I was reading this article written by a guy who had interviewed valets (mostly So. Cal). He asked them what they thought of the cars they parked and where they parked them (in front, back of the pack, etc.)
The consensus seemed to be that that most Porsches were not considered exotics and unless they were really special (918, GT3, Turbo S, etc. ), most of the time they would park these cars as they did with most others unless the owner tipped them to leave the car upfront. Their list of exotics included
Ferrari, Lambo, Bentley, and Rolls.
So what do you guys think? Are most Porsches exotics? Now I would imagine the 918, 959, Carrera GT would be considered by most of us as really exotics. But a 991C2s or C4s? I would have to admit that I would not consider them exotics.

 

depends on where you are. a Carrera isn't an exotic anywhere really...a turbo would be fairly exotic in my neck of the woods, but not in Atlanta/Miami, a Carrera GT is an exotic, period...

 

In my area of Florida, Daytona Beach, it is a rare art form.

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Not in my part of the world - and being mass produced also doesn't help its cause.

 

The Carrera GT and the 918 are definitely exotics, whereas none of the 911s are, IMO. Exceptional performance cars, yes, but not exotic: too many of them produced and too conservative in design.

 

I think it depends on the circumstances.

No 911 would be considered an exotic in Monte Carlo, for example.

 

I agree with that, there's so many on the road, it's not really a notable event when you see one. Needs to be rare to be an exotic. I would also include the turbo and gt3 in that, since I don't think most normal folk can tell the difference between the different 911 flavors. That said, it's definitely relative. I'm sure the 911 is rare and gets noticed in some parts of the country/world, but probably not in most major metros.

 

There's more to being an exotic than rarity. Synonyms for "exotic" are words like "fantastic", "glamorous", "romantic" & "outlandish", according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary.

 

Spot on

 

Cut and pasted from a car shop that organizes Toys for Tots:

What is an Exotic Car, and what is not?

(PLEASE READ!)

One of the requirements to participate in The South Florida Exotic Car Toy Rally is an “exotic car”. So, exactly what is an exotic car, and what isn't?

There are a variety of definitions and beliefs of what an exotic car is. Some think that it's solely based upon how much a car costs, how the doors open, the country of origin, customization or personalization, performance figures, or other various aspects of a particular car. In some respects it is all of these characteristics, and yet sometimes it is none of them.

Probably the best and most common way to think about what an exotic car is can be boiled down to one simple statement. Do you see one every day? Or, simply put, are you likely to see one in a traffic jam, parking lot, or during a daily commute? If the answer is no, then it's probably close to being exotic. But, there's more...

An exotic car is also likely to be limited production, scarce, personalized or created in an unusual way, perhaps incorporates unusual materials in its components, has an unusual appearance or design, and is generally not intended for a large market audience of buyers.

Some examples of exotic cars include marquees such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, Bentley, Lotus, Bugatti, McLaren, Rossion, Spyker, Pagani, Maserati, etc., as well as supercars such as a Carrera GT, Saleen S7, Koenigsegg, Mercedes SLR, and also very limited production or boutique versions of a car such as a Dodge Viper, Acura NSX, or a Corvette ZR1, and more.
Examples of cars that are NOT exotic include the Porsche Boxster, BMW M3, basic Chevy Corvette, basic Porsche 911, Mercedes SLK, Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Lexus SC, and/or other ‘mass produced’ types of cars. Although these are all great automobiles, and many individuals or groups/clubs may be enthusiasts of them, they are usually not within the general population's first thoughts when an exotic car comes to mind.
For the Toy Rally, because the number of cars able to participate is limited due to the locations, parking, food, logistics, etc, it is essential that the event maintains the requirement of an exotic car, so that the mystique and excitement of a gathering of true exotic cars continues to entice sponsors and exotic car owners to participate, now and in the future.
This is a sometimes very tough issue to address, and we hope that people can respect why this is a requirement. It is certainly not intended to hurt anyone's feelings, or turn anybody away. However, if the event were filled with standard, basic, or mass produced cars instead of exotic cars, then the Toy Rally could loose its luster of the general population's definition of exotic cars, and eventually dilute the event itself.
Hopefully, as the Toy Rally grows and gains traction each year, it will be able to include more makes/models of cars, but at this point it is necessary to prioritize and require an exotic car to participate. If you're still unsure if your car is exotic, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

 

Yeah, you're right there's more too it than just rarity. The Model S is still fairly rare (outside of certain strongholds), but it's certainly no exotic. I think it needs to be rare and exhibit those qualities.

Personally though, this is one of the selling points of the 911. You get an incredible and truly iconic machine without causing a circus every time you go for a drive.

 

Here in Sanford Fl, best known for the Zimmerman/ Trayvon Martin case, people have been taking pics of my "lowly" "red headed stepchild" 996tt at red lights and parking lots. Went to Universal Studios Theme park Sunday and received many compliments on her and the valet's parked her between a red Ferari and a blue Lambo right in the front...lol

 

Who lets a Valet Park their car anyways?
If you want it in front, tip and leave it there yourself

 

I guess I have one of those

 

They are strongly against that! I have been going there for years and the guys treat my stuff better than me! They really love when I bring my lifted hot rod GMC Duramax, it draws the biggest crowds...lol