This feels like a deal.

You’re getting one of the last truly analog-feeling performance sedans: manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and real power in a compact package. Add in the IMSA Edition exclusivity, and it’s hard to see downside at this level. The market continues to show demand for “old school” driving experiences, and Cadillac has built one of the best.

Specialty wagons are having a moment.

Between the RS6 Avant, E63 wagon, and now Polestar-engineered Volvos, buyers are clearly valuing performance wrapped in practicality. At $50,000, this sits in a sweet spot: unique enough to stand out, usable enough to justify daily driving. The adjustable Öhlins dampers and hybrid powertrain make it more than just a niche product, it’s a genuinely compelling one. Quietly strong value here.

These just don’t depreciate the way you expect.

At $142,000, this result reinforces what the market has been signaling for years: well-optioned Turbo S cars hold value incredibly well. Nearly 16,000 miles doesn’t seem to matter much when the package delivers this level of performance and usability. It’s no longer surprising, it’s consistent. Certain 911s aren’t just purchases, they behave more like long-term holds.

Analog performance, niche practicality, and proven nameplates are all finding strong footing in today’s market. Different cars, same theme, buyers know exactly what they want right now.

Every time I build one of these “four cars vs one supercar” garages, the conversation tends to go the same way. Some people immediately gravitate toward the supercar. Others start mentally swapping cars in and out of the garage. But the real value isn’t in the specific cars—it’s in the structure behind how the garage is built.

Because there is a structure. And more importantly, it’s repeatable.

At the core, I’m not starting with cars. I’m starting with roles. A well-built garage usually covers four: a true driver’s car, something you can use daily, a car that handles longer trips or practical needs, and a wildcard that brings character or uniqueness. That framework prevents overlap, which is where most people go wrong. Two cars that deliver the same experience dilute the entire garage. A single supercar often tries to cover multiple roles, but in reality, it’s usually a specialist.

That said, this isn’t a rigid formula. There are times I’ll break it. If the market presents an unusually strong opportunity, or if two cars offer distinctly different versions of the same experience, I’ll lean into that. The framework is a guide, not a constraint.

From there, every car has to justify its place. It’s not enough for a car to be good—it has to do something meaningfully different from everything else in the garage. A lightweight manual sports car might earn its spot through engagement alone. A performance wagon might justify itself by doing everything else without compromise. The goal is not to collect cars, but to eliminate redundancy.

What makes this approach work, especially when compared to a single $300,000 to $400,000 car, is how it interacts with the market. When you’re building from real auction results, you’re operating where cars actually trade, not where they’re listed. That opens the door to inefficiencies. Some cars have already taken the bulk of their depreciation. Others are niche enough that they haven’t fully caught the market’s attention. In contrast, many supercars exist in a far more efficient pricing environment, where values are constantly being tested and corrected.

There’s also a risk component that doesn’t get talked about enough. A single six-figure car concentrates everything into one asset. A four-car garage spreads that exposure across different segments of the market. One car may hold steady, another may appreciate, and another might quietly outperform expectations. You’re not eliminating risk, but you are balancing it.

What most people miss is that this comparison isn’t really about specs or even price. It’s about ownership experience over time. A supercar delivers a very specific, often incredible experience. But a well-built garage gives you range. Different types of drives, different use cases, different reasons to go out and actually use the cars.

That’s ultimately the point. These builds aren’t about “beating” a supercar on paper. They’re about creating a collection that delivers more flexibility, more usability, and often a more thoughtful position in the market.

And once you start looking at cars through that lens, it becomes much harder to default to just one.

Until next time,

Gabe