[v6sonoma]

Originally Posted by Wicked 6

I disagree.

It has LONG been known for an absolute fact that V6 model Mustangs FAR outsell V8 models, and depending on who you believe, same with Camaro and Challenger.

Enthusiasts often make the fatal mistake of not realizing that while most people may want a sports car, only a die hard is shelling out $40k + for a Camaro, Mustang, or Challenger.

It's Joe Smith who is married with kids, has an SUV, and is looking for a toy but only has $25k tops to spend, pretty much the whole middle class, and parents buying their kids a first car that makes it possible for the V6 to sell, thus allowing the profit necessary to make the V8 trims.

Anybody who says that sales of top trim levels prop up bottom trim levels is crazy. For example, Ferrari. Do you see them making smaller engined cars to sell for $25k? No. Every car they sell is a beast. But....every car is also six figures.

If there were no V6 models to make profit on, your SS would be $70k easy and the ZL1 would still be on a piece of paper in someone's trash can. Same for GT500s, SRT products, etc.

Another example: Dodge. Ever seen a V6 Viper? Checked prices lately? Compare those prices to the Charger and Challenger which have V6 models. See where I'm coming from?

Big blocks need V6 sales now more than ever with the economy in the tank.

That's my $.02.

I can say this is not accurate. I know for a fact that SS was designed to be far more profitable than the V6. Due to the lower sales of the V8 compared to the V6 they want to be more competitive at the V6 level and the higher profit baked into the cost of the SS trim level helps to pay for the lower production volume of the SS. I don't know where the ZL1 stands as it didn't exist at the time and wasn't even on the radar. That said the V6 trim levels are not loosing money they are just not marking them up as much as they are the SS.