What is the definition of a "Sports" car?
 

I'm wondering-- What EXACTLY is the definition of a "SPORTS" car?

I think few would argue that a Ferrari, Corvette, Viper, Porsche 911 are real sports cars...

But how does one define a sports car?

It obviously can't be 2 seats versus 4 seats (The Porsche Twin Turbo ($120k car, 0-60 3.9 sec, 450hp has a back seat).

It really can't be 0-60 or 1/4 mile times.. Take for instance a stock Miata.. (I believe most agree??) The Miata is a sports car, it has amazing handling, light and agile, yet not very "quick".

I know RX-8 owners say the RX-8 is a sports car-- well, Mazda says it is anyway... but is the WRX a sports car? What about an old big-block GTO?

I've seen a school bus (on video) run the 1/4 mile in like 9 seconds, but its hardly a sports car. I've seen tricked out Civics running 11-12's, yet those aren't considered sports cars either.

Is there even an actual definition, or is it perception/opinion that defines a sportscar versus sports-sedan, passanger car, etc?

The basic purist definition used to be a two seater with an open top. This wold define a true sports car as a Miata or S2000. This is an old definition though. Everything else would have been considered a Grand Touring by means of having any additional functionality and creature comforts.

Today, we pretty much call anything a sports car that has a designed focused around the driving experience first and everything else second.

This would still classify a Miata and a S2000 as true sports cars and then followed by cars like the 350Z or Ferrarri.

I think of the RX8 as a sports coupe. It lives as close to the edge as accceptable by those who intend to use it for day to day functionality.

Re: What is the definition of a "Sports" car?
 

I'd argue plenty of ferrari's are NOT sports cars, mebee GT cars, but not sports cars.

Its not something you can define realy - but my ideas:

High power/weight ratio + low weight (under 3000llb if pos, 2500prob).

2 seater, 2 doors if needed.

MUST have gobs of driver feedback - you HAVE to be connected with the road, know what the car is doing, and be able to get the most out of the car without spining etc, also has to handle well with it (no gross over/under steer etc).

It DOESNT have to be fast.

IMO something like the old lotus elan is a superb sports car but doesnt have much BHP , or tyres but is fun/quick round a track.

The RX-8 sort of broadly qualifies because of its handling characteristics, one of a very few cars that handles well and has 4 seats.

The old big block GTO is a muscle car.

My insurance company calls the RX-8 a 4 door coupe.

I won't argue with them because it saves me a ton of cash!

Pure sportscars

93+ Rx-7
79-85 rx-8
S2000
240Z
MR-2 (all models)
Elise
Miata

sportscars (but not pure)

350Z
911


GT Cars
Supra
300ZX
VR4
2nd gen Rx-7's

I agree with mazda that the rx-8 is a cross between a sportscar and a sport sedan as its true to both, yet true to neither.

I was always under the impression the Miata and S2000 were considered ROADSTERS (convertible sports cars). A true sports car is RWD, has above average handling, steering, braking and is a balanced vehicle, that is NOT too overpowering for the vehicle.

If you look at the Triumphs, MGs, Morgans and such, most of these cars were not 1/4 mile scorchers, but could be tossed through turns and driven hard right up to THEIR limit.

That is what I think is the definition of a Sports Car.

So what is the difference between those old british cars and the miata or S2000? The only diffence I know of is that the mazda and honda are reliable.

I read some comments from the RX-8 program manager, and he fixated on an aspect of a "sports car" that I never really considered before - the styling. In his mind, a sports car should be styled such that the cabin does not dominate the lines of the car, and that was one of the design imperitives for the RX-8. So, when asked about the AWD rally derivatives, his reply was that these cars may perform like sports cars, but were not truly sports cars because of their sedan profiles. Looking at it from this perspective, one could argue that the RX-8 *is* a sports car, but it happens to have four doors, as opposed to a four door sedan that happens to perform like a sports car (i.e., WRX, Evo, etc).

George

Sports car just a name. If you are concern that an RX-8 is a "sports car" or not you are in it for the wrong reasons. It is a great car and I love the thing. that is all I have to say about that.

Porsche never used to put cupholders in their cars because they felt that cupolders have no place in sportscars.

Well, dictionary.com (and thus, the American Heritage Dictionary) says...

sports car
n.
1) An automobile equipped for racing, especially an aerodynamically shaped one-passenger or two-passenger vehicle having a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds.
2) A small low car with a high-powered engine; usually seats two persons.

I say...who cares? To me, a sports car has both visual and tactile appeal. It's typically a two door car with a roof (may offer a roadster variant) that is at least powerful enough to get out of its own way and handles better than an average (read: "non-sporting") car. Every sports car is not a GT but all GTs may be sports cars...maybe...nah, that doesn't work. There are plenty of coupes that are not sports cars: a Chrysler Sebring. It's too easy to define a sports car by the amount of horses under the hood or number of doors it has...but I think they're all imprecise definitions.

In my humble opinion, the true definition of a sports car is much like the US Supreme Court's definition of obscenity: "you know it when you see it".

-Eric

Actually many purists feel that a convertible makes it less of a sportscar since it adds weight and is a creature comfort and will actually hurt performance. Convertible tops are brick walls at high speeds. I tend to agree with this sentiment, though I'm not about to argue that the S2K isn't a sportscar. In my view a stock Miata just isn't up to par in the speed department to really be considered a sportscar, even though it does handle rather well on a track.

ima go with that comment...


its hard to define what exactly is a sports car.. any car that will bring about a mid life crisis can be considered a sports car :-)

"a stock Miata just isn't up to par in the speed department to really be considered a sportscar, even though it does handle rather well on a track"

...when you watch Miata's spank the snot outta Z06's on the auto-x... you gain some serious respect.

thats all I gotta say about that.

3000lbs or under, 0-60 under 6 seconds, good looks, and under 35k

Kinda rules out the Lotus Elise (to name just one)...a sports car if there ever was one.

-Eric

I've seen it with my own eyes many times, it's damn impressive. However, in my opinion a sportscar really needs to have that push you back in your seat kind of acceleration (at least compared to other cars of it's time). Plus, get those two cars out on a real track and it's not going to even be close. I know a lot of people will disagree with me here, but lets face it, a true sportscar is what that person views as a true sportscar...

Pimples definition of a sportscar is pure genius!!! Do you even think before you post, or do you just spew this nonsense upon us like a stream of consciousness, or perhaps unconscious is more fitting in this case.

Cars that pin you back are more what I call a muscle car. Cars that throw you sideways I consider a sports car. It really does not matter anyway as they make cars that do it all and have 4 doors. No need to compromise anymore.

Oh, I still think cars like a miata are a true sports car, if the best definition of one. If you must have power, the new mazdaspeed one bolts on a turbo for only $25k.

My criteria are fast, fun, and affordable.

The rest are supercars, GT's, sports coupes, etc. Really it does not matter anyway.

aaaaanyways, how about the old definition??

a car designed for the sport of motorracing. ie, any car designed with its primary concern that of speed (in one form or another).

they're only as clunky, uncomfortable, noisy, small, and "full of character" as you can stand, but a sports car needn't be this snottily defined elitist clique of cars.

formula race cars are single seater feather-weights. touring sports cars need a driver and "co-driver", with provisions like a big gas tank and spare wheels onboard (rallys and the like). the younger sport of drag racing leant itself to machines with huge horsepower (and wheelstands).

whatever subcategory you want to put them in, sports cars are sports cars. and saying the Miata is "too slow" to be a sports car is horseshit.

Sportscar to me, defines a vehicle which is a true driver's car that embodies pureness and a feeling of oneness with the road.

This is irrelevant of whether it possesses 2 or 4 doors, 2 seats or 5 seats, 4cyl or v12 powered, rwd or 4wd.... these do not matter.

The fundamentals of a sportscar are to create a sensation of dominance and ownership of the road.

This where the driver is the master of his machine and wields it as a man would control his son.

Ideally a sportscar would try to have as little electronic driving aids (traction control, stability control, etc) as possible to numb the driver's senses so as to create a bond with the road.

A sportscar is a fusion of man, machine and road, and should seamlessly be able to combine the 3 effortlessly.

Basically, a sportscar should create feelings of exuberance and enjoyment for its driver and make the driver want to go for long drives on a whim without a rhyme or reason.

Anyway, got to wrap it up....
starting to sound coherent ....
alcohol starting to wear off..... ;)

I considered my '84 RX-7 to be a sports car, while my '91 240SX seems to be more of a GT car. The RX-7 was very light, gave a lot of dirver feed back, not many options, small, and gave me the impression that I was always going really fast. The 240SX is also a 2 door, rwd car with a similar (but larger) shape. What makes it a GT IMO is that it is a 2+2, is loaded with options, has very bland steering, and is comfortable yet it has enough power to move away from traffic and it handles great.

there are fast economy cars (STI, EVO, SRT-4) and slow sportscars (Rx-8, 350Z, Miata). What would you rather have?

Zerobanger, you just keep making yourself sound stupid by calling the EVO8, STi, and SRT-4 economy cars. They may not fit the traditional mold of a sportscar, but they are more sportscar than every other car in their pricerange.

Who cares what the "definition" is.....I'll take any fun to drive car.....2,3,4, or 5 doors...if it's RWD(and Japanese, but that's my preference) and fun to drive, I like it.

Soooooo many opinions, not everybody is right, and not everybody is wrong....


So everybody!!! Cut the CRAP!!!!!!!!!!!! :D