while we're debating whether a 4 seated car can be considered a true sports car, what is everyone's opinion on the new shelby mustang. personally i'd have to call it a sports car, yeah yeah you can sub-class it as a muscle car or whatever but you must agree that it is a "sports car".

 

I agree with the crappy sports car lists but I think that list was derived from the 2 door being considered a sports car by insurance agencies.

 

Shelby chasis needed additional mods to give it decent handling. Weight distribution ended up 57/43.

 

If they used the term "sporty cars" they'd be more accurate. Of that list, only the MX-5 and the two Lotuses are sports cars to me. I'm tempted to add the Mini too, just because it's a real scrapper, and so friggin cool.

 

Paul, you've nailed it except for the Mini. As cute or cool as it is, it's no sports car.

 

Since Honda stuff a K20A in an FWD Integra and kicked the 8's *** on the straight and corners.

 

Agreed, mazda deffinately succeeded in making a 4 seat sports car in the RX8. I would say that, in general, 4 seats tends to reduce the likelyhood of a car having the proper mechanics of a "sports car". But, as you mention, having 4 seats doesn't make a car "not a sports car".

 

Oh, I guess hp isn't measured in gas mileage. Figures.

 

According to my insurance agent, a sports car is listed, for insurance purposes, as a sports car because of speed, weight, horsepower, replacement/repair costs, safety/lack of safety, and driver use issues. Sports cars are a bad risk for insurance companies and cost reflects their instability. The Rx-8, Because of it's exceptional safety record, comparatively low repair/replacement costs, safety features including construction and number of seat bags, number of doors, and low injury rates for driver and passengers, low medical costs following an accident, and the exceptional care owners show in its upkeep and maintainence, allow it to be rewarded by being listed as a 4 door Sedan, and rates reduce accordingly. My agent remarked upon seeing it for the first time, (it had been insured in advance: "Wow, where did you get that Sportscar!"

 

I quit reading at the mini cooper....

 

Ok so these aren't sports cars - so why did they do this?
(a) To protect gas guzzlers and real sports cars from public display?
(b) To build up the pride of Honda, and Civics users? -See dear, I told you it was a sports car..
(c) Because some one paid them enough money and it makes non-sportys sound good so they can move them off the lot?
(d) Because it's a conspiracy to discredit real sports cars?

 

(f) because the writers all drive the above metioned cars. And because they don't want the rest of the office to know they drive econo boxes.

 

what about those of us that got the car before it had any reputation, the only thing it had was safety features, yet we still got low insurance rates.

 

I've heard those things have a strong following...but they look like hell to me...

 

What companies are giving you these low quotes? In my experience, most of the major companies don't seem to be fooled?!?!

 

hmm, $800/6 mo is what I pay for the 8. High coverages, 250 deductable. It seems to be consistant across most companies.

They go by number of doors, engine size, etc. Safty equipment. The RX-8 sounds like an econobox on paper

EDIT: woops. Forgot, I insure my wife's car on the same policy. So it's less than the number I quoted above.

 

I pay AAA $95/month for my '05 RX-8 MT and my wife's '98 Saturn SL1 with $500 collision, $100 comprehensive and triple the IL state minimums for liability coverage. If you include our homeowner's insurance and my metric assload of life insurance (both through AAA) we are up to about $160/month.

 

Cult films are the same way. The thing is, the Mini moves around a track like a bat outa hell.

 

FWD fest...not all, but most.

I consider most of those coupes...or sporty, but not real Sports cars.

My opinion...

 

They do? I've only pulled a few laps in an s model...and while i'm not such an incredible driver, so it may have been my own fault, i can't say i thought the mini cooper was anything special. In fact, it almost sucked. Am i wrong?

*edit*
Re-looking at the list, i could easily best the mini's time in the acura, and feel like i could probably do the same in the GTI and the SI...and obviously, the lotii.

I'm not sure the Acura, Honda or VW qualify as "Bat outta hell", but they def own the mini.

 

Lord, who let the children in here?

 

i'd hate to say it, but their numbers are very close.

 

The numbers of what?

 

the rx8 vs. the rsx performance wise

 

I guess that's my point: A true sportscar isn't one because of numbers. It's like saying Britney Spears is a great Rock musician (She sure packs the 'numbers' into a stadium). Where's the rock? I think all words and language are becoming meaningless in this world.