True Sports Cars. Who makes the cut?

ZCanadian

True sports cars are all about compromise. Just, instead of compromising performance for the mundane, they compromise what most drivers consider essential. Or, put differently, they often force compromises on the driver.

In the end, I don't know how relevant some 1990's magazine's perception of suitable heights and weights can be today. Whether or not it truly was so even back in the day, is debatable. Interesting, for sure, but not of any use (IMO) for a 2017 purchase decision. The limits imposed by last century's technology made these stats far more important than they are now. Back when "double nickel" had more to do with the price of a pack of smokes than the interstate speed limit, there were lots of cars that would have trouble getting a ticket on a normal road. Now, even a Yaris can get you into "lose your license" territory in under 15 seconds. Today, we have the ability to employ better brakes rubber and suspension, a lighter chassis, lighter and more powerful (and more efficient) engines, better drive trains, aerodynamics, and computer trickery on everything from damping to KERS to displacement to torque vectoring. All that despite the weight and performance penalties imposed by increased safety and environmental regulation and the pressures of the business world on auto makers.

In the end, and in 2017, the BEST CAR (sports or otherwise) is the one that suits you (and often you alone, as that's how full most vehicles on the road are) the best. The BEST COMPETITION SPORTS CAR is the one that will help you win your class. Unless you truly compete your vehicle, the BEST SPORTS CAR is the one that makes you feel the best inside. And that is something only you can judge.