Is Your Weekend Car On The Way Out?

Sales of most coupes and convertibles are in the ditch, alongside big pickups and SUVs, as customers decide they can do without their "weekend car."

Driving has always been about more than transportation. It's been about freedom. It's been about fun. Fantasy. Children dream about bring old enough to get behind the wheel for the first time and, when they do, they don't imagine themselves driving a family sedan. They see themselves driving something sporty, preferably with the top down.

But now, with gas prices soaring into dangerously unfamiliar territory, many Americans, even the well-off, are reevaluating their love affair with the car. Is it environmentally, financially, and morally responsible to drive fun cars purely for fun?

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Matthew1 - 6/9/2008 4:53:20 PM

+8 Boost

I think recent fuel prices may actually have the effect of being the other way round:

People will downsize their daily driver to save fuel, but with the money they've saved go out and buy a weekend toy, this could be anything from a Miata to an Elise.

This way they can quench their thirst for car-based thrills, while also being a bit more thrifty during the daily grind.

I think if you have petrol running through your veins, you will make something work. If I may, I'd like to finish this with a quote from Jurassic Park:

"Life will find a way"

t_bone - 6/9/2008 11:01:01 PM

+1 Boost

And then...why on earth not drive the fuel-sipping Miata to work too!

S4cabriofoxone - 6/9/2008 11:17:21 PM

+5 Boost

Because if you're a normal person you need more space.

t_bone - 6/10/2008 9:40:07 AM

0 Boost

Why do you need more space to commute to work?

SteedPub - 6/9/2008 5:48:07 PM

+5 Boost

Cycles. This too shall pass

gsh23 - 6/9/2008 6:06:06 PM

+1 Boost

its actually not a bad idea. if you have the space, a beater + nice weekend car is the way to go. spend a little change to get a honda fit and get a supercharged lotus elise. total cost = M3.

olscuul - 6/9/2008 7:08:31 PM

+2 Boost

i've had my weekend car for 17 years. it's not leaving the garage without coming back!

Threepoint1415926 - 6/9/2008 8:02:16 PM

+5 Boost

My weekend car is staying right where it is. I think the point is, if you already own one, there is no value in getting rid of it at this point.

olscuul - 6/9/2008 10:17:37 PM

+3 Boost

the point is, if you like what you've got, who cares about the market.

Threepoint1415926 - 6/10/2008 1:51:21 PM

+1 Boost

Touche!

BostonBiosafety - 6/9/2008 9:11:07 PM

+1 Boost

Not only is my 3rd vehicle not going anywhere, I'm now looking for a convertible to add to the list. I don't ride my motorcycles as frequently, so I'd like something as fun that will replace that void.

I'll take advantage of this market.

Tour18 - 6/9/2008 10:31:16 PM

+1 Boost

I have a 993TT, a Z06, a Boxster S and an F150 FX4. Nothing is going away. In fact, I check EBay, Cars.com and Autotrader several times a day for more toys...

S4cabriofoxone - 6/9/2008 11:18:35 PM

+1 Boost

I will stay with my duet... obviously they will change over time but from now on I'll always drive an AWD sedan/coupe and a convertible.

toolatetorace - 6/9/2008 11:33:12 PM

+2 Boost

This is all about panic button pushing

quizz - 6/10/2008 1:05:44 AM

+1 Boost

SUV/Cross-over + weekend sports car

A perfectly reasonable combo since you can only drive one car at a time anyway, why get rid of either if I have the garage space?

As a matter of fact, I joke with my friends that at 32 MPG on the highways, the new Cayman with DI engine is more environmentally responsible than a Miata.

Whelan - 6/10/2008 11:24:25 AM

+2 Boost

I can't afford a weekend car. My Matrix XR AWD is my commuter, daily, weekend, long trip, yankee's game, beach comber mobile.

My fiance's Jeep also subs for all those roles as well.

Weekend car, HA! When you 27 and getting married, living in CT and making just over 100k a year between the both of us, you don't get the luxury of a weekend car.

supermoto - 6/10/2008 1:21:31 PM

+1 Boost

People just need one all around car instead of two, e.g. a 335i sedan or something similar from the competition. Pretty much the perfect all around vehicle. Fun on the track, works great in commuting, comfy on road trips, and gets over 30mpg on the highway.

DexDiamonds - 6/11/2008 8:59:31 AM

+1 Boost

I was looking forward to buying an S2000 to be my weekend car but might have to wait a while since gas prices are causing me to save less.