What's the difference between a "GT" car and a "Sports Car"?

[jameschang]

I always thought a sports car is a two seater with good acceleration, handling, and stiff suspension. While a GT car is 2+2, with good overtaking power, handling, but a softer suspension.

I am a little confused because a few cars seem to be both...Porsche 911, Infiniti G35 coupe, Bentley GT, etc.

[BlackGT2000]

That definition does not sound right at all. I would say it the other way around. A WRX or even an STI is not a sports car, I would call that a performance car. I would however call an S2000 a sports car, being that its only real purpose is to be sporty. What do reliability, fuel economy, and practical use have to do with a sports car? Nothing.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by sickcallawayc12

On another interesting note, I recently did a definition essay in my english class, the topic i chose was "definition of a sports car." To me this term should have a more general meaning than what it is, 3 things i believe that defines a sports car is a vehicle with good acceleration, good handling, and practical use. Practical use is a car that has space for luggage, reliable, average maintenence costs (cars built solely for performance usually cost more in this area), room for the baby seat if ya need it, and can handle most/all weather conditions. To make it easier, it's a performance car for the everyday man. Vehicles that were designed with performance in mind (Porsche, Supra, Firebird, Ferrari, 3000 gt, 300zx) i think should be called performance cars and not sports cars. Sports cars are still useful for everyday life situations (WRX wagon, to an extent newer monte carlos, Toyota Matrix, Mazda3, Mazda6)

Whoa, I think that you are way off and that jameschang is much much closer to the truth. Nobody in their right ming would consider the Monte Carlo, Matrix, Mazda3, or Mazda6 a sports car. If you went to a Mazda dealership and asked for a sports car, they would bring you right to the RX-8 or Miata. If you went to a Chevy dealer and asked for a sports car, they would bring you to the Corvette. Your definition of a sports car is much closer to the definition of a GT car. Much of the definition of a sports car is dependent upon people's perception of a car. I've never experienced anyone seeing a Mazda6 and saying, "cool sports car." Don't confuse the word sportiness with sports car. A car might have a bit of a sporty feel to it or have a bit more grunt then a normal car, but that doesn't make it a sports car. A BMW 3-series is sporty, but it is not a sports car, neither is an Infiniti G35 Sedan or an Accord V6.

Sports cars are not very useful for everyday situations, but can be used on the road. The Chevy Corvette is a sports car, the Porsche Boxster is a sports car, the Lotus Elise is a sports car, the BMW Z4 is a sports car. The Matrix is about as far from being a sports car as you can get. A sports car has to actually be fun to drive, attractive, and desirable.

A GT car is very similar to a sports car. Good power, good looks, good handling. The difference is drivability over a long distance. A GT car will have more luxuries, will be quieter when you want it to be, and will not be uncomfortable over time. Examples of GT cars would be the BMW M6, Jaguar XK, and Mercedes CL. GT cars are generally going to be slower then a similarly priced sports cars because of weight, not necessarily power.

As Jameschang pointed out, there are cars that seem to fit into the middle. Cars like the Porsche 911, BMW M3, and Infiniti G35 Coupe (now G37) seem to walk the line between sports car and GT car. To this I say that the two concepts of car building are not mutually exclusive. It is very possible for a car to be both sporty and good to drive, but usually you have to compromise between the two. The BMW M3 isn't as fast as a C6 Corvette, but it is nicer to drive, it isn't as comfortable as a CLK Benz, but it is much sportier.

If you must categorize some cars as performance cars as sickcallaway did, I would direct you towards single purpose cars. Race cars are performance cars, drag cars are performance cars, Lotus/Caterham 7s are performance cars, the upcoming Caparo T1 is a performance car, and the Ariel Atom is a performance car.

Oh, and Wikipedia is a crappy source. Anyone with computer access can change any article they want. Articles are usually fact checked after changed, but this can take a little while.

[sickcallawayc12]

i wasn't saying it was right, it's just my opinion of what a "sports car" is.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by sickcallawayc12

i wasn't saying it was right, it's just my opinion of what a "sports car" is.

Advise on opinions- when making an argument, try not to defend yourself by saying, "its just my opinion."

I think that you have really just overthought this whole thing. Do you, or anyone else you know, really consider the Toyota Matrix a sports car?

[sickcallawayc12]

I'm not trying to defend myself or what i said, all i was really doing was mentioning something i did recently in school that reflected my beliefs of a sports car. I wasn't trying to suggest to the thread starter that this is the definition or a good definition (except for the wikipedia, sorry ) just my definition. Don't take it seriously cuz u guys are right about the definition, i know. More of an off topic post that's kinda on the topic at the same time.

EDIT: I deleted my original post as my opinions are not related to the original thread and have no business here. My apologies.