Why own a Ferrari?

[Empty Pockets]

What is an "exotic" though? Really this is not a rethorical question.

This is what I feel....

Any Ferrari or Lambo is an exotic.

A 911 is not an exotic, not even a 997 GT2 (which costs more than a F430), but a Carrera GT is.

I am not sure I would consider any Aston an exotic.

A Z06 is not an exotic.

So what gives? It's not price (the 997 GT2), it's not performance (the Z06). Is it numbers? Or is it just a way to justify spending a copious amount of $$$ for a car that is not that much more performing than an equivalent non exotic one?

What I've aways understood was: an "exotic" is a very limited production, almost always mid-engine ('couple exceptions) 2 seater with a "sticker" in excess of 6 figures.

A "supercar" is all of THAT - plus it's certified by it's manufacturer to be capable of speeds OVER 200mph.

The FGT is BOTH!

 

[911teo]

I don't buy it... They build 5,000 F430 per year. Possibly even more Gallardos....

The Mercedes SLR and Ferrari 599 are front engined.

Or is it the design? The dramatic visual impact and the emotions such a car generates?

That would explain why the Zo6, 911 etc are not exotics (they look exactly like a $30k corvette or a normal 997) whilst the others all are....

 

[Empty Pockets]

I don't buy it... They build 5,000 F430 per year. Possibly even more Gallardos....

The Mercedes SLR and Ferrari 599 are front engined.

Or is it the design? The dramatic visual impact and the emotions such a car generates?

That would explain why the Zo6, 911 etc are not exotics (they look exactly like a $30k corvette or a normal 997) whilst the others all are....

Yup. I'll go along with the "design/impact/emotions" stmt too...though those CAN be a matter of personal opinion. (And the SLR/599 are 2 of the exceptions to which I referred.)

 

[jdoc7]

What is an "exotic" though? Really this is not a rethorical question.

This is what I feel....

Any Ferrari or Lambo is an exotic.

A 911 is not an exotic, not even a 997 GT2 (which costs more than a F430), but a Carrera GT is.

I am not sure I would consider any Aston an exotic.

A Z06 is not an exotic.

So what gives? It's not price (the 997 GT2), it's not performance (the Z06). Is it numbers? Or is it just a way to justify spending a copious amount of $$$ for a car that is not that much more performing than an equivalent non exotic one?

Here's someone's definition, kinda interesting.
http://ezinearticles.com/?What-is-an-Exotic-Car?&id=486509

 

[Empty Pockets]

Except for the comment that some consider the "Elise"(!?:lol) to be an exotic, I pretty much agree with the guy.

 

[Kayvan]

two numbers: 250mph, 3.5- secs

The term Supercar was coined by a journalist shortly after the review of the Miura.

It was to express the wild design, mid engine layout, and 160+mph performance.

"Exotic" cars was a 70s term, if I remember, and came into heavy use in early 80s {Road track did a magazine series}

I think it all about the performance bar, if a car is within 50 miles of highest top speed and 0.5 second of fastest 0-60 then it qualifies in my book.

Todays thats: 250mph, 3.5 secs

 

[GTNJ]

I knew...I just KNEW yewd jump on that'un! :slap

(I shall now go "edit" that stmt!)

No...No.. Don't get me wrong .... My GT is black.. I'm not driving mine either till we figure whats going on with the Black GT's.:willy

 

[Kingman]

...............>FASTER< - and "cheaper"wink) - FGT. .............every penny.

One correction. Not cheaper.....less expensive please. :thumbsup

 

[Midnite Blu]

I think the Cadillac commercial sums it up........When you turn your car on, does it also turn you on??

 

[MK2_GT]

In my opinion the term Exotic, when referring to cars, is defintiely governed by the "look" of the car more than the performance.

I only like American Muscle, so the choices in my car collection obssesion are easy ones...

 

[MAD IN NC]

No...No.. Don't get me wrong .... My GT is black.. I'm not driving mine either till we figure whats going on with the Black GT's.:willy

Knock that crap off.... I'm getting scared owning a black car:eek

 

[Hammer]

I agree that for a car to be considered "exotic", it has to stir the soul, and make you do a double take every time you see it (the design/impact/emotions thing). It has to have power. But power alone doesn't do it. It also has to have some degree of sophistication, it has to seem suave, dangerous, and dripping with panache to really make the cut. Does a Z06 have it? Not really, not in my book. Does a McLaren F1 have it? Are you kidding me? It defines it. And does the Ford GT have it? Go take a look in your driveway, then try to take the smile off your face.

 

[BlackICE]

I think the Cadillac commercial sums it up........When you turn your car on, does it also turn you on??

I think that is right on target. However in IMHO, none of the Caddys fit the bill.

 

[Empty Pockets]

One correction. Not cheaper.....less expensive please. :thumbsup

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah ... I've never been into the "P.C." phraseology thing!!!!:lol :cheers

 

[Sinovac]

I think that is right on target. However in IMHO, none of the Caddys fit the bill.

5 years ago I would have agreed with you. Although I was never a GM fan, I must give credit where credit is due. The General has done a REMARKABLE job reinventing its entire car line (much better than Ford I might add, much to my pain and discomfort). The new Cadillacs are great cars and are worthy competitors to anything made in Europe or Japan (wish I could say the same about the Lincolns). Unfortunately, it will take some time for people to get the shit taste out of their mouth left by cars like the badge engineered Cimarron. Nevertheless, Cadillac is on a roll and I would buy one over a European or Japanese car if I was in the market for a high performance sedan.

 

[w. mitty]

Why own a Ferrari?

Some of you may know that I recently bought an F430. I think that the question is well founded and deserving of some honest discussion. Just don't try this on the Ferrari forum :wink

After ponderous thought, I have the following theory regarding those who purchase Ferraris. This list is not exhaustive, so add to it if you'd like to.

Poseur 1: "I've made it big, and I need to demonstrate that to the world. I don't really like cars that much, but I do like prestige. I need a car that is appropriate to my youthful personality and suited to my elevated financial status. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari, and maybe a Rolex too.

Poseur 2: "I want to make it big but I haven't yet. I'm gonna fake it 'till I make it. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari.

Poseur 3: "I want everyone to look at me and envy me so that I can establish, once and for all that I am clearly superior to the hoardes of the hairy unwashed. I want a car that is universally recognized for its difficulty to acquire. What should I do?" Buy a Ferrari. This is especially true in the emerging markets, like China, who are soaking up a bunch of Ferrari's production.

Poseur 4: "I am a celebrity and need a car to show up at the Restaurants in so the Paparazzi can take my picture. What should I do? Buy a Ferrari. (My car was owned by a celebrity, who I will not name. He drove it 500 miles before trading it back to the dealer for a Spyder. The dealer tells me it was always driven only to the Restaurant. I think it's true. The shoulders of the tires did not show any cornering above 6 mph. i promptly corrected this :wink)

Car Guy 5: "I have read every Ferrari book in the world, know every difference between every model, and wear Ferrari pajamas when I sleep. My office is lined with Ferrari models. I bought a Ferrari, I wax it every night, and never let the sun touch its lovely red paint. What's that you say? Drive it? ARE YOU CRAZY? I didn't buy this thing for transportation, I bought it for the sake of ART!"

Car Guy 6: "I love machines and the passion they inspire. I love racing and the courage it requires. I love the cutting edge engineering of Formula 1 and its rich international history. I love the howl of a highly tuned engine as I crack through the gears and the landscape blurrs. I like unique and exotic styling that I don't see at every intersection, and I want something that provides a definite sense of occassion when I drive it. I don't mind taking my car on a cross country trip or flogging it at the track --heck, that's what the cotton pickin thing was built for. I aint savin' the car for someone else, I'm wringing every mile out of it. I don't care who sees me driving it, in fact, I want the windows tinted so people CAN'T see who's driving it. Finally, I don't care what name it's got on it, if it's a great car, I want it. The Ferrari happens to be a great car"

Sadly, my experience has been that there is a STRONG current of Types 1-5 that run throughout the Ferrari world. There are some true enthusiasts and cars guys, to be sure. But the numbers are dwindling...

Now, the real question: how many GT OWNERS qualify as Types 1-5?

 

[BlackICE]

Now, the real question: how many GT OWNERS qualify as Types 1-5?

Hey, you don't have a category for Pockets!

 

[timcantwell]

Love cars with the first initial F!

I also like cars that end in the letter "i". Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati.

 

[timcantwell]

Why own a Ferrari?

Poseur 2: "I want to make it big but I haven't yet. I'm gonna fake it 'till I make it. What should I do?" Answer: buy a Ferrari.

Correction to Poseur 2 theory, "I want to make it big but I haven't yet. I'm gonna fake it 'till I make it. What should I do?" Answer: LEASE a Ferrari. (These guys don't buy Ferraris.)

Honestly, I have owned four Ferrari's all of which I worked on myself (most of the time.) I simply love the history, the engines are fine jewels that have that F1 high rev ripping sound that no other car I own can duplicate. I drive the piss out of my current 360 and love every minute of it. One of my Ferraris served as an exclusive track car for three years, and I held a track record in it at my local club track. You'll have to pick a number on where I fit on the chart.

 

[w. mitty]

Correction to Poseur 2 theory, "I want to make it big but I haven't yet. I'm gonna fake it 'till I make it. What should I do?" Answer: LEASE a Ferrari. (These guys don't buy Ferraris.)

Honestly, I have owned four Ferrari's all of which I worked on myself (most of the time.) I simply love the history, the engines are fine jewels that have that F1 high rev ripping sound that no other car I own can duplicate. I drive the piss out of my current 360 and love every minute of it. One of my Ferraris served as an exclusive track car for three years, and I held a track record in it at my local club track. You'll have to pick a number on where I fit on the chart.

You sound like a confirmed #6. We need to clone you :wink