Did Toyota bribe every car journalist?

[K2]

See if you can trade your brother in on a 5AD body kit.

[wbradley]

Just tell your brother that opinions are like arseholes; everybody has one and they all stink!

[midenginebias]

No. Most car journalists that I read, Evo, C&D, Motor Trend, Automobile, .. even Grassroots Racing, all generally say the same thing.

The enthusiasts are always looking for the most responsive to input vehicle with basic creature comforts that don't make it look too cheap. The opinions may vary, but it is usually based around that central theme.

If anything I'm surprised that EVO mag didn't give it a higher score, basically stating that it's short on power and they didn't like the boxer drone, yet a basic 134bhp Elise won Evo Car of the Year a few years back.

Then again, I primarily pay attention to what Chris Harris has to say about vehicles, lesser about Jethro Bovington, and if Chris likes it, it's got to be a pretty amazing piece of machinery.

So what if these guys drive supercars all the time? Have some of you driven supercars? I find a few of them not as amazing as people think, and even if I won the lotto, would never own one, unless a Lotus or Porsche is considered a supercar. I certainly don't think so.

[Bigmaxy]

I'm sure you realise that he is doing what every brother does, he is winding you up and has been successful not only of yourself but the forum too.

I'm sure he is your typical FPV/HSV guy who thinks if it doesn't have mucho HP figures that it's crap. Somehow I think he will change his tune the first time you go around a corner and it doesn't understeer horribly like his FPV would. (he won't admit it to you though). Of course he could just light up the rear tyres for as long as he pleases. Those FPV F6's are great cars but they are not a sports car and until he drives a sports car quickly he won't understand.

I hope you have explained that his FPV is just a tarted up Falcon.

[(K)]

Lol, your brother's argument is valid. Buy him a beer and punch him in the gut.

[Sasquachulator]

Show him a corner.

Maybe he'll end up saying "corners are for bikes!"

[Kayeri]

Originally Posted by midenginebias

unless a Lotus or Porsche is considered a supercar. I certainly don't think so.

I've had the chance to drive a Porsche 997 GT2 on the track. Rear engined, rear wheel drive, 530 hp.

It was terrifying!
But orgasmic is the best word to define the overall experience.


Pretty sure it classifies as a supercar.

[midenginebias]

Originally Posted by Kayeri

I've had the chance to drive a Porsche 997 GT2 on the track. Rear engined, rear wheel drive, 530 hp.

It was terrifying!
But orgasmic is the best word to define the overall experience.


Pretty sure it classifies as a supercar.

Well that's the thing. It's a GT2, still derived from the base 911 chassis.

Basically, it's a 911, with more.

Do you think a Lancer is a sports car? How about a Lancer Evo? Performance car yes? Sports car? No.

Still, it's a Lancer, with more.

I don't even consider a GT-R as a supercar. Amazingly high performance? Absolutely.

Just depends on opinion.

[quik1987]

Originally Posted by midenginebias

Well that's the thing. It's a GT2, still derived from the base 911 chassis.

Basically, it's a 911, with more.

Do you think a Lancer is a sports car? How about a Lancer Evo? Performance car yes? Sports car? No.

Still, it's a Lancer, with more.

I don't even consider a GT-R as a supercar. Amazingly high performance? Absolutely.

Just depends on opinion.

I think you are confusing the supercar and exotic. GT-R is definitely a supercar.

[midenginebias]

I think you are confusing the supercar and exotic. GT-R is definitely a supercar.

I disagree with that. I've driven quite a few. I think supercars/hypercars are supposed to apply to the senses; aesthetic, aural, responsiveness. Under that criteria, then yes, it makes sense that Ferraris, McLarens, and other cars are considered. GTR? Sounds... dull. Not exactly the most visual stunning. Responsive? Yes, through dulled steering feel and drive by wire. So my opinion? Not a supercar.

[Dragonist]

A sports car (sportscar or sport car) is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for spirited performance and nimble handling.[1] Sports cars may be spartan or luxurious but high maneuverability and minimum weight are requisite

reference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car

(i'm bored at work)

[Kearny Mesa Scion]

Originally Posted by white_knight

My brother isn't a fan of the 86... at all.

He hasn't driven it, but is adamant that a sports car with only 200HP is not a sports car at all.

I argue that it wasn't built for speed, but for handling.

He replies "Of course! I'd be concerned if you couldn't handle a car that slow!"

I then mention how every car journalist has rates the car.

His argument is that Toyota paid off every car journalist... either with money or by giving them an actual 86.

I said "that's ridiculous".

He said "well it does explain why you can't even buy one - cos they gave them all away!"

He's good for a laugh, thought I'd share this.

Webster Dictionary:
Definition of SPORTS CAR

: a low small usually 2-passenger automobile designed for quick response, easy maneuverability, and high-speed driving

how is the FRS not a sports car? the cars you mentioned your brother has sounds like aussie muscle cars to me.

[regal]

The FR-S doesn't really have 4 seats, When (if) I finally get an FR-S those seats will be pulled out thats not the issue from this being a tue sports car in the classic England definition.

The only thing holding the FR-S from being a true sports car is weight (unlike the last toyota sports car: MR2 Spyder.) The Spyder could have been a legacy had it not had those precats that crumbled and got sucked into the engine, that was a huge black eye on toyotas reputation as a sports car designer, worse than the silly snap over steer scar of the previous MR2.

So no Toyota didn't pay the media, but they did put on a full court press, a defensive one not offense. And had to sneak it in the US under the Scion badge due to the previous MR2 debacle's.

[kiks]

So your brother drives a taxi with 400hp, and has a fucked old mustang?

And he is the resident expert on anything related to something sporty?

GTFO.