What Would you Trade your System FOR?

I have never seen or heard of, much less driven, most of the cars you guys are obsessing about! Are they really that spectacular? I drove my friend's BMW 323i a few times and that is the absolute best, smooth shifting, smooth- and FAST-accelerating car I have ever driven. I used to drive a Jetta, now I drive a Mazda MPV automatic (to accommodate two black Labs and various speaker boxes and amps and stands, etc.), so I guess I am an incredible naif about these things. Still, to give up my stereo system for a CAR? Never. But for what Cornfed said, all my expenses, incurred as I wish, for as long as I live? YES.
Could someone very briefly state why the car thing is such a fetish? I could tell the huge difference between the BMW and anything else I've driven, but why go over the top into those formula 5 or whatever race cars?
sarah

Interesting coments Sc53, the easiest way to explain it is relating it to audio. Most people would love to have BOSE, but we all prefer good sound, sort of like cars. Once you taste the finner things in life you do what it takes to get it for your own. One of my best friends has a 1999 BMW 323i for his beater car, so I have driven it/beat it many times, it is a very good car. Not in the same class as say an M5, S8 or 911 but paradigm can't run with Avalon, Wilson or Soundlab either, does that mean that paradigm is garbage, NO. Paradgim is possibly one of cheapest true hi-fi set ups you can get, sort of like the 323i being the starting point of cars. Make any sense???

formula 1 sarah. i also have a black lab . he is 1 year old and 110lbs. kick ass dog. the car thing is a guy thing ,well i thought audio was to , but i guess i am wrong. tire guy i disagree about the m5 i love it . it is not worth the extra bucks over the 540 for me , but if i had my dream garage it would have a ferrari f-50 ,ferrari 550, porsche ruff turbo, turbo s 97 model, 95 928 gts 5 speed , an m5 , a 333 ferrari ,360 ferrari cab, a 750il bmw, and an x-5. enough dreaming i guess i will keep my 91 turbo, 97 dodge 2500 4by4 and my damn tunes.

A woodworking shop stocked with all the toys.

Don't get me wrong I am not saying the M5 is a bad car but I would rather have others for that price range. Just my crazy opinion, I must admit I am not a huge fan of Chris Bangles designs so that could be where I am coming from, also I must admit I am an audi/porsche guy which means the ultimate driving machine is the enemy, hahahaha. That being said I would love to have an M3 over a S4, unless of course the S4 was heavily modded.