Have Sports Cars Become Relegated To "Side Chick" Status In The Automotive Industry?

A handful of years ago, it became obvious that there was an all-new schism in the automotive industry. Hell, if you just walked over to the Lexus stand at the New York Auto Show it was patently obvious.

You had gasoline-powered vehicles on one side and then you had the hybrids on the other. It was like a sixth grade dance.

While that certainly has played out with the addition of electric vehicles, something else has transpired. And, frankly, we called it.

Sport-utility vehicles and trucks have taken over in the sales race. While this was already well under way since before the 2007 macroeconomic downturn, which sent oil prices skyrocketing and people clamoring for Toyota Priuses and MINI Coopers, the comeback has been twice as strong. It's kind of like when you fall off the wagon from a diet. The pounds come back in a BIG way.

In a conversation with a friend the other night he was proclaiming his love for trucks, and while I appreciate them I don't see the need to own or lust for one. In fact, I think that this love affair with SUVs and trucks will come to a screeching halt once oil prices spike again — and they will, in my humble opinion.

It was after I made this point he hit me with one of the funniest things I've ever heard. Essentially they said that trucks are the kings of the road, sedans and coupes are OVER, and only cars like the BMW M2 and Porsche 911 are exceptions because they are effectively "side chicks."

After a helluva laugh, I didn't quite know what to say except that they definitely picked two great sports cars.

Having said that, I've got to ask, Spies: Have sports cars been relegated to "side chick" status in the auto industry?

MDarringer - 6/30/2018 11:52:39 AM

0 Boost

Sports cars are most definitely "side chick" or "side dick" (depending on your orientation) frolics. Some will weather the storm (911, Corvette, Mustang, Camaro...) and some won't (Z Car, GT86, F Type,...).

In the last manufactured gas crisis under Obama, the sale of large vehicles remained OK.

xjug1987a - 7/1/2018 9:32:38 PM

0 Boost

Yep!

sethm - 6/30/2018 12:16:43 PM

+2 Boost

Does seem strange to me, that with the roads getting smaller (more vehicles in less space) that trucks and suvs becoming more popular. Still seems to me a need and desire for the smaller cars. Oh i forgot parking spaces. Their getting tighter. I tend to park in a corner spot or as far away from a stores entrance so that my car does not get dinged by a truck.

MDarringer - 6/30/2018 12:33:51 PM

0 Boost

#Illogical: More vehicles in less space does not make roads smaller.

Roads would only be getting smaller if the physical size of the road were changing.

Foncool - 6/30/2018 12:23:36 PM

0 Boost

Sports cars always were a goomah, then you have your wife the daily driver. The question is do manufacturers really need to spend the development money trying to teach Julia Roberts proper table etiquette? That really isn’t the reason you bought her, maybe it’s better to let her do what she does best and let the daily driver do what it does best!

pcar4evr - 6/30/2018 3:19:10 PM

+2 Boost

I live next door to a couple of late teen sluts-in-training and they tell me that sports cars like my Porsche are for old men and that the hot guys drive trucks. They'd say that trucks are the side chick.

TheSteve - 6/30/2018 4:17:53 PM

+1 Boost

Why the divisive and derisive thread, inciting hatred towards folks who like sports cars?

I like certain understated sports cars. Make of that what you will.


Agent00R: Here are some candidates for your future topics:
"Are Camaros Still The Ultimate Gino Car?"
"Are BMW or Audi Drivers The Biggest Dicks On The Road?"
"Mustangs: Born To Be Crashed By No-Talent Drivers?"

MDarringer - 6/30/2018 4:59:46 PM

0 Boost

Oh look. It's TheSteve being a hypocrite. He chides Agent00R not to be divisive and derisive and yet TheSteve does so divisively and derisively.

Stevie, if you don't like it say nothing.

TomM - 6/30/2018 8:03:10 PM

+3 Boost

Gee Matt- that is a really really STUPID remark coming from YOU

The purpose of the site is to have people comment with their opinion - whether it be for or against. Only a ALt-Right DICTATOR would suggest only ONE opinion - pro admin - should be allowed. Typical Nazi!

Thankfully - your statements generally have little authority - I have backed you up when it comes to car statements - WHY don't you stick to them? (ASif I could get you to stop running your mouth) For the same reason The Steve gave his opinion.

For the Steve - THere have always been "chic" cars - and some of them being (Often base engine) versions of otherwise respected Performance cars - Mustangs are one example. It depends on how they are equipped. And it seems to me that manufacturers are in a Power war when it comes to such vehicles.


And to Agent 00R - Expensive(And less so) Sports cars - NEVER sold in great numbers - even in the best of times - compared to Small Trucks and sedans. I would suggest that today - more are sold - from more different manufactures than ever before - with maybe the Pony car Exception. However - if you even look at the Pony cars today - the manufacturers are clearly introducing higher and higher powered versions and featuring them in their Ads. Do you really think a HEMI FCA Pony car is a "chic" car. It seems to OOZE testosterone to me.

MDarringer - 6/30/2018 8:10:44 PM

0 Boost

I sometimes wonder if TomM and TheSteve are father and son because the hatred, bigotry, intolerance, and hypocrisy are quite familial.

Agent00R - 6/30/2018 9:54:38 PM

-1 Boost

Jeez, I don't know where to start.

First off, I think those are great topics, Steve. Thank you.

Second, there's absolutely zero hatred for sports cars. Especially as I own one and adore most sports cars. It's kind of like calling Ben Shapiro a white supremacist — it doesn't add up when you do the math.

Third, guys and girls, please read. I said side chick not chick. A side chick is essentially one's mistress. READ: I was not saying are they "chick cars."

MBKing - 6/30/2018 5:23:14 PM

+3 Boost

I still daily my 911 and my only complaint is fear of door dings from day-to-day use.

TheSteve - 7/3/2018 1:12:33 PM

0 Boost

Seriously sweet ride. I'm envious... in the nicest way :-)

Holydude - 7/12/2018 2:01:59 PM

+1 Boost

One of each for sure, with time spent on either dependent on mood and need, don't think either one will be a side chick.

SUV for work, sports car for fun, life sucks without either.