Notices
Car Chat General discussion about Lexus, other auto manufacturers and automotive news.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Innova

Daily Slideshow: Can Sports Cars Have 4 Doors?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 26, 2017 | 12:40 PM
  #1  
Curated Content Editor's Avatar
Curated Content Editor
Thread Starter
CL Editor
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 1,588
Likes: 177
Default Daily Slideshow: Can Sports Cars Have 4 Doors?

Daily Slideshow: Can Sports Cars Have 4 Doors?

If you polled 10 people and asked them to answer with a simple Yes or No, what would their answer be?

By Brian Dally - December 26, 2017

Reply
Old Dec 26, 2017 | 03:53 PM
  #2  
mmarshall's Avatar
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Default

Mostly no, but with two possible exceptions...the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX/STI.
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2017 | 03:58 PM
  #3  
S2000toIS350's Avatar
S2000toIS350
Pole Position
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,538
Likes: 177
From: IL
Default

Panamera Turbo E Hybrid may have something to say here (if it could speak)
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2017 | 09:17 PM
  #4  
05RollaXRS's Avatar
05RollaXRS
Lexus Champion
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,369
Likes: 2,769
From: Calgary, AB
Default

Though, I own a 2 door sports car, it is mostly because the RCF is not available in 4 doors and GSF was too big for me and styling was not my cup of tea so RCF was the only choice. Yes, 4 door cars can be sports cars. It has been proven time and again cars with 4 doors perform equally as well as their 2 door counterparts particularly in three box design cars. The M3 and M4 (and the older E90 M3 and E92 M3) were good examples. 4 doors also has an inherent advantage as far as chassis torsional rigidity goes because of a B-pillar, which coupes don't have (hence the need for extra chassis reinforcements).
Reply
Old Dec 26, 2017 | 09:46 PM
  #5  
mmarshall's Avatar
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Default

I think we may be arguing semantics here. A four-door sports car is usually thought of as a sports-sedan. For years, up till recently, the BMW 3-series was the classic poster-child of a good sports sedan.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2017 | 02:24 PM
  #6  
arentz07's Avatar
arentz07
Moderator
5 Year Member
Shutterbug
Community Influencer
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 9,617
Likes: 4,804
From: GA
Default

Originally Posted by 05RollaXRS
Though, I own a 2 door sports car, it is mostly because the RCF is not available in 4 doors and GSF was too big for me and styling was not my cup of tea so RCF was the only choice. Yes, 4 door cars can be sports cars. It has been proven time and again cars with 4 doors perform equally as well as their 2 door counterparts particularly in three box design cars. The M3 and M4 (and the older E90 M3 and E92 M3) were good examples. 4 doors also has an inherent advantage as far as chassis torsional rigidity goes because of a B-pillar, which coupes don't have (hence the need for extra chassis reinforcements).
I recently stumbled across a rumor of a new IS F...

Though, I do like the RC F just for its presence, which I'm not sure an IS F of this generation would be able to match. Though, I am sure the chassis would work well in an F version.
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2017 | 05:18 PM
  #7  
ragingf80's Avatar
ragingf80
Pole Position
 
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 358
Likes: 11
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by mmarshall
Mostly no, but with two possible exceptions...the Mitsubishi Evo and Subaru WRX/STI.
Originally Posted by S2000toIS350
Panamera Turbo E Hybrid may have something to say here (if it could speak)
Originally Posted by arentz07
I recently stumbled across a rumor of a new IS F...

Though, I do like the RC F just for its presence, which I'm not sure an IS F of this generation would be able to match. Though, I am sure the chassis would work well in an F version.
The EVO, STI, Panamera, RF-C are all GTs. They are not "Sports Cars". Neither is the 911 for that matter. Does that mean that they are not "sporty" or used in "motorsports" or raced on the track? Absolutely not. Even fixed roof full on Race Cars are not technically "Sports Cars". The name has been somewhat bastardized in marketing performance oriented cars, so while it's generally acceptable to call a 911 a sports car for simplicity's sake, they are not classified as Sports Cars.

Here is a good article on it:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cult...ar-definition/
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2017 | 05:57 PM
  #8  
mmarshall's Avatar
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Default

Originally Posted by ragingf80
The EVO, STI, Panamera, RF-C are all GTs. They are not "Sports Cars".
No offense, but have you driven an Evo? I have. IMO, it's a classic 4-door sports-car in every sense of the word. In fact, if anything, Mitsubishi may have overdid the suspension.....it beats the hell out of you on anything but glass-smooth roads. But it corners like it's on rails.....it, and the STI, don't dominate the rally-circuts for nothing.
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 27, 2017 | 06:11 PM
  #9  
mjeds's Avatar
mjeds
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 192
From: CA
Default

semantics..

but technically speaking (from an insurance point of view)

Sports Car - 2 doors, Seats 2
Sports Coupe - 2 doors, Seats 4
Sports Sedan - 4 doors, Seats 4 or 5
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2017 | 09:08 PM
  #10  
Byprodrive's Avatar
Byprodrive
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,173
Likes: 35
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by mjeds
semantics..

but technically speaking (from an insurance point of view)

Sports Car - 2 doors, Seats 2
Sports Coupe - 2 doors, Seats 4
Sports Sedan - 4 doors, Seats 4 or 5

Carroll Shelby called them Sport Cars, so I do too.
Attached Thumbnails Daily Slideshow: Can Sports Cars Have 4 Doors?-shelby-series-1.jpg  
Reply
Old Dec 27, 2017 | 09:25 PM
  #11  
kitabel's Avatar
kitabel
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,619
Likes: 94
From: New York
Default

The original definitions, from SCCA and the car manufacturers:
Sports car: 2 doors, 2 seats, capable of winning races (not just fast)
GT car: same with a back seat
Only acceptable reason for a large box attached behind the rear seat: where you put your shotguns and game bags, it's called a "shooting brake" (Aston Martin and Rolls Royce)
Everything else is just a car, including Jaguar sedans
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2017 | 06:53 AM
  #12  
mmarshall's Avatar
mmarshall
Lexus Fanatic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,574
Likes: 265
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Default

Originally Posted by Byprodrive
Carroll Shelby called them Sport Cars, so I do too.

Shelby also called THIS FWD compact a sports car LOL.




Last edited by mmarshall; Dec 28, 2017 at 06:58 AM.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2017 | 09:10 AM
  #13  
oldcajun's Avatar
oldcajun
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 52
From: AZ
Default

The only 4 door that I would classify as a sports car is the Mazda RX-8.
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2017 | 09:44 AM
  #14  
mjeds's Avatar
mjeds
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,424
Likes: 192
From: CA
Default

Originally Posted by Byprodrive
Carroll Shelby called them Sport Cars, so I do too.
called what a sports car?
Reply
Old Dec 28, 2017 | 10:50 AM
  #15  
Lexmex's Avatar
Lexmex
CL Community Team
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
Default

I never had an issue with a 4 door car being a sports car. South of the border I saw all sorts of vehicles I will never see in the US.

My personal favorite is anything sports-oriented with suicide doors, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...#Suicide_doors
Reply



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:11 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE