A car that is designed and manufactured in a way that its purpose is more suited for auto-SPORTS rather than used as a mere transportation means.

 

The amount of seats in a car means nothing to me. All of you that say only 2 seats thats fine. You're entitled to that opinion. There are a lot of 2+2's out there that are sports cars in my opinion. Simple things like a manual transmission, now electronic BS, and precise steering go a long way towards becoming a sports car. Anything that connects you to the car in every way possible defines a sports. A car that makes you take the long way home due to sheer joy.

 

Kinda the point of the discussion topic, eh?

There are always exceptions. Aston-Martin International from the 1930's comes to mind, how could it NOT be a sports car?

Anyway, the Shelby GT350 and the Yenko Stinger existed in part, and only have two seats, because of SCCA's definition of a sports car for Production racing at the time.

 

i have no idea, i'll defer to the wikipedia definition...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car

 

Actually posed this question to my fiancee. SHe agreed on some points but not others of mine. (Mind you she is not into cars at all) Her biggest gripe is that it HAS to be fast or have power. I am all about minimal stuff to accomplish what you need done. "Spartan" interior, little sound deadening so you can hear that motor wind out, lightweight materials or techniques. Above all it should perform well. Not in just a straight line but in all aspects; exception given to straight line but within reason. Two doors is mandatory, no exceptions. RWD is also mandatory, engine placement is up to the builder as long as the is balance. Two "seats" is mandatory. Rear seats in a 911 are a joke, so I'd venture to say the seats in question should fit at least a smaller guy like me (5'8") with no issues. Anything above $90k msrp is too expensive to be a sports car and heads into supercar/exotic territory.

 

Pretty close.
I follow the British definition, since they were the first to use the term "sports car"


1. 2 seater / 2 door. (sorry RX8)

2. RWD

3. light weight (ie. under 3000lbs, sorry corvette).

4. Must offer a manual.


to say it must be a manual would mean that the Miata in an automatic wouldn't be a sports car... which wouldn't make sense.
The purest of sports cars all fit the above items.

Now, if you want to include the modern version... then, it's just 2dr and RWD.

 

I will agree with lightweight only to a certain extent. If the suspension and motor are so well built that its weight doesnt effect the performance or feel of the car than i dont think it should matter. A corvette is clearly a sports car and your also saying that a 350z/370z is not a sports car? Its over 3000 pounds.

 

a Corvette is a sports car by american (aka, obese) standards...

A 350z/370z is also overweight and wouldn't fall into the classic British definition of a sports car.


Now, for modern, american, definition... it'd be closer to:
1. 2 doors or a 4 door that doesn't have independently opening doors (ie. RX8).

2. 2 or 4 seater (ie. RX8, Porsche 911)

3. RWD or AWD (ie. CS4, GTR, LP560)


Cause, we as Americans, are generally pretty stupid about driving and cars. So, we rope pretty much anything into a sports car category.

 

A 350/370 is a touring car, far from a sports car IMO.

I think there's one last intangible criteria:

What is the soul of the car? I know this can get subjective, but I beg to ask this question. In no way, shape, or form am I bashing these cars.... I'm just using it as a comparison because they are very impressive cars.

When you sit inside a 2011 Mustang GT, a new camaro, a challenger and you drive it; Do you really get the same driving sensation as driving the s2000 (or a lotus, or AC, etc. etc.)? Perhaps I'm crazy; but there's an entirely different emotion that a sports car and a fast car have.

As a personal reference; for the first time in two years my roommate let me drive his 04 STi. It's putting down around 310hp/360tq. It get's to speed incredibly fast, and is definitely a very capable car. From the second I started the car up though my first reaction was that it just felt... blah. It performs unbelievably, but lacked personality.

I remember an article being written ago on the main page, where a guy gave his british friend a ride in his s2000 and the guys reaction was, "This car is f*****g bipolar!" It's that type of emotion that I believe a sports car invokes, compared to a fast and capable car.

 

a car that cops are itching to pull over.