AO

I think it's exotic if we call it exotic (my insurer calls it exotic if that helps). But let's face it, there are only a handful of cars that come to mind when one utters the phrase, "Exotic Car." Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Pagani, Koenigsegg, and maybe a few others. Porsche is not one of them. Why? Well it's because Porsches are not that rare. 928's are rare, but Porsche's are not. How often do you see a Ferrari, let alone a Testarossa? A Lambo? (I've only seen 2 in my life). I've never seen a McLaren or a Pagani. So unfortunately I think we're working an uphill battle to call the 928 an exotic.

I believe the term "Exotic" did not come into play with cars until the days of Miami Vice - at least half-way into the 928's life. Back then, the Lambo Countach was by far the most "exotic" car. The '89 25th Anniverssary Edition Countach did 0-60 in 5.0 and had a top speed of 183. The 928 S4 had similar figures, but wasn't nearly as outlandish looking and that's what I think is the X-factor. The 928 did not have wild styling like some of the exotic's in the day. Maybe that's good, maybe that's bad.

Just thought of another... Acura NSX. Clearly an exotic. Crap! I guess that blows my theory out of the water... Oh well, I think I go home tonight and play with my exotic 928GT!

bigmac

I think that since I have spent about 100 hours out of the last two years staring at mine in the garage, it qualifies. Mac

Rod Underwood

They're exotic to me and that's really all that counts.

I just wish I could get more and keep my wife.

I would choose her over the car, so there is no confusion

Rod

auto556

I think it is the greatest car.... except when I have to have it worked on. I don't feel like there has been any car like it.

piccardo

I think it's a mater of perspective. To most people a Porsche is just as exotic as a Ferrari , Aston or whatever they don't really know about. The more you know the less exotic something appears. To bring it into perspective I think you need to remind yourself, how many would spend 70k on a car in todays money and not think it's exotic. sounds very extravagant to me.

worf928

$70k may or may not be extravagant depending upon your means. But, there are few cars available for under $70k that I would consider exotic. I can think of only two: a Lotus Exige and a Corvette C6 Z06. And the "exotic" status of either is, I think, open to considerable debate.

A better 928 comparison would be to revise the original 928 sticker price for inflation. In the case of my '91 its original MSRP would be $125k in today's money. That's certainly, I think, into extravagant territory. But, still only near the bottom of exotic territory since you can easily pay that for a non-Turbo 911 and I don't consider 997s to be exotic.

fabric

Good point. I'm trying to think back to car prices in '91 to remember how the 928's price compared to a Ferrari or Lambo. If memory serves, $140K for a Countach in '91 sounds pretty close. And the 928 was still in the price neighborhood of 6/8 series and Benz SLs. Performance wise it's superior to those, but not quite in the exotic/supercar territory of cars at the time.

So I think we can all agree, the 928 is in a class by itself.

worf928

True dat.

weirdscience

Mine was back in 1984...Not sure now...

Warren928

In near stock form, I think the 928 is a practical working man's exotic supercar. There are many people who are in this forum who fit that description. I think it is, but I also know its not as exotic as others. Hopefully I wont get eccentric in my old age and move towards a vector, countach 5000, bugatti or enzo to satisfy my needs.

I think a "pimped out" 928 can feel very exotic and it doesn't have the price tag that goes along with the high end ones, but is very capable and reliable with a few modifications.

fabric

Man, I completely forgot about the Vector, that seemed like the coolest car when it was around.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_Supercars

Gretch

Prolly the most exotic car I will ever own.

Jim bailey - 928 International

I saw the Vector at the L A auto show and quickly realized that it was NOT a car same with the first Delorean I saw when John Z was doing his dog and pony show raising money....neither was capable of moving under their own power...Vector never even got to the level of a decent kit car.

dr bob

I have a friend who owns the building the Vector bunch used in San Pedro. They went on to push some kind of Aqua-Scooter hydrofoil thing that was at least as unsuccessful as the Vector. There are/were a couple actual running prototypes of the Vector at one point, but they were liquidated to pay off creditors. No idea where they are right now.

From where I was sitting, the whole thing looked like an elegant Ponzi scheme to bilk investors, or some guy with big ideas, trying to get otheres to bankroll development of his dream. Few will evere make it successfully in the small-market specialty car market. DeLorean could have but didn't. Others fall into the hobby or kit-car classification since the owners have to do so much finishing. The Cobra replica market is a good example of that.

Perhaps the one shining start in that field is Steve Saleen, using Ford's marketing to promote his tuner Mustangs and Explorers, and self-funding development of the S7 supercars. Lots of expertise shared with Ford, up to assembling the Ford GT (40) cars that make it to market. He's earned a good reputation and takes advantage of that to continue with new programs.