Sports Car Shopping With China Car Times
China Car Times has reached that point in a mans life, where everything is seemingly perfect, the mortgage is paid, the wife has a decent job that keeps her busy and away from my wallet, I have a decent job that keeps me busy and leaves me with a bit of spending money once the monthly bills are paid. I have no kids, nor do I (we) want them any time soon, thus it has been decieded that is a perfect time to own a SPORTS CAR.
The Chinese/foreign definitions of a sports car is clearly different, foreign sports cars usually have massive engines, 4.0 V6′s etc, Chinese are more likely to be in the 2.0l range and size wise will be a fraction of the size. Nothing would please us more than to cruise Chinas roads in a Holden V8, 2008 Dodge Charger or a Ferrari, but with sports cars comes big fuel bills, and big fuel bills are something China Car Times would like to avoid.
China Car Times has been looking at the current ‘sports cars’ on the Chinese car market, and would like to share them with our dear readers.
Mazda 3 Hatchback
The Mazda 3 hatchback is about to be launched onto the Chinese market place alongside its saloon brother. Except one major difference, the hatchback version is a fully Japanese model, imported into China (complete with tax) and STILL costs the same as the Chinese made saloon version.
Why we like: Cheap, at 170,000rmb for the 2.0l sports model that has either a 5 speed manual or a 4 speed autobox. Produces 150bhp. Its built in Japan.
Brilliance Coupe
The first adventure into sports car land for Brilliance Autos, China Car Times loves the side profile and rear of the Coupe, but the front end seems to be an after thought.
Why we like: Looks great. Self developed 1.8 Turbo assisted engine under the hood. Great interior – full leather seats, decent dash, lots of equipment on the top 170,000rmb model. Downside: That front end, and the rear windscreen wiper. Also the engine only produces 136bhp for what is essentially a big heavy car.
SouEast Lancer
The Lancer is the thing of street racing dreams, we could drift corners, hand brake turns on hairpin bends, but probably only in the Japanese version. The Chinese version of the Lancer is essentially a seventh generation Lancer, but made a little prettier for the Chinese market.
Why We Like: Its cheap at 100k RMB, full leather seats. Downside: Everything else except the price, its got a tiny 1.6l engine producing 100bhp. The interior is very spartan, lots of plastic. These cars are popular with Chinese boy racers who think they are the worlds best drivers.
MG7
China Car Times was possibly unfair to the MG7 when it was first launched, but now more of them are seen on the roads everyday, we find ourselves thinking “Hey, that ten year old car looks pretty damned decent!” especially in dark purple, shown above, albeit the MG7 V8 version.
Why we like: Its British. Its 1.8T, like the Coupe. Its cheap at 170,000rmb but 180,000rmb the automatic version. Its easy on the fuel, with a reported 6.2l per 100km, it looks excellent, oh and it has 162bhp. Downside: That faux wood dashboard could only find love from an older Gent.
Hyundai Coupe
The Hyundai Coupe is popular pretty much all over the world. The Brilliance Coupe was accused by some on China Car Times of copying the Coupe, but the two really do have distinctive individual looks. The 2.0l Hyundai Coupe falls into the China Car Times budget quite easily, although the 2.5 V6 one is way off our budget!
Why we like: Looks good, leather interior, made in Korea. Downside: Made in Korea - thus has import tax embedded in the price. Already a popular car in China with women drivers.
Although the above selections mix sporty sedans and hatchbacks with 2/4 seater coupes, you can see the line of thought that China Car Times is going down. Are there any other China made, or sold sports cars that China Car Times readers may suggest? Anyone who dares to sully the comment box with suggestions of either the Beauty Leopard, or the BYD F8 will be dealt a swift punishment. The rules are easy, sub 200k RMB, sold or made in China, sporty, looks good. CCT readers, start your suggesting engines.
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How about the MG sport car now made by Nanjing Automotive?
That MG 7 above has a nicer front end to the one’s ive seen about. Is this a facelift model?
Its the MG7L – long wheelbase luxary version.
But in a few months time the sports version should appear, which may look more like a sports car…
The MG7 as it is looks pretty sporty I reckon, its range of colors really do it justice against the Roewe.
I used to love the Roewe over the MG7, but now Im swinging around to the MG camp.
How about the BenBen sport? and the Haima 3 sport ? LOL. No really how about the Toyota Sera we saw the other day? Its old but available here and has gullwing doors!
Ben Ben sport is the ugliest sports car ever. The regular ben ben with a decent after market body kit looks better.
Saw a silver/black sports ben ben in Jusco carpark, nasty looking.
Theres an MX3 with an auto on Taobao… The steering wheel is on the proper side as well so you won’t get the door ripped off when getting out (well, maybe by a bicycle).
Does it have to be new? There are a few proper sports cars floating around if you look hard enough….
How about a Focus? getting a but common now though.
New would be better, pref from a big name manufacturer so parts/servicing is easy enough.
Looking for that MX3 though!
It disappeared…. It was there last night. I was looking at something else called MX3 and there it was..
What about the Ford focus…the 2.0 L auto is only 150g’s, body looks decent and modern and 140hp aint so shabby.
I once loathed them in the homeland, but now that I’ve traveled back in time to what is chinese automotive marketplace, they look as sexy as Gong Li, if she was 2600 pounds and made of raw american steel.
The sports focus is a nice from the outside, but the interior is dire. It didnt even make my list its that bad!
Forgot to mention Mazda 6 sports model was struck from the list. Very nice car, very heavy handling at low speeds.
man, if this was the Mazda speed 3 and not just the regular 3, I’d go for it withouth thinking!!
The Mazda 3 Zoom Zoom in the USA looks bad ass in comparison, the Jap/Chinese version looks a little tame.
If the Mazda 3 was teh MPS version we get in Europe (2.3L 250hp or thereabouts) then it’ll be a laugh. But I doubt it!
I like the Brilliance design!
it’s quite different!
what powertrain does it use? Brilliance own developed?
136 hp for 1.8 turbo sounds really weak…
136 hp would suit for a regular 1.8
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I have no idea about it’s quality though.
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you say the lancer is popular among racers..
is there a lot of street racing in China??
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although 100 hp lancers racing isn’t exactly a big deal
hahaahha =)
The powertrain is self developed, I believe Gaz of fightintorque fame (google him!) put some work into it!
I thought quality of the dash/seats was pretty decent, but the seal around the door on the model I looked at was pretty shabby to say the least. Dogtucker says its a pile of shite though after he tested it, he says that about every Chinese car he drives though
(except the besturn)
Street racing in China is gaining popularity. Seems a road not far from me is becoming a popular racing spot for tuned up Lancers (they are turning them up to 150bhp range!) and some Civics/Impreza racing too. Its an expensive game though, many people put 2.0l twin cam Camry engines into these
http://www.chinacartimes.com/2008/01/29/xia-li-n3-gets-an-update-for-08/
Until the roads and the driving habits improve I can’t see getting anything sportier than a Santana
My Santana MKI got a minor hit the other day while it was parked in it’s underground parking space. The driver that parks in the next space over made a right turn out of his space and kind of forgot to pull forward a bit so the rear half of his car could clear my bumper……he has a crease the length of his rear door and sheet metal to the wheel arch…….he’s learning I guess.
Also I as riding in a car that was subject to a 1400 rmb speeding fine…….173 kph on the tollway up from Nanchang to Shanghai, they were going to ban the driver as well…….can’t happen in the Santana as it tops out at an indicated 165
and feels so light it may fly.
1400 kuai for 173 kph!!!!! Gotta love China for being so cheap sometimes
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Wow, Shanghai area is getting more advanced when it comes to speeding and drinking/driving.
Last time I went across Shandong, via Rizhao, I was pushing 185kph on certain empty highways!
The even more surprising thing was when a Chevrolet Aveo sedan caught up with me!
P.S. Sports cars should by law or decree only have 2 doors….;-)
Its a toss up between the MG7 and the Brilliance. Of course if the MGTF ever gets launched (and before June) Id take a look at that too!
As it looks like it will be launched next month you will need one of these: http://www.lame-delegation.de/mgfcar.de/bike/bike.jpg
Are they going to put the auto trans in it and price it in the 200k range?
Cant you still call it a real sports car of it has an auto??
Driving manual in bumper to bumper traffic sucks.
Then again, I dont really need a sports car if its bumper to bumper, let alone a soft top.
Ash, as I have said before, China Car Times NEEDS to own a Chinese car…and I totally agree with you about the Brilliance front end…but, you GOTTA do it.
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I’d get the Mazda :p
Does an MG count as a Chinese car?
Only if it’s made in China?
I think it probably has two nationalities.
NO. Just made in China is not good enough. You need to buy, drive and report on a Chinese car.
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You may become “famous” for doing that…and rich!!!
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I can see it now. The DaShan of Chinese cars. You are well on your way. Now start to drive one!
You’re right.
Ill buy a mian bao che for razzing around in.
Or a QQ, or a BYD F1
Ash-import a Mustang or something (if you can)-still cheaper than these pieces of poo !! But I think Windy’s model is by far the best choice!
We’re working on another project (setting up a factory) that will allow us to import a few ‘company vehicles’….
Depending on what you import I may want to work for you.
As far as I can see there’s not a sports car amongst this lot. a 4 door saloon, a 5 door hatchback, an old Korean coupe (which should by rights have died long ago) and some strange home grown chinese thing with odd styling. If this is all you’ve got then oh dear!
How much of a rush are you to get a “sports car”? I probably sound like a broken record, but anyone out there hear of any updates on the Chery M14?
If you could dump another 50K – you could go with the Peugot 207CC?
Yes – I like small convertible death traps
Is there a used car market in China? – It seems most keep their cars far longer than they do back home (in the States)?
Not in a big rush, but with summer coming it would be nice to cruise the coast in a nice car!
M14, never heard anything of it since last time I posted news on it!
207CC? I’d rather not taint my parking spot with anything FRENCH.
Seriously, Id rather buy Chinese rather than buy an import and then have the value fall out of it when the manufacturer decides to make them in China.
Yeah, I don’t think I would really want a french car either
I remember in a post a while back, the civic type R is available in China now? – seems kinda like a niche product that’s production wouldn’t be moved here?
On the flip side, you could just buy a second hand Ford Mustang and get it shipped here minus the taxes with a Foreign Experts visa? – Then again the shipping/processing will probably cost more than the car :-p
Hopefully the MGTF will come out soon to consider as well
Bob,
I think ill leave my sports car shopping for a while. I could get a Mustang, but it might have random heritage attacks and it would be a pain to fix!
I think ill wait and see how far the Brilliance coupe falls in price, and the MG7. I think the MGTF is going to be way out of my price (rumored 250 – 400k RMB!) a lot of money for a back to front Metro with a leaky roof.