📰 Auto News Weak Sales Could Make Serious Sports Cars an Endangered Species Once More

[Mook]

Remember how excited we all were when Nissan resurrected the Z car and Mazda built another rotary-powered sports car in the early years of the 21st century? Well, we're putting their future at risk again. Auto Observer's Bill Visnic draws our attention to low sports car sales in April 2010 -- and for 2010 to date.

Take the Nissan 370Z. Just 952 coupes and convertibles were sold in April, and Nissan has only sold 3,419 so far in 2010 -- down 34 percent from 2009. Life wasn't much better for the Chevrolet Corvette. It's coming off its worst sales year in 50 years, and in April, Chevy moved just 1,089. Only 3,522 Vettes have found homes in 2010.

The situation is much worse for the Mazda RX-8. Mazda sold only 128 in April and has moved only 428 in 2010. Now reports are rampant that it might be killed off after 2011 because it won't meet Euro V emission standards. Just as with the RX-7, the high-revving (but thirsty) rotary engine that makes the car different and special might be the very thing that does the RX-8 in.

The muscle cars are the survivors of the moment, as both the Camaro and Mustang continue to bring steady sales. Sure, the Mustang was down 33 percent at 5,415 units for April, but wisely, everyone's waiting for the 2011 models which haven't yet descended on dealerships en masse.

http://blogs.insideline.com/straigh...rts-cars-an-endangered-species-once-more.html

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[Mook]

the rx8 needs to go already...rather surprised by the vette and Z tho

 

[Turk]

Interesting.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

I don't think many people were excited after the rx-8 actually came out. It's a pathetic turd. They need to make that rx-7 concept a reality already.

Surprised by the vette numbers. I don't see too many 370z's though

 

[Bru]

I remember reading an article about how the Camaro was cannibalizing Vette sales. I'm not surprised, either. It's a fresh and radical design while the Vette has been unchanged for a number of years now.

 

[Yaj Yak]

in4cheapvettes.

 

[Mike K]

I can say that aside for the interior I'd rather have the Camaro over the Vette. I'm fully aware how much better of a vehicle the Vette probably is but the Camaro is just hawt.

 

[Krang]

in4cheapvettes.

Surprisingly they aren't that expensive. You can probably still get one off the lot new for < 40 and a ls3 powered 08 for ~30k.

 

[Turk]

You can't get a vette new for under 40k, they invoice higher than that.

 

[Krang]

Through Rick Conti my first vette was 39,750 black 1LT no options. . Changed the color and it went up about 700. Of course that doesn't include tax.

 

[Turk]

Through Rick Conti my first vette was 39,750 black 1LT no options. . Changed the color and it went up about 700. Of course that doesn't include tax.

I believe the LS3s have a higher starting point than the LS2s.

 

[Krang]

This was LS3, they raised the base fee 750 or so in 09, not sure if they did that again for 10. . haven't really followed.

 

[Turk]

Interesting. I thought the invoice of the LS3 vettes was around 42k. Your first vette was an ls3? What was your next vette?

 

[Bru]

The 2010 base coupe msrp's for almost $49K

 

[Turk]

Yeah, I thought there was quite a large increase.

 

[Krang]

Should have been more clear. I've only technically had one, the first I ordered was a black 08 LS3 1LT, but after I ordered it I changed my mind and went with a blue one. Both were 08 LS3 1LT just one was black and one was blue.

Interesting. I thought the invoice of the LS3 vettes was around 42k. Your first vette was an ls3? What was your next vette?

 

[jason05gt]

You can get a new 2010 C6 for low 40's through Kerbeck. You might be able to beat them up and get one for 39,XXX when the 2011's are out.

 

[Krang]

Yeah, I bought mine through a similar type dealer. Rick Conti, who was at the time with EVS Chevrolet just north of Milwaukee.

Previous add for the same dealership. Pretty bare bones, but just right for me.

 

[Rebel]

I like those rims.