Repair-It

bill25 wrote:In the times of the G-Body/F-Body vs the B-Body, there was an advantage to the coupe as they were smaller and lighter.

This is because they chose not to build a performance sedan, though GM famously did offer a Caprice with F41 suspension which tested well in the mags but they didn't do anything about the lame 305.

I will admit the G-body looked goofy as a sedan but then they never tried to make an actual performance/enthusiast version. So who knows. The B-body also came in coupes up until 1986 or so.

I could also pull together a list of weights because I don't think the sedan penalty was typically that much weight. These days it seems to be even less. Maybe because of crash standards (long doors means more structure required - no B-pillars - though this is speculation).

If you are talking about the Accord, the Coupe was usually a V6, and the sedan was usually a 4 cyl. That wasn't written in stone, but that I believe is how it sold (mostly).

I believe that actually is not true. I guess we could dig for numbers but I don't think that was true of the Camry, either.

Sure now a coupe Vs a sedan on the same platform have pretty close specs. I am arguing that the advantage the coupe offered was style, not as much performance. I think coupes generally looked better. Call it sportier or whatever. If you don't value that than yeah, they don't offer anything.

I think coupes looked better up to like the 80s or something. Not entirely sure why that is. I also think bigger cars tend to look better as sedans than smaller cars. And since I prefer bigger cars I guess that is where that comes from.

kevm14 wrote:I think the only reason the Challenger has done reasonably well is it targets folks who remember the 60s or if you are in your 30s, the 1980s. I don't think it will last but I guess good for Dodge for milking it while it is in vogue. The rest of us are enjoying sedans that do everything a coupe does. Of course sedans are a dying breed as well, but that market is probably several orders of magnitude healthier than the coupe market.

Personally, I would not buy a Challenger when I can get the exact same powertrains (minus the manual option, of course) in the Charger. I used to be a pro-coupe guy, but now that I have a family, I wouldn't consider buying a 2 door version of something that exists as a 4 door.

I mean some very iconic cars would not be the same as a sedan:

Supra
RX-7
Nissan Z cars
Corvette
Camaro/Firebird
Prelude
911/Cayman

It would be a sad world if these coupes didn't exist. I think I am just scratching the surface. This line goes well into the 90's.

I do agree, they are all smaller than a large platform.

I guess Bill would say you are boring but when a Charger Hellcat has 100% of the performance of the Challenger (slightly better if memory serves) the coupe looks a bit....pointless. The fact that there was no F-body sedan doesn't change this fact.

And another thing. Base cars look bad, regardless of doors. Compare a 1991 Caprice to a 1996 Impala SS. Night and day, but same basic car. It depends what trim level they make. Again, there's no engineering reason that only coupes can be "cool." I mean I guess if they were all 500+ lbs lighter but that isn't the case and never was.

bill25 wrote:I mean some very iconic cars would not be the same as a sedan:

Supra
RX-7
Nissan Z cars
Corvette
Camaro/Firebird
Prelude
911/Cayman

It would be a sad world if these coupes didn't exist. I think I am just scratching the surface. This line goes well into the 90's.

I do agree, they are all smaller than a large platform.

I don't wish coupes any harm. But there is no engineering reason a sedan couldn't have existed, and been good. Styling wise, yes, most of those, or all of them, would look far more appropriate as a coupe.

Also, you forgot the Integra Type R.

I guess when it comes to lusting after a car, for me, something like the CTS-V3 is where I'm at. The only coupes that perform better are actual supercars.

There was a 4 door Integra Type R, but never for the US market. JDM, y0.

Styling wise, yes, most of those, or all of them, would look far more appropriate as a coupe.

That is my whole point.

Also, you forgot the Integra Type R.

Yes I did. I am sure there are others still. Again, variety is good.