manbar

I hear you. Unfortunely, linear perfomance is a big aspect in every race not just a drag race. I'm just saying most people wouldn't entry a serious competition with a stock rx-8.

jimbo_gixxer

agreed - but then again i'm not a racer. but the 18 year old kid in an SS Camaro or Mustang or modified Japanese import would want the bragging rights to smoking an RX-8 "off the line" just because of it's sport car looks... YES? it's bound to happen...

what are the RX-8 0-60 times? 1/4 mile times/speed ? and more importantly the 60/80-100 MPH times?

RX8-TX

I would question the following:

1. How many people 'enter' competitions at all? other than getting away from a stop light fast, or going down the dragstrip?
2. How many people are willing to modify a brand new $30K car?

I originally thought I would be pinning down stop lights like a maniac (not racing, simply getting ahead of everybody)....now that I've got the car, I care too much for it as to punish it every second. I know its probably been built tough for similar purposes...but I don't dare to do it.

But again, that's my opinion. I would probaby do the same with any brand new car you'd see me in: WRX, Evo, Z, G, M (holly, sports cars are a collection of characters...)

jbebernes

From a classic "old school" POV true sports cars have two doors, are RWD, and are ragtops.

I think nowadays the distinctions are less clear. There are sports coupes, sport sedans, econo-sports, even sport utility vehicles.

I think the RX-8 is a very sporty coupe, but IMHO, not a true sports car.

RX8-TX

How would you catalog an M Coupe? if I may be curious.

jbebernes

Sports Coupe, I guess. One brutally fast, butt ugly sports coupe!

RX8-TX

Seem, I would put it among sports cars...even considering the following:

Performance, it will leave anything in the dust.
Handling & Braking, are above average for 'sports' cars.
4 seats -I know! the rear seats are a joke.
Convertible??...your choice.
Power & Torque, are plentiful with 300hp / 250 lb-ft.

Therefore, if you put me in front of me a coupe & roadster Ms, I will undoubtedly refer to both of them as sports cars (they are definitely not purebreed GTs)

In any case, if the 8 is disqualified from your definition of sports car, is it because its not a ragtop, or because it does have 4 doors, or both? Would you consider an M Roadster a sports car then?

I know, I know!...Im not trying to reinvent the wheel. Im simply curious.

Cheers!

vudoodoodoo

TRUE sports cars = no power windows, no power anything. No AC

jferg

My insurance company has the RX8 listed as a four door coupe! Isn't that a wonderful contradiction of terms?

Does a sports car have to be a roadster? Is a "sport coupe" a sports car? How about a grand tourer? My answers are no, yes and maybe.

My dictionary says a sports car is one that has ".... a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds on curving roads." That would exclude many roadsters.

Anyway, I know the RX8 is a sporty car and I like it.

jbebernes

Well, as I said in my first post the old school way of thinking considered only convertibles sports cars. I'm talking the '50s and '60s here. I realize that those type of distinctions may no longer apply.

So, what is a TRUE sports car?

My first thoughts - light, powerful, neutral handling. Maybe even more important is that it be a car with a single purpose - speed. No nav, no power trunk release, no air conditioning. Not a car you commute in very often, not good for getting groceries, and definitely not one that sparks discussions about how well different baby seats fit in the back.

In the end it's another "in the eye of the beholder" issue. If you're coming out of a Camry the 8 is certainly a sports car. If you are coming out of an M Roadster...

MrRed

<p>Dear jimbo_gixxer!</p>
<p>For your question not to be rhetorical, you'd have to define what the <i>true
sport</i> car is in your universe. One thing is clear though, RX-8 has quite a
few features that are not necessary for a mere transportation apparatus. Many
people who enjoy driving find it to be quite a delight in this department (I fall into this category too). It is true that there are other cars out there
that can deliver you from home to supermarket faster than RX-8. Some people
believe that only those cars deserve the <i>sport</i> label. But then, again,
there are even faster cars... </p>

RX8-TX

That is wonderful indeed. Before the car came out, I was worried about insurance premiums..when I finally got a firm quote, I was almost jumping on one leg and walking upsidedown.

Ahhhhh....Viper.

Sorry Im drooling.

jimbo_gixxer

There are multiple competitions one could enter:
1) SCCA
2) Mazda specific
3) Import Specific
4) Audio related
5) Performance related
6) Exterior mods like paint, rims, etc.
7) etc...etc...etc...


I think I'd be willing to modify the car's
1) Exhaust
2) Stereo system
3) rims/tires
4) suspension
5) brake calipers (mazdaspeed)
6) aftermarket Turbo/Supercharger

but I'm still in the stage of figuring out all the bugs of the new 8 before i start thinking about the details about modifications...



---

MrRed: it's an open ended question. defining a "TRUE sports car" is like nailing jello to a tree...

how does one classify a Viper, a 911 GT3, Shelby Cobra, Corvette, Mustang (non-SN-95 chassis)? these cars define the sports category with no question...

Ike

Ok, just for argument sake where do you put a WRX? It's a sports sedan, some of the haters will say it's a supped up econo-box. However, this car is inspired by rally cars and can be rally crossed basicly stock, has better performance numbers than the RX-8, has many weight saving features, 90+% of them are MTs, and make for great autox cars with minimal mods. Seems pretty sporting to me, but I'm not sure I could ever really call it a sportscar.


Ike

RX8-TX

Like someone said before (applied towards the Subie): its a hell of a sports sedan; with hideous front lights, but fast as hell.

I don't think you have to worry about how they catalog the WRX....just let people think its a sedan; and then let them see your rear license plate off the light.

mikeb

this thread may never end
Its a matter of opinon

TybeeRX-8

SCCA says WRX is in STX if stock (STi is excluded) or it could be in Street Prepared E/F, but there are all kinds of cars allowed in these classes including some sports cars and lots of sedans/coupes like Camaros, Firebirds, etc. So even its definition isn't clear. But most mag articles, Motorweek, etc, say the 8 is clearly a sports car. Given that its dimensions are the same as a Carrera which also has four seats (but no trick doors), defining the 8 is really a matter of perception. Its handling, stopping, etc., seem to be sports car in character, but it's not a sports car in the same sense as my Miata. Confusing, but does it really matter????

Ike

At least the WRX doesn't look like some silly smiley japanese cartoon robot from the front. Every time I look at the front of the RX-8 I wait a few seconds for it to start talking to me :p I think I need psychiatric help

I don't really care where they catalog the RX-8 or WRX I was just throwing it out there for kicks, just drive them and enjoy them. By many peoples definitions of a true sportscar the Ferrari Enzo is not a true sportscar, so there really is not clear definition and you should believe your car is whatever you want it to be.

Ike

RX8-TX

A toast to that [darn, we need more smilies...]

LiQuiDLaM

sorry to bump thread, but the RX-8 IS a sports car! :o

http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/sports+car
http://www.wordreference.com/English...?en=sports+car

notice both definition says "usually seats 2" not always! :D

And finally, for those who still wouldn't consider calling the RX-8 a sports car!

Definition of A Sports Car

A true sports car is a performance car whose primary function is to provide driving pleasure, and to allow the driver to immerse himself in that experience and communicate with the road as directly as possible. Its purpose is pure and singleminded.

The idea of a sports car has always been the same and it will never change. The designs will change as times change. But the concept will always remain.

A true sports car is light, direct and does without the things that more pedestrian vehicles possess. It is often derived from a race car in some fashion. The car may be a direct variation of a race car. It may feature technology and design from a race car. Or the people who designed and developed it have a competition background. It has heritage.

The car rewards drivers who are skilled and able. All drivers are not created equal. Those who can best feel and understand the subtle messages of the machine are rewarded with the greatest satisfaction. A sports car is meant to be driven well quickly.


What do sports cars look like?

They turn your head, they get you interested. You know just from looking at them that they offer performance and excitement. They are not ordinary cars. Even when parked, a sports car gives the impression that it is in forward motion.


What A Sports Car Is Not

Heavy cars are not sports cars. Sedans, wagons, SUVs, and the like are not sports cars. No matter how much power they make, how well they corner, how quickly they can accelerate or stop, or how much they've been modified, they are not sports cars. They may be performance cars. They may have very impressive performance. But they can never be sports cars. Thoroughbreds are horses. But not all horses are thoroughbreds.

Credits:www.davewin.com

Ike

And posting some guys opinion from his website means what exactly? If he were as good a race car or kart driver as he was a mountain biker I might actually care what his feelings on the subject are :p

By his definition there really is no such thing as a true sportscar being made anymore.

Ike

LiQuiDLaM

how do u define a "true" sports car?

you can't, really! and after reading all the opinions posted here, i must say dave's definition was by far the best, so i posted it cause that was my opinion exactly but better worded than i probably could've done!
Not only is there not a true sports car, the word true itself is dangerous, if for example the speed of the ferrari defines "true" then i guess the NSX isn't a "true" sports car simply cause it isn't the fastest! Or in another case a"true" sports car is one with only 2 seats and no more than that or else it would be considered not a sports car! In conclusion, the RX-8 is a sports car, i'm not even gonna argue that it's a true sports car, since there is really no real definition of "true"! If there is, show me, I change sides pretty quickly! :p

Ike

Most or you canucks do! :p j/k I think if you bought it because you wanted a sportscar then it's a sportcar, if you bought it because you wanted 4 doors and a backseat then it's a sports sedan. I think this whole defining a sportscar is a bit silly, I bought my WRX for the performance first and foremost, it could have had two doors and no backseats and I would have still bought it, to me that makes it a sportscar. I don't really care what others call it

Butt Dyno

No, the WRX is in DS if stock. The STi is in AS if stock. You don't autox much, do you? The ITR is in DS too, and if the ITR isn't a "sports car", you're insane.

The RX8 is in BS if stock, with the S2K, 350Z, 330i sport package, M coupe, E36 M3, FC, WS6, and MR2 turbo

You can call it a sports car til you're blue in the face, that won't make it a competitive autox car I don't see it dethroning the S2K in B Stock any time soon

-bd

SGC

You guys are leaving out another important criteria:

"It's not a sports car if you have to troll on other car's forums beating the drum of why yours is better than theirs."

Seriously, Ike, get a hobby. I like to go driving (twisty, sceneric backroads); owning a RX8 will do that to ya.

SGC