How do you define "sports car"?
05-27-2010, 05:06 PM
#1
Thread Starter
How do you define "sports car"?
The recent thread "Is this your first sports car" made one thing perfectly clear. That is each of us has a slightly different notion, a different perception of what a sports car is. Some of us think it is a small, nimble car. Some think it has to have a big engine cranking out a lot of power. Some think it has to be a convertible while others think that a true sports car has to have a hard top.
I think it could be all of these things and more.
How do you define "sports car"? What does the term mean to you?
I think it could be all of these things and more.
How do you define "sports car"? What does the term mean to you?
05-27-2010, 05:35 PM
#3
Former Moderator
It's not easy. 
One way I would answer would be to list the actual vehicles that I consider to be a sports car; maybe in the order of their perceived degree of sports-car-ness. So maybe a Jaguar XK120, or an Austin Healey 3000 would be a more prototypical sports car than say a Pontiac Fiero or a Triumph TR7. So an MGB is a sports car, but a BMW M5? Meh ?! And a four door Ford Fairlane with live axle is definitely not a sports car.
Another way I would see it is to list the features of sports car that make it a sports car. That is harder. But for me a sports car is compact/small, is nimble on the road or track, has one or two (bucket) seats, a stick shift, little storage space, tight steering, is a roadster (or coupe), and is likely to be RED! (Maybe green.)
It differs from a muscle car in its size and engine type, and is not designed primarily just to go fast in a straight line. So it would be less likely to have a big V10 than a four banger. I'm sure I have left some of my biases out, like brakes for stopping, etc., but from there -- vehicles range further and further away from being a prototypical sports car for me.
One way I would answer would be to list the actual vehicles that I consider to be a sports car; maybe in the order of their perceived degree of sports-car-ness. So maybe a Jaguar XK120, or an Austin Healey 3000 would be a more prototypical sports car than say a Pontiac Fiero or a Triumph TR7. So an MGB is a sports car, but a BMW M5? Meh ?!
And a four door Ford Fairlane with live axle is definitely not a sports car.Another way I would see it is to list the features of sports car that make it a sports car. That is harder. But for me a sports car is compact/small, is nimble on the road or track, has one or two (bucket) seats, a stick shift, little storage space, tight steering, is a roadster (or coupe), and is likely to be RED! (Maybe green.)
It differs from a muscle car in its size and engine type, and is not designed primarily just to go fast in a straight line. So it would be less likely to have a big V10 than a four banger. I'm sure I have left some of my biases out, like brakes for stopping, etc., but from there -- vehicles range further and further away from being a prototypical sports car for me.
05-27-2010, 08:12 PM
#4
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It needs to meet 3 requirements:
It must be difficult to get in and out of.
My mother must look at it disapprovingly, and give me that "When are you going to grow up?" look.
Friends and coworkers must say something like, "It doesn't seem very practical."
It must be difficult to get in and out of.
My mother must look at it disapprovingly, and give me that "When are you going to grow up?" look.
Friends and coworkers must say something like, "It doesn't seem very practical."
05-27-2010, 08:16 PM
#5
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Traveler,May 27 2010, 11:12 PM
It needs to meet 3 requirements:
It must be difficult to get in and out of.
My mother must look at it disapprovingly, and give me that "When are you going to grow up?" look.
Friends and coworkers must say something like, "It doesn't seem very practical."
It must be difficult to get in and out of.
My mother must look at it disapprovingly, and give me that "When are you going to grow up?" look.
Friends and coworkers must say something like, "It doesn't seem very practical."
People must ask the following question. "Why would you buy something with an old fashioned manual transmission in this day and age?"
05-28-2010, 04:23 AM
#7
Originally Posted by S1997,May 27 2010, 09:35 PM
has one or two (bucket) seats
Owners of XK120's and XK140's, for example, might disagree since they have a bench seat. 
Easy. If I think it's a sports car - it is. Otherwise it is not. So if you have doubts, just ask me.
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05-28-2010, 04:43 AM
#9
Originally Posted by Popeye,May 28 2010, 06:30 AM
Two seat,manual trans roadster
05-28-2010, 04:53 AM
#10
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Websters Dictionary defines it as:
"a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving"
Only things I would add are;
convertable
Manual tranny
Red
400+ hp
holds at least 1 set of golf clubs in the trunk
"a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving"
Only things I would add are;
convertable
Manual tranny
Red
400+ hp
holds at least 1 set of golf clubs in the trunk