Notices
RX-8 Discussion General discussion about the RX-8 that doesn't fit in one of the specialty forums.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: CARiD

SPORTS CAR or SPORTS SEDAN?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old 08-27-2003 | 02:20 PM
  #51  
pelucidor's Avatar
Pure Gold
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 763
Likes: 0
From: Bucks County, PA
Originally posted by vudoodoodoo
Back seats = sporty coupe.
Some sports cars have AWD. The 911 turbo for instance.
The perfect contradiction - I expected you to say the 911 is a sporty coupe.
Old 08-27-2003 | 02:21 PM
  #52  
DanThMan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
To steal an acronym from Nissan, the RX-8 is a 4DSC. That's "Four Door Sports Car."

-Dan
Old 08-27-2003 | 02:25 PM
  #53  
vudoodoodoo's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally posted by pelucidor
The perfect contradiction - I expected you to say the 911 is a sporty coupe.
Didn't I say sporty coupe for the Carrera 4S? Check my post again w/ the quote.

I said the 911 TURBO is a sports car. The TURBO is a 2 seater as far as I remember.
Old 08-27-2003 | 02:48 PM
  #54  
BRx8's Avatar
Ero-sennin
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 769
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Originally posted by Butt Dyno
All of you chiming in saying the RX8 is a sports car - if that's true - why isn't the Evo a sports car?

I went to MRIU and got all the RX8 propaganda... I am just trying to figure out what definition of sports car includes the 8 but not the Evo... seems kinda markety hypey.
S2000, RX-8, NSX, and 350Z are sports cars...

Evo and Impreza are not...

why? very simple...cuz chicks dig it...chicks can smell sports cars from a mile away and if they say so, who am i to argue? (momma always told me not to argue with women)...

now ask them if an Evo or Impreza is a sports car...Evo and Impreza owners will say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" but it seems the only beholders are the owners themselves...definitely not chicks

all joking aside, i think it's a sports coupe...dunno if i can call it a Grand Touring Sports Car since i'm accustomed to GT's as being much larger so i think a coupe would suffice...

Last edited by BRx8; 08-27-2003 at 02:51 PM.
Old 08-27-2003 | 04:53 PM
  #55  
Zaphod's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: SPORTS CAR or SPORTS SEDAN?

Originally posted by vudoodoodoo
So we're creating our own car category now?
You finally get it! Congrats.
Old 08-27-2003 | 05:01 PM
  #56  
Zaphod's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock
Originally posted by vudoodoodoo
My (and most people's) definition of a sports car.

Powerful
Lightwieght
Good handling
2 door
2 seater

The only 2 current Japanese cars I can think of that can be called sports cars are the NSX and 350Z. Although the Z COULD lose a few pounds.
How do you know what "most people's" definition is? You're making an assumption, which means that your comment is an opinion, which is perfectly fine because that's what forums are for.

I don't know why a "sports car" has to have just 2 seats. It's already been established that the RX-8 has practically the same dimensions as the 911. I do think a sports car should have rear-wheel drive. But put an engine as powerful as the 911's in this car and would you still say it's not a sports car? If so, your last two criteria are incorrect. If not, I'd like to hear how you defend that.

That only leaves engine performance, which is highly subjective. I've never owned an NSX so I'm not going to compare it to that. But it feels like a sports car to me, and therefore it is. To me. And that's all that matters. To me.
Old 08-27-2003 | 05:10 PM
  #57  
DanThMan's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
I liked this...

-----

From: http://www.davewin.com/articles/sports-car.shtml

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.

-----

-Dan
Old 08-27-2003 | 05:13 PM
  #58  
Genom's Avatar
Not so Super right now
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
From: Beyond that there swamp.
I agree with you Zaphod. Who really cares what category it is in? It's the car you wanted for whatever reasons and thats it. Saying it's a sports sedan and not a sports car doesnt make sense. The whole sport car elitism that a lot of people have here is about as logical as the superpriced luxury car people. They think what the have is the best cause it costs an unreasonable amount of money.

You all need to stop letting other peoples opinion matter to you over something so personally subjective as this. For me the RX-8 is the best car. I have had it for almost 3 weeks and enjoy it inmensely. I dont care in the least if someone thinks it's a POS. It's pretty damn obvious I disagree, so why argue over it?
Old 08-27-2003 | 06:57 PM
  #59  
RX-8 Zoomster's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Qatar
babylou's rear seating comment


Originally posted by babylou
Unfortunately for me, I think the RX-8 is a bad concept. The rear seats are worthless for seating normal humans yet they create many performance compromises. What is the point? Make the seats real or don't make them at all!
Originally posted by Zaphod

You obviously don't have kids.
Or he obviously hasn't sat in the back himself. I see he has a RX-8 on order, but did he sit in it, before he made his statement?

Normal human beings? If babylou considers a normal human being 6'2, weighing 350 lbs or more, then I can see his point. But jeez, the rear seating is not worthless.

My brother-in-law is 5'10, heavy built and weighs 240. He is definately above average in height and weight. He didn't have one problem sitting in the back, or getting in or out of the car.

Last edited by RX-8 Zoomster; 08-27-2003 at 07:02 PM.
Old 08-27-2003 | 07:11 PM
  #60  
mikeb's Avatar
100% Italian
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 9,422
Likes: 0
From: orange,ca
its a SPORT CAR
Old 08-27-2003 | 08:27 PM
  #61  
Squidward's Avatar
Bottom feeder
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 540
Likes: 2
From: Bikini Bottom
who gives a rats ****.. if some think it's a sedan and others think it's a sportscar..

sports car?? = uh it's too weak to be a real sports car..

sedan? But but but it looks like a sports car it must be one..

gimme a break.

GREAT TASTE or LESS FILLING argument would be just as relevant here...
Old 08-28-2003 | 12:11 AM
  #62  
Tweety-nator's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
DanThMan's post about the definition of a sports car seems to fit the RX-8 pretty well...

Therefore my vote is that the RX-8 is a sports car!
Old 08-28-2003 | 01:04 AM
  #63  
Zaphod's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Little Rock
Tastes Great!!!
Old 08-28-2003 | 02:34 AM
  #64  
8_wannabe's Avatar
Go baby!
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla CA
There's enough old farts here to remember the old Certs commercials: "It's a breath mint! It's a candy mint! It's two, two, two mints in one!" So there's your answer: "It's two, two, two cars in one!"
Old 08-28-2003 | 02:41 AM
  #65  
8_wannabe's Avatar
Go baby!
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,303
Likes: 0
From: La Jolla CA
The '8 designers and marketeers gotta be grinnin' ear to ear as they read this thread. This was exactly the kind of debate they hoped to stir up. Go back and read from page 3 on if you haven't already; comments like "It's both" or "We're creating our own category." They gotta be loving it.
Old 08-28-2003 | 03:44 AM
  #66  
babylou's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Re: babylou's rear seating comment

Originally posted by RX-8 Zoomster


Originally posted by Zaphod

You obviously don't have kids.


Or he obviously hasn't sat in the back himself. I see he has a RX-8 on order, but did he sit in it, before he made his statement?

Normal human beings? If babylou considers a normal human being 6'2, weighing 350 lbs or more, then I can see his point. But jeez, the rear seating is not worthless.

My brother-in-law is 5'10, heavy built and weighs 240. He is definately above average in height and weight. He didn't have one problem sitting in the back, or getting in or out of the car.
[/QUOTE]

Well I've got some news for you. I did sit in the back with a 6 footer in the front. My knees were crushed by the seat back. I am 5"-7". I don't consider that enough room for "normal" adults of say 5'-10" average height.

Also, I didn't know I have an RX-8 on order. I wanted one...badly. However, I waited to until there were cars at the dealership because I thought Mazda's claim of rear seat room was exagerrated. It is. Kinda like some other claims.
Old 08-28-2003 | 09:13 AM
  #67  
vudoodoodoo's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Boston, MA
Originally posted by DanThMan
I liked this...

-----


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.

-----

-Dan
:D
Old 08-28-2003 | 09:45 AM
  #68  
MWG's Avatar
MWG
Registered User
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Texas
[QUOTE]Originally posted by ELK
[B]The RX8 is a sports coupe and a very good one.

It is too softly sprung, has too much roll, not enough feedback (steering, clutch, shifter, seat-of-the-pants) to be a sports car.

It is incredibly well done, pretty and fun. But it has too many compromises sacrificing performance for comfort and convenience to be a sports car.

And yes, I have driven one.

And I think it is a great car for everyday use.

Last edited by MWG; 08-28-2003 at 09:47 AM.
Old 08-28-2003 | 12:20 PM
  #69  
Genom's Avatar
Not so Super right now
 
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 0
From: Beyond that there swamp.
Re: Re: babylou's rear seating comment


Well I've got some news for you. I did sit in the back with a 6 footer in the front. My knees were crushed by the seat back. I am 5"-7". I don't consider that enough room for "normal" adults of say 5'-10" average height.

Also, I didn't know I have an RX-8 on order. I wanted one...badly. However, I waited to until there were cars at the dealership because I thought Mazda's claim of rear seat room was exagerrated. It is. Kinda like some other claims. [/B]
Remember that everybody has a different body shape. I am 5'11" and setting the drivers seat to my liking I still fit immediatly behind it very well. My legs are not "crushed", although they do touch the back of the seat. However I have sat in that seat like that for 1 1/2 hour drive and it felt fine to me.

Dont assume it will be custom made to you is all.
Old 08-28-2003 | 02:50 PM
  #70  
babylou's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: Houston
Re: Re: Re: babylou's rear seating comment

Originally posted by Genom
Dont assume it will be custom made to you is all.
It appears to me that I am not the one making assumptions. Earlier it was assumed that I do not have kids or am not married. It was also assumed that I had not actually sat in the rear seat of the car. Now you assume I want the car to be custom made to me.

The fact is the rear seat room is very limited. All of the magazine tests have confirmed this. The rear seat room is nearly the exact same as an IS300 and one of the big knocks on that vehicle is lack of rear seat room.
Old 08-28-2003 | 03:00 PM
  #71  
RX-8 Zoomster's Avatar
Registered
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 510
Likes: 0
From: Qatar
Re: Re: babylou's rear seating comment

Originally posted by babylou

Well I've got some news for you. I did sit in the back with a 6 footer in the front. My knees were crushed by the seat back. I am 5"-7". I don't consider that enough room for "normal" adults of say 5'-10" average height.

Also, I didn't know I have an RX-8 on order. I wanted one...badly. However, I waited to until there were cars at the dealership because I thought Mazda's claim of rear seat room was exagerrated. It is. Kinda like some other claims.
Obviously the RX-8 is not the right car for you. Go buy a 4-door sedan which you feel is a better car for you.

'Nuf said.

Last edited by RX-8 Zoomster; 08-28-2003 at 03:09 PM.
Old 08-28-2003 | 03:01 PM
  #72  
ZoomZoomH's Avatar
Mulligan User
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,612
Likes: 2
From: caddyshack
quad cab coupe

:D
Old 08-28-2003 | 03:25 PM
  #73  
donald121's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Pomona, CA
it's a luxury sport car
Old 08-28-2003 | 09:55 PM
  #74  
CarEnthusiast's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: CA
overrated sports sedan/coupe but i like ZoomZoomH's idea of quad cab coupe. :p

Last edited by CarEnthusiast; 08-28-2003 at 09:59 PM.
Old 08-28-2003 | 10:22 PM
  #75  
Wankeler's Avatar
zoom freaking zoom
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Here's another one for the Mazda Engineers...

Duck Season!
Rabbit Season!
Duck Season!
Rabbit Season!

Tha, the, tha, the, tha... that's all folks!!!!!
:D

Peace


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:27 PM.