I think it really depends on the intention and context. The F-Type is far rarer than the 911, so in car club events where most 911's are "exotic", then the F-Type would be also. There's a facility near me called the "Carolina Exotic Car Club", and they use this looser definition of "exotic" for their events. In that context, it really just means something like "special/rare sports car", i.e. not a 5.0L Mustang. Rare is, like exotic, a term that means different things in different contexts. The F-Type is rare compared to most Mustangs, but not compared to Bugatti. If the event classifies "exotic" like Ford GT, Ferrari/Lamborghini, Acura NSX, Aston Martin, Lotus, etc., then most versions of the F-Type fall below that threshold. The F-Type is on the threshold, so the context matters more. A Project 7 is undoubtedly exotic, but most F-Types live in a gray area. I will say that the F-Type draws more attention than a base 911 and this pulls it closer to the "exotic" category, but again the definitions of all of these are loose and context makes the difference.

 

Put it this way - if it's the kind of snooty crowd that turns you away for showing up in an F-Type, you don't want to associate with them anyway. If it's a group of people who genuinely enjoys car culture and doesn't just see it as some kind of marker of social status, I am sure you will be welcome.

 

and this social phenomenon occurs with many objects that we own... cars, wood boats (the CC crowd can be vicious), airplanes..

 

Was the VW thing exotic?

 

I consider both the Ftype and the XKR exotic. Especially the updated XKR from 12-15. While it’s tech is certainly not exotic the number of times people have started a conversation about my XKR at a stoplight, gas station, or in line at a fast food joint by yelling up at me in line is uncountable. My XKR is debadged in the back came that way used….. might be a reason why but get far less curious people for the Ftype 🤷🏻

 

I've actually had an owner of a C8 suggest that about my car relative to his (his words), but I never really agreed with that idea. To me exotic means "money is no object" type of cars. These F-types are financially approachable for a lot of people out there of reasonable means. Both in terms of purchase and maintenance. "Exotics", at least in my mind, are not something that the masses can claim. And if someone of reasonable means does own an exotic it probably will not be getting done responsibly/easily. Maintenance and problems would likely make it unsustainable.

That has always been my definition of it, but this is just one man's opinion.

 

I like to say that I have a Supercar to make my friends laugh. When I first brought the F home I called Hagerty Ins. later on a Friday afternoon about insuring the car. The person I was speaking to told me I had to call back on Monday for a quote since " you need to talk to someone in the Supercar division about an SVR quote" Boy did I have fun laughing about it over that weekend - while at the same time worrying about what the bill would be! In case anyone is interested the bill came to approximately $1,100 and change with a $75,000 dollar guaranteed value. Geico wanted $2,300 with no guaranteed value.

 

I equate exotic with rare. If you don't see it every day, it's exotic. Where I live, an F-Type is very exotic.

 

Per Wiktionary.org (of the Wikimedia Foundation):

<<
Adjective

exotic

1. Foreign, especially in an exciting way.

(e.g.) an exotic appearance
>>

So, if we take that literally, maybe in the UK the F-Type isn't exotic. But in the US it certainly is foreign, in an exciting way.

 

Call your car whatever you want. I personally wouldn't say that I had an "exotic" even if I had a McLaren F1. To me it sounds too fluffy and elitist. I love my F-Type, it's beautiful and fun... but it's also just a hunk of metal and plastic like every other car out there.

 

My personality would align with this thinking as well..lol

 

When I rolled mine into the Jag dealership service bay, the word spread amongst all the cooler employees. A group of 5-6 had congregated to gawk. From behind the group I heard one tell another, "I told you one was here".

We took it to chase a solar eclipse. After that we stopped at a one-of-a-kind fuel/convenience/gift store. At the very back of the store was a car collection. Few people would know how incredible each of about 12 cars was. I got a little dizzy when I noticed an original AC Cobra, not a BS kit. I think it was an early effort long before production.

I inquired, staff let me know the store owner shows some of his collection there. She must've called him.

We had to park at the adjacent lot due to crowding. On our walk the owner ran out to meet us to share car stories. He made a nice offer; I told him to call me when he's really ready to buy, while my wife handed him my card.

So yeah, from North Dallas to Broken Bow OK at Gasquatch Auto Museum, mine is exotic.

 

That's just a bit harsh, but I think our thoughts are similar. Words have useful definitions which is declarative. In this case "exotic" as a classification is used to either elevate or denigrate.

It is fascinating that where these cars are uncommon, the curves, sounds, and total package must impress more so than where they are more common.

I've never felt pride of anything I purchased. I've never been impressed with anything others simply bought. Great cars are definitely impressive feats of engineering and artistic expression. The people who did all this very much impress me.

I bought mine because I considered my cost to be well under its value to me. I think these are the best bang for the buck supercars. In the US, resell values are always depressed due to the cost of repairs. Here, access to skilled techs and parts can be challenging.

 

Yes its definitely an exotic I rarely see these on the road I think within the past year I have maybe seen 3. At the cars and coffee shows its filled with Lambos, Ferrari, Porsche and maybe 1 F-Type may be there. I will say it has its presence on the road and commands lots of attention as it turns heads like no other. I have seen some Ferrari, Bentley, Lambo, Porsche, Rolls, M, Amg, etc owners get upset with the amount of attention the F-Type gets. If you are in a city with heavy traffic and lots of exotics on the streets and the expressway the F-Type shines because you cannot help but to see the gorgeous styling and hear that exotic exhaust. Ive been on the expressway before and traffic was stopping just for people to get a glimpse of an F-Type. So yes its an exotic

 

Well said. We all love our cars without a doubt (or most of us anyways) and they are tons of fun. But the respect goes to the people who designed and built the cars - the people who crowd around the car are there because of those folks. Every time someone says "nice car!", I say thank you and that they should consider buying one, you can get into one for really cheap these days - I am not out to be the only one in town with an F-Type, I want to build a community of F-Types around me

 

...my V6 manual is reasonably

good for a 3 litre, just done a 2 way journey of 18.5 miles from a cold start and cruising comfortably at 30/ 35mph with about 20% stop/ start heavy traffic and the trip meter said 28.5 UK mpg. not bad for a big engine car..you don't by a manul 335bhp F-Type for fuel economy !.

 

This topic comes up on so many car sites.
Corvette owners claim their cars are exotic
Mustang owners claim their cars are exotic.
Mopar owners claim same
So do
AMG
Porsche
Mclaren owners, along with
Ferrari
Lamborghini
Maserati.....ETC.

Car enthusiasts who buy cars they love all "want" their cars to be an "exotic". But then the question comes - What defines an exotic? And, that's where it breaks down, BC there is no clear definition for an exotic. The term exotic as it applies to cars comes from the magazine writers who arbitrarily apply the term to cars they test and like.

I've long since given up how to define exotic. If you want to think your car an exotic and tell people that, go for it. No one is going to be able to challenge you BC they can't define it either.

BTW the same goes for -
Supercar
Hypercar

There is no standard for these like there is for Coupe, Sedan, Roadster, 4 door, convertible, etc. which are undeniable.