They're not the greatest cars out there by any means but for the money they have a bit of pep to them. My best time in my ZX2 was a 15.02 with literally every bolt-on money could buy. Not including head work or cams, etc.
The only thing that amazes me with the 319.5HP run on race fuel is that it also made a peak 298 ft/lb of torque. Not bad for a little 2.0 four cylinder.
I wouldn't have spent my money the way he did but to each his own.