What is the difference between a Sports car and a Muscle car (whats your opinion)

[Camaro Man]

what is the difference between a Sports car and a Muscle car?

[lafountain]

I know most seem to feel that a Sports Car is only a two-seater.

My opinion is that a Muscle Car is still a sports car though.

[kevin2323]

Muscle cars are cars with big power and originated in America.

[Muscle Master]

RAW V8 POWER!!!!!!!!, think I cleared that up

[09'Z28]

Originally Posted by lafountain

I know most seem to feel that a Sports Car is only a two-seater.

if you feel that way then let me throw this out there do classify this as a '80 sportscar? (both same car just different colors once mine's painted i'll use it for examples)

because it's kinda got back seats

[drivingincamaro]

Originally Posted by Camaro Man

what is the difference between a Sports car and a Muscle car?

sports car
A sports car is a term used to describe a class of automobile. The exact definition varies, [1] but generally it is used to refer to a low to ground, light weight vehicle with a powerful engine. 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[2] or spartan, but driving mechanical performance is the key attraction. Many drivers regard brand name and the subsequent racing reputation and history as important indications of sporting quality (for example, Ferrari, Porsche, Lotus), but some 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.[3] Performance cars of all configurations are grouped as Sports and Grand tourer cars, or, occasionally, as performance cars.

A sports car does not require a large, powerful engine, though many do have them. Many 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 (for example, Lotus Seven, Austin 7 Speedy). On tight, twisting roads, such a sports car may perform more effectively than a heavier, more powerful car.

Due to North American safety regulations, many sports cars are unavailable for sale or use in the United States and Canada. In the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle Eastern market (e.g. UAE), a flexible attitude towards small-volume specialist manufacturers has allowed companies such as TVR, Noble, and Pagani to succeed


muscle car

Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high performance automobiles.[1][2] The term principally refers to American, Australian and to a lesser extent South African models. It generally describes a 2-door rear wheel drive mid-size car with a large, powerful V8 engine, and at an affordable price. Although opinions vary, it is generally accepted that classic muscle cars were produced in the late 1960s and early 1970s.[3][4][5][6] Muscle cars were built for street use and in some cases racing. They are distinct from sports cars and also from GTs, which are two-seat or 2+2 cars intended for high-speed touring/road racing. These are not generally considered muscle cars owing to their small size, relatively high cost and specialty nature. (The two-seater AMC AMX may or may not be an exception: one source queries whether it qualifies as a true muscle car or pony car,[7] but also lists it among vehicles that fit the general interpretation of both categories.[8] AMC was "never shy" about describing the car as "a genuine sports car"[9] as it was relatively inexpensive).[3]

For a definition from the muscle car era, a 2004 book refers the reader to an extract from Road Test magazine’s June 1967 issue: "Just what is a Muscle Car? Exactly what the name implies. It is a product of the American car industry adhering to the hot rodder's philosophy of taking a small car and putting a BIG engine in it [...] The Muscle Car is Charles Atlas kicking sand in the face of the 98 hp (73 kW) weakling." The book’s author adds that the muscle car was designed for straight-line speed, and did not have the "sophisticated chassis", "engineering integrity" or "lithe appearance" of European high-performance cars[10]

Opinions vary as to whether high-performance full-size cars, compacts, and pony cars qualify as muscle cars.[11]

Classic muscle cars are also defined by age and country of origin. The term "muscle car" did not enter common usage until after production of the vehicles had essentially ended,[3] and American print media of the era commonly referred to them as "supercars".[12][13]

thank you wiki
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my explanation

sports car: corvette

muscle car: Camaro

[SS22]

During the 80s and 90s the Camaro evolved more into a sports car while the Mustang remained more of a muscle car. As the demand for sports cars declined the Camaro died (till now).

[Supermans]

There's muscle and then there's American Muscle.. Mustangs, Camaro's and Challengers all fall into the muscle car category. There were times in their histories where the Mustang fell out of that category with the small boxy escort lookalike series. However that all changed with a reboot back in 1994. Since then the Mustang has been all American Muscle and now that the Camaro and Challenger are back, you got even more classic American Muscle on the streets again. The Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, and BMW all are great sports cars, refined, fast, and not the best suited for daily driving or long road trips compared to a Lincoln or Mercury in comfort but are great on a track and more exciting to drive. Yes there are exceptions to that rule as the M3 and Porsche are very comfortable and fast, however you get my point. The term sports car can mean a whole lot more while muscle car is reserved for a class of a few..

[mega]

Originally Posted by Supermans

The Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Audi, and BMW all are great sports cars, refined, fast, and not the best suited for daily driving or long road trips compared to a Lincoln or Mercury in comfort but are great on a track and more exciting to drive.

I dunno, the audi's & bmw's drive better down the road than any lincoln or mercury I've driven

[Supermans]

Originally Posted by mega

I dunno, the audi's & bmw's drive better down the road than any lincoln or mercury I've driven

Actually they are bumpier on the road, because they are sports car oriented with stiffer suspensions. I am talking about the sprts car segment and not the high end luxury segment..

[mega]

Originally Posted by Supermans

Actually they are bumpier on the road, because they are sports car oriented with stiffer suspensions. I am talking about the sprts car segment and not the high end luxury segment..

maybe when modified, but all my bmw's have been better on the road than any ford or gm old person car that I've rode in

[ihc95]

When I think of sports cars I think of:
Nissan 350Z
BMW 335i/M3
Porsche Boxter/Cayman
Audi A5/S5 (TT's usually FWD)
Mazda RX8

When I think of muscle cars I think of:
Mustang GT/GT500
Challenger RT/SRT8
Charger RT/SRT8
Camaro SS (can be either according to GM, but since its American, its a muscle car )

[Wikkid1]

Originally Posted by Muscle Master

RAW V8 POWER!!!!!!!!, think I cleared that up

Nuff Said!!!!

[RSHugger]

My thought... Muscle car is tire smoking, straightline action. Sports car, power but with the ability to handle the curves.