Posts Tagged ‘Gauge’
Right Sports Car
The times are changing, and one way to gauge how much they’ve changed in the world is to consider that term, “sports car.†Once upon a time, and not so long ago, the definition was rather narrow. A sports car was a two-seat, two-door coupe or convertible, a little lean on luxury with more attention given to handling and performance. Thirty or 40 years ago, there were just a few makes and models that fit the bill, such as Ferrari and Porsche at the high end, and MG and perhaps Alfa-Romeo in the “affordable†category.
Today you can forget all that. The definition of “sports†has expanded and inflated considerably, although certain purists hold out for the two-seat coupe and convertible definition. These restrictions are enforced in certain international racing events, but for the consumer auto market, terms like “sports†and “sporty†can reasonably be applied to a wide range of autos, including four-door sedans and even “crossover†vehicles.
Defining “sports†and “sportyâ€
The task of choosing a sports car (or “sporty†one), although made more difficult with the proliferation of powerful and good-handling cars, is simplified in practice by considering just a few main questions. Choosing the right sports car is a process that depends on what you want in the vehicle. You may think that ultimate cruising power and stability, the traits of a classic “gran turismo†or GT car, are the most important. Or you may want classic sports car handling for driving the Alpine-type mountain roads. Both ideals are acceptable within the expanded definition of “sports car†today.