Which 4 door vehicle has come the closest to being a true 4 door sports car?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Mar 30, 2003 | 10:08 PM

#16

redzed

Banned

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 1,954

There are alot of high-powered sedans out there these days, but I'd say that a real "4-door sports car" is a far different beast. Does anyone remember the horrible Aston Martin Lagonda from the 1980s. It had a square, notch-back sedan styling, but the proportions were bizarre. This beast had the foot-print of a full sized American car, but it was about the same height as a Corvette. Think squashed Bentley Turbo R and you have the general idea.

Mar 31, 2003 | 07:47 AM

#17

jrp4uc

Registered User

Joined: Jan 2002

Posts: 1,724

From: Hebron, KY

Quote:

Originally posted by Z28x
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 )

And you could say the CTSv is some soft luxury car with a beefed up powertrain. It'll be a great car, but I just have a feeling it's going to cost closer to $40-45k.

I'd wait for the next generation Cobra...one that's less low-rent and has better quality.

Mar 31, 2003 | 08:12 AM

#18

guionM

Registered User

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Best performance sedan?

.....

Holden's Commodore SS:
http://coming.to/holden/VY/ss/
http://www.autoweb.com.au/A_0397/page1.html

Quote:

"Forget the 'but-the-WRX-is-faster' line. Yep, the Rex can put down quarters about half a second quicker than the 5.7, but are you quite sure that you always wanna launch with a clutch-smoking five grand side-step? Certain that you can change down two gears without losing any time when a driver alongside gives you the nod? Happy with the dramatic hot weather performance loss of a turbo four? On the road in the normal cut-and-thrust of traffic light grands prix, or in a quick-fang-through-second to leave some pretenders behind, or through the let's-get-serious line of tight corners, the 5.7 Commodore SS is stunning in its abilities. Yes, and we did include 'corners' in that para."

Best performance sedan you can actually buy here? BMW M3. With cost as a consideration? If you're talking cheaper than a base Cadillac CTS (still is impressively quick in V6 form), I'd really hate to say this, but I'd also say Altima. Grand Prix is larger than both the CTS & Commodore (and even Chrysler's 300), and it's handling feels artificially heavy, as if it's attempting to feel sporty.

GTP Grand Prix is still a great car, it's just that IMHO if we must choose FWD sedans, then there are a couple I'd choose first.

Mar 31, 2003 | 08:50 AM

#19

ProudPony

Registered User

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 3,180

From: Yadkinville, NC USA

I think the Altima is probably the best overall sporty 4-door going.

It has a little more room, the ride is par or better, and the little things are super-quick. I almost had my candy taken by one a few weeks back... I wasn't paying attention to the caliber of rice that was egging me on!

The WRX is the only other contender on the high-end of performance w/ 4 doors, IMO. It may be a little quicker, but it's smaller too I think. I still like the little rockets for what they can do though!

guionM - nice touch bringing in the Commodore. How's bout I link in the Falcon Barra? I like it when guys think outside the box!

Mar 31, 2003 | 02:30 PM

#20

305fan

Registered User

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 1,308

From: Calgary

I think the Mazda 6 was missed. Zoom-Zoom

It looks way better then Accord and you can get a manual with the 6 cly.

I think it looks a bit better thenm the Altima too.
All the mags like it, even if it is a bit slower then the others, it handles really well.

Mar 31, 2003 | 07:03 PM

#21

guionM

Registered User

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Quote:

Originally posted by 305fan
I think the Mazda 6 was missed. Zoom-Zoom It looks way better then Accord and you can get a manual with the 6 cly.

I think it looks a bit better thenm the Altima too.
All the mags like it, even if it is a bit slower then the others, it handles really well.

That's the other front wheeler sedan I'd consider before Grand Prix. It's just the Altima is unexpectedly quick and lively. It's the perfect low profile, point & squirt, "shock-some-smug-muscle-car-drivers" type of car I'd get in the event I was forced to pick a FWD sports sedan.

Here's something for ya Proudpony:
http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/misc/ford_falcon1.jpg
http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/misc/ford_falcon2.jpg
http://editorial.carsales.com.au/mel...ry2/NT019000EA

And something special:

http://www.foxautoworks.com/Barra-Cobra.jpg

Mar 31, 2003 | 07:24 PM

#22

97z28/m6

Registered User

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 3,597

From: oshawa,ontario,canada

Quote:

Originally posted by guionM
And something special:
http://www.foxautoworks.com/Barra-Cobra.jpg

sweet!

Mar 31, 2003 | 08:25 PM

#23

smooth3d

Registered User

Joined: Jun 2002

Posts: 163

From: Tulsa,OK

How can anybody forget my baby the 93 sho taurus 5 speed. It was one of the fastest four doors of its time and it still give a lot cars a run for its money. 113,028 miles and counting. holla

Mar 31, 2003 | 08:48 PM

#24

guionM

Registered User

Joined: Mar 2001

Posts: 13,713

From: The Golden State

Quote:

Originally posted by smooth3d
How can anybody forget my baby the 93 sho taurus 5 speed. It was one of the fastest four doors of its time and it still give a lot cars a run for its money. 113,028 miles and counting. holla

That's pretty embaressing being that I had a co-worker some years ago that had one the same time I had my SC, and we occasionally played highway grand prix when we got off. SHOs most definately qualify as performance sedans (too bad they were ruined when the V8s models came out)!

SHO, for those not familiar, is another one of those "secret", high performance Fords, that most people you come across on the street have no idea how quick these things are till it beats them. Not those sluggish, automatic transmissioned, V8 SHOs that eat their own valves before 100,000 miles, but those high revving, indestructable V6s with manuals from the earlier years.

No, they won't beat an LS1, or any very recent muscle car, but like the Thunderbird SC 5 speed, if you are driving any stock stick shift car from the 1980s that doesn't say Corvette on it, you will be in for a rude awakening toying with one. They may not always beat you, but not taking one seriously for just a split second is all it takes!

(Disclaimer: Note, I said stick shift cars of the 80s. Turbo Buicks & Turbo Trans Ams were automatics. Stick SCs & SHOs were barely a blink slower than Mustang 5.0s & 5.7, automatic only IROCs)

Last edited by guionM; Mar 31, 2003 at 08:58 PM.