What makes a car,"exotic?"

[Joel]

I've always wondered about this.

Before the NSX, I thought "exotic" labels were reserved for cars that had the Ferrari or Lamborghini badges attached to it. Certainly not from a car manufacturer like Acura who mass produce daily-driver cars, right?

We all know that the NSX is an exotic sports car. But how so? I heard some say that the Corvette itself is not an exotic, while others say it is. What are the deciding factors to label a car as an "exotic?"

Is it:

Rarity?
Price?
Performance?
Styling?
Reputation?
Auto reviewers from magazines who says so?
Or is it all of the above?

I'd like to clarify this myself once and for all.

[This message has been edited by Joel (edited 22 July 2002).]

 

[I Grok NSX]

Hi Joel,

Go here: http://www.autozotica.com/az_main/az_qualifies.htm to read what they think is an exotic car. You may or may not agree with them, but they do have a list of qualifications which they believe to be the definition of "Exotic".
Merriam's dictionary defines exotic as: "strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual". It's one of those words open to interpretation. You are the only person who can know "Exotic" when you see it.
Hope that helps.

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1994 Green-black roof/tan, 5 speed
Stock as a rock - #0030

 

[sjs]

Depends on the audience I suppose, but I'd probably subscribe to the simple dictionary definition:

From another part of the world; foreign: exotic tropical plants in a greenhouse. See Synonyms at foreign.
Intriguingly unusual or different; excitingly strange

BTW, supporting this, the Vette is considered exotic in some places I've been.

Ooops, Litesokneecough got in there ahead of me with similar thoughts.


[This message has been edited by sjs (edited 22 July 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Interesting. There's certainly no shame in being on that list; nice company to keep, there.

 

[sjs]

Originally posted by Litesokneecough:
Hi Joel,

Go here: http://www.autozotica.com/az_main/az_qualifies.htm

Something tells me their ranks are about to swell. Wish I was on the west coast. It would be fun to attend one of their events even as a poor cousin.



[This message has been edited by sjs (edited 22 July 2002).]

 

[khuezee]

I assumed an NSX is NSXOTIC by definition???

 

[brickdds]

I asked this question a while back on a weblist. Although there is not a simple answer, the most significant characteristics are limited numbers and exclusivity. Although performance is essential, it is not accurate to say that production/assembly line cars such as the Corvette, RX7TT, Supra TT etc. fit the bill. Nor is it accurate to say that hand-assembled ultra-expensive cars such as the Bentley and Rolls Royce are exotics either. Needless to say, the combination needs to be there, and no doubt this applies to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lotus, as well as SOME Porsche, BMW, Mercedes.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by khuezee:
I assumed an NSX is NSXOTIC by definition???

Todd's certainly is...

 

[Joel]

Thank you.

This clarifies it a lot more.

Funny though, the link provided above by litesokneecough doesn't include the Porsche 911 as an exotic. I think it is though.


[This message has been edited by Joel (edited 23 July 2002).]

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Joel:
the link provided above by litesokneecough doesn't include the Porsche 911 as an exotic.

Nope. Too many of them out there.

 

[flaminio]

Originally posted by Joel:
Funny though, the link provided above by litesokneecough doesn't include the Porsche 911 as an exotic. I think it is though.

Any car that I see five or more in a daily commute is not exotic. This automatically rules out stuff like 911s and Vettes.

-Bob

 

[wilsonp]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:
Nope. Too many of them out there.

Hmmm... I think the turbo should qualify as an exotic...

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by wilsonp:
I think the turbo should qualify as an exotic...

Nope. Looks too much like the regular ones that you see all over the place.

Same thing is true of the Z06.

 

[Juice]

According to Steve Saleen, the # of air scoops and vents on a car must be greater than 27 to be considered a "super-car". Does this mean my car is less than super, but still exotic?

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by Juice:
According to Steve Saleen, the # of air scoops and vents on a car must be greater than 27 to be considered a "super-car".

Maybe we can come up with some car-specific criteria for a supercar...

According to Supra owners, a car is a supercar if the rear spoiler is at least a foot high.

According to Lamborghini owners, a car is a supercar if there's no rearward visibility.

According to McLaren owners, a car is a supercar if it costs more than any other car.

According to Mustang owners, a car is a supercar if the rear window has a picture of Calvin pissing on a Chevy logo.

According to BMW E46 M3 owners, a car is a supercar if there's a good chance the engine will blow up.

According to Civic owners, a car is a supercar if it blows an NSX away. (Uh... that NSX did know we were racing each other, didn't he...?)

According to Corvette owners, a car is a supercar if it gives its owners the chance for "shop talk" (talking about why their cars are in the shop).

According to Viper owners, a car is a supercar if the owners brag about burns on their legs from the exhaust pipes.

I'm sure we can come up with more...

 

[wilsonp]

Originally posted by nsxtasy:

According to Corvette owners, a car is a supercar if it gives its owners the chance for "shop talk" (talking about why their cars are in the shop).

Shouldn't that be Ferrari owners?

According to NSX owners, a car is a supercar if it is an NSX!

 

[Joel]

I think I can personally qualify a car as being "exotic" if I can't readily go to a dealership and drive home one--just like that.

 

[cojones]

by several accounts, the NSX is NOT an exotic, as it:
- lacks finicky ergonomics;
- starts every day (or at least most days);
- can be driven every day;
- has reasonable maintenance costs;
- is "only" a Honda (low badge snob appeal);
- looks too much like the "common" Corvette C5

 

[Lud]

In the immortal words of the late Potter Stewart: "I know it when I see it."


[This message has been edited by Lud (edited 23 July 2002).]

 

[NSXY]

Originally posted by Litesokneecough:
Hi Joel,

Go here: http://www.autozotica.com/az_main/az_qualifies.htm to read what they think is an exotic car. You may or may not agree with them, but they do have a list of qualifications which they believe to be the definition of "Exotic".
Merriam's dictionary defines exotic as: "strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual". It's one of those words open to interpretation. You are the only person who can know "Exotic" when you see it.
Hope that helps.

As a lover and user of words and definitions, I agree completely with that definition. For example, I think the Corvette is a very nice looking sports car, but they're seen in good numbers and everywhere in the US, and thus are not "strikingly unusual," and therefore can not be considered exotic. On the other hand, the NSX has been made in so few numbers and is so rare that people generally do think that it's "myteriously different," which unequivocally qualifies the NSX as exotic.

------------------
NSXY
95 NSX-T, 5 sp, Red/Tan, Tubi exhaust, Dali street anti-sway bars, Dunlop SP9000s

[This message has been edited by NSXY (edited 23 July 2002).]

 

[ERicincal]

While I agree, a base 911 isnt considered very exotic (at least here in California) I disagree that the Turbo is not an exotic, simply based on the fact that it appears look like other 911s. I think it, the GT1, GT2, and GT3 all look like their little brothers, but all have more exotic appeal than the NSX.

 

[nsxtasy]

Originally posted by ERicincal:
all have more exotic appeal than the NSX.

I strongly disagree. Park any of them next to an NSX in a public place and see which car gets all the attention. (Hint: It won't be a Porsche.)

 

[whs520]

Hi,
Since someone mentioned the NSX and 911, I just wanted to share some pics that I took of my NSX and my friend's '02 Porsche 911. I had no idea that the 911 was not considered an exotic (it cost him ~$70K)

Anyways, hope you like the pics! -Thomas
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'94 Brooklands Green Pearl/Black NSX
5-Speed
#157

 

[cojones]

Its interesting how "brand snobbishness" comes in. Its considerable racing pedigree nonwithstanding, the Honda/Acura badge does NOT get the creds that other "supercar" marques do.

The NSX is EXOTIC to at least 75-85% of the people who first see it; when they find out its an Acura (Honda), many change their mind.

#############

A friend of mine recently sold his 02 C5-Z06, as he was tired of seeing 10+ of them everyday... too common in his opinion, and not in the same league as an NSX, Viper or P911TT.

Kinda like (some) Zanardi owners who explain that they are 1 of 50, but they kinda look like most "common" red NSXs out there.

 

[gheba_nsx]

ERicincal,
do you really think the GT1 looks like a 911?!

For over 1 mio $ it has better not too look simlar..