The Mighty GT-R: A Legitimate Threat to GT Supremecy?

[Superfly]

Upper end Porsches do fit the "exotic" category IMHO.

Some cars are more exotic then others.

To each his own.

I agree that the sundry Mustangs, Camaros, Subaru STi's etc are not exotic. They can be made into very fast cars but not exotic.

I agree with Waxer here. Exotic cars are not just defined by the size of the engine, the look of the body, the handling or the top speed and acceleration statistics. It's a combination of those things, along with the lustworthy factor and emotions that come into it. For me, Porsche 911's DO fit into that category for me (well, the turbos and GT variants). As do Lancia Stratos' from the early 70's. And Series 1 or 2 Jag E-types (I suppose they're considered "classics" now :wink, but once upon a time they were exotics) and XJ220's. None of which have engines larger than 6 cylinders.

I don't have a healthy lust over sundry Mustangs, Camaro's, STi's etc, although I do have a healthy respect for what they can achieve.

 

[soroush]

to me mid-engine configuration is an important design feature when talking about exotics, I cant think of many cars that are not mid-engine I would consider exotic, most porsches are rear engine, so I dont consider them exotic(sans carrera GT). to date I think the most civilized exotic that you can really drive everyday would have to be the R8.

 

[Waxer]

I love the R8. Its neat and cutting edge. I opted for the Carrera 4S with PDK instead.

The R8 was "newer" and the "latest thing" and yes you could say more "exotic". In performance the Carrera 4S was right there with the R8 (V8). In the end my decision was to get the Carrera. It still has a high "lust" factor, is an exotic IMHO and has attained a "timeless" style as a Porsche "Carrera" while the Audi will undoubtedly come out with a newly styled R8 within a year or two leaving the present R8 as last years model.

My thoughts.

 

[Superfly]

to me mid-engine configuration is an important design feature when talking about exotics, I cant think of many cars that are not mid-engine I would consider exotic, most porsches are rear engine, so I dont consider them exotic(sans carrera GT). to date I think the most civilized exotic that you can really drive everyday would have to be the R8.

So you'd prefer a boxster to a 911? To each their own I guess :wink Just teasing, I know you're talking about exotics and not 'just' cars in general. A lot of people similarly to you don't consider the 911 to be an exotic. I'm fine with that, I'm very happy driving mine around. As a bonus, I can take more than one of my kids with me in it!!!

I love the R8. Its neat and cutting edge. I opted for the Carrera 4S with PDK instead.

The R8 was "newer" and the "latest thing" and yes you could say more "exotic". In performance the Carrera 4S was right there with the R8 (V8). In the end my decision was to get the Carrera. It still has a high "lust" factor, is an exotic IMHO and has attained a "timeless" style as a Porsche "Carrera" while the Audi will undoubtedly come out with a newly styled R8 within a year or two leaving the present R8 as last years model.

My thoughts.

The R8 is gorgeous. I have a friend with a beautiful red one and there's a Blue V10 one in town). I seriously considered one also. But decided I'd rather get a used Gallardo for that much money. But I haven't done that yet either as I need to make a few more $ first. Well, maybe a LOT more $ first :lol

As for running R8 changes, its already happened, my friends can spot a V10 version (which IS pretty cool) from the V8 version from 100 paces or more.... :thumbsup

 

[Superfly]

As an aside, wow, has this thread ever moved from the GT-R!!!

Since we're now talking exotics and the R8 in particular, I just thought I'd add this pic, which shows, despite how lovely the R8 looks in person, it sure looks blocky and tall when compared to the ultimate 4 wheeled conveyance:

 

[Toolman]

Wow, I will now always look at an R8 with some disdain, simply for the fact that is nowhere near as beautiful as a GT. One day, one day...

 

[SYCO GT]

I try to treat my two cars (Ford GT and MINI) like I treat my kids.

Exactly the same. They know the difference, if you show favoritism...

 

[SYCO GT]

I'll be proudly showing my Ford GT at the 27th Newport Beach Concours this October. (Yes, my MINI is ornery that it's not on the list - I'm joking...)

http://www.nbconcours.com/

By no means definitive (and I have no involvement in selection), here is the committee list of "pre-qualified" automobiles:

2009 Supercar Exhibit Pre-Qualified Automobiles
Aston Martin Vanquish
Aston Martin Vanquish S
BMW M1
Bugatti EB110
Bugatti EB110 SS
Bugatti Veyron / Pur Sang / Fbg par Hermès / Sang Noir / Grand Sport / Bleu Centenaire
Chevrolet Corvette C4 ZR-1
Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1
Cizeta-Moroder V16T
Dodge Viper GT2 Championship Edition
Ferrari 288 GTO
Ferrari 288 GTO Evoluzione
Ferrari F40
Ferrari F40 LM
Ferrari F50
Ferrari F50 GT
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari FXX
Ferrari FXX Evoluzione
Ferrari P4/5 by Pininfarina
Ford GT40 Mk I / Mk II / Mk III / Mk IV
Ford GT
Jaguar XJR-15
Jaguar XJ220
Lamborghini Muria P400 / P400S / P400SV / P400 SV/J / Roadster / P400 SVJ Spider
Lamborghini Countach LP400 / LP400S / LP500S / LP5000QV / 25th Anniversary
Lamborghini Diablo / SE30 / SE30 Jota / SV / SVR / VT / VT Roadster / SV / GT / GTR / 6.0 SE
Lamborghini Murcielago / LP640 / LP640 Roadster / LP640 Versace / 40th Anniv / LP 650-4 Roadster / LP 670-4 SuperVeloce
Lamborghini Reventón
Maserati MC12
Maserati MC12 Corsa
McLaren F1
McLaren F1 LM
McLaren F1 GT
McLaren F1 GTR
Mercedes Benz AMG Hammer
Mercedes Benz CLK GTR
Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Coupe
Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR 722 Edition
Mercedes-Benz McLaren SLR Roadster
Pagani Zonda
Porsche 959
Porsche 959 S
Porsche 911 GT1 Strassenversion
Porsche Carrera GT
RUF CTR
RUF CTR2
RUF CTR3
Saleen S7
Saleen S7 Twin Turbo
Shelby AC Cobra 427
Spyker C8
Vector W8
Vector Avtech WX-3

 

[BlackICE]

Randy, a very nice list of cars! Your FGT will be in good company. Of course Sam would object to the BMWs there.

 

[Ed Sims]

911 Exotic or Supercar? Nah

I love Porsches for what they have accomplished on the track & the modern 911 style Porsches are definitely very cool cars but; to me, they are not exotic or supercars. There are just too many of them. And taking a basic body style that has seen tens of thousands of units cranked out, adding special touches with special motor tweeks & calling it a supercar is not good enough. So no matter what variant of 911 style Porsche ever comes out it will never be a supercar in my book. Sorry. The Carrera GT - yes. The 911 style cars - no.

Ed

PS I see a 911 style car everyday. To the average person they are all "Pors-es". Veyrons, Enzos, the GT, etc turn everyone's heads. These are supercars.

 

[Ed Sims]

GTR thread?

Ooops... sorry but this thread appears to be hijacked. Or is it ok? We need you Bony:wink

Ed

 

[BlackICE]

Ed I love the photo! Look which car is in front! :thumbsup

 

[Waxer]

Ed: I can see your point. The 911s are understated by todays design standards of performance cars but to me that what makes them timeless. The basic shape and design of the car has been nearly the same and recognizable as a 911 since the 911 was introduced way back when. They don't scream "look at me look at me" like those we consider exotics do... but nevertheless they get admiring look from those that appreciate true performance cars. I have had many compliment my Carrera 4S.

If you would characterize an Audi R8 as a supercar then the Carrera 4S is in the same category performance wise. I guess it depends on your definition of supercar. To me Carrera S's on up the chain perform in the relm of supercar territory. If you put an R8 (V8) in supercar territory the C4S is there too.

As far as "Exotic", yes the 911 is more ubiquitous then the Enzo or the FGT but as to those cars that can really be used everyday the 911's provide supercar or near supercar performance in a timeless classic design most everyone recogizes as one of the top performance cars on the road. Most would not use their FGTs everyday or their Carrera GTs or Enzos everyday. A very few might but most do not.

Here is a pic of my "almost" exotic Porsche Carrera 4S with PDK.

BTW I love the pic of the Carrera GT, Enzo and FGT you posted. Notice which is in front and what color it is!!! More proof that RED is the fastest! Red Rules!!!!
:banana

 

[Ed Sims]

911 on every corner but I like them

Waxer - I have always loved the look of the 911. It is a classic timeless design much like the GT. I feel the soft flowing curves make it that way. The angular hard lines of the GTR, most Lambos, etc are ugly to me.

Ed

PS I mentioned GT vs GTR to keep this thread on track Bony!

 

[soroush]

So you'd prefer a boxster to a 911? To each their own I guess :wink Just teasing, I know you're talking about exotics and not 'just' cars in general. A lot of people similarly to you don't consider the 911 to be an exotic. I'm fine with that, I'm very happy driving mine around. As a bonus, I can take more than one of my kids with me in it!!!



The R8 is gorgeous. I have a friend with a beautiful red one and there's a Blue V10 one in town). I seriously considered one also. But decided I'd rather get a used Gallardo for that much money. But I haven't done that yet either as I need to make a few more $ first. Well, maybe a LOT more $ first :lol

As for running R8 changes, its already happened, my friends can spot a V10 version (which IS pretty cool) from the V8 version from 100 paces or more.... :thumbsup

I love porsches and I think my 993tt has some of the sexiest lines ever produced on a car(muira and the gt are still my all time favorites:wink) 911 is a timeless and a classic design, but I dont consider it an exotic.

 

[SYCO GT]

Soroush, your 993TT is gorgeous. Great combination with those painted twists also.

Wow. Don't ever sell her.

I was looking at 993's before I bought the Ford GT. They were retaining value well then, and I think they still are. I still think the 993 is one of the most beautiful porsches ever built.