I think every point here is valid and no one is right or wrong, just expressing their opinion. I personally find the rice-craze humorous and love to taunt them, but since they can't afford the "go", they have to settle for the "show". You know those stickers and melon shooters (exhaust tips) cost about the same as one exhaust valve for our cars. So let the kids look fast and have fun; they could be doing a lot worse things with their money (much rather them buy a melon shooter than a couple hits of drugs).
Sure, they could restore an old car and be faster for a similar price, but 1) you can't get a loan as easily on a 15 yr old Vette as you can a 2 yr old Honda; 2) insurance is probably half; and 3) being basically stock, these rice-Hondas are still very reliable unlike the rusty Vette counterpart. Most teens have one car and they have to make the best of it. So let em (and we'll still snicker behind their backs...hehehe).
Second, be wary of the TRUE "rice rocket". My dad spent at least $15k building up his 3.0L motor for his track car. Another $15k in the shell and parts. He has big money in this car and it is a very impressive race car (especially in the corners). But for less than $5k I built my first car, an AWD Turbo Talon into a 12 sec (@117mph) monster. It was also very impressive in the corners, but I admit it seriously lacked the Porsche confidence inspiring feel. It was marginally reliable (motor could handle the power, the rest of it couldn't), but nonetheless IT WAS FAST! And I guarantee it would embarass many "fast" Porsches out there. But I was tired of going through 2-3 trannies every summer (which mind you was still a lot less than most parts for our cars), so I retired the Talon and bought the Porsche. Porsches are one of the few cars that can handle the power potentials that you can extract from their motors.
So, in summary, let the riceboys be. Yeah, its pretty goofy, but look back at your days...I'm sure you did some goofy things too. They aren't hurting anyone, the other kids like it, so let em be. Doesn't mean we can't joke about it though. And be careful who you pick your race with; he may put you in your place!
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