[robbo51]

Originally Posted by Robbieee

IMO (of course!) the MX5 is NOT a sports car. Just cos a car says "sport" after it, doesnt make it so! But each to their own i suppose...

What!!!??
MX5 NOT a Sports Car??
Its based on the Lotus and has good perormance and is very 'chuckable'.
This is what a Sports Car is meant to be.
Just because its got a 1.8 engine doesnt mean its NOT classed as a Sports Car!!
My MG Midget had a 1275 cc engine...BUT..
It was, in every way, a Sports Car
I add this definition to help you decide:

A sports car is a term used to describe a class automobile. The exact definition varies, but most vehicles referred to as sports cars are rear-wheel drive, have two seats, two doors, and are designed for more precise handling, acceleration, and aesthetics. A sports car's dominant considerations can be superior road handling, braking, maneuverability, low weight, and high power, rather than passenger space, comfort, and fuel economy.
Sports cars can be either luxurious] or spartan, but driving mechanical performance is the key attraction.
Drivers regard brand name and the subsequent racing reputation and history (for example, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Porsche, Lotus) as important indications of sporting quality, but brands such as Lamborghini, which do not race or build racing cars, are also highly regarded.
A car may be a sporting automobile without being a sports car. Performance modifications of regular, production cars, such as sport compacts, sports sedans, muscle cars, hot hatches and the like, generally are not considered sports cars, yet share traits common to sports cars. They are sometimes called "sports cars" for marketing purposes for increased advertising and promotional purposes.
Performance cars of all configurations are grouped as Sports and Grand tourer cars (GT), or, occasionally, as performance cars.
A sports car does not require a large, powerful engine, though many do have them. Some classic British sports cars lacked powerful engines, but were known for exceptional handling due to light weight, a well-engineered, balanced chassis, and modern suspension. On tight, twisting roads, such an automobile performs more effectively than a heavier, more powerful luxury car with less maneuverability

Wikipedia