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Define a sports car, clear this up.
- Trav
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
I was reading another thread and a member describes an E85 roadster as a sports car. I have a roadster and define it as a roadster (as sporty as it may be). I always think that a sports car has a roof. Making the car stiffer etc.etc. Short overhangs, minimal distance between wheel arches and upper body line. No extras thrown in keeping it lighter. A decent design effort making the car balanced etc. An engine that makes it shift, but not just shred tyres. But a roof to tie it all together and make it work. If you add weight to make a roadster stiffer, then it is immediately not as sporty. Also I never think of half of the thunder saloons as sports cars, V8 M3's and big AMG's or stupid estate car RS6's.
Mind you racing cars often have no roof. Maybe I should consider the roadie a racing car.
Mind you racing cars often have no roof. Maybe I should consider the roadie a racing car.
Last edited by Trav on Mon Jan 21, 2019 5:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Z4MR A.W.
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- Lifer
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
Dictionary definition:-
'a low-built car designed for performance at high speeds, often having a roof that can be folded back'
So it's either
'a low-built car designed for performance at high speeds, often having a roof that can be folded back'
So it's either
- Tinker15
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
From Wikipedia:
A sports car, or sportscar, is a small, usually two-seater automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling. The term "sports car" was used in The Times, London in 1919. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, USA's first known use of the term was in 1928. Sports cars started to become popular during the 1920s.
Sports cars may be spartan or luxurious, but high maneuverability and light weight are requisite. Sports cars are usually aerodynamically shaped (since the 1950s), and have a low center of gravity compared to standard models. Steering and suspension are typically designed for precise control at high speeds. Traditionally sports cars were open roadsters, but closed coupés also started to become popular during the 1930s, and the distinction between a sports car and a grand tourer is not absolute.
A sports car, or sportscar, is a small, usually two-seater automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling. The term "sports car" was used in The Times, London in 1919. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, USA's first known use of the term was in 1928. Sports cars started to become popular during the 1920s.
Sports cars may be spartan or luxurious, but high maneuverability and light weight are requisite. Sports cars are usually aerodynamically shaped (since the 1950s), and have a low center of gravity compared to standard models. Steering and suspension are typically designed for precise control at high speeds. Traditionally sports cars were open roadsters, but closed coupés also started to become popular during the 1930s, and the distinction between a sports car and a grand tourer is not absolute.
- Bing
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
A roadster is just a type of sports car.
Current... Silver Grey ///M Roadster, non-flimper spec, Imola Red nappa, permanent ear-to-ear grin
Previous... 3.0Si Sport Roadster, Black Sapphire, Dream Red leather with lots of toys and lots of mods...
Previous... 3.0Si Sport Roadster, Black Sapphire, Dream Red leather with lots of toys and lots of mods...
- road warrior
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
i tend to think of a soft top as a sports car. so anything with an unretractable roof. just isnt
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.
- BeeEmm
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
Golf is described as a sport, so a sports car must be a car that you can carry golf clubs in
I used to have two boys and a girl. Now I have two Men and a Woman.
- Marlon
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- BeeEmm
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
I used to have two boys and a girl. Now I have two Men and a Woman.
- Bing
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
Not sure I can agree with that - 911, Cayman, Lotus Evora, Alfa 4C (and 8C), any Ferrari or Lamborghini... The list is endless, and apart from the Cayman (which has the Boxster equivalent) and the Evora, all of these can come in either coupe or convertible format. Do they stop being a sports car just because you can't take the roof off ??road warrior wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:30 am i tend to think of a soft top as a sports car. so anything with an unretractable roof. just isnt
Current... Silver Grey ///M Roadster, non-flimper spec, Imola Red nappa, permanent ear-to-ear grin
Previous... 3.0Si Sport Roadster, Black Sapphire, Dream Red leather with lots of toys and lots of mods...
Previous... 3.0Si Sport Roadster, Black Sapphire, Dream Red leather with lots of toys and lots of mods...
- JamieZ4C
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
Agreed, but I'm sure there must have been more than a little tongue in cheek when he said that!Bing wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 12:18 pmNot sure I can agree with that - 911, Cayman, Lotus Evora, Alfa 4C (and 8C), any Ferrari or Lamborghini... The list is endless, and apart from the Cayman (which has the Boxster equivalent) and the Evora, all of these can come in either coupe or convertible format. Do they stop being a sports car just because you can't take the roof off ??road warrior wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 11:30 am i tend to think of a soft top as a sports car. so anything with an unretractable roof. just isnt
I think all Zs are sports cars. But some more than others
- MrPT
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
sports car <- 250 GTB SWB --- Z4 --- M240i cab | 120d cab --- Mondeo --- Multipla -> not a sports car
2008 Z4MC: heavy wheels | crap suspension | skittish rear end | wobbly engine | not enough induction noise | underwhelming turn in | inconsistent braking | lardy battery | chubby steering wheel
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
2006 Z4 2.5si: gone
- road warrior
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
of course.. firmly placed, i prefer the Jeremy Clarkson approach to discussion - black and white - im right, your wrong
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.
- PerryGunn
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
A sports car is what you drive when you're a bit of a cad...
Alpina Roadster S #320
* Quaife ATB LSD * StrongStrut Braces * Turner RTAB Limiters * Gap-Tech RCH+ *
* Intravee & KCA-420i * Mini 0806 * Cheetah C550 * Stubby *
* Quaife ATB LSD * StrongStrut Braces * Turner RTAB Limiters * Gap-Tech RCH+ *
* Intravee & KCA-420i * Mini 0806 * Cheetah C550 * Stubby *
- redtailed78
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
The Zed is 100% a sports car, 2 door, 2 seats, rear wheel drive, lots of performance = sports car
Although you could open up a can of worms as to where the performance drops when does it stop being a sports car, 2.0, 2.5 etc , My old mk3 mx5 although being good fun on the corners was painfully slow on the straights and I wouldn't class that car as a sports car...
Although you could open up a can of worms as to where the performance drops when does it stop being a sports car, 2.0, 2.5 etc , My old mk3 mx5 although being good fun on the corners was painfully slow on the straights and I wouldn't class that car as a sports car...
2006 3.0lSi Sport
19" 313 alloys
Brembo Brake Upgrade
K&N Panel Filter
Back Box Delete
19" 313 alloys
Brembo Brake Upgrade
K&N Panel Filter
Back Box Delete
- road warrior
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Define a sports car, clear this up.
having said that.. my definition comes from the mga days and definition, today cars are all high powered and are all capable of being called sports cars, or or gt cars or supercars or any badge you wanna put to it really - i mean.. if you include a roof you can shoehorn in the porsche cayanne, its fast after all, and i feel SOMEONE has taken it to the ring .. so is it ?
If you ever think I'm off my rocker.. Just put me back in it and walk away... It's the kindest thing
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.
My wife says I never listen - or something like that.
gone but not forgotton -Mean Steve - made a sound like a bear with his nuts in a trap.