I participated in an auto focus group that compared the 370Z, BRZ, Cayman, and etc.

370Z Purist

Eh, I don't think he's wrong. The GTi is most definitely not a sports car. It is a sporty compact, and actually is marketed to that end. It does not have much going for it as a sports car, primarily because it's a hatch. Rarely are hatches considered sports cars. EVO would probably fit in there, if it were merely a focus group for sports cars only. The WRX would not fit there, but an STi would. But I feel as if the EVO and STi fit in different categories rather than sports car.

That also said, drivetrain ultimately does not matter whatsoever; a properly tuned AWD car can hold its own versus a RWD car, and vice versa. To say either has an advantage on tarmac is a bit ignorant, I think. I suppose if you wanted to go offroad...

The Genesis has become more of a competitor in recent years (now that their 3.8 V6 makes 35x horse, instead of the ridiculously anemic < 320 hp of previous generation). It is around the same weight and delivers similar power and torque. Unfortunately, I have never been a fan of Hyundais as they are always prone to breaking down and they often steal styling cues from other manufacturers (although not so much anymore). They're still ugly IMO, and especially their newest model, where the facelift looked more like a botched plastic surgery job. I really don't know how it compares to Samsung, who makes appliances and electronics... and fine ones at that, lol. That Galaxy S3, bro! Beats the piss out of Apple's stupid iPhone anyday.

BRZ would be considered a sports car, although it fits in a class more so with the Miata instead of the 370Z. The power difference is too massive. I'm sure it can handle just as well, but the lack of power is something too much. I suppose on that note that the Cayman also is pretty much the same class (wasn't the Z supposed to fight the Cayman while the GT-R fights the 911?). It's still pretty heavy IIRC and I suppose they're fine cars. At least they don't depreciate like Boxsters do.

Also, a tC and a Cooper? LOL. I think the focus group was just for sporty cars in general; there's no way a tC could EVER be called a sports car. The only one of notable mention is Rado's tC, but that's just a shell now. Indeed, the Coupe-rs (sorry, lol, it's what I do) are simply ugly. The boxy look worked fine... just extending the doors would have been a fine path. Instead they do some weird mix between a box car and a coupe. Gross.

Sports cars must have two seats. Drivetrain is irrelevant in my opinion (although you'll find I agree more that a car is a sports car if it is RWD), but two seats and two doors. Completely agree with you on that point.

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-Phil

"Since one of my brake light bulbs just went out, the forum told me that my piston rings are about to blow."

Chuck33079

There's a lot of 911 owners who would disagree with that statement.

shadoquad

The 911 only has two seats that fit an actual adult human

Chuck33079

True, but the back seat in any 2+2 is pretty brutal for a normal sized adult. I just wouldn't go so far as to say that any vehicle with more than two seats is automatically not a sports car.

Mt Tam I am

The entire reason for this confusion over sports car definition is that we older folks grew up with a dictionary definition, not a marketing definition.

1992 American Heritage Dictionary: Sports car: An automobile equipped for racing, especially an aerodynamically shaped one or two passenger vehicle having a low center of gravity and steering and suspension designed for precise control at high speeds.


Additionally, Men and women were defined by their reproductive organs at birth, not by mutilated genitalia later in life. Ask Mr. Garrison

I am not confused as to what a man, woman or car is.


.

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shadoquad

Well then you, sir, have not spent a lot of time at bars in Miami!!!

Red__Zed

I like this one better:

Main Entry: sports car
Function: noun
Date: 1928
: a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving

Red__Zed

Drivetrain is irrelevant, number of seats is not?

You've got your priorities in the wrong place.

shadoquad

FWD, seats 7 is really what I consider a sports car. If you can't beat a Mustang with a Honda Odyssey, then imo, you have no business on a race track.

Red__Zed

I think of that as more of a sporty GT, unless you get the convertible.