Philosophical questions to consider.
No answer required here unless you want to.
This is basically a question to see where you stand within. (are you biased).

For years folks have considered the mid-engine European super cars exotics.
Corvettes, Vipers and even Nissan GTR's for example at times have rivaled or surpassed some of the "exotics" in performance over the years.
Each has had limited production runs of special editions as well.
However these cars are not considered exotics by those who supposedly know of these things.

This begs the question:
If the C8 rivals or exceeds the "exotics" performance and it has a mid engine layout and looks like other mid engine exotics.......

Is it by default an exotic?


Regardless of your answer the question to ponder is what makes an exotic car exotic?
Is it the layout, is it the performance, is it the limited production numbers, is it price, a combination of several things or whatever.
Exactly what is an "exotic car" these days?

On the eve of the introduction of the C8, the first rear mid-engine Corvette, I think its worth considering what this will do to automotive history and the use of the word exotic.

Think about it,..... If GM sells 30,000 mid engine C8's a year that look exotic and do everything an "exotic" can do just as well or better, then one of 3 things has to be true as of tonight.

1. The Corvette C8 has to be an exotic. (grab the defibrillator Martha)

Or

2. The European exotics are no longer exotics. (unless price alone makes an exotic)

Or

3. The term or class "exotic" was always bullshit to begin with.


Welcome to the new world order !

 

It’s a few things. First off, the Stingray can’t be considered an exotic, period. Now, once they drop the Z06 and it has 800+hp and killer looks, then it may qualify. To me-its rarity, price, looks. Lots of carbon, etc.

So, I would say in the next 18 months or so, we may have an American exotic.

Looking forward to tonight’s reveal.

 

Thread kind of premature lol.

But yes the C8 has all the promises to FINALLY make it a supercar. I actually think the C7Z/ZR is exotic, but it's not a supercar.

But the high hp variants of the C8 can definitely be a supercar/exotic. Going by how many number of units, how it's made, etc.

We will see if there's potential for that when we see the base stingray tonight. I'm very excited. I already see soo many posts on social media about corvette owners posting out of insecurity. They don't even know what it looks like, nor do any of us here, but yet they are shooting it down like it's a mustang or something lol

 

It took awhile but you finally got to it in the third option.

 

Exotic = fragile + expensive + low production

corvette not = to Exotic.

 

When I think exotic, I think something expensive. McLaren, Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc. I definitely wouldn’t consider a $65k (just my opinion of what the pricing will look like, calm down $169k fellas) car an exotic.

 

So in your case a very expensive price makes a car exotic.
Does that mean the last C7 that sold for 2.7 million is an exotic?

 

Nah, its just a Z06. It sold for a lot because it was the last one.

 

So I cant say a C7 or C8 is fragile but neither are any of the so called exotic cars.
If any of the above are fragile I wouldn't consider that a positive attribute.

I can say there are low production versions of the Corvette, as in the anniversary editions and the collectors editions and so forth.
I could put the C7 ZR1 in the limited production category as well. And surely there well be limited production low number issues of the C8.

Expensive well at $140K I wouldn't say its all that expensive. So perhaps you have a point here.

Perhaps exotic just boils down to super expensive.

 

Definition=A supercar is one of the highest classes for cars. ... Supercars are exotic cars, and that means they have great style, as well as incredible performance. These cars are among the fastest in the world, and have the best sport handling out there

Corvettes are already super cars Rob. They offer super car performance by the definition of super car.
Its been that way since back in the early 60s when the limited production Z06 was first introduced.
with examples provided throughout corvette history the latest being the C7 Z06 and ZR1.

It has been argued they are not exotic hence this discussion.
So far this discussion has offered nothing other than price that makes an exotic but its price.

 

I get what you are saying but what are the factors by which you say a 500hp C8 cant be an exotic?
There are other 500 hp exotics on the planet aren't there?

What defines your exotic?

 

Got it............ so give me an example of an exotic characteristic other than it being super expensive?
Cause we just covered that base at 2.7 mil.

 

That 2.7M went to charity and doesn’t reflect the value of the car...c’mon man!

 

Exotic= I have to go with "super expensive" - limited production runs and in general, just hard to come by. I just saw the pic's of the new C8, great looking car and has all the attributes in the high performance models (yet to come) to be a "supercar" etc.etc. -- BUT not an "exotic" IMO. But I do really like the C8 and am looking forward to seeing one up close.

 

Corvettes aren't supercars. A corvette is plastic, is a dime a dozen sports car with faulty mechanics. Overheating, terrible trans?

What part of those things are in any way "super"?

People, especially C7 owners got the understanding that because the C7Z/ZR have supercar looks, and supercar performance, it's a supercar. No it's not. Because if that's the logic, then a GTR is a supercar, some AMG models are supercars. And some would argue a hellcat challenger, especially now with the widebody, is a supercar.

And i guess all this doesn't matter. I just saw the C8. It's going to crush the C7 in every aspect lol. And the debut was only the Z51 package?? Come on, the C8Z is going to annihilate. And everyone was talking crap about the C8 haha. The thing is gorgeous.

 

If you go by the popular definitions (wiki, urban dictionary), ME+ 400hp+ plus Ferrari looks = Supercar.

Old fogies have a different view of “exotic” from the first Lambo... but today, supercar= exotic by popular convention... the fogies’ conception is what people now call a hypercar= Supercar performance+ expensive + rare. Koenigsegg, Bugatti, AM Vulcan, Laferrari, some Lambos, P918, Mc Senna. From our shores, Ford GT Mk II. NOT C8.

I absolutely love the C8. ^^But it doesn’t “crush” the C7 IMO, it is just different... like ME Ferrari’s don’t crush the F12tdf or the Superfast, just different. Who says “crush” anyway, teens or single 20-30-something dudes?

Who cares...Hyper is a socioec/ class thing. Like if you search that tool’s post reveal comment on C8 forum.. “I wish the price were higher so that it’s more exclusive” actually came from his/her keyboard because there’s little else to criticize....But then he’s an acknowledged Porch dealer who’s ironically said he’s only had a base 911 and had base Stingray before (No offense to other dealers).

 

There is nothing remotely exotic about any Corvette ever made. Despite what anyone thinks its a high volume Chevy. Also the low production "special ones" are nothing more than different colors, vinyl graphics that some grandpa was dumb enough to pay for. I also wouldn't call the C7Z or Zr1 a supercar, supercar perfromance yes, but its not a supercar. Just take things for what they are, and don't show up to an exotic meet in your new C8!

 

Agreed lol.

The C8 has potential man. It has way better presence in base form than the C7 did in base form. The C8Z will be a grand freaking slam.

And what do you mean? C7's have attended exotic meets in the past, and that went ok lol. Pretty sure the C8 will be more welcomed, right?? lol Mclaren and ferrari owners will shake their head but at the same time they'll say, "hmmmm not bad GM".

 

I get your drift...I think GM has done a good job with the C8...though I'm not a huge fan of how the exterior looks, I think the GT-40 and obviously the Ferraris look much better/cleaner and I also like the 911 style better too, personally not a fan of the R8 and the Lambos are well Lambos. But with all the new GM digital tech and the dual clutch trans it will be a technological tour de force and with the mid engine advantages it sounds like even the base models (in Z51 trim and performance exhaust) will be 3.0 sec 0 - 60 cars and possibly even sub 3 second under perfect conditions, so that means the Z06 and above cars should be close to Porsche GT2 RS and Turbo S and Ferrari Top Line Super Cars...but yes Exotics are exotic because their name plate has a history of exclusivity brought about due to cost and racing history....GM/Corvettes have a well deserved track history but they don't win Le Mans or F1 over a long period and GM can't afford to only build a limited number of cars to insure the demand always out strips supply. Like it or not the corvette will never be a Ferrari though it may very well out run or run with many of the Ferrari models...but if you pull up to an outside café in a C8 and a 2002 360 Modena Spider I suspect most people are still going stare as the Ferrari pulls in....if it's the million dollar La Ferrari there will be no doubt. I really don't care for the front of the C8 and not a big fan of the haunches styling which I suspect was partially dictated by the big pushrod V8 but I do like the overall look and it would be very cool to own one so I will be watching as they come on line and start being at the dealers to see what the scoop is. I have owned a $135K 911 Turbo and I just have no interest in buying a corvette that is a $100K+ car...my C7 Z06 3LZ Vert is a '16 that I just bought (3K miles) and I paid $69,500 and that is about my limit for what I value any corvette at. Having said that I do really enjoy my vert Z06 and always have a smile when I look at her and driver her with the top down...a really nice car but No I don't call the Z a Supercar or an Exotic.

 

Agree, the C8Z will be sweet, no way I would buy a base model, in 4-5 years Z06 will be out and discounted for as cheap as you can get a base c8 now. And I wouldn't take my c7Z up to and exotics meet. Not unless I parked in another lot and walked over to look. lol