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A friend of mine is going to a car show for "Exotics, Supercars and Hypercars" and said I should go in. In my mind, the F-Type isn't an exotic, however, the 911 is considered an exotic. This makes me wonder where the line is drawn. What are your thoughts?
I think "exotic" suggests more time in the repair shop than on the road, or $21,000 oil changes (Bugatti)
So, despite some annoyances, F-Types do not fit that category, though there some that spend more time in their owner's garages than on the road!!
But you do own a most beautiful, fast car that is almost practical, and not rediculously expensive to own or maintain.
Car shows in Texas are mostly organized through an app called “ParkUpFront.” It’s interesting to see what classifies as an exotic and what does not. The F-Type R and SVR are considered Exotic class while the lower trims are only “Sport” class. Similar story with the 911… the GT3 and Turbo are exotics while everything below is merely “Sport.” Meanwhile cars like the BMW M8 or AMG S65 don’t get exotic class despite the rarity and price tag.
Just goes to show it’s all kind of made up. Best take is one that I saw on the other thread… you know an exotic when you see it! I certainly don’t feel very special when a Ferrari pulls up alongside my GT3 😂
I'd go for that last definition. I live in North Central Wisconsin and although we get around, I had never seen an F on the road, much less and advertising for them before I bought mine. So my vote is, if the show considers it an Exotic, go for it! People are always asking me what the car is, so they haven't seen them before either.
I don't consider it an exotic, just a really beautiful car that we can all enjoy. a few weekends ago when the weather was nice, I saw 5 other F-Types in my area driving around all on the same day (I recall 1 was an SVR, 3 R's, and 1 v6).
The F-Type is too practical a car to be considered exotic, which, I think, by definition, are more temperamental to maintain and run. And the F-Type is "ordinary" in its maintenance and running costs, which is no bad thng! In fact, tyres and fuel are the only extraordinary costs (if you're driving it properly!).
From what I've seen, it's in a sub-class with brands like Lotus and cars like the 911 or 4C. Like lower-exotic, or upper-sport. It almost always qualifies for entry into an exotics-only show, but in an all-brands show will usually not be parked with other more purebred exotic cars. As counter-intuitive as that sounds.
It just depends on the area/region.. If there is a lot of money in the area were top of the line Ferrari's, McLarens and other half million dollar cars roam the streets daily, the F-Type in any form will not be considered an "exotic". If the area doesn't have an overwhelming population of super cars, it will definitely be seen as an exotic. There are also areas where anything from Jaguar is just "special".
If you consider something exotic based solely on price, then the F Type is not an exotic. If you define it by rarity or exclusivity, then I would argue that it most certainly is an exotic. I am going to a cars and coffee this Saturday at a McClaren dealership. I am pretty certain I will have the only F-Type there. 911s and BMWs will be a dime a dozen as well as multiple Ferraris and Lambos. So, I suppose that ultimately is is just how you personally define it. I can tell you that at most events I attend there are a lot more people asking me questions about the Jag then they are about a 911 or Beemer. Simply because they don't see then very often. My 2 cents anyway.
I believe all of us have an idea in our heads of what we think an exotic is and looks like. We expect that it meets a certain level of performance, has an "exotic" look to it, has a degree of rarity or exclusivity (usually based upon price and cost of ownership), and a certain amount of luxury. It also has to sound the part. And while many F-type models like the R and SVR certainly have the performance and sound credentials, most people wouldn't necessarily consider them exotics. Having said that, there are some bonafide exotics that I don't think look the part and I wouldn't own one just for the aesthetics alone.
This was abundantly clear to me last Sunday when attending a Ferrari sponsored car meet in Thousand Oaks, CA. I was parked next to a Lexus LFA in my Pantera. I have never liked the pictures I've seen of the LFA, but in person, it was even worse. It looks like an "uglified" Toyota Celica from the '80s. I understand its prodigious performance, but it's no "exotic" to me even at the $1,000,000 price tags they're bringing now on the market. I wouldn't trade my 51 year old, $34,000 Pantera (that's what I paid 25 years ago) straight across because I'd have to look at the LFA everytime I drove it, and I don't think I could stomach it. Why not just ask the event organizers if your F-type will be welcomed as an exotic? Then show up anyway.
I believe all of us have an idea in our heads of what we think an exotic is and looks like. We expect that it meets a certain level of performance, has an "exotic" look to it, has a degree of rarity or exclusivity (usually based upon price and cost of ownership), and a certain amount of luxury. It also has to sound the part. And while many F-type models like the R and SVR certainly have the performance and sound credentials, most people wouldn't necessarily consider them exotics. Having said that, there are some bonafide exotics that I don't think look the part and I wouldn't own one just for the aesthetics alone.
This was abundantly clear to me last Sunday when attending a Ferrari sponsored car meet in Thousand Oaks, CA. I was parked next to a Lexus LFA in my Pantera. I have never liked the pictures I've seen of the LFA, but in person, it was even worse. It looks like an "uglified" Toyota Celica from the '80s. I understand its prodigious performance, but it's no "exotic" to me even at the $1,000,000 price tags they're bringing now on the market. I wouldn't trade my 51 year old, $34,000 Pantera (that's what I paid 25 years ago) straight across because I'd have to look at the LFA everytime I drove it, and I don't think I could stomach it. Why not just ask the event organizers if your F-type will be welcomed as an exotic? Then show up anyway.
I cant imagine what car I would immediately call an "exotic" unless it was something produced in so small numbers that you'd essentially see one in a lifetime, and looked really, really special. Maybe like the Zagato or Bertone cars.
Off-topic but I can’t believe the LFA hate. It’s not the prettiest car out there (not even close to ugly though IMHO) but it’s a truly special machine that is in my book one of the best sounding cars of all time.
Exotic may be like real estate, location based. My son was in Miami last week. McLarens, Lambos, etc. were everywhere. I live in a small city of approx 48k. Most likely the only F Type in the area, so I'm a hero, but in Miami, an also-ran. Years back I had a Datsun 1600 roadster, and that car was loved by everyone, in Massachusetts and on Lido Key, but it was not exotic by any stretch. Maybe it's in the eye of the beholder (or keyholder).
IMO, It isn't, far from it, it is a sports car, perhaps if only the P7 and limited number SVR available, could be called something else.
Of course we are really biased to believe it is more than sport car, even from far away carspotters kids come running for a photo thinking is something else, when near, for their disappointment is "just" a Jaguar