Midlife crisis... or what $75k sportscar

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

If it's in good condition, maybe...  But who honestly lusts after a Mondial?

NOBODY! NOT EVEN WHEN THEY WERE NEW! 

[FoMoJo]

Personally, I'd go for a white '63 Pontiac Parisienne convertible or a '65 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Convertible, white as well.  However, given the choices, I would opt for the Z4; not because I, particularly, like it but it's the only convertible shown .

[NomisR]

Personally, I'd go for a white '63 Pontiac Parisienne convertible or a '65 Ford Galaxie 500 XL Convertible, white as well.  However, given the choices, I would opt for the Z4; not because I, particularly, like it but it's the only convertible shown .

I guess having messed up hair isn't an issue anymore. 

[FoMoJo]

I guess having messed up hair isn't an issue anymore. 

One of the perquisites of being an old fart . 

[ChrisV]

FIA defines a sports car as two seats, open top OR fixed roof.  It's right in their god damn rule book on their website.

Must be why Porsche and Ferrari still run in GT classes and name their cars the way they do.

http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/2AD0DA7A2522ADE4C125751D0052E7D7/$FILE/258%20(09-10)-121208.pdf

Says it's a GT car with either fixed roof or open top. FIA's other category is Prototypes, as they no longer use the old school sports car term. My post pointed out the HISTORY of the terms, what they meant and why.

Be that as it may, the cars listed, other than the Z4, are properly termed GT cars (and even the Z4 would be termed a GT car if Ferrari sold it). That does not mean they perform LESS than sports cars, and in many cases, can outperform them.

[SVT666]

Must be why Porsche and Ferrari still run in GT classes and name their cars the way they do.

http://argent.fia.com/web/fia-public.nsf/2AD0DA7A2522ADE4C125751D0052E7D7/$FILE/258%20(09-10)-121208.pdf

Says it's a GT car with either fixed roof or open top. FIA's other category is Prototypes, as they no longer use the old school sports car term. My post pointed out the HISTORY of the terms, what they meant and why.

Be that as it may, the cars listed, other than the Z4, are properly termed GT cars (and even the Z4 would be termed a GT car if Ferrari sold it). That does not mean they perform LESS than sports cars, and in many cases, can outperform them.

As far as I know Ferrari doesn't regulate the use of names do they?

FIA STANDARDS
ARTICLE 259 - TECHNICAL REGULATIONS FOR PRODUCTION SPORTS CARS (GROUP CN)
ARTICLE 1 : DEFINITIONS 

1.1 Production Sports Car
Two-seater competition automobile, open or closed, constructed especially for speed races. 

[NomisR]

As far as I know Ferrari doesn't regulate the use of names do they?

FIA STANDARDS
ARTICLE 259 - TECHNICAL REGULATIONS FOR PRODUCTION SPORTS CARS (GROUP CN)
ARTICLE 1 : DEFINITIONS 

1.1 Production Sports Car
Two-seater competition automobile, open or closed, constructed especially for speed races. 

Well, then none of these are considered sports cars either way.....

[SVT666]

Well, then none of these are considered sports cars either way.....

The point is that the FIA doesn't limit the definition of a Sports Car to open top as ChrisV and Raza would have you believe.

[the Teuton]

So the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, the Prowler, and the SSR really are sports cars?  What about the Reatta?

[SVT666]

So the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, the Prowler, and the SSR really are sports cars?  What about the Reatta?

Well, you see the FIA also defines GT cars as open or closed, so it's kinda blurry.

[the Teuton]

Well, you see the FIA also defines GT cars as open or closed, so it's kinda blurry.

These classifications are way too confusing.

[S204STi]

So once again we come around full circle to the fact that it really doesn't matter.

[Tave]

I'd call myself a sadistic, hippophilic necrophile...

[SVT666]

So once again we come around full circle to the fact that it really doesn't matter.

Exactly.  That's the point I'm trying to make.

[Minpin]

Exactly.  That's the point I'm trying to make.

Well...uh...........


Congrats?.....*awkward turtle*

[Onslaught]

Porsche

[Raza]

So the 2002 Ford Thunderbird, the Prowler, and the SSR really are sports cars?  What about the Reatta?

The SSR is a truck, and the others have automatic transmissions only.

My definition of a sports car:

Two seats, two doors, open top (soft generally if a full convertible, but a removable panel counts as well), RWD only, and a manual transmission. 

Some would also say that it should be designed as a convertible, but that can be dodgy.  The S2000 is clearly a sports car, but then is the 350ZR?  Nissan apparently claims that it was designed simultaneously as a coupe and convertible, but it's hard to tell.  It fits every other requirement though.

[CALL_911]

I don't have such a rigid definition. Hell, I consider the 911 to be my favorite sports-car of all time, even though it's technically a GT.

[Raza]

I don't have such a rigid definition. Hell, I consider the 911 to be my favorite sports-car of all time, even though it's technically a GT.

Chris is right.  People view "GT" as an insult.  It's not.  There are GTs that handily outperform sports cars.  Hell, there are sedans that outperform sports cars.  It has nothing to do with ability. 

[SVT666]

Chris is right.  People view "GT" as an insult.  It's not.  There are GTs that handily outperform sports cars.  Hell, there are sedans that outperform sports cars.  It has nothing to do with ability. 

So you're saying the Viper GTS or the new Viper Coupe is a GT?  Bullshit.  Being a GT would require some semblance of comfort and an ability to be what "GT" stands for...Grand Tourer.  The Viper GTS and Viper Coupe ain't that.  They are without a doubt...sports cars.  The FIA definition would agree with me.

What you are saying is that the Corvette convertible is a sports car, yet the Z06 or ZR1 are Grand Tourers.  I don't think so.  They are more sports cars then the convertible version is.

[Minpin]

I had always thought a GT was a four seater?

[Raza]

So you're saying the Viper GTS or the new Viper Coupe is a GT?  Bullshit.  Being a GT would require some semblance of comfort and an ability to be what "GT" stands for...Grand Tourer.  The Viper GTS and Viper Coupe ain't that.  They are without a doubt...sports cars.  The FIA definition would agree with me.

What you are saying is that the Corvette convertible is a sports car, yet the Z06 or ZR1 are Grand Tourers.  I don't think so.  They are more sports cars then the convertible version is.

You're still thinking about it on the basis of ability.

The Mazda MX-5 is a sports car.  The BMW M5 is a sedan.

Which car performs better? 

[Onslaught]

You're still thinking about it on the basis of ability.

The Mazda MX-5 is a sports car.  The BMW M5 is a sedan.

Which car performs better? 

MX-5!

[omicron]

The SSR is a truck, and the others have automatic transmissions only.

My definition of a sports car:

Two seats, two doors, open top (soft generally if a full convertible, but a removable panel counts as well), RWD only, and a manual transmission. 

Chris is right.  People view "GT" as an insult.  It's not.  There are GTs that handily outperform sports cars.  Hell, there are sedans that outperform sports cars.  It has nothing to do with ability. 

You're still thinking about it on the basis of ability.

[NomisR]

God.. we're still at this??

[SVT666]

You're still thinking about it on the basis of ability.

The Mazda MX-5 is a sports car.  The BMW M5 is a sedan.

Which car performs better? 

Viper is not a Grand Tourer by any sense of the worse.  It's a hardcore sports car.

[SVT666]

My definition of a sports car:

Two seats, two doors, open top (soft generally if a full convertible, but a removable panel counts as well), RWD only, and a manual transmission. 

My definition of sports car:

Two seats, two doors, open or closed top, RWD, manual (automatic transmission acceptable if car is available with a manual), lighter weight, suspension setup for balls to the wall driving, minimalist options.

My definition of a GT car:

Two or four seats, two doors, open or closed top, RWD, FWD, or AWD, manual or automatic, interior geared towards comfort, suspension setup for comfortable sport driving, many creature comforts.

[the Teuton]

So the 911 and the GT-R are both grand tourers?

[omicron]

So the 911 and the GT-R are both grand tourers?

Oui.

[Cookie Monster]

What do you guys make of a car with T-tops, then?