[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Gone are the days of the inexpensive sports car like the Datsun 280Z, the Mazda RX7 (pre-90's) and the Porsche 924 to a lesser extent. Now we have these high performance 4 sedans and station wagons. They may be impressive on paper and the race track but they just don't have the looks and feel of a sports car.

Ummm....


https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/mx-5-miata
https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/brz/index.html
https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/s...70z-coupe.html
https://www.fiatusa.com/2019/spider.html
https://www.miniusa.com/model/john-cooper-works.html
https://www.toyota.com/86/
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/camaro-sports-car

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

Ummm....


https://www.mazdausa.com/vehicles/mx-5-miata
https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/brz/index.html
https://www.nissanusa.com/vehicles/s...70z-coupe.html
https://www.fiatusa.com/2019/spider.html
https://www.miniusa.com/model/john-cooper-works.html
https://www.toyota.com/86/
https://www.chevrolet.com/performance/camaro-sports-car

Mazda Miata - own one - not a sports car
Subaru -- high performance sedan and station wagon
Nissan -- heavy expensive car now owned by Renault
Fiat Spyder -- see Mazda
Mini -- small station wagon
Toyota Supra -- reduced price BMW but still expensive
Chevy Camaro -- owned one -- muscle car and not a sports car

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Mazda Miata - own one - not a sports car
Nissan -- heavy expensive car now owned by Renault
Fiat Spyder -- see Mazda
Mini -- small station wagon
Toyota Supra -- reduced price BMW but still expensive
Chevy Camaro -- owned one -- muscle car and not a sports car

[GenXer]

[RM7]

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Damn. You should’ve considered the Sea Sucker lol

Why? That would eventually scratch paint due to dust particles in the air, it would add more wind resistance when being used, it would attach to a part of the car that wasn't designed to carry those kinds of loads, you have to precariously lift your bike over the car and hope you never slip, dirt and crap will fall off the bike onto the car. Really, that's an absolute last resort and that's really when I'll just use a beater for that purpose, if a sea-sucker is the only alternative. Hitch rack:comes off.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Mazda Miata - own one - not a sports car
Subaru -- high performance sedan and station wagon
Nissan -- heavy expensive car now owned by Renault
Fiat Spyder -- see Mazda
Mini -- small station wagon
Toyota Supra -- reduced price BMW but still expensive
Chevy Camaro -- owned one -- muscle car and not a sports car

Nothing is a sports car. Got it.

[GenXer]

I didn't say there are no more sports car. I said inexpensive sports car.

For instance
1980 Corvette base MSRP $13,965 (NADA)--
accounting for inflation = $43,402 in 2019 dollars

2019 Corvette base LT1 $61,495 (NADA)

That's a huge jump. Granted the C7 Corvette is an incredible car but the prices of sports car has gotten outrageous.

[G35POPPEDMYCHERRY]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Mazda Miata - own one - not a sports car
Subaru -- high performance sedan and station wagon
Nissan -- heavy expensive car now owned by Renault
Fiat Spyder -- see Mazda
Mini -- small station wagon
Toyota Supra -- reduced price BMW but still expensive
Chevy Camaro -- owned one -- muscle car and not a sports car

since you own a miata. Why do you feel its not a sports car?

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I didn't say there are no more sports car. I said inexpensive sports car.

For instance
1980 Corvette base MSRP $13,965 (NADA)--
accounting for inflation = $43,402 in 2019 dollars

2019 Corvette base LT1 $61,495 (NADA)

That's a huge jump. Granted the C7 Corvette is an incredible car but the prices of sports car has gotten outrageous.

It's not the price of the car, it's the options that are now standard - many of which are safety related and due to governmental regulations.

In addition, let's talk about the 1980 vs 2019 Corvette, since you think nothing is a sports car, but for some reason are using an example of one that is which had a 180hp engine standard and weighed 3,500lbs. Did 0-60 in about 9 seconds.

Now, let's also look at what did not come standard on the base corvette in 1980, for which you had to pay extra:

- power door locks
- window defrosters
- cruise control
- alloy wheels
- am/fm radio
- rear speakers
- cassette player

In addition, that car did not come with any airbags, seat belt tensioners, back up camera, abs brakes, and about 200 more items that a new one comes with.

When you account for performance, options, and safety features - a car today is nearly 35% cheaper than a comparable car from 40 years ago.

On a side note, however, if all you are looking to do is come into a forum and whine like a baby about random things - then be my guest. Whatever floats your boat.


1980 corvette used as an example of a sports car, but the miata isn't.

[48Laws]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Why? That would eventually scratch paint due to dust particles in the air, it would add more wind resistance when being used, it would attach to a part of the car that wasn't designed to carry those kinds of loads, you have to precariously lift your bike over the car and hope you never slip, dirt and crap will fall off the bike onto the car. Really, that's an absolute last resort and that's really when I'll just use a beater for that purpose, if a sea-sucker is the only alternative. Hitch rack:comes off.

I doubt it. There’s a promotional video of a bike attached with the sea sucker to a nascar going around a track. You won’t be doing those speeds lol. Dust? Lmao

[GenXer]

Originally Posted by G35POPPEDMYCHERRY

since you own a miata. Why do you feel its not a sports car?

It's underpower, frumpy, and rather benign. It doesn't stand even out parked in a row of family sedans. The only party trick it has is the automatic folding hard top. It's an excellent daily driver but so is a Toyota Corolla. I guess I like it but I just don't love it.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by GenXer

It's underpower, frumpy, and rather benign. It doesn't stand even out parked in a row of family sedans. The only party trick it has is the automatic folding hard top. It's an excellent daily driver but so is a Toyota Corolla. I guess I like it but I just don't love it.

If it has a power folding hardtop, then that means it is an NC - that isn't a Miata, or at best, is the least miata of all Miata's.


That's like saying a Ferrari isn't a sportscar because you own a Mondail Valeo.

[See5]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I didn't say there are no more sports car. I said inexpensive sports car.

For instance
1980 Corvette base MSRP $13,965 (NADA)--
accounting for inflation = $43,402 in 2019 dollars

2019 Corvette base LT1 $61,495 (NADA)

That's a huge jump. Granted the C7 Corvette is an incredible car but the prices of sports car has gotten outrageous.

Not only does the Corvette have signficantly more engineering dollars and devlopment than it used to, the Corvette has slowly moved upmarket especially since the introduction of the C6 Z06. The C8 will continue this trend.

The Camaro V8 models now occupy the price and performance range of the previous Corvette models.

[See5]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

If it has a power folding hardtop, then that means it is an NC - that isn't a Miata, or at best, is the least miata of all Miata's.


That's like saying a Ferrari isn't a sportscar because you own a Mondail Valeo.

I disagree. I think the NC fits being a Miata just fine, just like your F56 is still a MINI even though many people would try to disagree.

It's still a small lightweight, RWD, 4 cylinder, balanced, convertible sportscar even though its a touch larger than other generations.

Having both in my driveway(F56 and NC) and having driven other generations in both model ranges, they fit to me.

[Run Silent]

Originally Posted by See5

I disagree. I think the NC fits being a Miata just fine, just like your F56 is still a MINI even though many people would try to disagree.

It's still a small simple lightweight sportscar even though its a touch larger than other generations.

Having both in my driveway and having driven other generations in both model ranges, they fit to me.

I agree - hence why I corrected to say it is the 'least miata' of all miata's, lol.

I've owned several Miata's and loved every one of them. I will say the NC was notably quicker than the NB's I had, but still, for him to denounce all Miata's as not being sports cars because he owns the heaviest one ever made(an NC with the PRHT) is a bit silly.

Of course, according to him, the Toyota 86 and Nissan 370Z aren't sports cars either, so who knows.

[3798j]

Wasn't aware a vehicle first needed to meet a price and weight criteria to be considered a sports car....and if so, what yardsticks do we use?

[RM7]

Originally Posted by GenXer

I didn't say there are no more sports car. I said inexpensive sports car.

For instance
1980 Corvette base MSRP $13,965 (NADA)--
accounting for inflation = $43,402 in 2019 dollars

2019 Corvette base LT1 $61,495 (NADA)

That's a huge jump. Granted the C7 Corvette is an incredible car but the prices of sports car has gotten outrageous.

What does that have to do with anything?

[RM7]

Originally Posted by 48Laws

I doubt it. There’s a promotional video of a bike attached with the sea sucker to a nascar going around a track. You won’t be doing those speeds lol. Dust? Lmao

Doubt what, crap falling off the bike? You should see what falls off a bike, bits of dirt, grease, rocks (yes, rocks). You doubt dust in the air? Yes, anything that contacts your car traps dust, it will dull your paint after a while. Doubt having to loft your bike over your car every time and that you may be tired? I have a friend with a sea-sucker that just had to replace one of the suckers because it was defective and not working. No, I don't want to take that kind of chance and when a car can take a receiver, it's just dumb IMO.

Like I said, at that point, where that's the only option, I'd rather take a beater.

[48Laws]

Cool. Keep that awful-looking monstrosity on the rear of your car. Some people enjoy hustling backwards. As if a few specs of dirt are going to ruin your pristine Camaro. I put my bike in the back of the Raptor and very little even falls off. But again, i don’t ride in wet mud. Lmao.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Run Silent

It's not the price of the car, it's the options that are now standard - many of which are safety related and due to governmental regulations.

In addition, let's talk about the 1980 vs 2019 Corvette, since you think nothing is a sports car, but for some reason are using an example of one that is which had a 180hp engine standard and weighed 3,500lbs. Did 0-60 in about 9 seconds.

Now, let's also look at what did not come standard on the base corvette in 1980, for which you had to pay extra:

- power door locks
- window defrosters
- cruise control
- alloy wheels
- am/fm radio
- rear speakers
- cassette player

In addition, that car did not come with any airbags, seat belt tensioners, back up camera, abs brakes, and about 200 more items that a new one comes with.

When you account for performance, options, and safety features - a car today is nearly 35% cheaper than a comparable car from 40 years ago.

On a side note, however, if all you are looking to do is come into a forum and whine like a baby about random things - then be my guest. Whatever floats your boat.


1980 corvette used as an example of a sports car, but the miata isn't.

I'll use my personal example of my E30 vs. E90. Both are 325i. 1989 E30 base model, no leather, was $26,000; it was a stripper. Fast forward to 2006 when I bought my E90 in 2006. The inflated value of $26,000 1989 dollars in 2006 is $42,200. My E90 while still a base car, with sport package has airbags, adaptive HID, and Bluetooth connectivity. The radio still works after 12 years vs. the E30's dying after about 6 years. The E90 is bigger (but not too big) handles better, is 2 seconds quicker to 60 MPH, and gets about 3 MPG better in fuel mileage and needs far less maintenance than the E30. My E90 was $33,000 in 2006.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by 48Laws

Cool. Keep that awful-looking monstrosity on the rear of your car.

I don't. It comes off.

[DETRoadster]

Originally Posted by GenXer

Gone are the days of the inexpensive sports car like the [B]Datsun 280Z

Originally Posted by GenXer

Mazda Miata - own one - not a sports car

1978 Datsun 280Z
HP = 149
Weight = 2875 lbs
0-60 = 9.3 seconds
1/4 mile = 16.7 seconds
Price = $8,878 (adjusted to 2019 dollars = $34,870)

2018 Miata
HP = 155
Weight = 2350 lbs
0-60 = 6.4 seconds
1/4 mile = 14.9
Price = $26,000

I'm sorry but exactly how is the lighter, faster, cheaper, safer, more fun to drive, more reliable, better looking, better handling, better braking, 2018 Miata NOT a sports car in comparison with the 280Z?