Agreed, now if they could do something about that crappy gas mileage....

 

Well I believe the definition of a sports car is a car that outperforms the average car. I believe there are different tiers of sports car and the G may be in the elementary tier. But the G comes from the factory low to the ground, has a decent engine and it is faster in a straight line and cornering speed than over 95% of the cars on the road today. You will be surprised but there is a very very low percentage of cars on the road in America that can out perform something like a G35. Take a look around you next time you drive around and count all the cars you can outrun, and then count the cars you can't. You will be able to get a pretty good perspective of my view point.

Here is a definition of a sports car I agree with. A sports car (sportscar or sport car) is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling. Those two words are subjective but to be based upon a quantifiable level you just need to compare other cars to the G to set a control or base line. Once you do this you will find, like I said before, a significantly small percentage of cars on the road today per capita can outrun a G35. '

Also like definitions, they are not absolute. things mean and exist as people in the majority set the standards. The word suck was a horrific term 15 years ago. But now it means crappy or bad. People created a definition to suit the word.

So if I take a poll on this forum (and I am going to) asking people if they think their car is a sports car and most of them say yes, than to our standards as the majority (democracy: which is what maters in the social fabric of our nation) than the G35 is a sports car no matter how badly you think something faster is.

What if I said calling a girl hot is a horrible thing to do. You are not going to take any notice from me because it is now a compliment. Your opinion matters over mine because society backs you. What if I told you calling a girl hot was actually a very highly sexualized derogatory term, equivalent to calling a girl a loose **** back in the day? With the way the average person looks at the G, it has become what society thinks is a sports car. So while you are right to have your own opinions about what qualifies a sports car, the requisites of America today without a doubt enlist the G as a sports car; making you wrong to tell poor teenagers their cars are not sports cars.

 

In High School I had a Fiat 850 spider. Nobody would deny that it was a "sports car", yet with it's huge 817cc, 49 hp motor, it wouldn't our run a lawn mower.

The term "sports car", as you pointed out, is VERY subjective, especially from the big three.


I just got back from The Raging Bull Texas Stampede, where we had all kinds of sports cars. I got lots of comments about how I could run away from them in the twisties even though I had half the horsepower of most of them. It ain't the meat, it's the motion....

 

Similar yes, but the Z will still handle better and is more rigid.

Not a fair comparison, my car can hang with/outperform most modern day sports cars.

You can take a poll if you want, but I'm willing to bet the majority of the members on here have never had their cars at a track before, so I think creditability would be an issue. Hell, any kid/inexperienced driver can jump behind the wheel of any car and think they drive a sports car. Like already mentioned I also agree people's opinions are very subjective.

 

After 8 Raging Bull Stampedes through some of the toughest roads in Texas, I can say without a doubt that my sedan is a sports car. I have NO trouble keeping up with most cars and I am faster than lots of cars that are double the price and horse power.

 

I've also seen a stock SUV beat a Viper around an off-road course...