Sports Cars?

[funkngruvn]

What makes a true sports car?
What's your idea of a sports car?
What's the best sports car for you?

[Dr.Kamiya]

1/2. Simple, fun to drive. RWD, but rear-biased AWD is ok. Definitely no front wheel drivers.
3. Mazda Miata (old one)

[B2Bomber]

hth -- Car Classifications according to Wikipedia.

[niky]

Basically, according to the classic definition, the few production cars that actually qualify are the Miata, the Lotus Elise and the Toyota MR-S (there may be others, but they escape my mind).

Heavier cars don't actually count. The Mustang doesn't. The 350Z doesn't. The Evo doesn't. I think the Boxster and Z4 are borderline, but they're light and low enough to count.

Because, according to the classic definition, a sportscar is low, light, seats one or two people only, is usually roofless, and is designed for racing.

If you take the last part into account... there are no sportscars on the road besides the odd Super Seven clone or Caterham, because anything that has a trunk and glovebox isn't designed for racing.

But that definition is for purists who think that all cars should be carburated and should still have lap-belts.

For me, my four-door saloon is a sports car. It's relatively light, it's relatively quick, and it handles like a dream. It's front-wheel drive, yeah, but nobody's perfect... :hysterical:

I think this article sums it up best:

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/2-11-2006-88657.asp

Road and Track, a leading automotive publication, summarizes the sports car definition debate with a simple observation: "Ask five people the exact definition of a sports car, and you'll likely get five different answers".

There is no clear-cut definition of what really is a sports car. The restrictive definitions of the past seem ill suited to categorize today's' diverse automotive offerings and common usage of the term runs contrary to most long-held definitions.

There is, however, a common thought that seems to run through almost all of the outlooks on the meaning of "sports car". If a car is designed with high performance or race-like capabilities in mind, it can probably be safely termed a sports car. Some purists may balk at such a liberal perspective, but alternative definitions fall far short of accurately distinguishing sports cars form regular production models.

[funkngruvn]

so yung lancer gsr at honda hatch hindi sports car, right? kahit na todo set-up?

[niky]

GSR or hatch na stock... nah.

Hatchback with a B18A, full race suspension and sticky tires... ...hehehe...

[RCbabe]

For me, definitely a 2-door, convertible, lots of power, superb handling, driving with the ESP or DSC off, all options and a head-turner. Examples like a common 911, SL, SLK, Z3 or 4, not to mention other top far-reaching budget like Ferraris, etc.
If four-doors, M5, CLS, E500, LS, C320s.
Cars must be factory-standard specs., definitely not those common heavily modified cars you see on the roads.
Toyota Celica, old one of my uncle.

[Memphis Raines]

Must have at least 200bhp and not necessarily a top-down.

[rhythmnblues]

Should definitely have that Angry front Look, with that very scary exhaust tone, cheap and affordable=p

[alwayz_yummy]

many will say na di to sports car, which talaga hindi naman, pero ,for me eto sports car na gusto ko:



at ang pangarap kong r34 skyline GTR like ng kay autoplus or a tommikaira Rs

[funkngruvn]

GSR or hatch na stock... nah.

Hatchback with a B18A, full race suspension and sticky tires... ...hehehe...

pati yung mga sir/rolla/evo na ginagamit sa racing/motor"sports" dito considered sportscars na din ba?

[AG4]

Traditionally, sports cars are usually 2-seater RWD cars without the excess weight and extra luxury items. It must also have excellent handling.

Some modern high-performance coupes and sedans are sometimes considered sportscars by some people, because with today's technology you can have a 4-door sedan that can match or at least almost match the handling of a traditonal sportcar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ec55effcNw

For me these are modern examples of real "pure" sportscars...
911 GT3

Lotus Exige S

BMW Z4 M coupe

Must have at least 200bhp and not necessarily a top-down.

For me, better power to weight ratio is probably more important than just the hp numbers.
A Lotus Elise for example with a 189hp 1.8 liter engine can outperform a Mercedes SLK280 with 228hp, because of its better power to weight ratio making it more agile.

Mercedes SLK280
max power: 228hp
curb weight: 3255 lbs (1476.5 kg)
Power to weight: 154.4 hp per tonne

Lotus Elise
max power: 189hp
curb weight: 1965 lbs (891.3 kg)
Power to weight: 212.05 hp per tonne

Of course other than this, chassis engineering and suspension tuning comes in...

[VtEC]

dina man nescessary na 2dr
pwede na sa akin ang
a) hyundai tiburon
b) peugot 407 coupe

[erickdpogi]

1. honda S2000
2. mercedez benz slk (any variant will do).

mahilig ako sa roadster pati convertible na sportscar.

[the_wildthing]

My definition is:

RWD
Sport suspension - i.e. stiffer for handling, as opposed to softer for comfort

2 door is not necessary. I'd take the old E36 M3 Sedan or M5 for practicality. But my ultimate is of course the 911.

[niky]

Actually, the classic definition doesn't require RWD. Just two doors, one or two seats and lightness... and the fact that it's made for racing.

The Honda Integra Type R and the Lotus Elan (the 80's version) are amongst the sharpest cornering sports cars ever built. And they're front wheel drive.

I've always wanted to try my car against the Integra, personally. I think it might be close.

pati yung mga sir/rolla/evo na ginagamit sa racing/motor"sports" dito considered sportscars na din ba?

Tama! One seater, lightweight, made for racing...

Like I've said... considering the classic definition, very few modern cars actually count as sports cars in the classic sense.

The only ones that come close are the Lotus Exige and the Porsche 911 GT3RS. The BMW Z4 isn't built for racing. Neither is the Nissan 350Z.

Which is why I say: to heck with definitions. If it's fast, handles well, and drives nicely... that's good enough for me.

[the_wildthing]

Personally, if you set it up for racing, it's a race car, especially if it's no longer streetable.

If you can still drive it on the streets, but tuned for "sporty" handling, then it can be a sports car. RWD is my personal preference just for the fun of it.

[AG4]

Traditionally, the "true" sportscars are lightweight... this also explains why most of them are 2 seaters with 2-doors.