SPORTY but not SPORTS?
09-07-2007, 11:22 PM
#26
Vtak just kicked in yo!!
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I love that everyones got something to say!!! Man Ive started like 2-3 threads because I was pissed about people knocking on the RX8!!!! The truth is that the RX8 IS INDEED A SPORTS CAR for one, but its unique! Sure, 14.5 isnt lightning fast anymore, speaking the truth, a passat runs the same. BUT (before I get flamed on) The RX8 is cheaper, better quality, and a better handling car than most in <30000 categorie. Think about it, the RX8 has an advantage over about everything in some unique way!!!! 350Z, the RX8 has 4 seats and better steering feel. Mustang GT, its faster but cant turn worth a damn. S2000, Its about the size of a MIATA and only has two seats and is BORING looking. Crossfire, same categorie, kidding me!!! See what Im saying, RX8s arent soo bad after all! Sorry about the long post!!! 
09-08-2007, 12:46 AM
#28
Shootin' from the hip
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Carmaking is now such a niche sport (pardon the pun) that the traditional category nomenclature can be misleading and not really effective at describing anything much at all because everyone seems to have their own criteria for its application.
The simple fact is that if the RX8 does everything you want it to better than anything else in your budget, then that's the car for you, no matter what pigeonhole someone else wants to put it in.
Enjoy it with a smile and stuff the namecalling, lol.
The simple fact is that if the RX8 does everything you want it to better than anything else in your budget, then that's the car for you, no matter what pigeonhole someone else wants to put it in.
Enjoy it with a smile and stuff the namecalling, lol.
09-08-2007, 12:49 AM
#29
Doggie Style :)
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Who cares what others think. If you get your panties in a bunch 'cause someone says your car isn't a sports car then you are far too sensitive to be on this forum 
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09-11-2007, 03:09 PM
#30
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I think the sports car definition has categories the RX-8 is a Sports Car in the sense of the MGBs, Triumps and Morgans of old UK era and the early Porsches balance and handling were the key criterias. The Rx-8 styling and function and innovative Rotory engine makes it one of the modern Sports car ideas available. A little more hp would kill this argument forever. For the true driver and autoX ethuisatist its a dead issue anyway.
There are other vehicles that hit the nail right on the head and can be nothing but a Sports Car Like the Corvette, 350z, Lotus Elise, Viper, S2000, Z3/Z4s,Porsche Boxster S, Cayman, mitsub 3000GT, M3s and AMG benzes are Sports cars with Fast powerful engines, torque, brakes, fun and handling.
Personally with some of the improvement made in the mustang its bordering on being a Sports car as in the last Camaro. If the RX-8 can swing between S-sedan and S-car, so can these two Muscle-cars. Back this up with the GTs track time in C/D 7-2007 issuse. At one time the Corvette was considered a M-car, now its one of the finest S-cars money can buy.
So the 8 is definitely a S-car with its handling and thrill a minute driving, some may argue its too comfortable, its like an elise but its not in negative and positive ways. I like the 8's interior far better then the Lotus.
There are other vehicles that hit the nail right on the head and can be nothing but a Sports Car Like the Corvette, 350z, Lotus Elise, Viper, S2000, Z3/Z4s,Porsche Boxster S, Cayman, mitsub 3000GT, M3s and AMG benzes are Sports cars with Fast powerful engines, torque, brakes, fun and handling.
Personally with some of the improvement made in the mustang its bordering on being a Sports car as in the last Camaro. If the RX-8 can swing between S-sedan and S-car, so can these two Muscle-cars. Back this up with the GTs track time in C/D 7-2007 issuse. At one time the Corvette was considered a M-car, now its one of the finest S-cars money can buy.
So the 8 is definitely a S-car with its handling and thrill a minute driving, some may argue its too comfortable, its like an elise but its not in negative and positive ways. I like the 8's interior far better then the Lotus.
Last edited by donack456; 09-11-2007 at 03:23 PM.
09-11-2007, 04:51 PM
#31
Administrator
ask them which magazine or media outlet they think is the most authoritative when it comes to defining sports car
then show them this
[
[
[
anyway you get the idea
then show them this
[
I]
"The idea of a 2 plus 2 sports car isn't new, but a four-seat four-door sports car breaks new ground." - Motor Trend, January 2003[/I]
"The idea of a 2 plus 2 sports car isn't new, but a four-seat four-door sports car breaks new ground." - Motor Trend, January 2003[/I]
In the RX-8 the synthesis of rotary and Mazda are complete. Mazda has polished and preened Dr Wankel's pioneering work and made the rotary its own.
Sportscar lovers can rejoice.
From theaustralian.com.au motoring section
Sportscar lovers can rejoice.
From theaustralian.com.au motoring section
the RX-8 successfully blurs the line between flexible work-a-day car and weekend warrior -- and answers many enthusiasts prayers for a sportscar you can really live with.
From...carpoint.com.au..2003
From...carpoint.com.au..2003
The RX-8 works because it drives better than competitors like the 350Z and the Audi TT. In the RX-8, Mazda has created a wonderful sports car and a worthy successor to the RX-7.
From....NYTimes.com/edmunds
From....NYTimes.com/edmunds
I]If the RX-8 represents the future of the sports car, we can't wait to see what's next. The Z may be faster, but the Rx-8 is the better sportscar
from edmunds.com
from edmunds.com
It's easy to say four-seat sports car, but what does it mean? In this case, it means feeling light and nimble, turning in like a race car, and resisting roll in corners. It means splitting its mass 50/50 over the front and rear axles and crouching on an independent suspension all around, with rear toe-control links to keep the tail from wagging the dog.
from Car and Driver
from Car and Driver
Real sports cars arent supposed to have 4 doors. This one does.
In truth, these days a sports car can include almost any performance car that is exhilarating to drive and puts a smile on the driver's face. Judging from the Cheshire cat like expressions of everyone around here who's revved its 2-rotor with enthusiasm, the RX-8 whole heartedly qualifies.
from Road and Track
In truth, these days a sports car can include almost any performance car that is exhilarating to drive and puts a smile on the driver's face. Judging from the Cheshire cat like expressions of everyone around here who's revved its 2-rotor with enthusiasm, the RX-8 whole heartedly qualifies.
from Road and Track
At first glance the yellow sports car didn't look Japanese at all, but rather, Italian with its aggressive face, elegant contours and flowing lines. If it weren't for the big "M" on the hood, I would have mistaken it for a Ferrari or Maserati. In fact, I believe this RX-8 is the prettiest car to have come out of Japan, ever.
Sam Mitani For Road and Track[/I]
Sam Mitani For Road and Track[/I]
[
I]the RX-8 comes as close as you can get to a sports car experience.
From...straight-six.com. Canada[/I]
From...straight-six.com. Canada[/I]
This car has been a huge hit for Mazda all across the world and for a powerful 4 seater sports car, it has done remarkably well in Ireland
From...AutoPoint..Ireland
From...AutoPoint..Ireland
The RX-8 doesn’t provoke facial distortion or nosebleeds at full gallop, but it has plenty of other sports-car virtues....... Wow. A practical sports car. What’ll they think of next?
From...Car & Driver...January,2005
From...Car & Driver...January,2005
TRUE to its innovative roots, Mazda has presented one of the most revolutionary sports cars released in recent times in the RX-8.
From..Carsales.com.au..Australia
From..Carsales.com.au..Australia
true credibility lies in the RX-8's abilities as a sports car. And, here, it doesn't falter.
It's simply brilliant -- no less, possibly even more.
From..."WHEELS" Magazine Australia July, 2003.
It's simply brilliant -- no less, possibly even more.
From..."WHEELS" Magazine Australia July, 2003.
The 2005 Mazda RX-8 SE is one unique automobile, offering sexy styling, sports car performance and the practicality of a four-door sedan - and a surprisingly low price.
From...canadiandriver.com.
From...canadiandriver.com.
Best New Sports/Performance Vehicle (Canadian Car of the Year Award) Dec, 2003 Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC Association Canada
Best Sports Car Feb, 2004 CNN money Website United States
Best Sports Car under $57,000 (Australia's Best Cars Awards) Dec, 2003
Australia's Best Cars Awards Organisation Australia
Australia's Best Cars Awards Organisation Australia
anyway you get the idea
09-13-2007, 12:48 PM
#32
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Theres no doubt that among sports car magazines and enthuisaist the Mazda Rx-8 made a big splash and is a sweet innovative idea. But sells for the more standard what is a SS sells are still better then the Rx-8 and so we have the RX-7 making its return and maybe an RX-9.
The Rx-8 is a great innovative and fun car to drive, destine to be a clasic. But it didn't get its message out to the public, it didn't advertise, I'm back and look what I got. Mazda may replace the 8 making it the Brittany Spears of sports cars, it had it all and more until it all caught up with it. The doors swings both ways, it appears.
The Rx-8 is a great innovative and fun car to drive, destine to be a clasic. But it didn't get its message out to the public, it didn't advertise, I'm back and look what I got. Mazda may replace the 8 making it the Brittany Spears of sports cars, it had it all and more until it all caught up with it. The doors swings both ways, it appears.
Last edited by donack456; 09-13-2007 at 12:54 PM.
09-13-2007, 01:45 PM
#33
iz feeds teh hoamliss
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I love Wikipedia .
.
The FF layout, however, is common in sport compacts and hot hatches, such as the Honda Civic Si and Type-R, the Volkswagen Golf GTi which are not necessarily sports cars.
09-13-2007, 03:58 PM
#34
Grand Chancellor
The M3 and various AMG incarnations are most certainly not a sports car. They have sports car trait, but they are based off of sedan chassis. If I am not mistaken, the lack of a C-pillar is one of the key criteria amongst other things.
09-13-2007, 07:00 PM
#35
Turbo SR20deT Son!
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I feel kinda good last night i took on a Dodge Charger SRT10 and a Clk i was already crusing at 100 as soon as we got to the turns they didnt have a chance after the prompt spanking well over 150 we all pulled over and i got Sports Car respect .... So for me that qualifies
09-13-2007, 10:36 PM
#37
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I feel kinda good last night i took on a Dodge Charger SRT10 and a Clk i was already crusing at 100 as soon as we got to the turns they didnt have a chance after the prompt spanking well over 150 we all pulled over and i got Sports Car respect .... So for me that qualifies
09-13-2007, 10:48 PM
#38
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Awesome post Zoom. That about sums it up. And I agree with Donack, among the weekend racers this is a dead issue. Just ask the Porsche folks- ya know, the ones that can't figure out why Mazda drivers are beating them.
My favorite comment has to be from Car and Driver (the mag, not the forum member). Everyone wondered why the RX8 won the June Sports Car shootout. FOUL so many people cried. Mazda must have paid them off. Or maybe it's just that the RX8 was "the fastest on the real world course". We're not buying RX8's to have the fastest lap time at Summit Point, we're buying the car because we want a kick a$$ SPORTS car that we can drive to and from work everyday. And a damn sexy one at that. And BTW> those of us that ARE buying the car to win races...well they already know how to mod it to be optimal anyway. Of course, it's usually the driver that needs to be "modded".
You got yourself one of the most unique, fun to drive and practical (MPG not withstanding) SPORTS cars in history. Stop making excuses for it and keep sweeping up to (or past) the 9 on the big dial.
My favorite comment has to be from Car and Driver (the mag, not the forum member). Everyone wondered why the RX8 won the June Sports Car shootout. FOUL so many people cried. Mazda must have paid them off. Or maybe it's just that the RX8 was "the fastest on the real world course". We're not buying RX8's to have the fastest lap time at Summit Point, we're buying the car because we want a kick a$$ SPORTS car that we can drive to and from work everyday. And a damn sexy one at that. And BTW> those of us that ARE buying the car to win races...well they already know how to mod it to be optimal anyway. Of course, it's usually the driver that needs to be "modded".
You got yourself one of the most unique, fun to drive and practical (MPG not withstanding) SPORTS cars in history. Stop making excuses for it and keep sweeping up to (or past) the 9 on the big dial.
09-13-2007, 11:06 PM
#39
Sports car (rx8, 350z, corvette, s2k, rustang, etc) =
-2 doors (rx8 still has 2-door looks)
-rwd or awd
-faster than the average car (better performance #s than more than half of other cars on road)
Sports sedan (evo, sti, m5, etc) =
-4 doors (rx8 still has 2-door looks)
-rwd or awd
-faster than the average car (better performance #s than more than half of other cars on road)
Sporty car (gti, ms3, cooper) =
-anything not in above categories but still faster than the average car (better performance #s than more than half of other cars on road)
-2 doors (rx8 still has 2-door looks)
-rwd or awd
-faster than the average car (better performance #s than more than half of other cars on road)
Sports sedan (evo, sti, m5, etc) =
-4 doors (rx8 still has 2-door looks)
-rwd or awd
-faster than the average car (better performance #s than more than half of other cars on road)
Sporty car (gti, ms3, cooper) =
-anything not in above categories but still faster than the average car (better performance #s than more than half of other cars on road)
I don't agree with how you made the conclusion though - 2 doors don't make a sports car - as there are 4 door ferraris available.
I think a better way to categorize them is based on chassis type. It's apparent when a car is just a souped up sedan. Part of it is due to seating position. A mazdaspeed 3 is always going to be a sporty sedan even with 1000 hp. You're sitting up high. Now sit in a Porsche. Your knees aren't going to be at a 90 degree angle. I remember people bitching about basically "lying down" in my car because it was so low.
Anyway, for the OP - torque doesn't make a sports car. Either does massive horse power. The miata is a sports car, and it's pathetic at both.
Lots of power = muscle car. That doesn't make it a sports car, especially since most muscle cars handle like boats.
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