The Internet seems to have made life much simpler and more streamlined. This applies to just about every aspect of life, including music, which has experienced tremendous pirating problems ever since the days of Napster. The Recording Industry Association of America made a point to track down and sue egregious offenders in an attempt to make an example out of them, and recoup some of their loses.

One of those caught was Shane Comegys, at the time was just 16 years old. Jalopnik reports how the teen was forced to sell his 1970 Mustang after being sued by the RIAA for illegally downloading almost 2,000 songs using the file-sharing program Kazaa.

Back in 2006, Shane had purchased the Mustang, a green 1970 coupe with a 351 for the low, low price of $5,500. The car, as Shane would later find out from the next owner, actually had a stroker motor. With fat rear slicks, nice shiny rims, and smoke that poured from the engine every time it turned on, the Mustang wasn’t perfect, but it was Shane’s. At least until the RIAA sued him.

Shane was sued for downloading 1,940 songs, at the cost of $750 each for a grand total $1.45 million, or Shane could settle with the RIAA for $4,250. Shane decided to settle, and had just four months to save up the money, though in the end he could scavenge together just $2,000. He was forced to sell the Mustang for just $2,500 on eBay, and the buyer later informed him of the stroker motor, and sold the car later for $8,000.

We can’t defend Shane for illegally downloading music. At the same time, targeting a teenager who is barely old enough to drive, and forcing the lad to sell his Mustang, seems downright shameful. Is it any wonder why nobody buys albums anymore?