Want Bargain Exotic Design?

"RightFootDown" (rightfootdown) 05/08/2015 at 13:27 • Filed to: None

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We recently postulated “ !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! “? That spurred a ton of argument discussion about “tooling” and various other automotive manufacturing things that I know very little about. Apparently there are quite a few folks, even in the enthusiast community, who don’t think its possible to build a brand new exotic-looking car for the price of something more pedestrian. Something about how curves cost more. I could probably wax immature poetic with an inappropriate witty analogy about how that is true in other industries as well, but I won’t. The end result of a whole bunch of, well, arguing, is that exotic design is still expensive, at least for new cars in the U.S. Whether that will change with time and progress through processes like 3-D printing and the like, we shall see. For now, let’s look at the alternatives for someone who is yearning for an exotic looking car on a budget. Let’s face facts, you have to go used. This is part of a series of articles addressing the shadowy world of used exotic cars.

Read the full original article on RightFootDown.com

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What Do I Mean By Exotic?

Well, I’ll tell you. You know it when you see it. Sorry, but that’s how it is. OK, I’ll quantify it a bit, it normally isn’t something you see several of within a short period of time. As much as I proposed the potential for building an exotic car design inexpensively in the predecessor to this article, as it stands exotic typically means limited production. If you see more than one per week, it’s either not terribly exotic, or you live in a very affluent area. Exotic normally means low and wide, it should have interesting lines and a swoopy design. Apparently “swoopy” isn’t a word. Even when you put it in “quotes”.

So now that I’ve got you about as confused as the 20 year old restaurant hostess who never understands it when I say “ Salinger, Part of Five ” when reserving our table, we can proceed with the examples! These are all found via a nationwide search of cars.com, your results with your car search websites may vary. Post your favorite alternatives from Auto Trader, Ebay, etc. Click on the image of the posting to see the actual ad.

Acura

Ah Acura, how the mighty have fallen. Remember the days of Integra GSRs and the almighty NSX? I’m already digressing, you saw how well they did in the !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! (spoiler alert, poorly) so I’ll go back to pining for the days of yore 90s.

NSX – 35 Found; Pricing $25,000 – $74,950; Mileage 6,439 – 209,600

If you’ve been reading RFD recently, and you should because it’s great, you’ll likely have seen Josh’s introduction to a series about his !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Keep an eye out, that series has a ton of additional articles in draft. Regardless, when looking for an affordable exotic on the used market, the epitome of this entire exercise is the Acura NSX. Or Honda NSX depending on where you are reading this from. You can find used Acura NSXs on the market in many forms, the earlier pop-up headlight versions to the NSX-T and even some Type-R clones. Take a look at that mileage range listed above. These cars get driven. A lot. Because they are reliable.

Ferrari

There are 1,378 used Ferraris on cars.com. So there are no shortage of choices! Even limiting it to $100,000 you have to sift through 182 cars. So we will adhere to a $75,000 limit for our Ferrari shopping which nets you a still respectable 79 matches. Specifically, you can choose to spend your early withdrawal 401K on the following: 308 (1), 328 (2), 348 (8), 360 Modena (14), 360 Spider (3), 456 GT (2), 456 M (12), F355 (27), Mondial (5), Mondial T (1), Testarossa (1). Now that’s some exotic shit right there, so I don’t think I need to use any text telling you why Ferrari’s are exotic. Which means, if you are able to stomach the maintenance, which can vary wildly with this group of cars, this may be a tempting option. Here are some of our favorites.

*EDIT* I’ve been lied to. The first two I clicked on were replicas. Fucking kit cars! I feel like Frank Underwood just pulled a fast one on me, at least I didn’t end up in front of a DC Metro train.

Here are some of our legitimate favorites. Take a look at this bunch, the 456 is easily one of the best looking cars of our generation and the F355 Spider oozes exotic…stuff. Yes please.

Lotus

The following cars are easily some of my favorite options on the list, brought to you by the boys from a little town in Norfolk, England called Hethel. This 9.84 square kilometer town has a population of 446 people and only 171 households. At least according to the 2011 census, which was all that Wikipedia had in the description of Hethel. I can’t really be bothered to research this further, suffice to say, Hethel tis a silly small place. But it’s home to Lotus Cars, has been since 1966. While Lotus circa 2015 may not seeing the sales they need to stay alive, they have produced some pretty special cars over the years. Lotus was on our shores back in 70s, 80s, and some of the 90s before shipping back to the UK. Luckily they made it back to the U.S. in 2005 and we can buy them on the used market.

Elise – 43* Found; Pricing $23,500 – $58,000; Mileage 745 – 76,442

The Elise may be my favorite car on this list. Between it’s tall fenders, crazy bug headlights and generally not-at-all-normal-car design, it is not only a great drivers car, but certainly exotic.

While it may not be the best daily driver, it is a perfect track day fun car and will be at home on your favorite back roads. Here are a few that we particular liked.

Exige & Exige S – 8 Found (3 Base/5 S); Pricing $39,990 – $77,000; Mileage 4,321 – 29,778

Talk about exotic, the Exige and Exige S basically take the Elise and dial it up a bit with bigger and better everything. Including price. The North American Exige was unveiled at the LA Auto Show in 2006 and with its neon paint and aggressive styling, definitely fits the “exotic” car bill.

Here are some of our favorites that you can go buy right now just in time for your next !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

Esprit – 10 Found; Pricing $21,000 – $41,995; Mileage 13,313 – 59,000

Even before Richard Gere Lewis borrowed George Costanza’s Esprit and drove it down Rodeo Dr. (poorly) I’ve been a fan of this British exotic. “Handles like it’s on rails”. That’s all you really need to know about the Esprit. Well that and it may be a bit of a hand full from a reliability standpoint. Unless you find one with a more reliable engine swapped in. Regardless, it makes our short list of budget exotics. If you dare Much 80s. Very wedge.

Read the full original article on RightFootDown.com

Conclusion

So this ends Part 1 of the series. I think we found some fun options. But what did we learn from this little exercise. I’ll quote the great Dr. Ian Malcolm: “Yeah, yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could that they didn’t stop to think if they should”. Replace “scientists” with “potential exotic car buyer” and you’ll see where I’m going with this. The NSX, yeah that doesn’t really scare me. The Elise and Exige, well that’s got a little 1.8L Toyota engine, what could go wrong? The others, well let’s just say I would want to cut back to a part time working schedule, expand my garage, and invest in some parts discount services. Is that a thing?

If you didn’t find anything you want to spend your money on this time, don’t worry, we’ll be back for Part 2 soon. Until then, what say you internet, what’s your favorite exotic car bargain buy?

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

//Follow on Twitter @WilliamByrdUSA

Will is an automotive journalist and the Editor-in-Chief of RFD. Based in Maryland, he has had a long history of founding failed automotive sites and spending way too much time on car forums. He has owned “too many Mustangs” according to Josh and has a fetish for RWD V8s. He spent most of his 20s on tracks in the mid-atlantic and killing cones in parking lots and has even taught at a teen performance driving school.

DrScientist > RightFootDown 05/08/2015 at 13:35

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i believe i mentioned in your last post that you have to clearly define exotic as it can mean many things to many different people.

your attempt here is a C- at best.

first, definition by exclusion is going to lead you down the same path as before.

second, to me and many i’m sure, “exotic” does not need to mean swoopy.

RallyWrench > RightFootDown 05/08/2015 at 13:37

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As cool as those options are, I postulate that the definition of “exotic” is changing. I present to you a relatively rare, carbon fiber, hybrid or full electric RWD car with good power (really, they’re punchy) and striking design, brand new for $41k.

DrScientist > DrScientist 05/08/2015 at 13:38

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ok... C+ for including “rarity.”

William Byrd > RallyWrench 05/08/2015 at 13:39

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I’ll give you that. I very much notice those in traffic, and there are a handful around DC.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > RightFootDown 05/08/2015 at 14:03

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Annd 914. Funky and only 10k

BaconSandwich is tasty. > RallyWrench 05/08/2015 at 14:11

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I really wouldn’t mind driving an i3. It ticks all my boxes - correct number of doors, hybrid/electric. Only thing is, there aren’t many used ones out there, so prices are still high. That, and I’m not sure sure about some of the engineering decisions. If it is anything like the i8, you’ll have to take it in to a dealer to get serviced for the smallest of things.

William Byrd > DrScientist 05/08/2015 at 14:14

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C’mon Doc! I have a whole section on what exotic means.

*cursing* Ok, next time.

William Byrd > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/08/2015 at 14:15

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Not bad, interesting design and fairly rare.

Queuing up some for part 2 of this, so that’s not a bad option.

DrScientist > William Byrd 05/08/2015 at 14:36

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definition by exclusion is only acceptable for psychiatry, and some rare immunologic or endocrinologic conditions.

the “low production number” point is a good one.

the use of “interesting” or “swoopy” lines is too subjective.

“necessary and sufficient” that is how you should define the term. what aspects of a car are NECESSARY and SUFFICIENT for it to be exotic.

for instance, “rarity” is not sufficient, as a pontiac soltice coupe is pretty rare, but definitely not exotic. so you have to further qualify rare.

“rare & swoopy” is not correct either, because “swoopy” is not necessary [see the vector above].

William Byrd > DrScientist 05/08/2015 at 14:41

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What if I told you I possessed a Bachelor of Arts in...psychology? Eh?? Eh? Not bad, right?

Hey, I could have used the overused term “it’s like pornography, you know it when you see it”. Sort of is though.

DrScientist > William Byrd 05/08/2015 at 14:49

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i dont mean this particular statement to sound like a dick, but i’m typically not impressed by others’ credentials. you see my username right?

back to your series though:

if you want to develop a solid thesis that can be logically supported by evidence, you need to have precise and measurable definitions. otherwise youre just begging for opinionated comments and arguments.

i kind of understand where youre trying to go with this whole thing, but i think you need to lay out the whole thing a little more clearly, establish your definitions objectively, then go about supporting your hypothesis with evidence.

William Byrd > DrScientist 05/08/2015 at 14:53

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otherwise youre just begging for opinionated comments and arguments.

That’s sort of the point of writing stories to post online I think. Ideally the arguments and debates get going and the page views increase, comments increase, etc.

I fully respect where you are going with this though. I think it’s more of a hard science vs. soft science debate though. Not everything is measurable and objective. If you head just exploded, I know which side you land on.

And I wasn’t legitimately trying to impress you with a BA, don’t worry. I kept going in school though, but it has nothing to with automotive journalism sadly.

DrScientist > William Byrd 05/08/2015 at 15:02

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youre right. but what’s the difference between that approach and “trolling?”

i suppose i take offense at use of:

automotive journalism

just because one has a keyboard and posting privileges does not make them a writer and surely not a journalist.

anyway, i’m not personally attacking you. but i’ve reviewed many a professional manuscript, journal article, and even doctoral theses. poor writing under the guise of quality reporting, to me, just points out the need for more direction.

William Byrd > DrScientist 05/08/2015 at 15:11

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As an internet user, I think you already can differentiate the two. One is intentionally confrontational and the other isn’t. I’m simply being a bit obtuse because I don’t think think an “exotic car” can be defined so precisely, that’s all.

All the things you mentioned reviewing are scientific, no? I would submit that journalism, on non science-related topics, is much more subjective, and by nature, full of opinions. I am all for precise language when applicable, but Webster defines exotic as “ introduced from another country : not native to the place where found ” and “ strikingly, excitingly, or mysteriously different or unusual ” and finally “ of or relating to striptease ”. LOL at the last one. But if you look at those, they are pretty subjective, aside from the geographic description, and by nature Japanese, Italian and British cars would fit that bill. haha

I can try and develop a proof of my hypothesis if you like, but it sounds a little ridiculous.

KirkyV > RightFootDown 05/08/2015 at 15:42

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I know I made this comment on the last article, but I think the 406 Coupé deserves at least a mention. A Pininfarina coupé, widely considered one of the best-looking cars to come out of the nineties, that can generally be had for less than £1000. It’ll be reliable and cheap to run, too.

I’m also rather partial to the FIAT Coupé.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > RightFootDown 05/11/2015 at 10:37

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A “bargain” only on initial purchase.

Sir HoonsAlot > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:15

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I’d nominate an fd RX-7

1111111111111111111111 > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 16:15

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Prices on those are going up fast. I tried last year to find one in decent shape and was over 10k all day.

AntiLag > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:24

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Clean SW20 MR2’s (especially the turbos) are going to be worth $20,000+ in 10 years years and $40,000+ in 20.

drteek > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:26

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Lotus was on our shores back in 70s, 80s, and some of the 90s before shipping back to the UK. Luckily they made it back to the U.S. in 2005 and we can buy them on the used market.

Uh, they were selling the Esprit here throughout the 90’s and early 2000’s. There was a short gap between the end of the Esprit and the arrival of the Elise where they had no new product to offer.

JayHova > RallyWrench 05/30/2015 at 16:28

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They are neither were rare nor very ‘design’....and surely no bargains.

JayHova > KirkyV 05/30/2015 at 16:29

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The mid-nineties were a pretty good time for Peugeot design-wise.

Tullamore > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 16:32

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Just anolther Volkswagen kit car.

Leadbull > DrScientist 05/30/2015 at 16:33

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Get bent.

Riley Schultz > Sir HoonsAlot 05/30/2015 at 16:35

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Perhaps the MkIV Supra as well, if we’re going in that direction.

Chaos-cascade > 1111111111111111111111 05/30/2015 at 16:35

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Wow I remember them at $800-$1400 bucks all day long back in the 90’s. The only expensive ones were the giant fendered 6 cylinders.

JayHova > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:41

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How about the Ginetta G40R? 800kgs, 175hp...most of the running gear is Ford and Mazda bits

and the whole thing costs ~40 grand with a fairly comprehensive track package.

Ginetta g40r drivers club car – yours to keep
Fully assembled from the Ginetta factory
Road registered
12 months road tax
Two track days with tuition
ARDS racing licence package
Four race weekends including prestigious uk grand prix circuits
Practice, qualifying and two races at each event supporting british gt
Technical assistance at all events
Ginetta factory spare parts support at each event
Ginetta race centre with food and drink

Sir HoonsAlot > Riley Schultz 05/30/2015 at 16:45

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Yeah, I considered that as well

DPillar > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:47

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Italian, convertible, designed by Pininfarina, common enough to easily find parts, uncommon enough that people don’t know what it is often (Has been the case with mine). Oh and you can find a good ‘driver’ for ~$5,000

vdub_nut: scooter snob > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:48

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I was flipping between this exact listing and my online banking just about a week ago...

JayHova > KirkyV 05/30/2015 at 16:51

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The GTV Coupe is also a stunner (if you avoid the last facelift) and can be had for much less than 5 grand.

Hiroku > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 16:55

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wut?

1111111111111111111111 > Chaos-cascade 05/30/2015 at 16:59

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I remember one of my neighbors had 8 or 10 of them in the early 90s. None looked like racecars, but I was 10.

grom-commando > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 17:02

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A decent condition Noble can be had for less than $45k, a fully built one will cost in the $50k range. 500hp in a 23ooIb car that you can service at a ford dealership, can’t beat it.

http://www.6speedonline.com/forums/automob…

PanchoVilleneuve ST > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 17:12

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Here’s an Autech Stelvio for $18,000. This price is pretty average for what I’ve seen.

LOOK AT ALL THAT ZAGATO! THE MIRRORS ARE IN THE FENDERS! THE WHEELS HAVE NACA DUCTS ON THEM!

http://www.goo-net-exchange.com/usedcars/JAPAN…

904 GTS > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 17:21

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Very nice driver too. Also, hard to believe but TOTALLY true, it had the MOST SLIPERY SHAPE of ANY street PORSCHE car up to that time! “An interesting engineering exercise,” my father used to call it. “But when done, Ferdinand Alexander should have penned nicer clothes for it.”

904 GTS > JayHova 05/30/2015 at 17:27

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Design-wise, PEUGEOT by Pininfarina, no less! Nice details too - “Excuse me, how do I open the trunk lid? The button is in the CENTER of the 0 in 406.” Pretty clever!

StingrayJake > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 17:47

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Depending on the cost of food, I could argue that my wives curves were relatively cheap. And I love ‘em. ;)

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > StingrayJake 05/30/2015 at 17:50

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My wife makes more than I do, so I actually make money off her. And I do enjoy her curves as well

DanLewisFW > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 17:54

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I would suggest that the current fusion is every bit the looker as any exotic sedan.

StingrayJake > dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter 05/30/2015 at 18:01

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We’re pretty close to even now after she got into real estate. I can't complain.

Nicce12 > KirkyV 05/30/2015 at 18:08

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I agree on both counts - especially the 406 coupé - it is somehow not to different from a 406 but so elegant as if every design element has been improved - I am not sure about the reliability but it seems that it is quite ok on the coupé... considering that it is a Peugeot... :)

Nicce12 > vdub_nut: scooter snob 05/30/2015 at 18:16

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If you go for a 348, take a screen shoot of your online banking before, it will take a while before you see those numbers again... ;D

...but, it seems that the 348 has passed the bottom on their depreciation curve - get the right example, take care of it (i.e. drive it hard and regularly but don’t abuse it) and it might not be a bad total ownership cost in the end.

Rockchops > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 18:17

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I get comments and questions about my saturn sky all the time. It may not be “exotic” but the everyday car-unenthusiastic thinks it is. I don't really care about other people's reactions to the car, but it is kinda nice.

Humpty-D > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 18:23

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The Elise/Exige is going to be worth a lot of money in the not so distant future. I would love to have one.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Nicce12 05/30/2015 at 18:33

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Oh, trust me, I’m so far from Ferrari territory it’s not funny. But in a few years, I fully plan on getting one (some flavor, not necessarily 348), DeMuro style.

Quasistellar > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 18:51

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Those will always be ugly to me. The proportions and stance are too odd, and the Porche name adds zero value in my opinion.

Art > RallyWrench 05/30/2015 at 19:45

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A Doctor has one at work. It just looks like a glorify Prius to me

Art > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 19:48

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There are no less than 10 nsx in my area. All drivers are asian and everyone mistakes them for Ferraris. I think they are bringing them from Japan for cheap

GrauGeist > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 19:53

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If we’re talking exotic design, then the Subaru SVX belongs on the list.

Body by Guigairo, and very well-executed as a Grand Touring coupe.

lawrenceb > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 20:25

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Owned a 73 1.7 litre 8 years ago. It is a fun car. People will stop you and want to talk about it. Handling is excellent. Car is slower than snot, but it makes every on ramp feel like lemans.

The big quirk is the 915 gearbox, doubly so if if the linkages and mounts are old. It is vague. It is clunky. There is no rev limiter if you screw up. Miss that car, but never considered it exotic. It is great for what it is, but doesn’t belong here.

Slee > RallyWrench 05/30/2015 at 20:27

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These are everywhere in Atlanta. Not sure polarizing design equals exotic. Most remind me of early Honda CRV s with fenders left unpainted to save a few bucks. An amazingly ugly car in person.

G/O Sucks > DrScientist 05/30/2015 at 20:54

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Totally agree. “Design” and “exotic car” are two different things. This post, like the last one, confuses them again.

Great design can be on any segment of vehicle, not just mid-engined two-seat sports cars, costing X dollars. In the case of exotics, the price allows them to be very specialized, sell in small volumes and still remain profitable, thus enabling “swoopy.”

RightFootDown > Art 05/30/2015 at 21:07

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When passing the opposite direction, I had Corvette guys fooled all the time in my NSX until they passed by realizing they just gave the thumbs up to something that wasn’t what they thought it was. Had a few laughs.

33WGideon > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 22:09

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Cheaper options that stand out from the crowd despite being not as rare:

MR2 (especially a clean W20)

RX7 FC Turbo or FD

Alfa Romeo GTV6

Supra (Especially an MK3 targa turbo)

So, there you go. All sweet rwd imports. While they are not super rare they certainly stand out from a crowd. A clean example will also have car guys drooling.

( Also, I greatly miss my MK3 Supra Turbo targa and my MR2 Spyder.)

torque > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 22:26

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Many TVR’s would work as an exotic that average person has no clue about & can be found with some work (and help since you’ll probably have to import it to the U.S.)

XYZABCXYZ > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 22:28

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I like your thinking.

soundman98 > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 22:46

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at least they used it...

Kyree S. Williams > Quasistellar 05/30/2015 at 23:08

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I agree. I have never liked the 914. It takes the term “agricultural” to a whole new level.

Kyree S. Williams > RallyWrench 05/30/2015 at 23:11

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I think the i3 is pretty cool-looking, and I appreciate design and engineering that went into it. But I always think of what else I could buy in that price range.

cream wobbly > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 23:19

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Yeah, I have a thing about Lotus, too. If I could snag an Elise or an Exige for the right price and I actually had that ‘right price’ to go spending on a daft car, I’d do it.

Joe F > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 23:28

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Beauty is subjective but I think this qualifies as exotic: Qvale Mangusta

Prices seem to be in the teens for asking (not sure what their selling for).

It’s Ford SVT Mustang underneath so unlike most, it’s actually not expensive to maintain (aside from that trick roof mechanism probably).

Rev Les Crowley > William Byrd 05/30/2015 at 23:28

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Only rare if you’re a young person, alas. For some of us it will always be the “cheap one.”

Zundfolge > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas 05/30/2015 at 23:31

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I’ve owned a couple of 914s over the years ... the last one was a ‘70 with a heavily built 2.0 from a ‘73 ... it wasn’t slow (more power than a factory 6 by more than 50hp ... but the factory 6 was only a 2 liter 911 E motor). Prices on decent ones have been climbing or I’d probably look into another one as I miss my little “NARP”. Would love to do one with an STI motor and trans in it.

Zundfolge > RightFootDown 05/30/2015 at 23:35

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The problem is as soon as it becomes cheap and/or common it’s not an “exotic” anymore. There’s lots of interesting and great performing cars out there that you can buy or build cheap. Like MR2s and Miatas as a couple of examples. Ironically someone else mentioned the Porsche 914 which I do believe will become an “exotic” soon as the prices for good examples are going through the roof.

Rev Les Crowley > DPillar 05/30/2015 at 23:38

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I assume you live in the dry southwest?

Zundfolge > Quasistellar 05/30/2015 at 23:38

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Beauty is in the eye of the beholder ... if you ever get a chance to drive one (especially one made to go fast) you’d understand. The 914 as a driver has significantly more in common with vintage Porsches than any of the water cooled Porsche badged Audis of the 80s (928, 924, 944, 968)

Joe F > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 00:00

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How about a Ford-based car that one could call exotic in terms of rare and looks that are not distinctly American. Unlike the Gandini-penned Mangusta that I also suggested, this is an American car all the way: Panoz Esperante. Prices are reasonable for hand-made and “exotic” though perhaps a bit much for Ford Mustang-ish parts and performance. Hemmings has them listed from high 20’s to low 40’s including this real nice looking one:

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/de…

BERT CHADICK > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 00:09

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I’ve always thought the Mazda RX series pretty exotic. At least there isn’t anything else on the road balanced and powered the same way. That’s exotic. It has the added feature of having affordable parts and a dealership network. Also owning one doesn’t brand you a jerk right off the line.

mk1gti > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 01:02

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Well, for me Exige S, ‘nuff said. Ultimate driver’s daily driver. Just have an early morning start time for your daily commute (prior to sunrise is best) and you’re all set.

Liam Farrell > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 01:47

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Ultima Evolution 1020hp 240mph+

Off Apex > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 02:08

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Swoopy, cheap.

lecrab > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 02:47

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lecrab > RallyWrench 05/31/2015 at 02:49

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Not exactly exotic, but I see your point. It’s not pedestrian either.

Now how do we classify this? Not pedestrian, that’s for sure.

lecrab > KirkyV 05/31/2015 at 02:50

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You’re making an excellent case on the Pug there.

lecrab > torque 05/31/2015 at 02:52

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I wanted to post TVR’s but I doubt they’re “affordable or cheap" even second hand.

SpikeFiend > DrScientist 05/31/2015 at 03:36

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How about we say an “exotic” is a car that sacrifices comfort and practicality for style and performance, on an extreme scale. The uselessness of exotics limits their production numbers and drives up cost and allure.

cliiftonyo > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 03:42

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Great article! Sadly I don’t think my personal favorite (Corvette) counts as exotic, but I would add Ariel Atom to the list. Available on eBay from 50-75k, and if you’ve seen one on the road, yeah its pretty damn exotic.

cliiftonyo > Art 05/31/2015 at 03:43

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Silicon valley? I have the same thing in Santa Clara

evilfacelessturtle (Hooning a Ford is Domestic Abuse) > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 04:32

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You forgot the Fiero... on second thought, good, keep forgetting it so it stays cheap.

Count Smorkula > GrauGeist 05/31/2015 at 07:19

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So sad - this month the guy who parks across from me sold his cool SVX and bought a blah blah blah B4 instead.

I want to go up to him and ask WHYYY

KirkyV > Nicce12 05/31/2015 at 08:09

1

Peugeots were generally pretty reliable in the nineties—no worse than any of their mainstream rivals, anyway. They tended to have above average rust resistance, too, which is pretty key when you realise that some of these cars are coming up on twenty years old.

Parts are still really cheap, as well.

Dy-no-mite Jay > lawrenceb 05/31/2015 at 08:49

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Lemans?

vicomtepicabia > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 09:23

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Part of the problem with the “exotic-looking cheap car” is it will be a poser car. What is a poser car? Well, as some writer in Road & Track once wrote, back when I read that magazine, “a car ought to be able to do what it looks like it can do.” If you have a car that looks like a Ferrari but it has an Iron Duke (or whatever the modern equivalent is; I’m aware they don’t make those anymore) and soft suspension and poor steering because the manufacturer cheaped out on those components, people aren’t going to like it and it’ll have a bad reputation. If it has the performance of a Honda Civic but looks like a Lotus, all you’ve really done is make a Civic that has room for only 2 people and barely any luggage. Yes, theoretically someone might like it because it looks cool, but they would be posers.

lawrenceb > Dy-no-mite Jay 05/31/2015 at 09:42

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Lemons, writing while drinking is its own bad idea.

joelja > Art 05/31/2015 at 10:06

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If they’re JDM they’re right hand drive... also there are more in the US then anywhere else.

Quasistellar > Kyree S. Williams 05/31/2015 at 10:22

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I know, right? They look even worse in person and the one I drove didn’t impress at all. I really think they’re being overvalued by people who missed the air cooled 911 boat and are trying to find their next investment.

J3ffRay > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 12:27

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Almost 60k for an auto... nope

Randy W > lawrenceb 05/31/2015 at 13:34

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901 transaxles, not 915 though it’s a fairly common conversion if you’re putting a larger sized six cylinder motor in the car. The shifting is only vague if bushings and parts of the shifter assembly are worn. It’s an easy problem to remedy and there are aftermarket parts to make it even better.

There are tons of fast 914s now. A bunch with WRX motors, big 911 sixes, etc. Many pushing 350 - 400 + hp in a car that weighs in just over 2k lbs.

Stock is a hoot. Like you’ve implied, you don’t have to slow down for corners. Very neutral handing.

Maybe not exotic yet. I can say that with fewer and fewer on the road, they’re certainly vintage classics regardless of what people think of the styling. I’m not sure they’ll ever be considered exotics in the true sense being that just over 100k were produced.

sammy baby > RightFootDown 05/31/2015 at 20:42

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Every once in a while, I’ll see a cluster of Lotus Elises (is that the right plural form?) parked in the lot of my office building. Three of them, specifically. I am always weirded out by this, because I never see them anywhere else near me.

Lightness, it's Important > AntiLag 05/31/2015 at 22:37

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Also don’t forget about the AW11 predecessor. Not exotic by any stretch, but it certainly stands out.

AntiLag > Lightness, it's Important 05/31/2015 at 23:14

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I want an AW11 so bad, especially with how low prices are right now, but its almost impossible to find one with less than 150k miles on it

Chan > RightFootDown 06/01/2015 at 00:55

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The Lotus Elise is one of the best ways into exotic-looking styling, being swoopy-looking and even relatively reliable (if only because it’s a simple car). The only problem is that the car is tiny, which lessens its street presence.

The Esprit is a bad, bad idea for an exotic on a budget.

If visual impact is what you crave, a 987 Porsche Cayman is one of the best exotic-looking cars without the exotic purchase price or maintenance bills.

A 348ts or 348 Spider is a stunning car at its price, but beware of and budget for the 5-year engine-out service. Overall maintenance costs should be well under those of an F355. The 456 has the same valve guide problems that an F355 has (but on 12 cylinders instead!), so it requires more research.

Another good deal: Any 1st-generation Viper.

Dy-no-mite Jay > lawrenceb 06/01/2015 at 07:16

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Lemons? That is a sour fruit. Let me help you out:

Le Mons

Steve Zissou > RightFootDown 06/01/2015 at 09:41

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“ swoopy ” is a word.

SasquatchElvis > RightFootDown 06/01/2015 at 10:03

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The issue I had with the last article wasn’t that “curves cost more” (they don’t unless you’re having to use exotic materials to achieve them) but that there’s plenty of affordable good design. If you think that only exotics are good design, then you’re mistaken. There’s plenty of good design for us plebes to purchase and appreciate. Also, people don’t generally want impractical cars. An average person is going to take a boring practical car over an exotic looking impractical car nearly every time.

torque > lecrab 06/01/2015 at 15:51

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£7,495 seems to be towards the low end in a quick Google search (results from Autotrader UK), this example has full MOT (i.e. annual inspection road legal) , so approx. $11,400 USD + $3000 for shipping to US. Granted this is a 1995 model, so you’d have to wait a few years to legally register it, but still pulled this as a reasonable looking example of what’s out there

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/adv…

William Byrd > KirkyV 06/01/2015 at 16:20

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Yes, that’s perfect. Wish we had them in the States, such a great looking car.

William Byrd > vdub_nut: scooter snob 06/01/2015 at 16:21

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One would whallop the other over the long run unfortunately. But man it’s tempting.

William Byrd > Joe F 06/01/2015 at 16:22

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Yep, that would work!