Buying an Exotic Car
When it comes to dreaming about cars, nothing beats the thrill of buying an exotic car. It’s an exhilarating adventure full of sleek designs, performance capabilities, and an exclusive feeling of prestige. That is why we are here to share the best steps you should follow if you are looking to buy an exotic car.
So, keep reading to find out tips and tricks to consider when making the purchase of a lifetime!
Researching Exotic Cars
When buying an exotic car, compare and research the available factory options. For example, consider specifications, performance, reliability, safety, and other factors.
Usually, some people have already decided on their favorite car and don’t care to compare it with other exotic cars. However, if you are unsure which car you want, we recommend considering some factors for your exotic car purchase.
Design
The design is the first thing that always catches your attention when encountering an exotic car. The aggressive, sleek, and aerodynamic design is usually paired with a loud exhaust.
For most, the design of the vehicle is the deal-breaker. They will look for the best-looking exterior and interior design, regardless of the brand or model they select.
Some are limited to two seats, which gives a more aggressive, sporty, streamlined, and compact look. Other cars with four seats present a more family-friendly aesthetic, bulkier and unpolished middle section. This emphasizes a blend of style, functionality, and comfortability.
Performance
Although there’s not much difference in performance between modern exotic cars, some car enthusiasts care more for the car’s performance than any other aspect. The most important performance figures to consider are the horsepower, torque, braking, and 0-60 MPH figures.
Furthermore, if you are a person who thoroughly enjoys driving, consider buying a classic. Although they are much more difficult to drive, they are considered more fun for an expert driver. The lack of technology and assistance in the classics can be a deal-breaker or deal-maker.
In most exotics today, there are no multiple engines to choose from. They are usually predetermined at the factory with one engine option, and that engine is characteristic of that model and exotic. If you have multiple engine options, consider the performance figures, MPG, reliability, price, and parts availability.
Technology and features
Modern exotic cars offer excellent technology and features. Whether it is driving assistance, sensors, gauges, or physical adjustments to the car, exotic cars offer it all. Do proper research on what is important for you, and consider features like infotainment systems and driver assistance that you may want.
Build quality and safety rating
As with any car, it is important to research its build quality and safety rating. You can search for expert opinions, safety assessments, and online customer reviews. Even though exotic cars are built using top-of-the-line materials, some may have issues with the build quality, consistency, panel gaps, etc.
A trustworthy source to consider when looking at a car’s safety rating is the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The IIHS is a specialized organization that professionally evaluates the safety rating of a car through two aspects:
- Crashworthiness – How well a vehicle protects its occupants in a crash.
- Crash avoidance and mitigation – Technology that can prevent a crash or lessen its severity.
Financing an Exotic Car
In order to know how to afford exotic cars, you must first set a budget. You can do so by knowing how to finance your exotic car, how much it may cost, and what to consider.
Depending on your situation, there are many financing options you can consider for your exotic car. Each option has its pros and cons. It is best to start by considering all of them and then eliminating the ones that don’t fit your needs and circumstances.
A good tip would be to ask an expert or somebody financially fluent for input on the best option you should consider. So, these are some of the ways you can finance your exotic car:
- Traditional auto loan
- Specialized auto lender
- Manufacturer financing
- Leasing
- Balloon payments
- Asset-based financing
- Peer-to-peer lending
- High-net-worth lending
- Credit unions
Remember that some loan options need qualifications from you, like a good credit score, car credit history, and ability to repay. Also, getting a loan means paying interest, which adds to the total exotic car price. Besides having a good credit score, you need to consider the initial purchase price, insurance costs, taxes, and maintenance or repairs associated with the car.
Initial purchase price
The initial purchase price of an exotic car refers to the total amount of money needed to acquire the vehicle. Sometimes, this is called a “financed amount” or “financed price”. It includes any additional fees or charges when financed through a loan or financing arrangement.
Moreover, you can talk with a financial advisor to assess your wealth management strategy. See what option for the initial purchase price is best for you. Sometimes, paying the entire car upfront may not be the best option because of various factors like tax implications and deductibles.
Insurance cost
The second factor to consider is the cost of insurance. Since exotic cars are rare and expensive, they have a high insurance cost. Their insurance cost is usually much higher than that of any other vehicle.
Many factors, like the driver’s history, location, and usage patterns, will fetch a premium insurance price. Sometimes, the exotic car model itself will play an important factor in the insurance cost.
Taxes
If you are looking at factory quotes about an exotic car’s price, it is likely that price does not include the taxes you will have to pay upon purchasing and owning the car. That is because each country, state, and region has different taxes.
Therefore, do proper research or contact a professional to find the actual cost of your exotic car. Common taxes when purchasing a car may be sales and annual vehicle taxes.
Maintenance, repairs, and fuel costs
Exotic cars are made of expensive and difficult-to-find parts, making them much more difficult to maintain and repair. Any scratch or damage to the car will also cost you a premium to fix.
Since exotics have a large power output, they use a lot of fuel and offer very low mileage. Plus, keep in mind that exotic cars are usually track-focused. Hence, mileage is not very important to the company producing them.
Moreover, consider regular fuel costs in the overall price, especially if you want to drive your exotic car daily. They don’t come close to the fuel efficiency of regular cars.
Finding and Inspecting an Exotic Car
As mentioned, finding and knowing how to buy an exotic car is challenging. They are rare and very sought after. Also, since they are in limited numbers, it isn’t easy to find one in pristine condition unless you want to buy a brand-new one.
Do proper research to find reputable car dealers by reading reviews or talking with previous customers from that dealer. The same principles apply to private sellers or traders. They are more likely to be trustworthy if they have an exotic car collection. Check up on their car history or previous buyers, if any.
Another good practice is to inspect the car you are buying. Take it to a mechanic’s shop you trust or bring somebody with car experience.
However, renting an exotic car can help you find the perfect exotic. Aside from assisting you in choosing which car you like, it will give you an idea of what it should feel like. This may be crucial when inspecting and buying a used exotic car.
At Fisher Luxury Rental, you can find plenty of exotic cars for rent. For example, the McLaren 720s, Lamborghini Huracan Performante Convertible, BMW B7 Alpina, Audi R8, Corvette C8, and Ferrari 488.
Owning and Maintaining an Exotic Car
Owning an exotic car is exciting, but it can be stressful as there are many things you must be mindful of, including maintenance. Due to their high-performance capabilities, exotic cars must be maintained regularly.
Apart from the obvious oil and liquid changes, tire changes, and protection film wrapping, it is important to remember the factors in the following:
- Ensure the best insurance coverage and price, as well as compare between agencies.
- Find a specialized service center and adhere to the maintenance schedule.
- Battery maintenance, if not driven regularly.
- Secure storage to prevent theft or weather damage to the car.
- Mindful driving or regular running of the engine can ensure the longevity and health of the exotic car.
- Plan and budget for unexpected costs and repairs.
- Keep up to date with manufacturer updates and car enthusiast forums.
Conclusion
Buying an exotic car might be a long and stressful adventure with an exciting result. You should consider many factors before choosing an exotic car. This includes paying close attention to the seller’s reliability, car performance, maintenance, insurance, and financing.
Hopefully, in the end, you get your dream exotic car to enjoy and cherish. Happy shopping!