Yeah I agree. They're cool. Dunno what the suspension is like for on-road use though.. I'd suspect pretty unforgiving?
Look on the bright side. At least you're getting practice and becoming quicker at replacing. Just trying to spread the Cheer.
That $160k purchase price back in 2003 given your stated 8% pa return on your investments would mean you could justify spending $600k plus on a car now if you applied the same logic to your $'s invested in that original Rangie... buy your Rangie now & be happy with it for the next 10 years or so, $300k in todays terms is far less in comparison to your $160k invested in 2003.