Background on Sports Cars

Before you look into sports car loans, you'll want to find a sports car that is right for you. A little background information on the topic can assist you in that decision. The definition of a sports car has vastly expanded in recent years. A definition once limited to two-door, two-seater cars that accelerate quickly has grown to include several different sub-genres of cars. Hatchbacks, sedans, and even some SUV's as well as the traditional coupes and convertibles all classify as sports cars by today's definition. In general, there are three sub-genres of sports cars:

• Sport two-doors: sporty styling sets these cars apart from family cars, but high performance is not mandatory (e.g., Ford Mustang, Volvo C70, Pontiac Solstice)
• Exotic sports cars: usually foreign, high-priced, and exclusive (e.g., Ferrari, Lamborghini, Panoz)
• High-performance sports cars: all about speed and power, sometimes at the expense of styling and comfort features (e.g., Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche Carrera, Dodge Viper)

Deciding What You Want and Need from Your Sports Car

The selection of sports cars these days can be overwhelming, but you can dramatically narrow the field by asking yourself a few questions first. In deciding among the sub-genres of sports cars available, you'll want to ask yourself why you're buying a sports car in the first place. Are you all about looks and style? Then a sport two-door might be right for you. Do you have a need for speed and horsepower? A more performance-oriented vehicle might be the best bet for you. Are you out to turn heads with an exclusive status symbol? The exotic sports car genre excels in those areas. In general, you'll want to consider the following areas in shopping for your sports car:

• Who will be driving the vehicle (can the driver handle a high-performance vehicle)
• What the primary use is (i.e., occasional cruising or day-to-day transportation)
• How much horsepower and performance you need
• How important space is (many sports cars do not have backseats)
• How long will you own it (consider a car's resale value)
• How much are you willing to spend

Once you've narrowed the search, look at comparable vehicles within the same class to comparison shop. Test-drive the sports cars on your short list and decide which one is the best fit for you. After you have an idea of what you want and approximately how much it will cost, it's time to look into sports car loans.