What the hell does it mean to have a "sporty" car?

JimNiki · 14-05-2010, 12:30 PM

It must mean so many things to so many people...
I would imagine that it probably doesn't mean anything to anyone who already has a car with grunt... The term was probably invented by Toyota or Hyundai so those with brown cardigans could think that they could compete favourably with the ferrari's and the vipers and the lambo's. No-one ever calls a lambo "sporty" do they? But buy the limited edition "sporty" Corolla with the milo tin exhaust tip and 4 foot spoiler and some nice chrome plastic wheel covers and "don't mess with me world, cause I've got attitude!" Am I being a bit mean, aren't I?
It's probably my age ... I was born in a different era.

Irrespective, I believe the vast majority of people are not passionate about their cars! Which explains Toyota's No1 ranking. So really, I should stop making fun of them, shouldn't I as WE are in the minority.

auxr · 14-05-2010, 12:45 PM

Is that you HULK ?

RG · 14-05-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNiki

It must mean so many things to so many people...
I would imagine that it probably doesn't mean anything to anyone who already has a car with grunt... The term was probably invented by Toyota or Hyundai so those with brown cardigans could think that they could compete favourably with the ferrari's and the vipers and the lambo's. No-one ever calls a lambo "sporty" do they? But buy the limited edition "sporty" Corolla with the milo tin exhaust tip and 4 foot spoiler and some nice chrome plastic wheel covers and "don't mess with me world, cause I've got attitude!" Am I being a bit mean, aren't I?
It's probably my age ... I was born in a different era.

Irrespective, I believe the vast majority of people are not passionate about their cars! Which explains Toyota's No1 ranking. So really, I should stop making fun of them, shouldn't I as WE are in the minority.

saywhat?

Scott · 14-05-2010, 01:30 PM

Sporty car = looks like a reebok, goes like one too.

Sam_Boss260 · 14-05-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTP006

Sporty car = looks like a reebok, goes like one too.

HEY !!!! I had a Pulsar Reebok once..... and yes it was "Sporty" !!!

SB076 · 14-05-2010, 01:34 PM

Just a marketing ploy to differentiate between slightly different products or simply just a way to generate more sales interest.

ie standard car vs sport edition (with sports steering wheel and the letter s somewhere on the car) People go for the sports edition because they think they are getting something special.

global88 · 14-05-2010, 01:37 PM

Sporty=Buy a egg beater and throw a GT stripe down the side.

It means its inclined that way, it could just look it, id does not actually need to be truly a performance vehicle.

Toyotas are for people who cannot make up their minds and take the safest option.

flappist · 14-05-2010, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimNiki

It must mean so many things to so many people...
I would imagine that it probably doesn't mean anything to anyone who already has a car with grunt... The term was probably invented by Toyota or Hyundai so those with brown cardigans could think that they could compete favourably with the ferrari's and the vipers and the lambo's. No-one ever calls a lambo "sporty" do they? But buy the limited edition "sporty" Corolla with the milo tin exhaust tip and 4 foot spoiler and some nice chrome plastic wheel covers and "don't mess with me world, cause I've got attitude!" Am I being a bit mean, aren't I?
It's probably my age ... I was born in a different era.

Irrespective, I believe the vast majority of people are not passionate about their cars! Which explains Toyota's No1 ranking. So really, I should stop making fun of them, shouldn't I as WE are in the minority.

Maybe sporty could mean relatively quick, well handling and competitive which would put you with your antique grossly underpowered ill handling american lump of rusty tin in the MAJORITY as a current Corolla, Camry or Aurion tin would blow you into the weeds.

Now I wonder if this is what has actually happened for you to rant and rave and accuse others of "attitude".........

JimNiki · 14-05-2010, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Maybe sporty could mean relatively quick, well handling and competitive which would put you with your antique grossly underpowered ill handling american lump of rusty tin in the MAJORITY as a current Corolla, Camry or Aurion tin would blow you into the weeds.

Now I wonder if this is what has actually happened for you to rant and rave and accuse others of "attitude".........

My American pile of junk doesn't profess to be sporty! It's worse than that!
The yanks actually "believed" it was a sports car ... Mine is a perfect example of marketing hype ... the Mach1 package has always been a cosmetic stripe thing only! Whereas the Aussie GT's at least lived up to some performance level.

not knocking anyone in particular, just enjoy the varied opinions expressed here...

PS, you shouldn't really compare my yank tank to a corolla though.
There is a huge difference! Toyota's never break down! hehehe...

**DJM83** · 14-05-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flappist

Maybe sporty could mean relatively quick, well handling and competitive which would put you with your antique grossly underpowered ill handling american lump of rusty tin in the MAJORITY as a current Corolla, Camry or Aurion tin would blow you into the weeds.

Now I wonder if this is what has actually happened for you to rant and rave and accuse others of "attitude".........

OMG Tony you crack me up sometimes that made me laugh. What a pointless thread.

Davebro · 14-05-2010, 07:21 PM

XT with a Typhoon body kit?

Fireblade · 14-05-2010, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davebro

XT with a Typhoon body kit?

Just damned wrong!

SVD · 14-05-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F6 FOON

Just damned wrong!

but very common, just like XR8 humps on 6's and 6's with quad tips.

Riksta · 15-05-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EgoFalcon

Toyota and sporty don't go together very well... besides the supra I guess. Everything else is fail. You have a choice in buying cars, fun, exciting = take risk of possible breakdown. Toyota and boring = reliable car.

What about the 2000GT? That was "Sporty"!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davebro

XT with a Typhoon body kit?

How about a Series 2 Forte with a T3 TS50 bodykit?

Oh wait...

Fireblade · 14-05-2010, 01:47 PM

Sporty=Rice these days on most makes bar specific Performance brands.

Iggypoppin' · 14-05-2010, 01:49 PM

Sporty is a sign I see on some cars in dealerships, usually body kitted XT's, body kitted omegas, magnas or other low spec cars. Corollas get this treatment too.

Judging by the first post from OP, I think the bottles been in front for a long time though...

T3man · 14-05-2010, 02:45 PM

The term certainly wasn't invented by Toyota - they've never actually invented anything. Good at copying though.

The term goes back to the earliest days of motoring - in 1928 Ford had the Model A Sport Coupe - a 2 door car. The 4 door was the Phaeton - referred to as a sedan.

Of course it may go back even further - I'm sure it probably does.

Over the years it has evolved to mean many things to many people but I think we can all relate to soft tops, 2 door coupes, noisy exhausts and lowered suspensions as being some of the indicators. Generally the "sports" version of any model will offer higher engine performance and better suspension and even brakes as the very basics. Better instrumentation, better equipment levels eg like mag wheels driving lights etc), and stripes will complete the additions; or in some cases just the stripes will be enough to call it "SPORTIVO!" LOL.

jpd80 · 14-05-2010, 02:55 PM

A sports car is a genre all on it own.
The term sporty is used by marketing men to flog ordinary sedans with stickers, stripes and mag wheels.....

pottery beige · 14-05-2010, 03:01 PM

Sporty = Poofy

burnz · 14-05-2010, 03:05 PM

omega= common..
sport= SS (super sport) GTS (grand touring sport)

TZENU · 14-05-2010, 03:11 PM

"It means what ever the hell you want it to mean"

"You sayin you want a piece of me?"

EgoFalcon · 14-05-2010, 04:03 PM

Toyota and sporty don't go together very well... besides the supra I guess. Everything else is fail. You have a choice in buying cars, fun, exciting = take risk of possible breakdown. Toyota and boring = reliable car.

jpd80 · 14-05-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EgoFalcon

Toyota and sporty don't go together very well... besides the supra I guess. Everything else is fail. You have a choice in buying cars, fun, exciting = take risk of possible breakdown. Toyota and boring = reliable car.

I guess Lexus must be where Toyota sends all the self expressioned and delusional engineers.....

XR_Strider_GuY · 14-05-2010, 04:38 PM

Good Topic.

A sporty car is a good marketing tool to shift cars that otherwise will not sell. I would regard my XR8 has sporty but it is by no means a true sports car in definition. In fact I would class it as a sports saloon.

To qualify as a true sports car, the doors have to stop at two, no back seats and look fantastic. Ofcourse looks is in the eye of the be-holder. Mock as everyone will a Mazda MX5 is a true sports car.

My choice, something alittle more crude, alittle more raw, something thats legendary, synonymous with apple pies and route 66. Corvette says it all.

3vXT · 15-05-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EgoFalcon

Toyota and boring = reliable car.

and i know you mentioned them but i also found a pic of supras not being boring

http://www.toyota-supra.info/albums/...ra_fatf_02.jpg

**DJM83** · 15-05-2010, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken2903

http://www.toyota-supra.info/albums/...ra_fatf_02.jpg

Still boring

Nikked · 15-05-2010, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EgoFalcon

Toyota and sporty don't go together very well... besides the supra I guess. Everything else is fail. You have a choice in buying cars, fun, exciting = take risk of possible breakdown. Toyota and boring = reliable car.

Boring toyotas eh

**DJM83** · 15-05-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikked

Boring toyotas eh

XRtowcar · 14-05-2010, 06:03 PM

Sporty car = Mitsu Lancer with lookalike Evo kit. Slower then the original due to extra weight and no performance increase but sounds like a Victa on roids due to the 4" fruit tin muffler.

**DJR-351** · 14-05-2010, 06:09 PM

Wasn't Sporty a Spice Girl......