BG: What do you drive? (PICS)

[Quixon]

There was a test mule photographed in South Africa I believe a year or so ago. Convertible isn't happening in regards to an actual production car. Toyota has flat out said so many times.

[ringthree]

I guess my insurance company is wrong then, I should call them up and tell them the Wiki doesn't classify my car as a true "sports car" and they are overcharging me.

Yes, because insurance companies are the arbiters of how we should classify the sportiness of cars. That is why my IS300 was considered to be the same thing as a PT Cruiser by my insurance company.

[ringthree]

There was a test mule photographed in South Africa I believe a year or so ago. Convertible isn't happening in regards to an actual production car. Toyota has flat out said so many times.

I don't believe what any of those fuckers say about anything. Depending on who you ask you could get nothing, or a fucking rocket engine added on the 2016.

[Quixon]

And you see one of the many problems with insurance lol. You could literally switch insurance companies and your car might not be considered a sports car.

Definition of a Sports Car

The definition of a sports car varies from insurer to insurer. Each company assigns a different value to the components that go into a car, emerging with premiums that are always higher for automobiles that end up being classified as sports cars or high performance vehicles. Some factors that go into the calculations include: make and model, engine size, number of cylinders, height, weight and horsepower. Vehicles that end up fitting the sports car bill are often sleek, low, race-equipped pieces of machinery with two doors and a lot of control.

[bechyni]

Yes, because insurance companies are the arbiters of how we should classify the sportiness of cars. That is why my IS300 was considered to be the same thing as a PT Cruiser by my insurance company.

"a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving" I'm glad they narrowed it down so much, they even listed the specific weight/height requirements a car must meet to fall under the category of sports car!

That was Merriam-Webster's definition

[Quixon]

Lol. This is true. Keep in mind the person saying "it aint happening" is the President of the company that actually MAKES the cars, Fuji Heavy. A convertible requires complete redesign and re-engineering of the entire chassis. More in regards to safety than anything else.

It's more like designing a completely new 2 seater convertible, than designing a convertible FRS/BRZ if you know what I mean.

[ringthree]

Lol. This is true. Keep in mind the person saying "it aint happening" is the President of the company that actually MAKES the cars, Fuji Heavy. A convertible requires complete redesign and re-engineering of the entire chassis. More in regards to safety than anything else.

It's more like designing a completely new 2 seater convertible, than designing a convertible FRS/BRZ if you know what I mean.

Fuji (Subaru) is directed by Toyota on this project. If Toyota says go, the message changes faster than the technical issues that prevented the Evo from coming over after the success of the STi. Also a convertible doesn't require a redesign at all, especially if the reports are true that it the chassis was designed to accommodate a convertible. For example, the convertible Solora just has its roof cut out when it hits California.

[ringthree]

"a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving" I'm glad they narrowed it down so much, they even listed the specific weight/height requirements a car must meet to fall under the category of sports car!

That was Merriam-Webster's definition

Right. I guess I am confused how that definition doesn't support what I have been saying and pretty much exclude even a v6 Mustang, for example.

[bechyni]

Sorry the FR-s can seat 4, so even it is not a "sports car"

[ringthree]

Sorry the FR-s can seat 4, so even it is not a "sports car"

I actually included a statement about the back "seat" in the FR-S (it's a nice bench for luggage, LOL), but I cut it out because I figured that most people understand the term "usually". It's just not the most common configuration.

You are trying really hard. I can feel it.

[bechyni]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...g?t=1335326268

He seems to fit just fine lol

This is really an AutoX vs 1/4mile type of discussion though

[Quixon]

The quote from President Yoshinaga:

“We make the car, so if we don’t make it, it can’t happen. Our engineering department told me that losing the entire roof requires a complete redesign of the structure. It would need a big change.
...
I understand well that Toyota is receiving strong requests from the American market for the car. But the biggest challenge is meeting our internal safety standards. There are big technical difficulties."



Re: The photo above, the dude driving must be a fucking midget. My buddy can't even put a car seat in the back without his kid being able to kick the shit out of the back seat lol.

[ringthree]

The quote from President Yoshinaga:

“We make the car, so if we don’t make it, it can’t happen. Our engineering department told me that losing the entire roof requires a complete redesign of the structure. It would need a big change.
...
I understand well that Toyota is receiving strong requests from the American market for the car. But the biggest challenge is meeting our internal safety standards. There are big technical difficulties."



Re: The photo above, the dude driving must be a fucking midget. My buddy can't even put a car seat in the back without his kid being able to kick the shit out of the back seat lol.

I am just saying that Mitsubishi said that it was impossible for the Evo to come to the US because the bumper requirement meant that they couldn't position the intercooler correctly. Then all of a sudden the WRX sells well and Subaru announces the STi. Then an engineering miracle occurs and it becomes a simple new bumper and the Evo was immediately ready to be shipped to the US.

It's all bullshit. LOL

As for the picture, yeah, I mean I have fit someone in the backseat before, and it was not comfortable for either passenger. It is worse than the situation in my Celica.

[bechyni]

It's terrible when people try to pile in the backseat of a car that obviously isn't meant for 4 people to ride in. Every single time friends decide to go somewhere it's always "hey let's take the 5.0" and I'm just standing there going fuck you I'm not driving with my chin on the steering wheel.

[Quixon]

It's terrible when people try to pile in the backseat of a car that obviously isn't meant for 4 people to ride in. Every single time friends decide to go somewhere it's always "hey let's take the 5.0" and I'm just standing there going fuck you I'm not driving with my chin on the steering wheel.

One of the many benefits of the true 2 seater lol.

Fuck it, pull the back seat and put a nice roll cage in ^_^d

[bechyni]

The thought of pulling out the backseat has crossed my mind several times lol, although all the money I'm spending on it are going into performance mods

[Quixon]

Just think of it this way..... the cage will keep you alive lol.

Doesn't need much more justification that that ^_^d

[Boyiee]

All this debate between what's a sports car and what isn't, my insurance company would like to have a word with you.

[Mythe_Seraph]

Have YOU ever sat in the back of a BRZ or FRS? I have friends who own both types and neither of them is adequate. There is no room. Both times I have sat with my legs in the other seat. No idea how they stuffed that guy in the back of that FRS there but that's ridiculous. It is nowhere near comfortable.

[bechyni]

Yes I've sat in the back of a FR-S after I test drove one