Close encounter with Cyclone Thane

To those in interior south India, Cyclone Thane might be just another cold, wet day to grumble about. Or perhaps even enjoy as we huddle over a hot beverage. But on the east coast of India, cyclone Thane's fury was at its peak early this morning. At about 9 AM, the cyclone made landfall between Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry on India's eastern coastline. Winds, at speeds of 140 kph, tore avenue trees off the ground, hurled dustbins afar, snapped coconut palms like matchsticks, ripped windows out of their hinges, and tossed catamarans and fishing boats ashore. Gigantic, furious waves washed up great boulders onto the esplanade and raging winds smashed the doors of the French Consulate with debris. Power and cellular networks have been disrupted and fears of a water shortage are rising. Sahastrarashmi, who is running on erratic broadband on his last minutes of electricity, sends these unsettling pictures from Puducherry.

Cyclone Thane lashes Puducherry

At 9 AM on Friday, December 30, Cyclone Thane made landfall between Cuddalore and Puducherry on India's south-eastern sea coast. Winds with speeds of 140 kilometers per hour caused immense destruction though no loss of life has yet been reported. Sahastrarashmi, a resident of Puducherry who works with an IT company in Chennai and writes for the nature blog The Green Ogre, stepped out into the streets early this morning and reported that just walking against the powerful winds required a huge effort. Just hours later, the streets were strewn with debris,  trees had fallen, and boats had washed up several hundred meters into the town's main streets. These pictures were taken with great presence of mind and shared exclusively with Yahoo! India over a dodgy broadband connection even as power supply from his UPS was rapidly trickling.

If you are anywhere between Puducherry and Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in 

Rubble and debris are strewn in the streets of Puducherry after Cyclone Thane made landfall at 9 AM on December 30. If you are anywhere between Puducherry and Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Cyclone Thane destruction in Puducherry

Avenue trees have been uprooted by the fury of Cyclone Thane in Puducherry. If you are anywhere between Puducherry and Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures totravelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Cyclone Thane's fury felled trees, which damaged vehicles and property. Residents had been warned not to venture …

 

If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

People take shelter from the wrath of Cyclone Thane in Puducherry

If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Puducherry streets are littered with debris in the aftermath of Cyclone Thane

 

If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Cyclone Thane made landfall achieving wind speeds of 140 kph

High wind speeds characterized Cyclone Thane. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Cyclone Thane wreaks havoc in Puducherry

Fallen trees in the lanes of Puducherry. Tourism has been hit as travelers steered clear of the idyllic French enclave after the Met department issued warnings of heavy winds accompanying the cyclone. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

A street in Puducherry after Cyclone Thane made landfall

The aftermath of Cyclone Thane is apparent in the disheveled look worn by the otherwise picturesque lanes of Puducherry. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Puducherry was battered by Cyclone Thane on Friday, December 30

Beautiful avenue trees such as Indian Cork Tree, Pink Cassia, Golden Shower and Copper Pod have been felled by high-speed winds that accompanied the landfall of Cyclone Thane. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Residents drive along a debris-strewn street in Puducherry, India after Cyclone Thane made landfall

Tourism in Puducherry has been hit following large-scale damage caused by Cyclone Thane. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures totravelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Trees in a Puducherry park twisted and broken by Cyclone Thane

Copper Pod Trees in the picturesque central park in Puducherry have been broken and twisted by Cyclone Thane. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Trees that have braved many storms have not withstood the wrath of Cyclone Thane

At first glance, Cyclone Thane appears to have caused more visible damage to Puducherry than previous storms. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Roads paved with fresh leaves from fallen avenue trees in Puducherry

Fallen trees and leaves pave a lane in Puducherry after Cyclone Thane made a dramatic, violent landfall on the morning of December 30. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Catamarans tossed ashore by the fury of Cyclone Thane in Puducherry

Furious winds and enormous waves tossed boats and catamarans ashore after Cyclone Thane made landfall at 9 AM on December 30. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures to travelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Residents negotiate a maze of fallen trees to get home in Puducherry after Cyclone Thane made landfall

Residents negotiate a maze of broken trees to reach home. Luckily, electrical connections in the French quarter of Puducherry have all been laid underground, reducing the risk of electrocution from broken cables. However, power supply has been hit. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. If you have your own encounters with Cyclone Thane to report, please send them along with pictures totravelindiasubmissions@yahoo.in

Wreckage of boats damaged by Cyclone Thane in Puducherry

Catamarans and fishing boats have been tossed ashore and dashed against the rocks by powerful waves in the aftermath of Cyclone Thane, which made landfall near Puducherry at 9 AM on December 30, 2011. These photographs were shared by Sahastrarashmi, who writes for the nature blog The Green Ogre. If you are anywhere between Puducherry or Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu, please travel cautiously. 

7 Things in Your Home that Are More Valuable Than You Think

Cari Cucksey, professional liquidator and host of HGTV's Cash and Cari, says that, based on her experience, the average family has about $10,000 worth of unused items in their home. But how do you know what's worth something and what's just plain junk? We asked Cucksey and a few other experts to tell us the most often overlooked items-and the best online resources for you to start cashing in. 

Used Clothing and Shoes

A lot of people donate to charity clothing that has been sitting in their closets for years, but, Cucksey says, "There is a really big secondhand market out there of people who will buy styles that look outdated to you." It's often lesser-known designer items that are most surprising: Many of her clients are ready to toss their boxed, funky purses from the '60s and '70s before she lets them know they are by designer Enid Collins and commonly sell for $300 and up. And don't discount the pieces from the '80s you'd rather forget: Those garments (shoulder pads and all) are considered vintage. They're some of the most popular items at resale shops right now.

Costume Jewelry

Unique jewelry pieces can be sold with a heavy price tag, especially if they have their original stamp or maker's mark. AtJewelryWonder.com, you can set up an online store by uploading photos of pieces you own. If the jewelry was passed down by a relative or looks as if it's a few decades old, it might be just the thing costume jewelry enthusiasts are eager to get their hands on. Pieces by Trifari, a jewelry company popular in the '30s, can be distinguished by its trademark "T" stamp with a crown above it. Other sought-after pieces are Eisenberg Ice, especially pins made of Swavorski crystal (marked with "Eisenberg Originals") from the '30s.

Pottery

"We once had a client who had a pottery vase they were using as a toilet brush holder," says Stuart Whitehurst, vice president of Skinner, Inc. auctioneers in Boston. "They had no idea it was made in the late 1800s by Boston pottery maker William Grueby and that its yellow glaze was extremely rare. That toilet brush holder ended up being worth $18,000." So how do you know if Grandma's umbrella stand is actually precious pottery? JustArtPottery.com has a large gallery of patterns and frequently publishes articles on how to tell what kind of pottery you own. And one of the hottest items on the market right now, Whitehurst says, is Chinese porcelain. Commonly found in a traditional blue and white motif, it's now exceptionally popular because Chinese collectors are trying to reclaim pieces that were brought to the States by American missionaries in the 20th century.

Records

If your music collection is now on your iPod, you might have somevinyl records sitting in your attic collecting dust. As with most collector's items, the more rare the record is, the better (and if it's autographed by a popular artist, it's definitely worth thousands). The vinyl records that sell for the highest prices tend to be albums from the '60s and '70s by artists like the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Elvis Presley and Bob Dylan that are still sealed (never opened) and in great condition. Gently used records are still sought after. To learn more about your collection, ForeverVinyl.com offers auction and appraisal services and also buys and sells vinyl records, as well as CDs. 

Books

While the antique book market isn't what it once was, appraisal expertAllan Stypeck says rare, autographed and original editions, especially manuscripts, are still highly valued. Because books are usually passed down through relatives over the years, many of his clients have no idea what theirs could fetch at auction. "A woman recently called and said she had a book she thought might be worth something," Stypeck says. "It turned out it was a 13th-century illuminated [handwritten and illustrated] manuscript from a monastery in Paris that was worth a minimum of $30,000." But because book appraising depends on a multitude of factors (edition, condition and rarity) Stypeck doesn't recommend trying to figure out your books' value on your own. The Antiquarian Booksellers' Association of America (abaa.org) has a directory of rare booksellers who can get you on the right track. 

Computer Parts

You've upgraded, and now your old computer sits there, obsolete. Many buyers will pay good money for your old desktop, hard drive, monitor, router and even keyboard and printer. Computer parts are especially popular on eBay: Visit PCSellingCenter.ebay.com for detailed instructions to get started on selling what you've got. You'll be doing the Earth a favor: Disposed computer parts, also known as "e-waste," are an environmental hazard due to their toxic parts. 

Vintage Toys

Pez, Barbies, figurines from popular cartoons like the Smurfs or Snoopy-any toy that brings back a little nostalgia could be something a collector will pay big money for. There are certain rarities to look out for, says Whitehurst, like Barbies with a side part and bubble haircut (which were mostly sold in Europe in the '60s and are now highly sought after by American collectors) or a Pez dispenser with a patent number (found toward the bottom of its stem) of 3.9 or lower, which means it was manufactured before 1976. 

Drive this, not that: 10 pricey autos and their cheaper counterparts

The dream is to park a new Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, or Range Rover in the family garage. The reality is that exotic and luxury cars are horrendously expensive. But there are reasonably priced cars that ape the spirit of the higher-priced ones, and come surprisingly close in performance, luxury, or design (but not all three.) These ten imitators provide some serious bang for your buck.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Porsche Carrera 911 S

400-hp 3.8-liter flat six
Price: $97,350 

The inexpensive imitator: Chevy Corvette 

Chevrolet's Corvette has been competing with the Porsche911 since it first landed on our shores in 1964. Back in the 1960s, the Vette would smoke the Porsche on any road—as long as that road didn't twist. Today the sports car icons are much more evenly matched.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2011 Chevrolet Corvette

430-hp, 5900-rpm 6.3-liter V-8
Price: $49,525 

Both should hit 60 mph in just a tick over 4 seconds. The Porsche, with its endless new technology like the Dynamic Chassis Control, which replaces the traditional antiroll bars with active ones to get you around corners faster, would probably squeak out a quicker lap time on the track. But is the Chevy less fun? No way. In fact some would argue that with fewer driver technologies, the Vette might be the purer experience. 

We're not expecting to convert any lifelong 911 fans here. Behind the wheel, the Porsche is like a luxury coupe—the interior is gorgeous. The Corvette is as it's always been: a bit down-market by comparison, especially with its thinly padded thrones. But if what you want is muscle and you don't care much about the name on the back of the car, you could get the Vette and buy some very nice seats with the $47,825 you'll save. In fact, you could almost buy another brand new Corvette.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Audi A7

300-hp, 3.0-liter supercharged V-6
Price: $59,250 

The inexpensive imitator: Volkswagen CC 

Mercedes-Benz invented the slinky four-door coupe when it introduced the original CLS in 2004. But VW wasn't too far behind when it took that same idea and applied it to a far less expensive car with the 2008 Passat CC. Now this group of cars has grown to include the Porsche Panamera and the new Audi A7.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Volkswagen CC
200-hp, 2.0-liter inline-four turbo
Price: $28,515 

Although the CC is front-wheel drive and has 100 fewer horsepower than the Audi, drivers can buy it with the optional 3.6-liter V-6 and all-wheel drive, so it lines up even more closely with the A7. The V-6 CC sells for $40,090, but that's still 20 grand less than the Audi. The CC is certainly smaller, yet it still provides a comfy 37 inches of rear legroom, the same as the Audi. 

The biggest difference in terms of usability is that the VW uses a traditional trunk with 13.0 cubic feet of luggage space while the Audi is a hatchback with a whopping 24.5 cubic feet of room even before the rear seats are folded down. And, since it's an Audi, it outclasses the VW on the inside. But that $30,000 price gap between the two makes a compelling argument for the CC. It's still the only reasonably priced four-door coupe on the market.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
429-hp, 4.6-liter twin turbo V8
Price: $94,500 

The inexpensive imitator: Hyundai Equus 

It appears that Hyundai's mission is to beat the luxury-car brands at their own game. And it's having some serious success doing so. The Genesis Coupe is the perfect low-buck foil to the Infiniti G37. The Genesis sedan arrived ready to take on the mid-level luxury sedans like the BMW 5 Series. The Korean automaker had to have some serious confidence to take on the large luxury sedans—like the Mercedes-Benz S-Class—with its new Equus. After all, since the 1970s the S-Class has been the car world's benchmark for what a large sedan should be.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Hyundai Equus
429-hp 4.6-liter V-8
Price: $58,000 

On paper the Equus packs a serious punch. It matches the big Benz in horsepower, but produces it with a much smaller engine. The Equus is about the same size too, with a larger trunk than the Mercedes. The Equus packs the same level of luxury features, from its reclining rear seats to the smart cruise control and lane-departure warning. 

So where's the extra $36,500 worth of car you'll get with a Mercedes-Benz? It's largely in the details. The leather is more sumptuous. The wood, buttons, and switches are higher quality. And when it comes to the drive, you can think of the Hyundai as Buick-level engagement. The Mercedes-Benz feels tauter and more responsive in the corners. And, of course, buying a big Mercedes-Benz doesn't require any explanation. It's an S-Class. You might have to explain to people why you bought a $60,000 Hyundai.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Fisker Karma
402-hp (drive motors), 260-hp 2.0-liter turbo generator
Price: $96,895 

The inexpensive imitator: Chevy Volt 

Despite advancements in technology and a rebirth of the electric car, plug-in hybrids are still rare machinery on the streets today. There are only a mere handful for sale by large-scale manufacturers. The Chevy Volt may have been the one to break that ice, but it's the Fisker Karma that wants to command the room. The Karma's proportions are sensual and gorgeous, to be sure. And its powertrain will propel the sexy four-door to 60 mph in just 5.9 seconds.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Chevy Volt
149-hp (drive motors), 84-hp 1.4-liter generator
Price: $39,995 

Both cars are plug-in hybrids. The Volt might be cool and techy on the inside, but it's no luxury car. It is more efficient, though. The Karma was certified by the EPA for a 52-mpg equivalent. It has an electric range of 32 miles and returns 20 mpg when running on gas. The Volt returns 93 mpg-e, has a 35-mile electric range, and returns a fuel economy of 37 mpg on gas. 

The Fisker will certainly be the more compelling vehicle to drive, and the one that draws the larger crowd. But the Volt is backed by one of the world's largest and oldest auto companies — GM. And that's comforting when so much of this technology is so very new.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Land Rover Range Rover
375-hp 5.0-liter V-8
Price: $78,835 

The inexpensive imitator: Jeep Grand Cherokee 

For more than 60 years, the four-wheel-drive world has been dominated by two brands — Jeep and Land Rover. Yet neither is stuck in the past. Oh no. All Land Rovers use intelligent 4WD systems, and Jeep's brand stretches wildly from the rugged Wrangler to the compact Compass. But can the top models of each brand be compared fairly, despite a price gap of nearly $50,000? That's why we're here. 

The Range Rover is more luxurious than the Grand Cherokee by far. The level of craftsmanship and materials on the inside of this British machine rival that of Bentley. The Jeep has moved a large leap forward in this department but, still, you can see where Land Rover's money went.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
290-hp 3.6-liter
Price: $29,490 

When it comes down to hard mechanicals, though, the two 4WDs move closer. Both ride on an independent suspension system. And the Grand Cherokee uses an optional advanced air suspension that mimics the pioneering multiheight system that Range Rover has used since the 1990s. Both vehicles use a 4WD system that can be tailored to suit particular terrains as well. 

When it comes to towing, a properly equipped Grand Cherokee can move a 7400-pound trailer. The Range Rover beats that, but by just 316 pounds. Under the hood, the Rover's V-8 matches up well with the optional Hemi V-8 in the Jeep. But while the $100,000, 510-hp Supercharged Range Rover is still geared for off-road use, the 465-hp SRT8 Grand Cherokee is the closest a driver could come to a Jeep hot rod. And it does so at just $55,295. So for the cost of one Range Rover, you could have one Grand Cherokee for off-roading and another one for the street.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Ferrari 458 Italia Spyder
562-hp 4.5-liter V-8 at 9000 rpm
Price: $257,000 

The inexpensive imitator: Lotus Elise SC 

How could a four-cylinder Lotus with just a tick over 200 hp compete with a 562-hp Ferrari? Well, on hard numbers, it can't. The Ferrari is a supercar that would demolish it in any speed contest. When it comes to pure driving pleasure, however, the Lotus is like a junior-league Ferrari.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Lotus Elise SC
217-hp, 1.8-liter supercharged four-cylinder
Price: $54,990 

The Elise has reflexes like a shifter kart. Its steering is extraordinarily sharp, direct, and precise. Its featherweight construction delivers a power-to-weight ratio and handling dynamics that rival the world's best sports cars. 

The Ferrari is all of these things too, of course. And the 458 Italia, particularly the convertible Spyder version, may deliver the most bewitching engine sound of any car—period. But to hear those wonderful noises and to feel the prodigious thrust from that V-8, you must be traveling at speeds far greater than any speed limit on any U.S. road. The Elise on the other hand, provides a similar adrenaline rush at far saner speeds. And of course, opting for an Elise means you can keep that $200,000 price difference locked safely in your bank accounts.

So You Can't Afford: 2013 BMW M5
560-hp 4.4-liter twin turbo V-8
Price: $90,000 (est) 

The inexpensive imitator: Subaru WRX STI 

The top sport sedans have progressed so far that they are just about as quick as the last generation of supercars. A Cadillac CTS-V, for instance, will hit 60 mph in about 4 seconds flat. And now, with a the new twin-turbo 560-hp V-8, the BMW M5 could be even quicker, and reach 190 mph. Wow. 

Yet, selling at an estimated $90,000 when it arrives in the U.S. next year, the 2013 BMW M5 will be far too pricey for many of the enthusiasts who would appreciate it most. But, going for less than $40,000, the Subaru WRX STI is a bargain-priced super sedan that won't break the bank.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2012 Subaru WRX STI
305-hp 2.5-liter turbocharged flat four
Price: $38,070 

An all-wheel-drive Japanese four-door with a Subaru badge doesn't have the wow factor of a BMW. But its 0-to-60 time of just over 5 seconds isn't exactly slow. The Subaru's beauty is in the holistic approach to its equipment. The suspension, steering, big brakes, and wide tires all come together in a package that feels seriously capable and engaging when you bend it into a turn — just like the BMW, albeit at a less ferocious level. 

With that giant wing on the trunklid, the WRX STI embraces its roots as one of the MVPs of the sport-compact-car world. The look seems a little dated today. Still, the potent Subaru price tag is just too good. Let loose that spoiler and dump some of that money you'll save on the long list of aftermarket go-fast parts that are available for the STI. Oh, and you can even get a wagon version of the Subaru.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Lexus LFA
552-hp 4.8-liter V-10
Price: $375,000 

The inexpensive imitator: Nissan GTR 

In the world of high-end Japanese supercars, these two are the benchmarks. And in this matchup, the less expensive car could actually be the quicker machine. 

The LFA is a carbon-fiber V-10 monster that screams to its 9000-rpm redline. It's built in extremely low numbers and it's one of the most expensive cars on the planet. But save your cash. The Nissan GTR will do almost everything the LFA will do, for $275,000 less. 

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2013 Nissan GTR
545-hp twin-turbo V-6
Price: $89,950

There's a reason the GTR is nicknamed Godzilla. According to Nissan's internal testing, the 545-hp 2013 GTR will scorch 60 mph in 2.8 seconds. That's beyond even a motorcycle time — it's sportbike territory. It takes the LFA over 3.5 seconds to do the same job. 

Around a track, though, the LFA will most certainly show its taillights to the GTR. In recent tests, the LFA demolished the lap record at the Nurburgring with a blistering 6:09. The previous model GTR set a best lap time of 7:24, but Nissan says the more powerful 2013 edition will shave a little more than 7 seconds from that time. Not nearly enough to dethrone the Lexus. 

Still: Is the Lexus's exclusivity, its incredible track potential, and its ferocious V-10 enough to justify the enormous price difference? Not to us. We'd take the GTR and park a Ferrari 458 Italia next to it in our garage — and still keep more than $30,000 in the bank.

So You Can't Afford: 2012 Lamborghini Gallardo LP-560
552-hp, 5.2-liter V-10
Price: $202,000 

The inexpensive imitator: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 

Before you start writing an angry letter, we know: There's absolutely no similarity between a Mustang and a Lamborghini. The Mustang is a rear-drive muscle car, with a hot V-8 up front and a (cough) live axle at the back end. It's a ruffian that gallops along on old technology. A Lamborghini is the very definition of Italian exotica. There's a lightweight aluminum chassis, sophisticated all-wheel drive, and a scalding V-10 hanging out behind your head, ready to wail. It looks more like something developed at Area 51 than any machine Detroit could churn out.

But Maybe You Can Afford: 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
650-hp 5.8-liter supercharged V-8
Price: $60,000 (est) 

But the new 2013 Shelby GT 500 isn't just any Mustang. Ford has boosted the power by a full 100 horsepower over the last one, up to a staggering 650. That's even more horsepower than Chevy's ZR1 Corvette. And though the Shelby weighs about 500 pounds more than the Gallardo, we'd suspect the two wouldn't be too far apart in a drag race. 

Here's the most interesting part. The Mustang, according to Ford, will hit a clean 200 mph. The advanced, technology-packed Italian supercar will go only 1 mph faster. That's some serious bragging rights for anyone who ponies up for this Mustang.

So You Can't Afford: Ford Raptor
411-hp 6.2-liter V-8
Price: $43,055 

The inexpensive imitator: Nissan Frontier PRO-4X 6MT 

Ford's mighty Raptor is the factory-engineered production incarnation of a Baja trophy truck. It's engineered to tackle off-road terrain at speeds far greater than any other vehicle. It wears a long-travel suspension damped by Fox remote reservoir shocks. And under the hood is Ford's potent 411-hp Coyote V-8. But at over $40,000, it's certainly not cheap for a truck.

But Maybe You Can Afford: Nissan Frontier PRO-4X 6MT
261-hp, 4.0-liter V-6
Price: $28,120 

Quietly, Nissan has been producing a capable and much less expensive off-road package for its midsize Frontier pickup for years. The Pro-4X comes with larger tires, Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, hill-descent control, and more. These are really the tools of slow-speed off-roading. And with only 265 hp under the hood, the Frontier can't even dream of catching the speedy Raptor in the dirt. 

When locked in low range, crawling over boulders, they are much more evenly matched. This years' Raptor does come with a new Torsion front differential, so it should be a better slow-speed crawler when traction is limited. But the Frontier is much smaller and nimbler on tight trails, some of which are simply too small for the Raptor to fit. Remember, the Raptor is several inches wider than your neighbor's F-150. 

The Frontier certainly won't match the Raptor's thrill ride, but it could be a good pickup for those that need serious off-road capability in a tidier package. Plus, with the extra $15,000 in your pocket, you could buy a Polaris Ranger RZR 900 to supply your four-wheeled adrenaline rush.