Are new cars getting less and less sporty?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,873
From: South Jersey
Are new cars getting less and less sporty?
Seems like cars are getting taller, bigger, heavier in addition to sprouting more doors. This seems to be true for even non "sporty" cars. Think about how much lower cars from the 80's and early 90's seemed... They also seem to have more automatic transmissions and fewer manuals even available at all. Hatchbacks have all but disappeared except on economy cars and wagons/suv's.
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 403
From: Pittsburgh Pa USA
I disagree... Everything is becoming more sportier. Look at the sedans, the 3.2 TL type-S hauls @$$, BMW's, Audi's all have high performance sedans. All the 'pocket rockets' are becoming 15 second cars and getting faster. There are plenty more autos now, but also the autos are becoming much better. I think people just want more practicle sport cars, which will sell more to the masses.
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1996 Camaro RS
Black M5 T-Top
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1996 Camaro RS
Black M5 T-Top
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,873
From: South Jersey
That's my point... Sedans... years ago, those types of performance cars would have been Coupes. Hot hatches are bigger, taller and heavier than they used to be. Yes, newer cars are faster. A 6.0L Escalade is probalby faster than a 1976 corvette, but it is not as sporty.
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Don't forget Nissan's 350Z & Chrysler's soon to be out Crossfire.
If you happen to have alot of excess cash, Mercedes currently has no fewer than 3 RWD coupes, and Porsche's entire lineup that isn't AWD or convertible.
2004 will be much much better, though still no f-bod.
If you happen to have alot of excess cash, Mercedes currently has no fewer than 3 RWD coupes, and Porsche's entire lineup that isn't AWD or convertible.
2004 will be much much better, though still no f-bod.
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,022
From: Newhall, CA USA
Yes. Two comments:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 8,504
From: Ohio
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
Yes. Two comments:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!</font>
Yes. Two comments:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!</font>
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
</font>
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
</font>
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Joined: May 2001
Posts: 545
From: Fort Erie, Ont.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
</font>
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
</font>
When I was wee, My Mom had an 84 Z28 and My Dad had an 83 Cutlass (2-door), And I turned out fine. Except from the chronic back-pain, caused obviously from too much flexing.
Jeff
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1996 Black Z28 M6; Stock.
1994 S10 4X4.
My Zed
[This message has been edited by Captain Jeff Z28 (edited August 29, 2002).]
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,724
From: Hebron, KY
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not.
</font>
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not.
</font>
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!</font>
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!</font>
I don't know what that's saying about the people who bought INTERESTING Camaros, got bored after six months, then installed DVD players and big stereo systems.------------------
-JERRY-
'02 Impreza WRX
'88 Fiero Formula
Formerly owned: '93 Firebird Formula
[This message has been edited by jrp4uc (edited August 29, 2002).]
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
Yes. Two comments:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!</font>
Yes. Two comments:
For all you idiots who think 4 doors are ok on a performance car, they're not. And no, I don't care if you have kids. Your kids can push the friggin seat forward to get in the back. They're kids. They're flexible.
For all you other idiots who buy SUVs with navigation systems, DVD players, 18-speaker stereo systems, and 38 cupholders, then get bored with it in 6 months--try buying an INTERESTING car for a change. One that doesn't need the crutches of every electronic gewgaw known to mankind!</font>
Sports car? No. Performance car? HELL YEA!
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,022
From: Newhall, CA USA
Interesting as in:
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1995 Lotus Esprit S4
1994 Viper RT/10
2000 Prowler
1997 Trans Am WS6 Convertible
1992 Camaro Z28 Heritage Convertible (3000 miles)
1983 Trans Am Daytona 500
1968 Mustang Convertible (wife's car)
1968 Mustang Fastback (wife's car)
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1995 Lotus Esprit S4
1994 Viper RT/10
2000 Prowler
1997 Trans Am WS6 Convertible
1992 Camaro Z28 Heritage Convertible (3000 miles)
1983 Trans Am Daytona 500
1968 Mustang Convertible (wife's car)
1968 Mustang Fastback (wife's car)
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,022
From: Newhall, CA USA
And yes, I understand what a "sport sedan" is (sounds kinda like "sport utility," doesn't it?).
I simply oppose the creeping marginalization of what is considered a sexy performance car. After all, if 4 doors are OK, then a slightly taller stance should be OK, and lots of sound insulation and softer suspension should be OK, and having lots of extra entertainment BS should be OK, and adding some more space and some more height should be OK . . . and then you have an SUV, all over again.
No, thanks. Give me simple, elemental, exciting, TWO-DOOR cars. Preferably as convertibles.
I simply oppose the creeping marginalization of what is considered a sexy performance car. After all, if 4 doors are OK, then a slightly taller stance should be OK, and lots of sound insulation and softer suspension should be OK, and having lots of extra entertainment BS should be OK, and adding some more space and some more height should be OK . . . and then you have an SUV, all over again.
No, thanks. Give me simple, elemental, exciting, TWO-DOOR cars. Preferably as convertibles.
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 16,176
From: Chicagoland IL
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by centric:
And yes, I understand what a "sport sedan" is (sounds kinda like "sport utility," doesn't it?).
I simply oppose the creeping marginalization of what is considered a sexy performance car. After all, if 4 doors are OK, then a slightly taller stance should be OK, and lots of sound insulation and softer suspension should be OK, and having lots of extra entertainment BS should be OK, and adding some more space and some more height should be OK . . . and then you have an SUV, all over again.
No, thanks. Give me simple, elemental, exciting, TWO-DOOR cars. Preferably as convertibles.</font>
And yes, I understand what a "sport sedan" is (sounds kinda like "sport utility," doesn't it?).
I simply oppose the creeping marginalization of what is considered a sexy performance car. After all, if 4 doors are OK, then a slightly taller stance should be OK, and lots of sound insulation and softer suspension should be OK, and having lots of extra entertainment BS should be OK, and adding some more space and some more height should be OK . . . and then you have an SUV, all over again.
No, thanks. Give me simple, elemental, exciting, TWO-DOOR cars. Preferably as convertibles.</font>
If removing a roof is good (as in convertible)....then no body work is best.
Hyabusa anyone?
...I'm too chicken for that.
I'll take my "performance cars" in a variety of configurations instead.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,713
From: The Golden State
Never understood how anyone could call something that's 3 tons with an automatic transmission, luxury appointments, 95mph top speed, 4WD, and built in a truck chassis could be called "sport" anything. Also, though I view it differently, I can see your point about the term "sports sedan".
But "performance sedan" is easily defined. Although the upcomming Impala SS is FWD, it could argubly be called one as perhaps Pontiac's GTP (as of today GM's 3rd quickest car behind the STS and Corvette).
But still, when I look up the term in the dictionary, I see a Commodore LS1 with a 6 speed.
But "performance sedan" is easily defined. Although the upcomming Impala SS is FWD, it could argubly be called one as perhaps Pontiac's GTP (as of today GM's 3rd quickest car behind the STS and Corvette).
But still, when I look up the term in the dictionary, I see a Commodore LS1 with a 6 speed.