The most "cool" DBA car is the one that is paid for, free and clear - currently own three of those. I've had two cars/vans given to me - one ran for two years and the other is still running three years later. I've bought another car for $50 - it ran for three more years. And I've bought three cars off eBay (not the same three).

I'm not a big gamer - I tell my wife that we can generally be comfortable with a $400 computer (my work computer is much, MUCH nicer - and portable).

I'm not a car person - I tell my wife that we can generally be comfortable with a $1000 car.

It's a trade-off for things that we prefer more, like our adopted children, good food, good beds, good shoes, and travel.