Since its been slow around as of late, I figured I'd share something thats been on my mind of late. Nissan used to call its Maxima in the early 90s a "4DSC", which car do you think that has come the closest to offering sports car performance with 4 doors? In my opinion, there is no such thing. Extra doors are for practicality, something a true sports car enthusiest shouldn't worry too much about. (although it is nice sometimes). Having said that, there are still some awfully sporty 4 doors on the market.

WRX, Altima, Maxima, RX8, M5, etc.

I think that the two vehicles that give the best performance package with 4 doors are the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 4.6is. The way I see it is, if you have to get 4 doors, might as well get a vehicle with some utility as well. Both of these vehicles are as capable as any sport sedan too. Granted I'm now fan of SUVs, especially over the top luxury SUVs, but I still find the performance of these vehicles impressive.

What do ya think?

 

definatly M5, 1996 Impala SS, and soon to be CTSv (maybe SRT-4 also)

Altima and Maxima???? LOL your kidding right Nissan can call them what ever they want but the buying public will still call them FAMILY CAR.

 

I can't believe I left out the beloved Grand Prix. The new GTP will be a big player in the sport sedan market, especially with the Comp G option.

 

Since a manual is pretty much a prerequisite in a sports car, it should be in a "4-door sports car" - at least as an option. I would also not consider FWD as the architecture a true sports car.

IMHO,

That leaves the RX8 - which isn't really a 4-door, and the M5. I'll leave off the CTSv because it isn't out yet..

 

The Ford Escape rocks!!!!!!!

 

The Impala SS and the Grand Prix GTP.

 

Hey if the GP gets to be a sports car then we can't forget the Buick Regal.


To tell the truth I dont think the Regal or the GP can be called sports cars. Neither can the Impals ss. These are clasic old school american highway cruisers.

 

Yeah. But the question is which come closest.

 

96 Impala SS?Yeah right.Im not going to say that the car isnt great for what it "can" do but it is still a tank.

In the american market (big 3) there isnt a sport 4 door that isnt RWD.
We can sit here and speak of sporty FWD 4 doors all day though.
One that sticks out in my mind is the SVT Contour.But that is just about as good as the 96 Impala SS.Atleast the Contour had a stick.

 

If there is no manual avalible then paddle shifters should be a choice (ie GTP Comp G, V12 Aston Martin)

 

CTS-V... as soon as it shows up.

 

The paddle shifters on those cars should not be confused. The Aston Martin has a SMG, where the GM concepts are just normal automatics that you can shift, like the "sport shift" in a new Protege or all of the Tiptronic German cars. The SMG (also seen on the M3, Ferrari's...) is a much better gearbox than the slushbox with shift buttons. But hey, it's better than nothing.

I'd say the WRX is the best entry into the 4 door sports car market. It's a car that'll compete with the best out there right now, with room for 4. Cool stuff.

Not "which 4 door cars did GM make that could maybe be considered sports cars", it's "which 4 door cars are closest to being a true sports car"

I mean I know you love GM and all, but in what way is the GTP more of a sports car than the WRX?

 

Yeah, GTP and Impala SS over WRX?! Some of you guys need to take the blinders off and look outside the GM box once in a while. There are in fact other nice(r) cars out there!

And I'll go one step further and say the WRX STi will be the best 4dr "sports car" out there in a couple months time...and likely the best value no matter how many doors: 300hp, 300lb-ft, awd, 6spd, dccd, sub-5sec 0-60mph, and about $32000.

 

Your forgeting about the CTSv 400HP, 400tq, and it is not some econobox with a beefed up powertrain.

as far as value goes the 2003 Cobra is King!!! (until we get a new Camaro )

 

Lets not forget about the limited production Mitsubishi Galant VR-4. AWD and the 2.0L Turbo with 4 doors, it wasn't the quickest thing on the road but it had all the sports car traits in a 4 door package.