The 55 300VR gets decent reviews. In bright light conditions friends who use it ( i don't own the lens myself) love the lens. Looking at the shot of the Mazda above, how much better would a more expensive lens do under the same lighting conditions? if there is something wrong the shot, or for that matter any shot we take, how much is the lens and how much is us? Everything from changing the shutter speed or ap to just having a more steady hand.
I tend to blame myself rather than equipment when something doesn't turn out the way i want. And, i remind myself not to be too tough on myself. This is supposed to be fun. Personally, I like the pic of the Mazda. I'm not looking for correct exposure, or pin cushion effect, or leveling or softness I'm looking at the art of that pic. And that, IMO, is where that pic shines. The owner of that pic has to ask themselves - if i used a 70-200 2.8 at six times the cost, would the pic be 600% better? Gotta feeling that answer is gonna be no.
And Willie Penn is lookin pretty good there too!