We NEED to get our collective heads around the reality that rules cannot - indirectly - control costs. No way. Never. As long as there is someone with $50K to spend, he/she will find a way to spend it.
The ONLY way that costs can be controlled is to do it directly, with a claim rule - and that will NEVER fly in this organization. Even at that, testing, development, tires, and a dozen other things that make a difference can still be bought.
Further, money DOES buy competitiveness - no question.
With this understood, it's just possible that arguments about cost are proxies for other interests.
The cost of the donor car - at least in the realm that is being discussed here - is a relatively minor issue, once it is "fully prepared."
K