I have heard some people say the 350z is a more of a GT (Grand Tourer) than an true sports car. Others disagree. What exactly defines a car as a GT?

 

bump

 

I the definition is always under discussion, but what I've always heard is a 2 door, 4 seat sports car. 911, Mustang, Some Ferrari's, etc. I think many feel that a GT trades some performance for luxury and comfort.

I've heard that originally sports cars were typically considered as having one or two seats and an open cockpit, but now it seems that most people consider them a two door, two seater with excellent handling. Also, they are supposed to be small and light. S2000, Elise, MR-2, Miata, etc.

I think the reason some say the Z is more like a GT is because it is relatively heavy and larger than some of the other "sports cars".

Most people who say the Z is a GT seem to be trying to use the term in a derogatory fasion, and that by calling it a GT it somehow becomes a poorer performer than other sports cars. However, its on-track performance and driving feel show what it is capable of, and whether you call it a GT or a sports car is immaterial.

-D'oh!

 

a mustang

 

The Z is a Z

No other car can call themselves a Z And I would rather have a Z then a GT anyday.

 

G35 = 350GT

 

Except a "Z06".... They were around first.

 

Z28 before that

 

300ZX TT were around first!

 

I have always considered the 300ZX TT a GT car. It just seems heavier and more setup for a spirited cruise.

The 350Z is much more nimble (I am speaking stock to stock here) than the old Z was and has plenty of power.

The 350z is a true sports car, no doubt about it.

 

This is where I always get confused. If you consider the 300zx a GT then you WOULD have to consider the Supra at GT since it has 4 seats, wouldn't you? And i'm sure most Supra owners and 300zx owners do not consider their cars being called a GT.

 

Which do you consider more GT?

1. Car A has lots of Torque and lots of HP with OK Handling.

2. Car B with Great Handling and OK Torque and OK HP.

3. Niether it depends on the looks and luxury.

 

to me, the Z is a GT because it's on the heavy side. Much like say a DB7 is a GT too although it has lots of hp.
a sports car has to be nimble and can turn on a dime.
Sadly the word GT has been badly used. Even a PT Cruiser can be a GT. Or a God forbid... a sunfire. But a true Gran Turismo car they are not.
basing whether a sports car by number of seats is difficult. If any 2-seater is a sports car, then an Audi TT is a sports car too which is far from it.

 

there are 2 ways to define GT (Grand Touring/Gran Turismo)

as far as factory car trim goes: GT means better performance and more luxury than base trim
the GT badge can be used on both sports cars and none sports cars. For example, the eclipse GT outperforms the GS, porsche 911 GT2 and GT3 out performs the standard 911. Nissan 350z nismo S-tune GT > 350z. Mustang GT > regular Mustang etc..

GT is also viewed as a car type with 2 qualities
1. performance
2. comfort on long drives

for performance cars,
350z, s2000, rx8, corvette, stangs, AMGs, M3, M5, most ferraris, porsches are considered GT cars. (most true sports cars (RWD 2 seater) are GT cars)
Evo, Sti, SRT-4 are not considered GT cars because the ride in those cars are rough and unforgiving. so they are not practical for long drives/touring

being GT is a praise, not necessarily derogatory