Re: Name some of the Modern Day Performance Car Standouts (Honda_to_VW)
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>2. Porsche 911 - the definition of a purist sports car.
///Yes but it did not change the way things were done.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You and I may have to agree to disagree on this one. Not change the way things were done? A few examples why the 911 is THE benchmark...
* Pure performance - there are 911's (including mine) that are 15 years old or better yet still perform at the highest levels, even by todays standards.
* Porsche brakes have been the benchmark from day 1. Any wonder why every wants to upgrade to the Porsche/Brembo Big Reds?
* All wheel drive introduced into a real sports car in 1989, although this can ultimately be attributed to the 959.
* Tiptronic invented and introduced in 1989
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>3. Ferrari Testarossa - 12 cylinders, exotic looks, sweet sound that is a virtual trademark, what more could you want?
///As above, he is searching for cars that did make a significant contribution to the genre.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't know but the Testarossa seemed to be the car EVERYONE wanted...why do you think it's styling is one of the most popular influence on kit cars?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>5. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - super car performance at a bargain price.
////only for the price. This car is one huge engine and a suspension, but nothing
ground breaking.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Never before has that level of perfomance been available at that price. You will see manufacturers having to up the ante as a result.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>8. Porsche 944 Turbo S (1988 - 1989) - only 4 cylinders, performance to match some of the best cars in the world...even today. The most under-rated car of all time?
///A real nice car, but again did not change the industry.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Again, we may agree to disagree. The 1987 944 Turbo was the first car in the WORLD to offer dual front airbags. It had ABS. Turbos had 4 piston brakes...again brakes being a Porsche trademark. Handling that was second to none. Later 944's have the claim of being the largest 4 cylinder vehicles ever produced (by displacement) - 3.0 litres. Performance by every definition of the word. As is often mentioned, immitation is often the highest form of flattery. The 944 was the most immitated sports car of its time. Like I said, the most under-rated car of all time?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>9. Dodge Viper - the return of American muscle and the first real successful American exotic.
///All looks, not a standout in any category. Only reason it made big numbers was because of big engine/tires.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Disagree and your statement seems to contradict itself. Nonetheless it was the first successful American exotic...that is groundbreaking.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>10. Mazda RX-7 (93 - 95) - Proved how good a rotary engine can be. Lightweight. Extraordinary performance at a real world price.
///Again not ground breaking.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This may be true and thought about not including the RX-7. However, it was the best performer of the "affordable super-cars" of the early 90's. It was a race car for the street and the only one to utilize a rotary engine. The main reason I left it on is was because it could perform with the best at half the price. When a car can perform at those levels and do so for much less, it requires the bar to be raised...just the Z06 will do. I think that makes it a standout.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>11. BMW M3/M5 - the original sports sedans...and still paving the way.
///No way, Grand national was a better example of making a "sedan" coupe go fast.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sure, the Grand National was fast but it's a coupe, not a sedan. But more importantly no one imitated it and I'm not sure what would be considered a standout on that vehicle other than it's 0 - 60 numbers. It was still American muscle. The M-cars define sports sedan...they were the originals (performance - both speed and handling - family haulers!)...they still lead the way.
<![CDATA[<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>2. Porsche 911 - the definition of a purist sports car.
///Yes but it did not change the way things were done.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
You and I may have to agree to disagree on this one. Not change the way things were done? A few examples why the 911 is THE benchmark...
* Pure performance - there are 911's (including mine) that are 15 years old or better yet still perform at the highest levels, even by todays standards.
* Porsche brakes have been the benchmark from day 1. Any wonder why every wants to upgrade to the Porsche/Brembo Big Reds?
* All wheel drive introduced into a real sports car in 1989, although this can ultimately be attributed to the 959.
* Tiptronic invented and introduced in 1989
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>3. Ferrari Testarossa - 12 cylinders, exotic looks, sweet sound that is a virtual trademark, what more could you want?
///As above, he is searching for cars that did make a significant contribution to the genre.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
I don't know but the Testarossa seemed to be the car EVERYONE wanted...why do you think it's styling is one of the most popular influence on kit cars?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>5. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 - super car performance at a bargain price.
////only for the price. This car is one huge engine and a suspension, but nothing
ground breaking.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Never before has that level of perfomance been available at that price. You will see manufacturers having to up the ante as a result.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>8. Porsche 944 Turbo S (1988 - 1989) - only 4 cylinders, performance to match some of the best cars in the world...even today. The most under-rated car of all time?
///A real nice car, but again did not change the industry.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Again, we may agree to disagree. The 1987 944 Turbo was the first car in the WORLD to offer dual front airbags. It had ABS. Turbos had 4 piston brakes...again brakes being a Porsche trademark. Handling that was second to none. Later 944's have the claim of being the largest 4 cylinder vehicles ever produced (by displacement) - 3.0 litres. Performance by every definition of the word. As is often mentioned, immitation is often the highest form of flattery. The 944 was the most immitated sports car of its time. Like I said, the most under-rated car of all time?
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>9. Dodge Viper - the return of American muscle and the first real successful American exotic.
///All looks, not a standout in any category. Only reason it made big numbers was because of big engine/tires.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Disagree and your statement seems to contradict itself. Nonetheless it was the first successful American exotic...that is groundbreaking.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>10. Mazda RX-7 (93 - 95) - Proved how good a rotary engine can be. Lightweight. Extraordinary performance at a real world price.
///Again not ground breaking.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
This may be true and thought about not including the RX-7. However, it was the best performer of the "affordable super-cars" of the early 90's. It was a race car for the street and the only one to utilize a rotary engine. The main reason I left it on is was because it could perform with the best at half the price. When a car can perform at those levels and do so for much less, it requires the bar to be raised...just the Z06 will do. I think that makes it a standout.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>11. BMW M3/M5 - the original sports sedans...and still paving the way.
///No way, Grand national was a better example of making a "sedan" coupe go fast.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Sure, the Grand National was fast but it's a coupe, not a sedan. But more importantly no one imitated it and I'm not sure what would be considered a standout on that vehicle other than it's 0 - 60 numbers. It was still American muscle. The M-cars define sports sedan...they were the originals (performance - b