Whats your definition of a sports car?

[feistl]

Hey guys,

Just wanted to know what your definition of a sports car is... and i guess the following classifications.

Performance Car
Sports car
Exotic Car
Super Car
Hyper Car

Just been having a bit of a discussion with a mate... While i consider my car pretty sporty, its not really a "sports car".

Next question is, are Holdens like the W427, GTS, Coupe 60, Coupe, actually sports cars? Can a normal modified car become a sports car? (EG taking a standard sedan and giving it big power, big brakes, low suspension etc etc make it a sports car)

I realize asking a commodore forum is probably going to get biased results... i just think the term "sports car" has been used too freely by cheap car makers to promote their cars. Think things like the Mazda MX5... while its a good little car, its not (IMO) a sports car/.

(Oh and i did a search, sorry mods if this already exists)

Cheers

[Reaper]

The only ones I'm interested in are Sports Cars and Sports Sedans

Sports car = 2 doors Ala Porsche GT3, Lotus Elise etc
Sports Sedan = SS-V, Clubby, GTS or BMW M5 etc.

Reaper

[Bax]

I'd call the w427 etc a performance car.

i still wouldn't call the ss a sports car, it's still family orientated and not built solely for one purpose.

performance family car.. haha

exotics i class as rares.
supercars i class as rares with a heap of power
sports cars are cars that have tracks in mind.

[HoZy]

Sports car - 180sx / skyline / lotus etc.

Sports sedan - Clubsport, M5 bmw, FPV Ford,

Exotic Car - Lamborghini countache, diablo, etc. Maserati, Ferrari

Super Car - mclaren, acura nsx, shelby cobra,

Hyper Car - Bugatti Veyron / Saleen S7 / Koenigsegg CCX / Pagani Zonda

A simple definition of a sports car is "a small low car with a high-powered engine, and generally seats two people". This is more or less a "textbook" definition but gives us an idea of what the public perceives to be a sports car.

The Houghton Mifflin dictionary defines a sports car as: "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". This dictionary definition does not seem to capture the general perception of what the public sees as a sports car.

The Houghton Mifflin definition of the "two seat rule" seems out-of-date. Many sports cars today offer small back seats (sometimes referred to as 2+2 seating) and there is a current movement underway to increase the seating room in models long considered sports cars by most automotive experts.

Insurance companies use their own formula in classifying automobiles and often the presence of two doors automatically makes any car a "sports car" in their eyes. This perspective, of course, is as overly simplistic as the standard dictionary approach to defining a sports car. One can certainly think of any number of two door vehicles that fall far short of being an actual sports car. Economy cars and even larger two-door vehicles that are not built with power and performance in mind should not qualify as true sports cars.

Some car buffs will refer to high-performance muscle cars and other larger vehicles as sports cars. Others, however, draw a distinction between these vehicles and "true" sports cars. These individuals will claim that a car can be a "sporting car" or simply "sporty" but still fall short of being a true sports car. Thus, "regular" cars may be outfitted with a "sports package" and/or accessories to make the car sportier, but may not fit a strict definition of a sports car.

Not all automotive enthusiasts, however, embrace this restrictive view of sports cars. In many circles, a sports car is any car offering greater performance or power than more standard offerings. This school of thought will consider muscle cars and other larger vehicles designed with performance in mind as sports cars.

Others will maintain that the distinction between a sports car and any other type of car lies in how the car's suspension and handling are addressed. Technical debates rage over whether various suspension packages qualify as belonging to true "sports cars".

Some will argue that a sports car can be defined by its intentions. If the car is designed for performance more so than for utility, they say, it is a sports car. This intent-based definition, however, provides little guidance in determining whether a car is a sports car or not. Particularly in the modern era, the notion of designing a car of any sort without significant consideration of its feasibility and utility seems unlikely. Any commercially viable vehicle, regardless of its performance, must retain significant utility.

Road and Track, a leading automotive publication, summarizes the sports card definition debate with a simple observation: "Ask five people the exact definition of a sports car, and you'll likely get five different answers".

There is no clear-cut definition of what really is a sports car. The restrictive definitions of the past seem ill suited to categorize today's' diverse automotive offerings and common usage of the term runs contrary to most long-held definitions.

There is, however, a common thought that seems to run through almost all of the outlooks on the meaning of "sports car". If a car is designed with high performance or race-like capabilities in mind, it can probably be safely termed a sports car. Some purists may balk at such a liberal perspective, but alternative definitions fall far short of accurately distinguishing sports cars form regular production models.

[feistl]

i still wouldn't call the ss a sports car, it's still family orientated and not built solely for one purpose.

Thats what i reckon. A sports car would have to be built "ground up" with the main intention of performance driving. Although there is still some argument that says a modified car (for example, a worked SS) can be classed as Sports Sedan (Especially if you consider a stock SS-V to be a sports sedan)

[Drewie]

Performance Car: HSV, SS, XR6T, F6, XR8, WRX etc.

Sports car: MX5, MG, Austin Healeys, Cobras, Lotus, Porsche, several others but mainly 2-Door convertibles, 2 seaters.

Exotic Car: Line gets a bit blured on the following 3 terms, all much the same thing.
Super Car
Hyper Car

[Chris E]

Performance Car- GTR skyline, S15, etc

Sports car- Porsche, lotus, cars engineered purely for driving

Exotic Car- exotic for me would have to be something older/rarer

Super Car- Topgear stuff, ferrari/lamborgini/brabus

Hyper Car- Veyron, Aston one-77, again topgear shit


SS, W427, F6 typhoons, etc, In my books, well never have the pedigree to be a performance car/sports car. If anything I'd call the W427/SS' muscle cars. Same as GT40s, corvettes, etc

[Exidor]

Whatever the sales brochure says.

[roon_VR]

Perfomance Car - Turbo Jap imports e.g. 200sx, skyline, 180, supra etc....

Exotic Car - Cars that are overly expensive e.g. Lambo, Ferrari, Porsche etc....

Super Car - Cars that have been engineered to be raced on a track

Hyper Car - Anything that has a 0-100 in under 3 seconds lol

[minux]

lol @ w427 being a perfomance car, its just a commodore with a big **** off engine in it.

[SV62NV]

lol @ w427 being a perfomance car, its just a commodore with a big **** off engine in it.

i still wouldn't mind it

[minux]

i still wouldn't mind it

I cant think of at least 3 cars in the price range(and half the price) I'd prefer due to performance, looks etc, such as M3, R35 GTR, WRX Sti, Evo X...list keeps going. The w427 is about 70k over priced in reality. Much like every other HSV.

[lil_mickey]

What ever happened to "Muscle Car"?

I would consider most HSV/SS etc an Aussie Muscle Car

Same as a camero is an American Muscle Car

[SV62NV]

I cant think of at least 3 cars in the price range(and half the price) I'd prefer due to performance, looks etc, such as M3, R35 GTR, WRX Sti, Evo X...list keeps going. The w427 is about 70k over priced in reality. Much like every other HSV.

Good call.

I would much prefer a R35 or WRX STI anyday . Funny how when a HSV actually HAS a chev engine in it, the price is doubled. And for an extra what? 50-60kw's? That could be made up in a normal v8 spending just a couple of grand on mods

[MasterOfReality]

I'd buy a second hand AMG, Audi R or S series, BMW M division or 911 anyday for the cost of a W427.

[ari666]

I cant think of at least 3 cars in the price range(and half the price) I'd prefer due to performance, looks etc, such as M3, R35 GTR, WRX Sti, Evo X...list keeps going. The w427 is about 70k over priced in reality. Much like every other HSV.

how much are the HSV's??? the 35 is up around 170K and we cant bring them in from jap cos' nissan did. only brand new ones which cost more than aussie delivered.

anyhoo. i agree that muscle should be in there too;

american muscle; mustage, camaro
aussie muscle; torana, flacon GTHO, etc
performance car; anything modded. HSV, whats the ford one? tickford, STI, GTR, EVO. basically fast cars that have a slower version.
sports car; two seater, stiff as hell suspension, cars that are uncomfortable to drive.
exotic car; ummm, lol, that indian one? nah, maybe bentliegh sports,
super car; murcielago, GT3, etc
hypercar: veyron, veyron, veyron. its got two freakin engines ffs...

[SV62NV]

how much are the HSV's??? the 35 is up around 170K and we cant bring them in from jap cos' nissan did. only brand new ones which cost more than aussie delivered.

anyhoo. i agree that muscle should be in there too;

american muscle; mustage, camaro
aussie muscle; torana, flacon GTHO, etc
performance car; anything modded. HSV, whats the ford one? tickford, STI, GTR, EVO. basically fast cars that have a slower version.
sports car; two seater, stiff as hell suspension, cars that are uncomfortable to drive.
exotic car; ummm, lol, that indian one? nah, maybe bentliegh sports,
super car; murcielago, GT3, etc
hypercar: veyron, veyron, veyron. its got two freakin engines ffs...

The HSV's are 70ish grand, depends what extras you pick

[Tsunamix]

Sports car

A production vehicle that has accepted design compromises in 'livability' areas, to increase dynamic track ability. Think elfin clubman, lotus elan, porsche GT, KtM X bow. A car that can be used on track as well as on road,

Hyper Car

One built with a money no object principle. Drastic compromises in livibality or comfort to produce all out track oriented cars. Think Gumpert Apollo, Konigsegg ccx, ferrari F50, and others where only on the track will you realise their full potential. Only just short of dedicated track only cars.

Exotic cars

Defined by price tag and rarity. Can be any of the cars already mentioned, as well as rolls royce's, Morgans or the like.

Super car

Defined as one designed to exceed the industry norm in all on road dynamic considerations, not just some. A A Ferrari Panamera is a supercar, so is a porsche GT3 or an Audi RS10. A subaru Liberty Spec B is not (only exceeds the base model by a bit), nor is a WRX. A Porsche Cayenne is as it flogs every other middle of the road 4wd dynamically, a Hilux with 2 turbos and large brakes is not.

Performance Car's

One that has been modified to improve on road performance, either in terms of handling, acceleration, braking or any combination there of. Alternativley defined as a Standard production vehicle which has been FACTORY modified to increase dynamic ability. BMW M3's, Mercedes benz Black, HSV, FPV, WRX STI, Lancer EVO's and even stupid Proton Satria GTI's fall into this category. A bastardised category if ever there was one.

Muscle Cars

A category of Factory production vehicles that were manufactured with Acceleration improvements. Categorized as how strong they can 'pull' rather than how well they go around corners. Typically associated with brands like Corvette, Mustang, Charger, Monaro, GT and GT-HO. Strangely enough, usually an american and australian breed, very little out of europe and japan.

where would you put things like the crazy Group B Lancie Delta Integrale ? The factory version had better brakes and 166Kw and slightly modified suspension.

[Pub247]

First off veyron doesnt have 2 engines ari666
I dont like the term hypercar i dont know who thought of that but its stupid

Supercar does well enough for the expensive ones like mclarens zondas ferrari's lambos aston martin and all the rest

Whoever said a shelby corbra is a supercar has rocks in his head

w427 imo is a modern day attempt at a muscle car

Muscle car are older cars with 2 doors and big engine and and simple engineering with good looks

Sports cars for me are smaller 2 door cars with responsive engines should also be manuals

I dont know how any car company can think its a sports cvar without a manual transmission

SS commodores are the worst call them sports sedans but 90% are auto's what sporty about that???

[Jezza]

for the price of a w427 i would rather get a camaro or new 2010 mustang thats been converted to rhd

and i dont think any aussie cars (e.g. holdens or fords) can be called sports cars only aussie musscle and comparing them to world compotition in terms or musscle cars there not that great...

but i still think there ok

[dcw group]

At what point is a car classed as a 'performance' car?
How far do you have to go with mods, power and traction before any car can be classed as a 'performance' car?

[hi_ryder]

what would the redback be classified as?

[Drawnnite]

i just take the clasifications off NEED FOR SPEED - Hot Pursuit =P

[GEN3RATD]

what would the redback be classified as?

ugly as sin

[kuzman89]

thw W427 id class as modern aussie muscle and performance sedan. It's got more than just a big engine, suspension, braking etc have all been upped.