What makes a sports car? Options

[azian_advanced]

not sure about the sexy part because some are actually ugly... but that's based on personal opinion. everything else seems about right in my books.

in the end everyone will have their own idea of what a sports car is... to me, there are only 3 parameters that would make a car a 'sports car'.

-RWD simply because it's a more performance-oriented platform (not FWD), although AWD can fit in this category as long as it's not a rally car (ie. GT-R)
-and it also must be a 2 dr.. maybe 4 door if it's an RX8
-and it most definitely will need a high performance engine.

then there are other things one can debate about like having rear seats or not, manual or auto, low suspension, etc etc which are all just 'features' and wouldn't make it more or less of a sports car.

[Rayme]

The rx-8 has 4 doors, its not a sports car (supersprynt's rule)

I always make fun of those making straight rule for what a sports car is, is a e36 m3 a sports car? what about the sedan m3?

the STI and EVO's aren't sports car? Why not?

Some lambo and the GTR are AWD, they're not sports car, not RWD?


IMO, if a car drives like a sports car (dependant on its era) is a sports car. The definition changes with new technologies, anyone saying otherwise is just close minded, if you take the 50's and 60's as the benchmark for sports cars, we all have mega super exotic cars now. A civic type-R can spank a S2000 in a circuit due to its stiff (rough) suspension and peaky engine, despite being FWD. Does that make the s2000 any lesser of a sports car? If a FWD sports compact can spank a "real" sports car, in what kind of world are we? Manufacturers are pushing the limit of engineering and doing all kind of wierd configuration, no wonder people argue over that.

too..much..labels....


Little story:
A friend of mine with an 80s z28 was asked to race by a huy with his SRT-4. He said ok fine, let's race, and when you get there before me stop, when I get there I'll do donuts around you. (see the irony?)

This post has been edited by Rayme: Sep 10, 2008 - 7:24 PM

[Taskbot]

Rayme

Couldn't have said it better myself. (though I tried and failed)

[Akirad1]

lets say this little thing ive thought of: breaking down sports cars into smaller catergories,
Sports Cars: Sport Compact, Exotics, Muscles, Roadsters, Hot Hatch,
since everyone has their own opions of what a sports car is.

[bslik]

my neighbor has a 4th gen supra undergoing a twin turbo swap and we both fit in there plus a girl comfortably laying in the back seat (meant to seat 2 but comfortably 1) so if that supra is not a sports car with a back seat then idk what is

[Supersprynt]

The RX8's "doors" are a loose term. They're like 1/2 suicide doors, not exactly the same as say a Camry. I'd still call an RX8 a sports car.

[Akirad1]

and a rx8 seat 4 adults confortably
i would know my cousin has a 04 rx8

[Supersprynt]

That's nice.

[spolski07]

since when is a "sport compact car" not a sports car?
hey if my insurance is going to make me pay more because i have a "sporty car" ima say i have a sports car

[Supersprynt]

Dude Insurance companies find any reason to charge more. They charge more if your car is red.

[spolski07]

Dude Insurance companies find any reason to charge more. They charge more if your car is red.

this i know i was just tryn to lighten up the mood.

btw guys my insurance got cheaper when i got rid of my 1985 mazda rx7 and got the celica
2 seater rwd "sports car" (rx7) was not a very cheap car to insure at 16

[tomazws]

If there is an argument on what is the slowest sports car (or sporty looking car) in the world, I'd have to say my Celica...