Modern Sports Cars Designs

Any self respecting car lover knows that to buy a sports car or supercar without a manual transmission (if given the choice) is unforgivable sacrilege. I understand that all new exotics don’t even offer a stick anymore, but that doesn’t mean their aged predecessors shipped only with dual pedals. Here are five modern sports cars that should never, under any circumstance, be bought without the ability to row your own gears.

The MG Car Company Limited was a former British sports car manufacturer founded in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber. Best known for its two-seat open sports cars, MG also produced saloons and coupés. Kimber was an employee of William Morris, MG is from Morris Garages. The MG business was Morris's personal property until 1935 when he sold MG into his holding company, Morris Motors Limited, restructuring his holdings before issuing (preference) shares in Morris Motors to the public in 1936. On 22 July 2005, the Nanjing Automobile Group purchased the rights to the MG brand and the assets of the MG Rover Group for £53 million creating a new company MG Motor, The words performance, handling and fun go hand-in-hand when talking sports cars. Many would argue these speedsters should seat only two passengers and sport rear-wheel drive, but automotive thrills can arrive in many forms. While the affordable Ford Mustang has been top of mind with visitors to MSN Autos for many months, in the third quarter of 2008 it was unseated by another American icon is  Chevrolet Corvette.

Long an American icon, the current Corvette is also a world-class, high-performance sports car. And for 2009 the 'Vette moves into exotic car territory with the all-new ZR1. Powered by a 638-horse supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, the Corvette ZR1 is capable of 205 mph on the track. The standard Corvette is no slouch either, with its 430-horsepower V8 and impressive fuel economy numbers of 16 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

When the latest Mustang debuted in 2005, its flashback styling tapped into a deep well of American automotive lust. Its retro design — plainly displayed via round headlights, triangular windows, three-element taillights, and galloping-pony grille — only added appeal to one of the last affordable American sports cars. Available as a coupe or convertible, the Mustang continues to be one of the most popular cars in the Ford lineup, offering a variety of performance options, including a 300-horsepower V8 engine in the GT.

The M3 is the high-performance version of the BMW 3-Series and was completely new for 2008, powered for the first time by a V8 engine. Offered in coupe, sedan and convertible versions, the M3 is even more aggressive than its predecessor with a power dome in the middle of the aluminum hood, a rear diffuser, and gills in the front fenders that include the blue/purple/red M3 logo. The 4.0-liter V8 puts out 414 horsepower at a high-revving 8300 rpm, and is teamed with a 6-speed manual transmission or a new 7-speed M Double-Clutch transmission with Drivelogic, specifically designed for the M3's engine.

The legendary rear-engine sports car, the 911 has managed to retain its trademark silhouette since its inception over 40 years ago. A number of different versions are available, with the range-topping 911 Turbo cranking out 480 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter flat six. With a high-tech all-wheel-drive system, the Turbo can lunge to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds and hit 100 mph in 8.4 seconds using the standard 6-speed manual transmission. Opt for the 5-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission and acceleration times improve to 3.4 and 7.8 seconds. A revised 911 will debut later this year as a 2009 model.

Sports Car Innovators

Best history of American sports cars is the story not only of machines, but also of the men who made and drove them. There have been many key players in the development of the modern sports car, but some stand out as truly significant figures, Sports car enthusiasts remember cars. They can tell you the specs of many significant sports cars and can trace the history of many sports car lines. It's important to remember these cars did not materialize from thin air. There were men behind the cars who brought them to the limelight. three of the great innovators Winton, Arkus-Dontav, and DeLorean deserve to be as remembered as any sports car to ever hit the road.

Classic Sports Cars Designs

Classic sports car collectors either lovingly restore and drive their cars or simply keep them in prime condition in their garages. Many love to show off their cars in shows and win trophies. And why not? These handsome cars are the epitome of style, if you plan on buying a classic sports car, it is advisable to go for a car that's reasonably priced and is simple but nevertheless interesting. American cars offer great value for the money when compared to cars from Europe, in terms of availability of spare parts for restoration. Most American classics come equipped with power windows, air conditioning and power steering. On reliability, too, American cars tend to score better, as they require lesser maintenance and do not need frequent servicing, The Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac GTO, Porsche 911 Carrera, Mercedes-Benz 300SL and Alfa Romeo Monza Spider are a few famous classic sports cars that wowed generations of auto enthusiasts with their sleek tailfins, chrome plating and grilles, bright, happy two tone colors, jet tube taillights, wraparound windshields and plush upholstery.

Sports Cars for Sale

Sports cars are available for sale through dealers and auctions, and on the Internet. Auctions often advertise bargain prices, which they call wholesale rates. Many such prices are bait to attract unsuspecting customers, who end up paying extras like taxes, money for the fuel already in the car, valet charges and more. Therefore, it is better to exercise a little caution before going in for such 'deals.' 

Many sports cars are bought and sold on the Internet these days. Websites feature attractive specs, pictures and reviews of sports cars to attract customers. Shortlist advertisements give complete details about the car, mode of payment, conditions of sale and other information. Avoid advertisements that are vague on details. Examine the seller's record on the site; if possible, speak to one of his previous customers.

Where to Find the Best Sports Car Hire

Today Sports cars have evolved to be affordable accessible and practical. The original cars of the fifties and sixties were badly fabricated, they had awful handling, poor reliability, were very slow compared to today's standards and didn't stop well at all. The sports cars of today are fun nimble and will be sure to bring a smile to your face, some sports cars today even have rear seats; sometimes referred to as a 2+2 these seats allow you to car 3 additional passengers but generally speaking aren't particularly comfortable over long journeys. Sports car hire in Spain is best suited to a couple traveling abroad looking for fun on the open road.

New Sports cars today range from things like the now defunct TVR s or the increasingly popular Mazda MX5 even BMW and Porsche build cars which fall under the category of sports car if you are feeling wealthy or want to turn heads as you cruise the streets and boulevards of Spain try hiring a Porsche Boxer or BMW Z4. These cars are top of their game and offer the driver unbeaten control and driving experience. A trip though Spain in a Sports car is sure to leave you with memories that will last a life time.