C5 performance
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 59
Likes: 1
I won't go into all my opinions here as most Vette owners are not "racers" or "mechanics". I know this from reading on this forum for quite some time. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of racers and mechanics here, but the majority are not. I don't compare my vette to my mustang nor will I compare my mustang to the vette, there is no comparison. Two completely different animals. Yes they are both sports cars, yes they are both muscle cars. As a racer I have won road races and drag races with both cars. They are both legends. Call your car what you want it is yours. But don't look down so harshly on others cars.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,868
Likes: 770
From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
Seems simple to me.
Room for two only = Sports Car
Room for four (sort of) = Muscle car
Sports car - Horsepower not relevant
Muscle car - Horsepower defines it.
I like both....
Room for two only = Sports Car
Room for four (sort of) = Muscle car
Sports car - Horsepower not relevant
Muscle car - Horsepower defines it.
I like both....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,146
Likes: 7
From: california
St. Jude Donor '15
[QUOTE=Harry Marsh;1579795228]only a vette 'only' guy would do so
(in my opinion)
"And on a side note....I don't think I can think of a muscle car that doesn't have a back seat (among many other arguments)"
to me, a 'sports car' has always been a 2 seater. be it the vette or a 60s british austin healy or triumph. it doesn't matter if it is fast or not. a muscle car has a back seat, and lots of power. the vette is both a sports car and a muscle car.
(in my opinion)
"And on a side note....I don't think I can think of a muscle car that doesn't have a back seat (among many other arguments)"
to me, a 'sports car' has always been a 2 seater. be it the vette or a 60s british austin healy or triumph. it doesn't matter if it is fast or not. a muscle car has a back seat, and lots of power. the vette is both a sports car and a muscle car.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 192
Likes: 9
From: The Colony TX
Ding, ding, ding.... We have a winner!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muscle_car
"Muscle car is a term used to refer to a variety of high-performance automobiles. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines muscle cars as "any of a group of American-made 2-door sports coupes with powerful engines designed for high-performance driving." Usually, a large V8 engine is fitted in a 2-door, rear wheel drive, family-style mid-size or full-size car designed for four or more passengers."
My Vette is NOT a "family car". It is MY car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6,835
Likes: 302
From: Columbia SC
To me Muscle cars like my Hemi are tradionally straight line cars and don't handle unless modified. Sportscars typically handle well and may or may not have horse power and torque. I would call the C5 a Performance car, like my Pantera, goes like stink and handles great.
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Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 4,831
Likes: 21
From: The Voice of Reason!
St. Jude Donor '14
Several notches above the smart for two. 
A Corvette is in a class all it's own. It is whatever it's owner wants it to be and does a pretty good job at anything that is ask of it.
The sports car people will never acknowledge it as a true sports car.
The muscle car people will never acknowledge it as a true muscle car.
But, it's capabilities worries the hell out of both of them.
A Corvette is in a class all it's own. It is whatever it's owner wants it to be and does a pretty good job at anything that is ask of it.
The sports car people will never acknowledge it as a true sports car.
The muscle car people will never acknowledge it as a true muscle car.
But, it's capabilities worries the hell out of both of them.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,528
Likes: 752
From: South Dakota
To me,
A sports car is one that emphasizes handling.
A muscle car is one that emphasizes horsepower and acceleration.
A Corvette can be included in both groups since it does everything well.
A sports car is one that emphasizes handling.
A muscle car is one that emphasizes horsepower and acceleration.
A Corvette can be included in both groups since it does everything well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 99
From: Apache Junction, Arizona
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I know that there has been discussion as to whether the Vette is a sports car or muscle car.
I started watching the show "Top Gear" and it got me to wondering just how does the stock C5 handling on a race track (not 1/4 mile straight) compare to say a new Mustang GT or Porsche or 350 Z or BMW?
I know this is a general question but just curious as I have only driven on the highway, and doubt I will ever go to an actual race track.
Mod please move if this is in the wrong section.
I started watching the show "Top Gear" and it got me to wondering just how does the stock C5 handling on a race track (not 1/4 mile straight) compare to say a new Mustang GT or Porsche or 350 Z or BMW?
I know this is a general question but just curious as I have only driven on the highway, and doubt I will ever go to an actual race track.
Mod please move if this is in the wrong section.
Last edited by Bimmervet; Feb 28, 2012 at 03:33 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,421
Likes: 969
From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
:th umbs: