Let's settle this once and for all... Is the 240sx a "Sports Car"?

Post by **sensibleS13driver** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:30 pm

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Modified by sensibleS13driver at 8:05 PM 6/8/2007

Post by **Arrow** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:43 pm

I think that you need it depends on what definition of 'sports car' you're going by. And also what 240 you're talking about. Because the 180's and silvias in Japan have more power and slightly better handling (yeah, I know that by calling them 180's and silvias that they aren't "240's")... but you might want to specify if you're talking about USDM 240's or what.... Just trying to clarify some things...

Therefore, IMO if you're talking the Japan spec 240's being a sports car possibly... USDM 240 in comparison to most 'compact cars' yes but in comparison to domestic 'sports cars' such as cameros, corvettes, etc.... NO (at least not in it's stock form)............

Sorry I rambled on too much for this post...

Post by **SmithSR** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 7:48 pm

No. It's an economical sporty car. But I do like it.

Post by **KDashy** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 8:46 pm

Its a sporty car, along the lines of a Prelude, Eclipse, or Integra.

Sports cars are in the NSX, Corvette, Supra category.

Post by **naha_music** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:14 pm

i see it as the poor man's sport car. it's cheap, good styling, and has unlimited power potential but your not gonna get the hot chicks with it!

Post by **bcar240** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 9:18 pm

I would call it a diamond in the rough, but maybe not a full-fledged sports car straight from the factory. I think that is why they made the car, a reasonably priced sport-styled car. Compared to most other cars in pretty ahead of its class. I think one of the things that defines a true "sports car" is super-high insurance, which the 240 is lucky enough not to get slammed with .

Post by **phuphyter** » Thu Feb 17, 2005 11:25 pm

I remember a thread similar to this one a long time ago. People were debating that the 240sx was considered a "sport coupe" rather than a "sports car." Some based their argument on the fact that it has rear seats for passengers. I forgot what else was discussed.

Personally its a very sporty compact with a lot of potential to run with sports cars.

Post by **sleepyRPS13** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:18 am

i see 240sx as a sporty grocery getter car

Post by **MAXIMUS Nismo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:34 am

KDashy wrote:Its a sporty car, along the lines of a Prelude, Eclipse, or Integra.

Sports cars are in the NSX, Corvette, Supra category.

This is the same thing I was going to post.

Being Sporty and being a Sports car are different things. Now it is possible to make a sporty car a true sports car. Most of us here are on the path to do that right now.

Post by **HashiriyaS14** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:42 am

I would call it a sporty cruiser, or something like that.

"Sports Car" isn't a price point though, it's more of a design philosophy. An MR-S is a sports car, I'd call an Evo a sports car, basically it's just a matter of how much practicality has been traded off for performance. The USDM 240SX is just a bit too much practicality to meet my definition.

Post by **91sx** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 3:50 am

the vette's and Porsche's were compared to the Japanesse cars for many years ........ I feel the if the 240 was made today,it would be a sports car.Least some of the 240 body- style/Yet it lacks in power.The 240 was a foundation of some of the newer generation cars.IMHO

Post by **xyoufailmex** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:00 am

Personally... Im of the belief that it needs to be RWD, 5 speed, and without a backseat to be a sports car. MR2s, Porsches, NSXs, Corvettes, Miatas, Lamborghinis, etc.

Post by **240SXSR20DET** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:04 am

i'm going with hashiriya, some of the brand new evolutions, i forget which model, are completely stripped of any interior comforts, including stereo, heat, and air, it's made strictly for performance, which would make it a sports car in my terms. the 240, however FR and came in 5 speed, lacked the interior styling and power, but it's close

Post by **MAXIMUS Nismo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:09 am

But, all those EVOs have 4 doors, a comfortable back seat and a useable trunk. I remember seeing some Maximas with 4DR sports car stickers on them. That was before the EVO and STi hit.

What about the Ford Contour SVT or the Ford Tarus SHO? Those are also every useable cars but go like stink as well. Sound like a beast too.

Post by **Stev0n** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:32 am

I'm from Bowling Green(vette capital of the world) and we don't consider the vette a sports car (maybe because every other person has one) we consider it a muscle car - ranking it with camaros, firebirds, and mustangs.

And the "it has to be a 2-seater" thing isn't tru - honda del sol (need I say more?)

IMO to be a true "sports car", it has to cost more than a house (i.e. $100G) with the viper being the exception to that rule.

I mean, think about it, name off the "flagship" sports cars - Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, Honda/Acura NSX, Porsche - expensive out the ***!!!

Post by **xyoufailmex** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 5:47 am

No, I said to be all of those things... RWD, 2 seater, etc.... taking that statement as I implied a del Sol is a sports car, would be the same as thinking I said a Mustang or something is.... But, I just noticed, several trucks fit my description... 2 seater, RWD, 5 speed... lol

Post by **nsrZ32** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:23 am

sporty car yes.....sports car no

Post by **ETTInnov04** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:31 am

I always thought of the 240SX as what the 240Z was when it first came to be. It was a car with decent power(great with a SR), good handling, good looks, and doesn't force you to work 60 hour weeks to make the payment. Thats why the original Z took off. It wasn't a straight line monster but instead an all around fun car to drive. It's a working man's sports car.

Website · Post by **SoCalS14** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 7:56 am

I like that, working man's sports car...

One comment is that is is not in the same class as camaro's etc...

I think it might be. Camaro's and Stang's were not true "sports" cars when they came out either, and some late models can be no easily labeled as such. The potential is there...

I thinks is funny that some call it a "sporty" car...what the heck is the difference? Sport or sporty?

Can we actually have a definitive list of what qualfies as a sports car? Two doors? Two seats? RR? MR? Wieght distribution? Looks? Price?

What is the criteria?

Post by **PantherRacer** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:04 am

We have all hit on that there are many different classes of sports cars, and qualities. And there are different race classes so the 240 is a sports car in it's own class along with other cars of it's type...(Hey, what would you guys call the Miata lol)

expensive /not so expensive/"cheap" (sporty?)5/6 speedrwd /full time awdno rear seats / just enough to show offspeed - function over formless practicality

so, what class is the usdm 240?

I'd also say that coming out the time it did that it's more of a sports car than a compact...

Post by **Nismo_Freak** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 10:18 am

Sports car... on the basis it's not practical to own with a family.

It truely only seats 2.

Post by **NoDrifto** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 11:58 am

i agree any car that you need to pull yourself out of is a sports car =P

Post by **KDashy** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:13 pm

I'm glad insurance doesnt think my car is a sports car.

*hugs my useless backseats*

Post by **base9se** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:49 pm

KDashy wrote:I'm glad insurance doesnt think my car is a sports car.

*hugs my useless backseats*

Some insurance companies don't even insure 240's b/c they cost too much to repair.

Kdashy - I love your new sig BTW!

Post by **cstang1968** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 12:54 pm

It is a peppy/fun economy car. Can't hit 14's...gets 25+ mpg. Most people use them for their daily drivers, which cannot be said for the majority of true sports cars

Post by **SloMoe** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 1:21 pm

sileighty_stev0n wrote:IMO to be a true "sports car", it has to cost more than a house (i.e. $100G) with the viper being the exception to that rule.

I mean, think about it, name off the "flagship" sports cars - Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lotus, Honda/Acura NSX, Porsche - expensive out the ***!!!

What about the Lotus Elise ~40k???

Website · Post by **SoCalS14** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 2:07 pm

Seems that there is no criteria per se, but a formula. If you have the right ingredients you have a sports car...

Post by **MAXIMUS Nismo** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:30 pm

yup, that does seem to be where we are getting to.The right combination is definately the way to go. So, if your car is born with a few of the ingredients, gather the other ones together and, BAM!!! you got yourself a sports car.

Take for example, our ride.2 doors - checkhandling - checkprice - checknon-practical-checkpower - ____?____ anything else I'm missing that would put us in sports car territory.

Also, if this formula is true, any reasonable car can be made into a sports car. Even the big H crew.

Post by **cstang1968** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 4:54 pm

missing rwd

Post by **frapjap** » Fri Feb 18, 2005 6:07 pm

240sx via Allstate Insurance(in Fl) is a sprts car.

Its Front engine, rear drive, 2 doors, not four, hatch backed(much like vettes, camaros, and t/a, firebirds) The thing has backseats to make the insurance cheaper. A lexus sc430 has USELESS back seats.

Also: I owned a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado, it was Front engine, FWD, but it was a V8 and had two doors. Classification via insurance: Sports car

Let's settle this once and for all... Is the 240sx a "Sports Car"?

Let's settle this once and for all... Is the 240sx a "Sports Car"?

Re: (KDashy)

Re: (ETTInnov04)

Re: (SoCalS14)

Re: (Nismo_Freak)

Re: (KDashy)

Re: Let's settle this once and for all... ... (sensibleS13driver)

Re: (sileighty_stev0n)

Re: (MAXIMUS Nismo)

Re: Let's settle this once and for all... ... (sensibleS13driver)

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