Most affordable/practical Exotic cars?

[crazymikey]

I'm going to choose an NSX all day long.

Fantastically aged styling. Great interior. Honda reliability, economy and operating costs. You can daily drive it easily. AND, you don't look like a total douche driving one....unless you've stanced it.

Give me an early 91-93 NSX, silver with the black top, black leather, manual. Completely stock. I'd rock that.


But if I have to go exotic, I'm finding a Ferarri 288,308 or 328. There is just something magical about those cars that do it for me. However, those won't exactly fall into the cheapest exotic category.

[deevergote]

The 308 and 328 aren't terribly expensive to purchase (though maintenance and repair is another story.) They're the unloved Ferraris, though... and for good reason. Just about any current-model FWD V6 family sedan will beat one in a straight line.

I can't believe no one has mentioned the DMC Delorean lol. Seriously though, that car has potential and I know it kinda screams 80s but it looks so good! I love that wedge design and those gullwing doors. And even though its a pig when it comes to performance, it sounds nice. I saw one in Uptown Dallas at night drive past me and I was actually breath taken. It was gorgeous in the night time city lights.


Another good car that I would like to suggest would be any used Maserati. The Maserati coupe and Cabriolet go for cheap now. Those are the cars the Grand Turismo replaced.

The Luxus SC400 is soooo good especially the last model years.


I see a lot of guys here are suggesting cars that have been available to the regular population. Toyota supras and whatnot. I never really considered those as exotics. Exotic would be something high unattainable and very foreign and not to mention gorgeous.

The NSX and supras still have that normality to them. I feel like I'm the only one suggesting cars that working class people couldn't afford 10-15 years ago.

I mean you've got your R129 AMG models, upwards of 120k when new, now fetching around 15-20k for low mileage models. I mean like 30k on the clock low mileage. You've got various Porsches, the GTS cayenne and Turbo S cayennes can be had at around the same price.

GTRs can be had at $30-60k used. Considering when new back in 08 were $80k cars. The R8 (V8 models of same vintage) can be had at $60-90k that's pushing it but ive seen them lower.

The Maserati Gran Turismo of same vintage btw is pushing as low as $50k in Texas. That's a steal. Maintenance can get pricey with maintenance plan A with oil change and I think a couple other things at just under $1500 but maintenance plan B cost a little upwards of $3k for tune ups. The intervals are spread out though.

I mean there are plenty of exotics out there that can be had for cheap.

My dream car Ferrari Testarossa for a little under $60k and getting as low as $30k? Um yes. But engine out service is a no no that must be done every 3-4 years but cost upwards of $4k for a belt change.

Agreed on the DeLorean. It's a turd of a car, but the rarity and uniqueness of the design really set it apart. Plus, anyone who grew up with Marty and Doc have a special place in their hearts for that car!


I don't really put the NSX in the same category as the Supra. Perhaps because it was usually at least $10,000 more when new (often even higher.) The Supra is an amazing sports car, but I consider it to be more along the lines of Japan's muscle/pony car... like their Camaro or Mustang (which, the Supra's ancestor, the first Celica, was influenced heavily by the Mustang.) Same with the 300ZX/FairladyZ, 3000GT/GTO, and RX7. The SVX/Alcyone was at the opposite end of the spectrum... not sporty enough to compete with those others, even at a similar price point.
Anyway, I always saw the NSX as a "budget Ferrari", with superior build quality. For half the cost of the cheapest Ferari, you could get a car that performed nearly as well, and looked nearly as good. The only downside was the Honda/Acura badge, which doesn't carry the same exclusivity as Ferrari.
I do view the NSX as a true exotic, though... even though it was pretty accessible to the average buyer even when new. Honestly, I view the original NSX as more of a true exotic than the current GT-R!

[crazymikey]

When you buy a Ferrari like the ones I posted, it's not about the raw power and speed. It's about the ambience, exhilaration, connection and feeling. Like I said, there is just something magical about them. Just being in their presence is a special thing.

I would take one of those over any new super car flappy paddle Ferrari today.

With the cult status the NSX has today, it's as much as a desireable classic as any exotic of it's age is.

Tell me this. If you had to own it, what would you choose? NSX or F355 of the same vintage.

[ThatOneAccord]

When you buy a Ferrari like the ones I posted, it's not about the raw power and speed. It's about the ambience, exhilaration, connection and feeling. Like I said, there is just something magical about them. Just being in their presence is a special thing.

I would take one of those over any new super car flappy paddle Ferrari today.

With the cult status the NSX has today, it's as much as a desireable classic as any exotic of it's age is.

Tell me this. If you had to own it, what would you choose? NSX or F355 of the same vintage.

F355. I've got a thing for those too. It's like a baby testarossa

[wed3k]

When you buy a Ferrari like the ones I posted, it's not about the raw power and speed. It's about the ambience, exhilaration, connection and feeling. Like I said, there is just something magical about them. Just being in their presence is a special thing.

I would take one of those over any new super car flappy paddle Ferrari today.

With the cult status the NSX has today, it's as much as a desireable classic as any exotic of it's age is.

Tell me this. If you had to own it, what would you choose? NSX or F355 of the same vintage.

it drops panties while you roll 5 mph down santana row.

[verothacamaro]

RS6 - 450HP TT V8


E39 M5 - 400 HP V8


E60 M5 - 500 HP V10 (becoming surprisingly affordable)


VW Phaeton - 450 HP W12


(sorry for the image sizes -- but like the ladies say, bigger is painful)

[Soufkackicustom]

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...r/1597058.html

The Bently Turbo R

300HP and 500ft/lbs of torque from a sweet Turbocharged V8. Downside for the early model years is the 3 speed automatic but it's still an awesome car to pick up for less than 30k in incredible condition. The one pictured I saw for sale in Canada for 26,000CAD. Not the most beautiful car in the world but it's straight class.

There's a guy in town, and that's all he owns. He has 20 or so bentleys and rolls Royce's from the early 70's on up. Most he sai he bought in the sub $20k range.....except the 2010 spur he bought new. They are really impressive cars. A local wedding car service has 4 58-65 rolls/bentleys. All painted white. He gave under $10k for each. Nothing like pulling up somewhere and the looks you get in a rolls Royce

[JDMDriver]

Exotic = can be very subjective and area specific

Area specific exotic = In the USA a skyline and supra may be exotic due to import laws etc but in another country like Australia they are very common and not have the same Wow factor.

Subjective exotic = The "Wow" factor is just like in many car range it is what other people think not really or necessary what wow's you.

For most people the Wow comes mainly from "dollar figures $$$,$$$,$$$" and "Power figures HP or KW" hence the tragedy that recognition only comes from only these two aspects and sadly also the peer acknowledgement.

In my opinion the NSX takes the cake. The only area where it subjectively falls short is the $$$$$$$$$ value department and outright HP or KW figures. As far as every piece of credential is concerned it has it.

Just a food for thought.

Many (99%) would consider the Mclaren F1 as an exotic car and many would even trade a Ferrari or Lambo for one. Everyone even till today with the Veyron or koenigsegg and Zonda etc would find it hard to pass over ownership of an F1 esp the LM or GT versions over another more recent supercar decades newer.

The sting is not many (99%) do not realise the actual designer of that car pushed every super car aside (Ferrari, Lambo, Porche... you name it) and I mean ever super car and eyed the NSX as it's benchmark car to mimic and take lessons from.

In so far as to say that the designer of the F1 owned and drove an NSX in the height of his Mclaren F1 glory days as a confirmation and homage to the NSX true brilliance.

Say what you will but the NSX to this day is only ever reconised for what it is (the super car of super cars) by engineers and the top brass of supercar makers (which of course they do not outspokenly acknowledge) except one.

Honda is really a modest car maker (self limiting in displacement, self limiting in no high performance turbo application etc). So be warned for you to appreciate a Honda you must also be modest. Just like a true master in martial arts (in the very traditional japanese way) you impose self restraint, self control and practice modesty when in all truthfulness you can wipe out your opponent.

[JDMDriver]

My other choices of exotic cars are below:

Prelude 4ws
Accord 4ws
CRX transtop

I know 99% of you will glance at the top list and say BS, meh or even laugh at it.. etc.. but in terms of being exotic they qualify big time.

4ws
----

99% don't know that BMW only offers 4ws in their top of the range cars and even then its only an option. No pays notice until an already respected car manufacturer builds it, charges the world for it and is exclusive as an incidental result of its high cost.

Honda has the first and only full mechanical 4ws which also has both high and low speed. It is also military grade in that it is so durable it still functions flawlessly after over 25 years and guaranteed to outlast every 4ws in existence, including BMW current production even if the car is brand new coming out of the factory today.

CRX "Transtop" (I believe to be short for "Transforming Top")
-------------

"First" and still to this day the "Only" (two superlatives) powered hard top convertible by Honda. No need to say anymore.

If I must say more it is extremely durable with working examples still around after over 2 decades.

What are you talking about you may ask? It is true, the Delsol was built from factory with a powered hardtop roof.

Ask yourself how does a Delsol's roof which does not fold, needs to leave or jump a roll bar get removed mechanically and where does it get stored mechanically? I know i couldn't make sense of it with my imagination when I was posed with that question. The car really does defy the imagination (more than what can be said about all convertibles EVER built).

If you give up and want to know how it transforms here it is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxbf36Cz-HM

A friend had a Maserati Gran Turismo who was shocked watching my car for the first time (like I was the one with a supercar).

An M3 convertible driver was glued watching my car when i was transforming (as if I was the one with an expensive exclusive car). But Exclusive I am as no one ever sees that everyday let alone comprehend how it transforms without seeing it.

Let me know what your thoughts are.

[JDMDriver]

The only downside was the Honda/Acura badge, which doesn't carry the same exclusivity as Ferrari.
I do view the NSX as a true exotic, though... even though it was pretty accessible to the average buyer even when new. Honestly, I view the original NSX as more of a true exotic than the current GT-R!

Agreed, hence the subjectivity I mentioned and how it is really just like face book. Receiving affirmation because of what the minds of the masses say and essentially making "what other people think" matter.

Most will put a Honda down due to them knowing what Honda is which in their minds = cheap, affordable, common etc. like a product that is easy to get, no challenge hence no feeling of awe inspiring, no lucky to have found feeling, one in a million feeling etc. tainted judgement without thinking of the product and its quality on its own.

In my view Honda should do another brand even more exclusive which has no known association with Japan, base it in Europe and really milk their efforts and capability for what they really are and can be.

I may say it here first but I think that is coming and the day the new Honda flagship (not necessary called the NSX as that is Acura) comes with a different brand, name and astronomical price tag is when people will pay respect not knowing its the same maker they always looked down upon.