Why do better MC cartridges cost a fortune?

Big deal is that the increasing number of audiophiles cannot afford anything real good new and like second rate citizens have to chase things on a 'flea' market.  

Same in just about any consumer good in a free market economy - sellers charge what they can get.  Complaining about it is like saying it isn't fair that you can't afford a Ferrari or to live in a luxury penthouse.

What irks me about high priced MCs is that it can be almost impossible to make an informed buying decision as you can rarely audition them.  Buying based on price, reputation or even review is as risky as buying a wine you haven't tasted because some git said it was over the top fantastic. Then after you bought it, it turns out that the reviewer's taste is nowhere near the same as yours.

It is hard enough when you can go and listen to a speaker or component, albeit in a different system than the one you want to put it in, but not being able to audition at all can be very expensive Russian roulette! 

@wspohn - I agree about the difficulty in meaningful comparisons as a consumer; most dealers aren't set up to do that, and few would take the time. The other alternative- even with modestly priced cartridges- is to buy the lot and make the comparisons yourself, but that has obvious downsides even if you are willing to take the time (which I often do with different pressings of the same record): you then have to get rid of the ones you don't want or like, something that doesn't play well in cartridge land-how much of a hit do you take even assuming you only put 50 hours on the cartridge?
I'm interested in what @Halcro has concluded since he has the ability to compare multiple cartridges, presumably using the same arm and turntable, re vintage MM.
I don't subscribe to the most expensive is always the best school, nor do I believe that every "giant killer" is truly comparable to the better piece-- I think you have to listen to the device in question in a controlled setting.
As for Ferraris, no comment. :)

Yes - very expensive exercise to buy, audition and then sell the ones you didn't like at a discount.

I tend to settle on favourites and hope never to have to replace them.  I am running only two systems now and never want to replace my Koetsu Urushi - nor am I investigating if anything else sounds even better (I'm sur something, somewhere does....).

As for Ferraris, I've owned maybe 75 cars and of those, the only one that ever appreciated significantly was a vintage Lamborghini.  Wish audio gear did as well!

Miura or early Countach?

The biggest problem with Ferrari and the likes is not the cost, you need to know how to drive or you are fool and possibly dead real quick. The second problem is that in many areas there is nowhere to drive such a car, even BMW M3 might be too much.
If I was a very rich man I would do the following. I would get that Continuum table with arm and a few different top phono stages and audition many cartridges at different price levels, including vintage. After that I would post my findings here describing the sound of each in great details. Someone among us could do it.