Is there such a thing as a FWD (front-wheel drive) sportscar? - Page 30 - LotusTalk

Bavarian Motorist · 12-03-2007, 06:25 AM

I think so. It may not be ideal for a sports car, but then, it's not ideal for a large luxury boat like a Mercedes SL either.

It depends what the car is intended for. IMO, the M100 and Mini Cooper S are sports cars because of their performance potential and because they were designed to be able to perform.

Hey, the Civic SI is even listed as an "afforable sports car" on www.edmunds.com

55mini · 10-09-2008, 06:22 PM

Wow, glad I was so late to find this thread and cast my vote. The vote was yes, as I am a former M100 owner and can tell you from experience in both the Elise and M100 both are very much sports cars. Each very different from the other. I sold my M100 to buy the Elise and still miss the M100. I also regularly drive an early S2 Elan. All of these are wonderful sports cars and all very different animals.

Mark

I should add a little about a few other fun to drive fwd which mat not be sports car class. My wife drives a Mini S and we have several early original mini's. Yes not in the class of sports car's but I would bet if you road in our 78 mini which is fully tweeked you would speak differently toward it not being a sports car with good handling. Try a 90 street corner at full throttle at 50-60 mph, then stop to clean out your shorts!

cabc26b · 10-12-2008, 12:05 PM

I have to agree with Mark ,

Back when the earth had not yet cooled I had a 1071 Cooper S with the solid suspension worked the way dave vizard recommended - any way that was the only car I could drive flat out all the way up and down talcot mountain on the way to LRP - and until the M100 was my benchmark for a FWD car -

G

Noisycow · 10-12-2008, 12:13 PM

smoseley · 10-12-2008, 06:56 PM

0-60 in 11.3 seconds.

Good looking car though.

BTW, I saw an M100 the other night with Elise taillights molded in. It looked pretty cool!!!

SAHD · 10-12-2008, 07:13 PM

Only when I drive my car backwards.

Hawk · 10-22-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Noisycow

Heh, I had one of those and the earlier one. Sportcars they were not. But fun they were.

geezer · 10-22-2008, 04:54 PM

Damn.. that's some interesting logic/copy in that Saab piece.

6_speed · 10-22-2008, 05:25 PM

Saab Sonett marketing BS.

Now it makes complete sense to me - same as GM's BS

They were destined to be soulmates decades ago and just recently consummated.

shay2nak · 10-26-2008, 06:51 PM

acura tsx is not a bad handler.

View Poll Results: Can Front-wheel Drive cars be sportscars?
Yes	137	44.63%
No	64	20.85%
H#ll no!	106	34.53%
Voters: 307. You may not vote on this poll

12-03-2007, 06:25 AM	#581 (permalink)
Bavarian Motorist Live to Drive Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rye, NY Posts: 8,370	I think so. It may not be ideal for a sports car, but then, it's not ideal for a large luxury boat like a Mercedes SL either. It depends what the car is intended for. IMO, the M100 and Mini Cooper S are sports cars because of their performance potential and because they were designed to be able to perform. Hey, the Civic SI is even listed as an "afforable sports car" on www.edmunds.com __________________ Driving a Lotus Exige with sticky... performance tires on icy roads or in standing water is about as much fun as walking a high wire treated with WD-40 - Car & Driver BWR supercharged... I suppose I "got the power" now??

10-09-2008, 06:22 PM	#582 (permalink)
55mini Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Mount Vernon, IOWA Posts: 30	Wow, glad I was so late to find this thread and cast my vote. The vote was yes, as I am a former M100 owner and can tell you from experience in both the Elise and M100 both are very much sports cars. Each very different from the other. I sold my M100 to buy the Elise and still miss the M100. I also regularly drive an early S2 Elan. All of these are wonderful sports cars and all very different animals. Mark I should add a little about a few other fun to drive fwd which mat not be sports car class. My wife drives a Mini S and we have several early original mini's. Yes not in the class of sports car's but I would bet if you road in our 78 mini which is fully tweeked you would speak differently toward it not being a sports car with good handling. Try a 90 street corner at full throttle at 50-60 mph, then stop to clean out your shorts! Last edited by 55mini : 10-09-2008 at 06:38 PM.

10-12-2008, 12:13 PM	#584 (permalink)
Noisycow Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 788	__________________ - - The Invisible Man in the Sky

10-12-2008, 06:56 PM	#585 (permalink)
smoseley Who Moved My Cheese? Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 12,018 Images: 8	0-60 in 11.3 seconds. Good looking car though. BTW, I saw an M100 the other night with Elise taillights molded in. It looked pretty cool!!! __________________ - Steve Originally Posted by SKYVUE I'm outraged by this "idealism" growing around the world.

10-12-2008, 12:05 PM	#583 (permalink)
cabc26b Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 14	I have to agree with Mark , Back when the earth had not yet cooled I had a 1071 Cooper S with the solid suspension worked the way dave vizard recommended - any way that was the only car I could drive flat out all the way up and down talcot mountain on the way to LRP - and until the M100 was my benchmark for a FWD car - G

10-12-2008, 07:13 PM	#586 (permalink)
SAHD Brits Abroad Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North NJ Posts: 17	Only when I drive my car backwards. __________________ 2007 Lotus Elise 72d 2006 Honda Odyssey E-XL 1989 Honda Civic 1.4 (LX!) ... Am I married with kids, or what?

10-22-2008, 04:54 PM	#588 (permalink)
geezer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 285	Damn.. that's some interesting logic/copy in that Saab piece.

10-22-2008, 05:25 PM	#589 (permalink)
6_speed Highway Star Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 495	Saab Sonett marketing BS. Now it makes complete sense to me - same as GM's BS They were destined to be soulmates decades ago and just recently consummated.

10-26-2008, 06:51 PM	#590 (permalink)
shay2nak GGM ENFORCER Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Land of da 1000 Oaks, CA Posts: 12,743	acura tsx is not a bad handler. __________________ save ~10 lbs gain 1 hp EQ: Y=(190X) / (1984-X) where Y is (HP) and X is (lbs) '07 GG EXIGE S * MY CAR ** VIDEO CLIPS! '08 ACURA TSX 6-speed http://www.makeNYNYagain.com

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