Sports saloons vs sports cars

[Captain Muppet]

tankplanker said:

2 seater, you can always hire a van or a bigger car for a day or a weekend if you need the extra space.

I've got by with an MR2 or an Elise as a daily driver for about 20 years. Usually with a second car as well, something more practical like a CRX, RX7 or a stripped out Nissan Silvia with bucket seats.

I've hired a van a handful of times, borrowed Mrs Muppets Civic twice to use the boot. When I had the E34 535i I used the rear seats for carrying people just twice in a year, and never filled the boot with more things than would fit in an MX5.

Not that sports cars are better, just different. A different I hugely prefer because I've arranged my life so that I mostly drive on deserted country roads.

[downsman]

Sportscar every time. But not all two seaters are sportscars......

A sportscar is light weight, and specifically designed to give an enjoyable driving experience. Mazda Mx5s and Elises count but 7s are the perfect example.

[JockySteer]

Sports car! I don't need to be pounding around the streets for it to look sporty and special

[garylythgoe]

irfan1712 said:

The only case I cant make my mind up on is the previous gen C63 - Ive promised myself to replace my mk5 R32 with one next summer.. I just cant decide wether I like the coupe or saloon more because I love them both.

Same dilemma for me.

I want a C63, a facelift one, but I can't decide on Coupe vs Saloon.

I dont 'need' 4 seats, but I want to replace my S2000 with something I can take the missus out in without shouting at her the whole journey, and where we can actually go to the shops without worrying about what will fit in etc.

A coupe would fit the bill perfectly, but if I'm changing to this 'type' of car, then does it make sense to go for the saloon? I keep changing my mind...

[Superlightdaa]

Interesting thread, I'm considering this thought myself at the minute. Merc C63 coupe or saloon or BMW M3 or M4? Erring towards the saloon atm.

[James Junior]

otolith said:

If, as specified in the OP, practicality is not an issue, sports car. Why would you want to drive round in a car compromised for practicality that you don't need? That would be like someone with no kids having a 7 seat MPV instead of a saloon.

Brilliantly put. Coupe/ sports car all the way for me.

[FastRich]

BMW - Coupe
Merc - Saloon
Audi - Estate

It's just the way it is.

[FastRich]

garylythgoe said:

I dont 'need' 4 seats, but I want to replace my S2000 with something I can take the missus out in without shouting at her the whole journey,

With a roof you'll hear her moaning all the way to the shops and then you'll shout at her all the way back.

[maxypriest]

When I built my Merc Superturbodiesel (500bhp) I specifically hunted out a saloon donor – Love the sleeper concept and it has not disappointed. Coupes are on ‘the radar’ and saloons are not, that why I think people often opt for the 4 doors. No one tries it on. Conversely one of my good friends has a 8.2 Dax Cobra and he complains that everyone is always trying to race him.

[GTEYE]

FastRich said:

BMW - Coupe
Merc - Saloon
Audi - Estate

It's just the way it is.

Never really thought about it, but you are bang on the money there.

[Debaser]

I don't need the space so my next car will be a sports car rather than a sports saloon.

[sinbaddio]

GTEYE said:

FastRich said:

BMW - Coupe
Merc - Saloon
Audi - Estate

It's just the way it is.

Never really thought about it, but you are bang on the money there.

Agreed.

[Hankzorizer]

Sports car / Coupe.

Don't like saloons. If I required 4 doors I'd buy estate.

/H

[T1berious]

FastRich said:

BMW - Coupe
Merc - Saloon
Audi - Estate

It's just the way it is.

+1

[Dale487]

philmots said:

I love sports saloons/estates.

Just like the idea of a fairly unassuming car having a big engine. Much like mine.

When your talking M3/M4, C63, RS4/RS5 etc I completely agree - the estate is cooler than the saloon, which in turn is cooler than the coupe. But when you get to bespoke coupes, I'd rather have a Cayman & the like, I'd rather have one of these - but there aren't any comparable saloon sister cars any way (but on a side note I'd rather have a coupe than the soft top version).

[Dale487]

sinbaddio said:

GTEYE said:

FastRich said:

BMW - Coupe
Merc - Saloon
Audi - Estate

It's just the way it is.

Never really thought about it, but you are bang on the money there.

Agreed.

How about?:
Porsche - Coupe
BMW - please make an M3 estate
Merc - Estate
Audi - Estate

[wile7]

All things being equal a sports saloon works.

Ideally a pre 89 Aston Vantage would do it (but that is a coupe with 4 seats not 4 doors...) so an Alpina B12 E32 would fit the bill.

[pirategaz]

You have to take the coupe over the saloon everytime... The proportions just look so much better and and its shape less compromised!!!
However and i don't think am alone in this... The appeal of a ridiculously over powered estate car for me trumps the saloon too especially the Audi... I think its because it looks so damn cool without trying... Hard to describe but I love them...

Exhibit A... http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[Baddie]

Coupes that weigh as much as, or more than, their saloon counterparts aren't sports cars and don't really have a point

[MrFQ]

For some reason I've always preferred the shape of the sports saloon, perhaps from watching BTTC during the 850/A4/Mondeo era

I like the M4 but bought the M3 as it looks better IMHO and the extra doors are handy, i can 'justify' it as a practical purchase! But if there was a touring version....that may have been a tougher call!