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

[LotusElanM100]

Originally Posted by PhlypSide

Ahhh but I didn't ask the contributors of Wikipedia--the "final" answer here is NO, and in some instances HELL NO

If the mods changed the title to "In general, is there such a thing as a FWD (front-wheel drive) sportscar?" would that make you M100 guys happy?

There is no hope, even when proven wrong he continues down his own slippery slop

As stated before, any poll results from this thread are not valid nor are they scientific. The results here are designed for only one outcome and that is the outcome of PhlypSide, as I said before, only someone with complete lack of intellect would ever used this data to proves some unscientific result.

Face it dude, a front wheel drive car can be a sports car and the proof is everywhere but as the old sayig goes, you can not see the forest because the trees are in your way

[Geordie]

Originally Posted by mini63

I'm a Mini guy (Mark I's to be exact - from around 1959 to 1966) and was a Porsche guy until they built that POS SUV. I've always had an appreciation for Lotus but became really interested when the S1 Elise was introduced back in 1996. I'm not a total noob when it comes to Lotus history...honestly...I just know very little about the M100...but all the photos that people have posted are really enticing, to say the least. I'm becoming quite a fan.

Thank you! I just returned from Europe in September. I didn't make it to England but will one of these days...and I'll be sure to look you guys up.

Chris,

I've had a few Minis myself, but never a sliding window one, however someone in my office has 4½ Mark I's in his garage and is a complete Mini nut. They were another ground-breaking car that ran up against uninformed derision, but the Cooper S's didn't fare too badly and I believe this front-wheel-drive thing caught on, so it can't be all bad!

They were great fun around the lanes and I would probably have still got one if they didn't rust so badly in our climate. I admire you for driving something so small over there though.

Sorry, I know it's off-topic so far, but do you consider a chopped (i.e. softtop conversion) Mini Cooper S a sports car?

[PhlypSide]

Not mine a moderator deleted the wrong thread. I'll bug 'em later

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32747

[StripeyBRG]

Originally Posted by dapinky

“
Do you think I’d have wasted my time building the M100 if it wasn’t a sportscar?

Of course it is, you tw@t!

And I’d like to have another go as soon as finance allows.

Hope this settles the meaningless debate,

Mike K.
”

H#ll YES!!

Originally Posted by LotusElanM100

YES, a front will drive car can be a sports car:

Here is the proof: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car

notice even the picture of the Lotus ELan M100

H#ll YES!!

It's fine to admit it and move on you know.

[R'elise Me]

I'll gladly retract the conclusion about the Lotus "point A-B" philosophy not being attractive to Lotus buyers since, you're right, Lotus is about that. I interpretted that idea to mean "commuting point a-b" which is obviously not what Lotus cars do well (unless you're one of many who enjoy the painful pleasure of commuting in one.) Lotus's "The three 90's rule", on the other hand, doesn't jibe with an Elise/Exige since these cars really transform into their truer selves way up the rev and lateral load range where I, nor, I assume, most owners, spend much time when on the streets. Certainly on the track that idea applies, but that goes for all true sports cars, not just Lotus cars.

Anyhow, I'm reading more on the Elan M100 and finding most owners seem to love them as sportscars, and that's proof to me that they are indeed good sportscars. I was just always annoyed at the fact that the M100 almost killed Lotus and to me it seemed like such a weak attempt at redemption. It's good to hear they performed better and actually endured mechanically longer than they looked good!

Originally Posted by Elanlover

That design philosophy was adopted before GM owned them as was the concpet in general. The M90 and X100 were prototypes long before GM was in the picture. The point A-B is exactly inline with Lotus philosopohy and is today for that matter - especially with the Elise. Do you understand what they mean by A-B? Its a direct comparison to "straight line speed". Lotus cars have rarely been the fastest straight line cars. But, they've always been performers in the twisties and on the track with legendary handling. That's what they mean by A-B.

As for the "3-90's", how's that different from the Elise today? Do you think that 90% of the people can't get 90% of the performance out of the Elise 90% of the time? Regardless, what's any of that got to do with the Elan being a FWD sportscar?????

At least you took the time to read some of the quotes and get up to speed unlike so many others. Kudos for that. But, now that you've read it, wouldn't you agree that your initial volley was a bit harsh and innacurrate?

[babak]

Sigh,

Let me reiterate, if the posts are not about the issue at hand I'll archive them. Due to christmass it may not happen before somebody answers. Please try to restrain yourselves.

Also moved the thread to "Other Lotus models" as this is obviously a discussion about the Elan. This way itll get parsed more properly in the search egine.

[AV8NDOC]

Hey, Ty, I hope you get this for Christmas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dmVU08zVpA

[PhlypSide]

AV8NDOC:

Bahahahahah!!! Nice video, and again with the personal attacks, I'll play along

I'd send you a rear diff but it's useless on your car.

[AV8NDOC]

put that junk in a box, man !!



PS my car has an LSD in the rear already.

[GOGO]

My Mini Cooper S with the works is a blast!

[mini63]

Originally Posted by Geordie

Chris,

I've had a few Minis myself, but never a sliding window one, however someone in my office has 4½ Mark I's in his garage and is a complete Mini nut. They were another ground-breaking car that ran up against uninformed derision, but the Cooper S's didn't fare too badly and I believe this front-wheel-drive thing caught on, so it can't be all bad!

They were great fun around the lanes and I would probably have still got one if they didn't rust so badly in our climate. I admire you for driving something so small over there though.

Sorry, I know it's off-topic so far, but do you consider a chopped (i.e. softtop conversion) Mini Cooper S a sports car?

Hey Geordie,

I haven't checked this thread in a while and just noticed this one.

That's hilarious about your office mate! I really love the Mark I's due to the grill and tail lights...of course I like the subsequent Marks but I don't think that they had the same character.

I actually had to sell my '63 to help finance the purchase of the Elise. I loved that car but admit that it was rather intimidating to drive in traffic on this side of the pond. The Elise is small but it just doesn't compare to the Mini in that regard. I bet that they are a lot more fun to drive in your neck of the woods!

Regarding your question, I don't really want to get into that whole "argument" again but I would say no if I had to make a definite choice.

[Sh4rk]

PhlypSide need a ride with Sh4rk at full power to flip his head off.

Words cant change his short ignorant childish brains. A ride with Sh4rk can, not to mention he is gonna wet his pants too.

Cya.

[Geordie]

(image deleted - KHamai)

Image reposted in sanitised, politically correct format. I'm sorry, I thought the UK was the only nanny state.

[LotusElanM100]

Originally Posted by Sh4rk

PhlypSide need a ride with Sh4rk at full power to flip his head off.

Words cant change his short ignorant childish brains. A ride with Sh4rk can, not to mention he is gonna wet his pants too.

Cya.

I think PhlypSide has tucked his tail between his legs and left the building. I wonder how his rear wheel drive piece of junk is doing in the heavy snow? you know the Elan would have no problems

[Rob T]

I'm going with Hell NO just to stir things (back) up!

[babak]

[charliex]

M100's are awesome

[Toad]

Yep,completely agree Charlie.

[Geordie]

Originally Posted by babak

My Babak, you've aged!

[Rom]

Depends on the definition of 'sports car'... If you watch the BTCC (British Touring Car Championships), FWD can be formidable... The Primera GT in the UK was pretty awesome, as was the various Honda's (Integra Type-R, Civic Type-R, etc), Peugeots (306 was one of my favourite FWDs), etc. Frequently the FWD cars would beat out the RWD cars in the BTCC...

Still, it depends on what you consider a "sports car" - Without offending any Elan owners, I personally think a traditional "sports car" should be RWD (not even AWD cuts it for me as a true "sports car" - my Evo is immense fun, but I would consider it a "road-going rally car", not a "sports car"). However, although by my definition FWD and AWD cars cannot be "sports cars"... they can most certainly be "race cars"!

Thanks!

Rom.