Since you're casting such a wide net, perhaps you should throw the m3 and the 1M into the mix. (Though my personal bias is for porsche).

If the top can't go down, it's not a sports car. Sporty, perhaps, but not a sports car.

I'm going to go with 'No' on that one. Plenty of real sports cars with tops, some more focused, more capable and by conclusion "sportier" than their open top, showy, noodly, floppy brethren.

Noooo, don't fall into the semantics trap!

Clyde is using the traditional description of a "sports car". The 911 falls into the GT camp - it does have four seats - even if they aren't "real", and a closed top (in its standard configuration).

As for driver involvement, a two seater convertible gives you that in spades, and it doesn't have to be a Porsche; Miatas, Z3's, Z4's, Vette verts, old british sports cars etc., all provide a level of "involvement" not found in ordinary cars. I get the feeling that's not what Lip wants, he's been down that road (hasn't he?), my perception is he wants a more, ummm "substantial" (for lack of a better word) yet sporty-ish car in the A5, S5 mold.

Please dig up that "traditional" description of a sports car. When does it date from, 1911 when all cars were 'verts?

You classify the 911 as a GT car? :lol::lol::lol:

He is comfusing the definition of roadster with sports car. Most roadsters are sports cars, but not the converse.

No real sports cars with tops. Focus, capability, power, whatever are not part of the definition. If it has a fixed top, it's not a sports car.

Anyone heard from lemming lately? I recall he had some strange rules that had to be followed to call a car a sports car.

You were too late.