I read this from start to finish - and then had to laugh to myself.
What the end result is/was - a description of what "pro touring" is. A car that is good at most things - handles - stops - goes like stink - wins the occasional car show trophy - and can be driven in comfort and style with cold A/C and killer tunes blasting. Uncork the headers and have fun on a weekend track.
More than that is too much "race car"
Less than that is "just another car"
I agree that Payback has that nailed. Looks great - great stance - big azz motor - big azz tires - big brakes... driver is so so... but he gets the job done.
If I was "judging" and had to put brackets at each end of the description of what is a pro touring car I would choose it like this:
At one end would be Matts car: Just a little too much show car
Payback and Jackass, the Mule would set the bar
Steves car: is just a little too much race car
Both (Matts and Steves) would fit the "pro touring" description for me - but they'd also represent the end caps.