Do Most Of Todays Buyers Simply Lack The Testosterone To Own A Real Sportcar?

A new SRT Viper and an upcoming Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, Alfa Romeo 4C and Acura NSX. If consumers didn't know better, they might think that all is well in the sports car business.

It's not.

American consumer tastes are changing and sports car buyers are aging. Fuel economy demands are threatening to take the fun out of revving engines. Segment definitions are blurring at the edges. And what worries automakers most is that kids seem more interested in their iPhones and Instagramming than in roaring roadsters and redlining tachometers.

"We're doing a lot to try and awaken the younger customer to Corvette," says John Fitzgerald, marketing manager for Chevrolet performance cars, whose job is to market the 2014 Corvette Stingray that goes on sale in late summer. "We want to change the conversation a little bit."




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1CarSmart1 - 3/4/2013 11:07:26 AM

-6 Boost

How is this a bad thing? People driving too fast are only wasting resources. I am so happy to see the NextGen of smarter people who are no longer interested in macho-dummie behavior to compensate for a tiny penis size.

Agent009 - 3/4/2013 3:05:06 PM

-2 Boost

If sex didn't sell, then explain the Victoria's Secret commercials you watch on the DVR over and over.

monster - 3/4/2013 11:12:24 AM

+4 Boost

There are several reason why sports cars are not faring too well
1. The costs of these cars have gone too high
2. The roads are too congested to enjoy the car
3. Fuel prices have gone up too much. Costs of driving and maintaining the car is too much. Not to mention the cost of insuring the car.
4. There are way too many cops on the roads to hand you free tickets.

Yes people are becoming a little too boring in this segment.

Agent009 - 3/4/2013 2:35:52 PM

0 Boost

If you own a hybrid in Texas, you turned your man card in a long time ago.

Agent009 - 3/4/2013 2:54:53 PM

-3 Boost

Nah, That's why they don't attempt to pawn a CC off as a hybrid. Got to maintain a manly reputation.

However I hear they do market a number of estrogen rich Honda's down here. But no one buys them, except soccer moms.

dbtk - 3/4/2013 12:42:06 PM

+4 Boost

With the introduction of performance SUVs, wagons, and sedans I think there the traditional sportcar are just too impractical to own (especially for a family guy/gal). And more fuel efficient and fun runabouts like the MINIs, Abarths, BRZs, etc. are more practical for congested areas.

Agent009 - 3/4/2013 3:06:28 PM

-1 Boost

not sure if I would call any Super Car practical, though you are correct the lines are blurring.

Yonder7 - 3/4/2013 1:51:47 PM

+4 Boost

Also could be lack of money cause anything powerful is very expensive...

1CarSmart1 - 3/4/2013 2:13:54 PM

-1 Boost

This is also very sexist.

Agent009 - 3/4/2013 3:03:34 PM

-1 Boost

I'm not sure if I would call it sexist. I would call it marketing.

Super cars are traditionally macho, appealing to strong sense of power or male orientated audience.

Similar to a VW convertible which traditionally appealed to a practical female audience.

trmckin - 3/4/2013 5:36:02 PM

+4 Boost

If this is sexist, so are your comments. You try to compare every vehicle to penis size. Are we to assume that when women drive them, some part of their anatomy is substandard? The only other time I've seen you reference women is when you are calling them "sex women". Sounds to me like you need to look at your own thoughts on the subject Mr. Negative.

ParadoX - 3/4/2013 2:56:59 PM

+3 Boost

I think price is the biggest barrier. Up front costs to own a sports car, insurance costs, gas, ect. You really have to be pretty well off. Only the top 5% of households earns over $167,000 a year. Even at that level of income, try telling your spouse you want to spend tens of thousands of dollars on a toy.

HighDesert - 3/4/2013 9:03:23 PM

+1 Boost

Viper, vette, are just too impractical. You are going to jail if you wring it them in second gear and their costs are out-of-site. This is the 21st century and cars like the Abarth, Mini, BRZ, Miata etc are doing quite well as they offer decent suspensions, good performance, manual trannies, and won't land you in the either poor house or jail. Autocross on the weekend and drive to work during the week with good fuel economy and substantially lower insurance costs ... people are getting smarter. Way more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow.

mrpiii - 3/4/2013 10:04:40 PM

+2 Boost

Well there is a small, efficient sports car and it doesn't sell -- look at Lotus.

JB007 - 3/5/2013 7:14:10 AM

+3 Boost

I think 009 has a small penis.

Eyecarehawaii - 3/5/2013 7:30:15 PM

+1 Boost

Is there an inverse correlation between testosterone and brains?

Perhaps the author should rephrase his question.

skytop - 3/6/2013 3:16:42 PM

+1 Boost

Liberal progressives are known for their very small genitals. Rarely will you see a liberal driving a powerful car.