To me, as long as a car satisfies some base level of qualifications, then whether someone chooses it as a platform to be driven as-is or for modifications is really just "seasoning to taste". Some of us like the food as is, some wants something a little spicier, etc. Some enjoy tinkering, some enjoy tinkering but don't have the skills to tinker on a car (looking in the mirror), and some are willing to go all out on a car, warranty be damned. There is no wrong answer here.
Some of my most enjoyable driving experiences have been in cars that people disregard as being especially bad. Drive what makes you happy.
Oh and to circle back to the main topic: 0-60 times are just one among many comparable metrics between different cars - it's an indicator, not an invitation to drive it that way. Peak power ratings are also just one among many different indicators. The area under the HP curve, more than the peak HP figure itself, is what counts. As long as the car/engine is putting out the claimed power under ideal conditions, it's fine.
Just how I view this.