"Near-exotic" cars.... what is, and what isn't?

"EL_ULY" (uly)
03/05/2016 at 15:26 • Filed to: near exotic?

I just heard a customer use the term “near-exotic” when referring to his old SLK 55 AMG compared to his 430 Scuderia. A bit confused on what he is basing what is and isn’t a “Near-exotic”car. Of course a Ferrari 430 Scuderia is exotic, but is a base 997 or 991?

Near-exotic compared to everyday traffic/ actual exotic cars?

Or maybe it’s for cars fitting that general 2 seat sports car style that’s not cheap but also not an ultra expensive. Also, between being semi-rare/common to see on the street like Audi TT, BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK?

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Maybe it does mean very expensive but also semi-common like Continental GT, BMW M6, Nissan GTR, Maserati Gran Turismo?

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Maybe expensive but rare for the street like Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Mercedes SL63 AMG, F-Type R?

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

Or is it expensive car and rare that has to have that super car shape but isn’t a full on Aventador like Audi R8, Mercedes AMG GT, base Viper?

!!! UNKNOWN HEADER TYPE (MULTI-LINE BREAK?) !!!

DISCUSSION (36)

PS9 > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 15:34

See, this is why I can’t work in a place like that.

Customer: So yeah, my SLK 55AMG just doesn’t feel as exclusive as my scuderia. I mean, any accountant can get an AMG if they wait a few years right? I can’t wait till Ferrari fullfills my order for the new 488. I went on a test drive the other day and...uhh...

Me:

Kinja'd!!!

TractorPillow > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 15:41

All in the eye of the beholder. If you think it’s exotic then more power to you.

I used to go to Exotics at RTC and their rule was you knew it when you see it. They regularly turned away M cars and AMGs, but they were tickled to death at my $25k Lotus Elise and gave the lotus guys great parking spots.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 15:45

I’m pretty sure semi exotic equals cars like AMG-sports, M-sports and the lot lol :p

But I don’t know.

d15b > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 15:53

“Near exotic” is as ambiguous as “near-luxury”.

It’s another way to dress up an Acura TSX as a full on luxury car, when in reality it is a Honda Accord in a tuxedo.

Disclaimer: I have a Honda Accord in a tuxedo. It gets it done!

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 15:56

They can hang with some of the best of Europe, but they are far too common to be exotic.

Kinja'd!!!

Ej8gUy > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 16:26

I am inclined to say it’s any car made by a small volume (relative) automaker. M cars and AMG don’t count IMO. Lotus, while tend to be inexpensive used, would count, to me anyway. It’s really hard for me to express in words it would seem. Kinda like TractorPillow said “you know it when you see it”.

EL_ULY > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
03/05/2016 at 16:40

plus the looks. I think your answer fits

EL_ULY > d15b
03/05/2016 at 16:40

lol well yeah in a way

EL_ULY > TractorPillow
03/05/2016 at 16:41

yeah see that’s true also. Hmm, just give me more to think about as far as the definition

EL_ULY > PS9
03/05/2016 at 16:42

Lol dude trust me, ALL THE TIME!

EL_ULY > Ej8gUy
03/05/2016 at 16:42

yeah I am leaning that way as well

EL_ULY > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
03/05/2016 at 16:44

in a way yeah, I see that

TheOnelectronic > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 16:47

I’d say Near-exotics would be things like the GTR, 911 capital-T Turbo/S, R8, ZR1, ACR, etc...

Those $1-200k cars that sort of bridge the gap between fast sports cars and expensive exotics.

M cars and AMGs don’t really fit any definition of exotic, in my mind. They’re very high-end sports coupes/sedans and cushy sledgehammers, respectively.

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 16:51

Easy question, honestly. If you can get your oil changed at Jiffy Lube, your car is not exotic. If the dealer sends a flatbed truck to collect your car to bring it in for an oil change and washes your car before returning it, you do.

QED.

EL_ULY > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief
03/05/2016 at 16:57

Lol in a way yeah true true :]

EL_ULY > TheOnelectronic
03/05/2016 at 16:59

I agree for the most part until I start thinking of those cars compared to normal traffic. But yeah i agree mostly

Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 17:00

BRB flatbed is here ;)

JR1 > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 17:56

If it has sporting credentials over 80k I think it is exotic. Be it an AMG or a base 911. Even a Cayman/Boxster is exotic to me. But alas I live somewhere that if you see one newish corvette a week that's a semi rare sighting

JR1 > JR1
03/05/2016 at 17:57

So really it comes down to location location location.

TheOnelectronic > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 17:57

If I see an M or AMG in traffic, my reaction is generally “meh” unless it’s an M4 in that acid gold color.

If I see one of the above, it’s generally much more of a reaction.

XJDano > EL_ULY
03/05/2016 at 18:24

Anything over $50k is out of my price range & exotic. ($20k realistically)

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Flynorcal: pilot, offshore sailor, car racer and panty thief
03/05/2016 at 18:35

What if they send a free flatbed to collect your car when the hydropnumatic suspension self destructs ? They wash and detail it every time too...

MountainRoadPhysicist > TractorPillow
03/05/2016 at 18:44

I am torn with calling Lotus an exotic. It sort of sits between the Germans and actual exotics. I can’t really explain ny hangup with it apart from that a Lotus doesn’t quite have the grandeur of a typical exotic. It has all of the right stuff, just a different mix. At least that is my take on things.