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Just saw a Nissan Maxima commercial and they’re still using the term 4 door sports car to advertise the Maxima. Other than having a V6 and 4 doors it doesn’t strike me as a sports car. Of all the FWD four door cars made today, which ones do you feel deserve the description of “4 door sports car” over the FWD Maxima? Leave your “FWD cars aren’t sports cars” comments behind please. We know the best sports cars (two or four door) are RWD.
Well, I think that sports cars are traditionally coupes and that they should continue to be. That said, not everyone can have a coupe as their only vehicle. Therefore, manufacturers are starting to "wake up" to that thought. Porsche specifically makes fun SUVs and a 4 door sports car variant
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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Nissan has used this tag line since at least 1995, maybe earlier. Their point is that the car was designed for handling. In the 1990's few 4 door sedans were so it clearly differentiated them. I think the argument is harder to make today.
Interesting that a 4 door SUV is now a sports car. Maybe we need to define this term. I'd like to suggest a few characteristics which I think have been associated with sports cars:
-Suspension tuned for handling rather than comfort, typically "stiff"
-Low center of gravity, low body roll
-Lightweight
-Often low to the ground
-Driver-focused, passengers are an after-thought
-Tight, responsive steering with good feedback
-"Not slow" by the standards of the day, even if there are faster vehicles
-Probably has some sort of audible exhaust note
Interesting that a 4 door SUV is now a sports car. Maybe we need to define this term. I'd like to suggest a few characteristics which I think have been associated with sports cars:
-Suspension tuned for handling rather than comfort, typically "stiff"
-Low center of gravity, low body roll
-Lightweight
-Often low to the ground
-Driver-focused, passengers are an after-thought
-Tight, responsive steering with good feedback
-"Not slow" by the standards of the day, even if there are faster vehicles
-Probably has some sort of audible exhaust note
The only cars that would come close would be non-Quattro Audis, as they are FWD, and have sporting characteristics. There's a world of difference between a FWD Audi and a Maxima, no matter how Nissan tries to convey the perception of sport.
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When the Camry and Corolla SE gets advertised as a sports car, then Nissan can do it too.
It should read "sporty" aka maybe less boring than the regular ones.
And, no there is nothing wrong the the LE Camry IMO, as long as you are happy with an A to B reliable transportation.
Location: San Ramon, Seattle, Anchorage, Reykjavik
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You have to realize, 99.9% of car buyers couldn't car less about 'sporty' as long as the car looks good. Marketing works in this case. I've owned a lot of Audis in my life, including an RS4, RS6, and an S8. None of them are a sports car either, although they are performance cars that drive 'sporty'.
Just saw a Nissan Maxima commercial and they’re still using the term 4 door sports car to advertise the Maxima. Other than having a V6 and 4 doors it doesn’t strike me as a sports car. Of all the FWD four door cars made today, which ones do you feel deserve the description of “4 door sports car” over the FWD Maxima? Leave your “FWD cars aren’t sports cars” comments behind please. We know the best sports cars (two or four door) are RWD.
It's certainly a marketing tag more than anything else. Just as many cars are marketed as "sporty". In the end, it's a relative term. I see the Maxima in the same group as the old Acura TL's, and sportier trims of Camry's and accords. In the end, it may have a more power engine, but it doesn't have the full package. And it make sense, these cars are still prioritizing reliability and comfort.
I don't even think they are more athletic than the normal versions of BMW's and Audi's, let alone the serious sports sedans along the lines of BMW M, Audi RS, and Mercedes AMG. Other 4-door sports sedans are the Subaru WRX and WRX STI, Panamera, V badged Cadillacs, Tesla, etc.
To me "sports car" means two seater roadster with a soft top. All others are pretenders.
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