All Sports Cars Are Hairdresser's Cars - Discuss
Discussion
Right. There have been a few threads about the varying merits of different sports cars over the years on PH. At very many of them the criticism levelled at 'em is that they are: "Hairdressers' Cars".
Cars this has been aimed at: S2000, MGF, MX5, Z3, Audi TT, Boxster, and, oh yes, Chimaera, and Tamora!!
So. I contend that ALL cabrio-two seater cars can be referred to as "Hairdressers' Cars" if you want to deride them in some way.
So. To be more objective.. (
)
If it is not to be all two seater cabrios...what are the defining characteristics of a "Hairdresser's Car".
Discuss.
Cars this has been aimed at: S2000, MGF, MX5, Z3, Audi TT, Boxster, and, oh yes, Chimaera, and Tamora!!
So. I contend that ALL cabrio-two seater cars can be referred to as "Hairdressers' Cars" if you want to deride them in some way.
So. To be more objective.. (
) If it is not to be all two seater cabrios...what are the defining characteristics of a "Hairdresser's Car".
Discuss.
Well I reckon there are a few criteria that must apply..
1) FWD Convertibles are *all* hairdressers cars
2) RWD Convertibles are hairdressers cars if they have a power/weight of less than 150BHP/Ton
3) Mid-engined RWD get partial exemption iresspective of Power to weight.
Otherwise, I reckon it's a qualitative thing, regarding how easy the car is to live with and drive.. the more hairy, the less hair-dressery..
Oh yes.. the only tin-tops I can think of that explicityly qualify as hairdressers cars aren't even sports cars - the Suzuki X90 or whatever the hell that dreadful thing is called and that Chrysler PT jobby..
>> Edited by CarZee on Monday 7th October 11:18
1) FWD Convertibles are *all* hairdressers cars
2) RWD Convertibles are hairdressers cars if they have a power/weight of less than 150BHP/Ton
3) Mid-engined RWD get partial exemption iresspective of Power to weight.
Otherwise, I reckon it's a qualitative thing, regarding how easy the car is to live with and drive.. the more hairy, the less hair-dressery..
Oh yes.. the only tin-tops I can think of that explicityly qualify as hairdressers cars aren't even sports cars - the Suzuki X90 or whatever the hell that dreadful thing is called and that Chrysler PT jobby..
>> Edited by CarZee on Monday 7th October 11:18
ok this is me going on gross generalisations and stereotypes to define things and isn't my personal opinion... just thinking logically... so put those axes away... surely the term came about because hairdressers are considered to be a bit "limp wristed" or are actually female, so anything that's considered/perceived as being slow or easy to drive and for posing more than driving eg mx5, boxster, lower spec z3 would be called a hairdresser's car? however something like a chimaera or a griffith is far from easy to drive quickly, especially in the wet... as Tiff Needell said of the Griffith "This is not a car for wimps."
Any use?
No? I'll get me hairdryer! :hairdryer:
If you are already used to fast performance cars, then get in a soft top and the performance and handling simply take your breath away then it can in no way be described as a hairdressers car.
Thus S2000 is a hair dressers car and basically an MX5 in a fancy frock till about 7k revs or some twisty roads then suddenly its a sports car!! non S Boxters are hairdressers cars all the way.
I dont think any TVR can ever be labeled as such as even though old V6 S cars are hardly quick now days they require skill to drive hard & fast and with modern stuff if I struggle to keep up with a Tuscan on my bike in the same way i stuggled to keep up with an F40 then there simply aint no way thats a hairdressers car either.... My exception is 911 Cabs, later ones are almost as stiff as the coupes but I always think of them as hairdreesers/girls cars despite the performance & handling offered, dunno why anyone else feel like that?
True Toni & Guy cars to me are MGF,new Beetles,MX5, non 'M spec' BMW Z3 cabs, CRX honda with the horrible targa type roof and the ultimate hairdressers car the XR3i cab which always seems to be in white or metalic blue..
Opps Ive just read that back and realize i may have made a few enemys, so sorry to Z3, MGF, CRX, Boxster & 911 cab owners, but hey I need a hair cut anyway so at the next PH meet if ya bring ya snippers with you you could earn a few quid.......... XR3i owners I dont feel need any appologies, professional help yes, but no appology......
Thus S2000 is a hair dressers car and basically an MX5 in a fancy frock till about 7k revs or some twisty roads then suddenly its a sports car!! non S Boxters are hairdressers cars all the way.
I dont think any TVR can ever be labeled as such as even though old V6 S cars are hardly quick now days they require skill to drive hard & fast and with modern stuff if I struggle to keep up with a Tuscan on my bike in the same way i stuggled to keep up with an F40 then there simply aint no way thats a hairdressers car either.... My exception is 911 Cabs, later ones are almost as stiff as the coupes but I always think of them as hairdreesers/girls cars despite the performance & handling offered, dunno why anyone else feel like that?
True Toni & Guy cars to me are MGF,new Beetles,MX5, non 'M spec' BMW Z3 cabs, CRX honda with the horrible targa type roof and the ultimate hairdressers car the XR3i cab which always seems to be in white or metalic blue..
Opps Ive just read that back and realize i may have made a few enemys, so sorry to Z3, MGF, CRX, Boxster & 911 cab owners, but hey I need a hair cut anyway so at the next PH meet if ya bring ya snippers with you you could earn a few quid.......... XR3i owners I dont feel need any appologies, professional help yes, but no appology......
)quote:
,
what are the defining characteristics of a "Hairdresser's Car".
Discuss.
I reckon if it looks more at home on the Kings roads (a fancy street in London village for non Southerners) with a Tara or Sophie behind the wheels than in the pits at a circuit beside the caterfields and track day crowd then it is a hairdressers car.
So 2 examples- Audi TT and Ultima Can Am. Its not difficult to see which location suits which car best.
Implicit within the hairdresser tag is the involvement of no small degree of posing value.
One could largely target all sports cars accordingly, cabrio or not, on the basis of their general impracticality relative in particular, to that new breed of uber saloon, exemplified by Audi's latest RS series and Mercedes top line S class.
Off track, few Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche or TVR owners would be able to exploit a meaningful gap (if at all) between their Vidal Permwave 600 Plus mobiles and Ingolstadt's most ruthlessly competent devices.
Indeed, in conjunction with Merc's apparent mission to rediscover the golden 'Silver Arrows' days of yore (250mph etc), the actual logic for anything else begins to look less and less convincing.
As I peered longingly at a 'Giallo Fly' 360 rag top yesterday, the sound of saliva droplets hitting the tarmac was rudely tempered by the sudden realisation that in all probabilty, Harry Metcalfe's new RS6 Avant would probably frustrate any proud driver of the Italian object d'art; so the decision to actually own such an expensive trinket must needs reside in it's aesthetic delight as much as anything.
Now I can overlook a Ferrari because of the musical accompaniement but anything else?
I've completely missed out the whole 'drivers' ethos' thing, I realise but when even Clarkson comments that piloting an M5 is comparable in experience to that in a Ferrari...it just makes you wonder.
And since Jethro Bovingden trailed a Vanquish at interstellar velocities in a 'cheap', four door saloon according to this month's EVO (an EVO VII), it does make me, at least, think.
One could largely target all sports cars accordingly, cabrio or not, on the basis of their general impracticality relative in particular, to that new breed of uber saloon, exemplified by Audi's latest RS series and Mercedes top line S class.
Off track, few Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche or TVR owners would be able to exploit a meaningful gap (if at all) between their Vidal Permwave 600 Plus mobiles and Ingolstadt's most ruthlessly competent devices.
Indeed, in conjunction with Merc's apparent mission to rediscover the golden 'Silver Arrows' days of yore (250mph etc), the actual logic for anything else begins to look less and less convincing.
As I peered longingly at a 'Giallo Fly' 360 rag top yesterday, the sound of saliva droplets hitting the tarmac was rudely tempered by the sudden realisation that in all probabilty, Harry Metcalfe's new RS6 Avant would probably frustrate any proud driver of the Italian object d'art; so the decision to actually own such an expensive trinket must needs reside in it's aesthetic delight as much as anything.
Now I can overlook a Ferrari because of the musical accompaniement but anything else?
I've completely missed out the whole 'drivers' ethos' thing, I realise but when even Clarkson comments that piloting an M5 is comparable in experience to that in a Ferrari...it just makes you wonder.
And since Jethro Bovingden trailed a Vanquish at interstellar velocities in a 'cheap', four door saloon according to this month's EVO (an EVO VII), it does make me, at least, think.
0 - 60 under 5 secs
Rear wheel drive
2 seater
An engine with more capacity for air and fuel than a full-sized dragon with a hangover and that costs more to run and service than an average junky nicks in a week.
Brakes the size of Henry VIII's dinner plates
No electronic driver-aids
Simple really
Rear wheel drive
2 seater
An engine with more capacity for air and fuel than a full-sized dragon with a hangover and that costs more to run and service than an average junky nicks in a week.
Brakes the size of Henry VIII's dinner plates
No electronic driver-aids
Simple really
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