cosworth Vega

The mid-70s were bleak times for any American who considered himself a car enthusiast. The original gas crisis was still fresh in the public’s mind, and it left consumers demanding better mileage over more horsepower. Air pollution was a growing concern, forcing car makers to develop complex, horsepower-robbing emission control systems. Consider this: in 1975, the base Corvette only put out 165 horsepower. The Camaro Z28 had been discontinued, and the biggest motor remaining in the Camaro lineup was only good for 155 horsepower. A good zero to sixty time was anything below ten seconds, and things would grow even worse with the introduction of exhaust-system-clogging catalytic converters in 1976.

My '06 MX-5 on a road trip to Barber Motorsports Park

“It’s a chick car. Driving a Miata is like humping another guy – it only feels good until someone sees you doing it.”

“They don’t go fast enough to be entertaining.”

“My Civic / Mazda 3 / Tiburon / Mustang / Dodge Caravan can kick your ass.”

“Aren’t you afraid of other cars?”

In the eight years that I’ve owned Miatas (1993 “B” Package from 1998 to 2002, 2006 Galaxy Gray Sport from 2006 to present), I’ve heard it all. Yes, I know that my Miata isn’t going to get me laid. Your Corvette probably doesn’t get you laid, either. Yes, I know it’s not going to beat a Mustang GT in the 1/4 mile. Yes, I know it’s smaller than most other cars on the market today (OK, ALL other cars on the market today), but none of that matters once you get the jones. I blame mine on Dustin Hoffman – that scene in The Graduate where he’s driving his Alfa Romeo Spider 1600 Duetto up the California coast at sunrise is simply epic:

Thanks to a shoestring budget and a disposable income that is disposed of rather quickly, I tend to keep my standards low when it comes to the pursuit of precious performance metals. I’ve been in the market for a new car (read: heavily used but “new” to me) recently and I’ve discovered that despite my rather inhibiting budget, I can still afford to get behind the wheel of even the most prestigious luxury cars – as long as said car has extremely serious mechanical issues. Beggars can’t be choosers though, which means despite the fairly severe issues the water logged Veyron in the clip below will inevitably experience, I’ll be keeping a keen eye on the Texas used car classifieds.

Hit the jump to check out the carnage

In a parallel universe, I waltz into an Audi dealership, plunk down a briefcase of probably ill-gotten gains, and waltz out with the keys to a new R8 V10. In reality, I need a new car and can reasonably afford to spend around $5k. With that kind of money I can either a.) put a down payment on something new and saddle myself with debt or b.) scour Craigslist for oldie but goodies. Since I’m cheap, I chose the latter – which brings me to the first installment of Reasonable RideLust. As all 4 of you regular readers may know, I’ve got a slightly obsessive affection for turbobricks and now that my current 850 is ready to be retired to the garage as a weekend project I’ve been looking for a replacement.

Posted for sale somewhere just north of the City of Pseudo-Brotherly Love, this 1993 Volvo 240 is an incredibly rare find given its impeccable condition and relatively low miles. Unfortunately it’s RWD (marking the first and last time “unfortunately” and “RWD” will be used in the same sentence), which means it would be poorly suited for the rigor of daily driving during winter in the Northeast but perfect as a weekend cruiser. The seller is asking $4,800, which is $2,675 more than the KBB value of the car even in excellent condition, but I’m confident my Jersey-bred powers of persuasion could facilitate a successful negotiation.