[Robert Stack]

For those who grew up in the 80's, 90's early 00's, what was the exotic car landscape like in Vancouver and the GVA back then? I've always wondered if there were kids rolling around in Ferrari 550/575, 355, Tesatrossas, Diablos, Aston DB7, 911 Turbos back in the day. Is the huge influx of exotic cars in Vancouver a relatively new occurrence (past 10 years or so) or did it start earlier than that. (The earliest memory of an exotic car I had was a really young looking Persian dude that drove a Grey Murcielago up and down Dunbar St, probably around 2004)

I hope my curiosity isn't too much of a bore

[Harvey Specter]

There was also that beautiful blue LP640 back in 2005 which I believe got in an accident and written off.

During the late 90's you would rarely see any exotics, hell even high end luxury cars were rare. I still remember when my friends dad got a new S500 back in 2001. Everywhere we went with that thing people would drool over it and people would actually stop and stare on Robson. Only person I knew that had exotics back then was one of the owners of Boyz Audio, he had a orange Gallardo and a Ferrari.

[asian_XL]

RX7, Supra, 300zx, Camero, Mustang Cobra, M3, C36, S4 were considered supercar or rich kid when I was in highschool back in the 90s. Whatever in the Need of Speed would be considered as exotic car, which I have never seen one in Richmond.

Sports cars are the Type R, Impreza 2.5RS, S2000, Boxster, 240sx, 3-series, which is pretty common in my age.

The really rich family I met, they don't own a single exotic car.

[Euro7r]

In highschool for me around 2003, we considered our friends balling when they came to school driving MDX/350z/G35. Rest of my friends, Corolla/Accord/Tercel/Civics haha.

[toyota86]

I remember the days when the nsx, supra, 300zx, 993 turbo, rx7, e36 m3, c36, vr4, s4, type r were considered exotics. the typical rich kids were the ones that drove the is300, g35, sti, 330i, a4. the really rich kids had 996 and e46 m3. ferraris, lambos, mclarens were mythical constructs only in games and magazines. In my parent's generation, the general consensus is that if you made it in life, you bought a w140 S, e38 7, ucf20 ls, or a rolls and that was pretty much it.

[bcuzracecarz]

social media made them do it #F7LTHY #whatsnext

[Lomac]

For those who grew up in the 80's, 90's early 00's, what was the exotic car landscape like in Vancouver and the GVA back then? I've always wondered if there were kids rolling around in Ferrari 550/575, 355, Tesatrossas, Diablos, Aston DB7, 911 Turbos back in the day. Is the huge influx of exotic cars in Vancouver a relatively new occurrence (past 10 years or so) or did it start earlier than that. (The earliest memory of an exotic car I had was a really young looking Persian dude that drove a Grey Murcielago up and down Dunbar St, probably around 2004)

I hope my curiosity isn't too much of a bore

Way to make me feel old... :okay:

I grew up in a relatively rural, yet surprisingly rich part of Langley. There were a couple of Countach's (one red, one white) that I'd occasionally see, a few 911's, and I believe a Testarossa and 348. Other than that, because my uncle was chief mechanic for a local Corvette racing team, I'd always see a bunch of stock and racing variants parked in his garage whenever we'd go visit him.

[hud 91gt]

I remember I went to Indy back in the mid 90's. Spotted a viper on the streets. Holy hell was I excited.


What's a Lamborghini?

[fliptuner]

For those who grew up in the 80's, 90's early 00's, what was the exotic car landscape like in Vancouver and the GVA back then?

I'm not quite sure.

Some might call it....

...an unsolved mystery

YEEAAAAAAAA!!!!

[tofu1413]

seeing a testarossa, 355 and 550 Maranello was a treat back then. probably see 1 every half a year or so.


S class? yeah, baller status back then. made me drool too. Even the Bangle Era 7 was a treat to see on the road 15 years ago.


I think the reasoning behind the surge of exotics/ luxury cars everywhere are the rates for lease is so affordable.... most people can afford it monthly.

Im sure back in the day people bought theirs with cold hard, earned cash.

[Berzerker]

Viper's and Supra's were the "exotic" that I remember. Lotus as well. Anything from the top tier of Gran Turismo was exotic as well.

Berz out.

[StanleyR]

OT but back in the early 00's in Sask, I was ballin in my 15 year old BMW 325es.
Seiously tho, everyone was amazed by it, esp since I was in university. Most chics didn't even know what it was. My GF's dad (a farmer) asked if it was made by Ford :awwyeah:

Now you can find 10 year old Aston Martins in small town used car lots (populations of less than 5000).

:lawl:

boy, how times have changed

[dark0821]

yup, Highschool back in 2001, we had one... ONE M3, that was the shit back then, all the hongers drove IS250, 350Z or G35... that was considered ballin outta control.

Lol remember my goal was to save up for a prelude/integra.... hahaha

[tofu1413]

dude if you had a RSX type S in a east van School, you da man. :lawl:

[68style]

Who remembers the first import car show at Lansdowne when Brian Jessel brought the 550 Maranello out, cold revved it and blew the engine with the big pool of oil undereath it hahaha! The sound that thing made before it exploded though :awwyeah:

Those were the days!

[Z3guy]

Jesus I thought I was balling in high school riding my pinerello road bike :lawl:

[Iron Chef]

Boom car show?

Back in the 90's the balling hongers and Taiwanese high school kids rolled in supras, nsx, rx7's, 300zx and E36 m3's

what exotic dealers were there in the 90's? I only remember Ferrari and MCL

[Galactic_Phantom]

I remember when Constable Jimmy Ng was T-boned by a red light "street-racer" the media described the EP3 SIR as a high performance vehicle. lol.

How times have changed. Every C-lai mobile now makes more than 160hp that was considered high performance back in the day. Now all high performance vehicles that kids drive are $70k+. No would bat an eye to a Civic SI :lawl:

[snowfarmer]

Bunch of young whippersnappers, the lot of you!

I grew up in Kerrisdale and the UEL, graduated high school in 1986. Even living in an affluent part of town it was rare to see exotic cars. I'd see a Ferrari 308, Ferrari 512 or a Lamborghini Countach maybe once a summer, I'd be buzzing about it for weeks.

This summer I bought a car in Ontario and had it shipped out and delivered to my folks house. I walked the 7 blocks to the insurance place to get a T.O.P. and saw 3 Ferraris on the way there, didn't even register if I saw any Astons, Maseratis, Porsches (too common place to even recall).

Now get off my lawn!

[tofu1413]

Who remembers the first import car show at Lansdowne when Brian Jessel brought the 550 Maranello out, cold revved it and blew the engine with the big pool of oil undereath it hahaha! The sound that thing made before it exploded though :awwyeah:

Those were the days!

I think i'm gonna email Brian about this and ask him :troll:


I remember when Constable Jimmy Ng was T-boned by a red light "street-racer" the media described the EP3 SIR as a high performance vehicle. lol.

How times have changed. Every C-lai mobile now makes more than 160hp that was considered high performance back in the day. Now all high performance vehicles that kids drive are $70k+. No would bat an eye to a Civic SI :lawl:


we live in an age that a Camry V6 or a Sienna V6 would out sprint a EP3 SIR.......


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu32fBkiHFE

[pastarocket]

I remember back in the day of my high school years in the early 90s about the kinds of rides that got people's attention.

There were a bunch of grade 12 students huddled around a Mustang at the parking lot of Burnaby North secondary.

Those guys had big smiles on their faces when they saw the Mustang.

Then all of a sudden this Taiwanese kid drives into the lot in his brand new grey M5.
His baller parents bought him an M5 for his 16th birthday right after he got his driver's licence.

All the guys who were smiling at the Mustang had a quick change in their facial expression from admiration to envy. They were so jelly. :lawl:

That car was so sick. FeelsGoodMan

That kid's car looked similar to this one:

http://germancarsforsaleblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Screen-Shot-2013-06-24-at-1.11.56-PM-570x414.png

[whitev70r]

There is a red Ferrari always parked at Vassilis Greek Restaurant, Kingsway and Southoaks. It just seems like it is always just there, sitting overnight. Been bugging me ... what is that all about? Anyone ever see it? Maybe some who view this thread might know.

[twitchyzero]

^ owner trying to drum-up business? Like how hotels like having exotics parked out front.

dude if you had a RSX type S in a east van School, you da man. :lawl:

that was what, $33K sticker price? That was a lot of money 15 years ago for a FWD Honda...any 17 year-old with a new/late-model car is baller in my opinion

honestly I was content driving dad's Chrysler minivan...load it up with friends when you only have your N SeemsGood

[yray]

Two R8s bought by daddy cuz bro and sis ... had consecutive plates too

[Euro7r]

^ owner trying to drum-up business? Like how hotels like having exotics parked out front.



that was what, $33K sticker price? That was a lot of money 15 years ago for a FWD Honda...any 17 year-old with a new/late-model car is baller in my opinion

honestly I was content driving dad's Chrysler minivan...load it up with friends when you only have your N SeemsGood

Reminds me of the high school days I would drive my dad's red tercel hatch with mismatching hubs to school. All my buddies cared about was getting "free rides" home at that time LOL. If you drove a car, no issues being popular.

I knew one buddy who got his N and drove to school. I was like "WTF", you live across the street, why would you drive to school hahaha LOL

[6o4__boi]

lmao

i remember my mom would let me take her old 92 Tercel to school every now and then or out for parties

ho's love em free rides. Met and partied with a lot of people i met from giving people rides. God bless that Tercel.

Best part was...i could give people who lived far as fuck at the time (lived in east van) rides and it would barely make a dent on my gas tank. :fuckyea:

[OriginalJC]

lmao

i remember my mom would let me take her old 92 Tercel to school every now and then or out for parties

ho's love em free rides. Met and partied with a lot of people i met from giving people rides. God bless that Tercel.

Best part was...i could give people who lived far as fuck at the time (lived in east van) rides and it would barely make a dent on my gas tank. :fuckyea:

And gas was $0.15-$0.20c/l FeelsBadMan

[EndLeSS8]

BOOM '97

BOOM '98

[Ikkaku]

I remember when I was younger we had a red Jaguar XJ6 Sovereign :lol that thing caught a lot of attention.

People back then didn't cruise around in exotics, they drove around in modified Civics, Integras, and 240SX with their crew/shops back then. You'd see a group of cars with their Garage Five/Stage Five banners, or the AJ Racing stickers. Then there were the richer people with their 300ZX, RX7 and Supras.

You would also 'oooh/aahh' when any Porsche went by. NSX would break necks.

[eclipseman]

This might date me, but I remember going to Madison's in the late 90s and I remember waiting in line and an asian dude with a yellow Lotus esprit pulled up. viet dude if I remember correctly. That car was pimp.

[68style]

I think i'm gonna email Brian about this and ask him :troll:


I don't think it was Brian Jessel himself, but his dealership... Salesman... Always wondered what happened to him as a result lol... You should ask about it, I bet everyone still remembers, it was pretty spectacular

[westopher]

Seeing them all the time definitely has taken some of the "special" out of the sighting, especially since you know 99% of their owners can't give a fuck about the cars other than for vanity's sake. I don't even get excited when I see a 458, or a gallardo or anything like that.
I saw 3 fucking WHITE AVENTADORS today in 1 block. An SV and two others.
When you see someone in a 348, or an esprit, or an e30 m3.....Thats the exciting stuff at least for me.
It takes money to own a new supercar, but it takes passion to own a classic.

[Robert Stack]

This might date me, but I remember going to Madison's in the late 90s and I remember waiting in line and an asian dude with a yellow Lotus esprit pulled up. viet dude if I remember correctly. That car was pimp.

That guy was murdered in 1998, shot beside his Lotus actually

[twitchyzero]

Reminds me of the high school days I would drive my dad's red tercel hatch with mismatching hubs to school. All my buddies cared about was getting "free rides" home at that time LOL. If you drove a car, no issues being popular.

I knew one buddy who got his N and drove to school. I was like "WTF", you live across the street, why would you drive to school hahaha LOL

so you can park it so hard with the hood propped open showing off all 135 horsepower of that VVT-i motor and drive it like it's stolen in a 30kph zone SeemsGood

drawing a blank on that guy's name...got the ridiculously purple Nissan NX...he would do exactly that at my school...pretty sure he was already in his mid-late 20s then SeemsGood

[MrPhreak]

.

[hud 91gt]

If anyone watched Barrett Jackson this year, the auction of Justin Biebers car pretty much sums up the exotic car scene in Vancouver.

I actually felt pretty bad for poor rich Justin. Clearly not into cars, so he just embarrassed himself. Ah well, he made money.

The station wagon with the roof rack will get more looks from me these days. Its a sad sense of reality. I think there is more exotics on the road then 90's civics in my area.

[Timpo]

The time has changed.

With rich Chinese kids driving Maserati, Lamborghini, Lotus, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, etc... the standard has been raised quite significantly.

Although these cars aren't that big deal today... back in the day, if you were driving any one of these, you were considered baller.

http://mkiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/supra1997WP.jpg
https://i.wheelsage.org/pictures/p/pontiac/firebird/pontiac_firebird_trans_am_ram_air_2.jpg
http://zombdrive.com/images/1993-mazda-rx-7-6.jpg
http://motoburg.com/images/ford-mustang-svt-cobra-05.jpg
http://www.supercars.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/1990_Nissan_300ZXTwinTurbo1.jpg
http://www.porsche-mania.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/1995-Porsche-911_Carrera_RS.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/7a/33/02/7a3302d8724568e7ebf736260b3f8c45.jpg
http://www.supercars.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/1995_Acura_NSXT-0-1024.jpg
http://wpmedia.driving.ca/2014/02/mitsubishi-3000gt-vr4-1.jpg

[yip_yee]

The best one in my high school is only a E36. And we all thought NSX, supra, RX-7 are the super car. Anyone 80's, 90's remember BMW Michael Ho??

[Z3guy]

^ Michael Ho is the biggest clown ever!!! His dancing on BMW commercials always cracked me up! I saw him at Oakridge a few months ago, he literally thought he was a star walking around in the mall with his sunglasses on! clueless!

[trollguy]

The time has changed.

With rich Chinese kids driving Maserati, Lamborghini, Lotus, Ferrari, Porsche, Bentley, etc... the standard has been raised quite significantly.

Although these cars aren't that big deal today... back in the day, if you were driving any one of these, you were considered baller.


do you still have your FD?

[NNT]

Totally different scene back then. In early 90s the locals complain about HK immigrant buying their kid luxury cars like 3 series BMW and C-class Mercedes to school which have a bad influence for the atmosphere of education here. now these day the Chinese immigrant drives Aston Martin and up. Exotic are basically everywhere.

[Manic!]

Here is something to think about a Lamborghini Diablo cost $239.000 US in 91. For the same price you could have bought a house. A new Aventador costs around 500K. So exotic cars have become cheaper compared to a house. So I think thats one of the reasons you see more exotic cars.

[Timpo]

Here is something to think about a Lamborghini Diablo cost $239.000 US in 91. For the same price you could have bought a house. A new Aventador costs around 500K. So exotic cars have become cheaper compared to a house. So I think thats one of the reasons you see more exotic cars.

I don't know if it's a coincidence, but the minimum wage in BC in 1991 was $5.00/hr. Now it's $11.25/hr.

The increment ratio between BC minimum wage and Diablo & Aventador are very similar.

The price of real estate however, it outta control.

Hourly Minimum Wages in CANADA for Adult Workers (http://srv116.services.gc.ca/dimt-wid/sm-mw/rpt2.aspx)

[GS8]

Back in the day it was actually rare to see an exotic. Can't forget that the car market has changed. Now there's a Porsche for every season, a Bentley for everyday of the week etc

They just aren't as niche as before and they never will be.

I remember way back when, looking at Dubai street photos to see all the exotics. Now I just get to look out my window at home and work. Meh.

Though growing up, all the Gurmandeeps rode around in G-Body GMs or these things

http://www.sccoa.com/sccoo/Images/steve1.JPG

[white rocket]

It takes money to own a new supercar, but it takes passion to own a classic.

Well that's signature material.

The only "exotic" stuff I remember from 90's high school was buddy that made his NSX a convertible and his bro had a Ferrari 355. Richmond residents would know who I'm talking about. Other than that, it was the popularity of street racing and suping up Camaro's, Mustang's, Civic's, BMW 3's, etc and hitting up the spots like Hammersmith, Deltaport, etc that dominated the "scene", so to speak.

I'd definitely say that the exotic boom has been caused by wealthy immigrants buying vanity rides from 2005 onward, with a big push in the last 5 years. Like Westopher, I dream of E30 M3's, 993 Turbo's and other analog offerings. Exotics are so watered down and unexciting nowadays it's almost sad.

[68style]

It takes money to own a new supercar, but it takes passion and EVEN MORE money to own a classic.

Fixed for accuracy, them pre-current generation exotics cost half their MSRP bi-annually just to maintain

[Timpo]

Fixed for accuracy, them pre-current generation exotics cost half their MSRP bi-annually just to maintain

what did he mean by classic though? Because I thought he meant something like...

http://www.toyota-global.com/pages/contents/showroom/vehicle_heritage/corolla/collection/images/1st_title_01.jpg
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/12/8d/8b/128d8b716e55d9b7a290edaca394108a.jpg

[mindcruising]

There is a red Ferrari always parked at Vassilis Greek Restaurant, Kingsway and Southoaks. It just seems like it is always just there, sitting overnight. Been bugging me ... what is that all about? Anyone ever see it? Maybe some who view this thread might know.

It's been parked there for years now. The owner lives in the apartment next door. He even built a Plexiglass garage in the restaurant parking lot, but stopped using it.

[dark0821]

Now this is a little bit later, but I remember back in 2006-2007 when Coquitlam College started to really gain the Asian majority. We would joke that we should skip the annual auto show and just check out its parking lot instead...

[Badhobz]

I think you have to really step it up nowadays to get noticed by your car. I graduated in 2002 from high school and back in those days if you had a BMW you were considered super hot shit. Nowadays, i see more BMW's and mercedes than corollas and camrys. Buying a 3 series is the equivalent of a honda civic in Richmond and yet the honda civic is still a honda civic. People would not think you are wealthy if you drive a civic nor a 3 series.

In order to be "somebody" (not that anyone really even gives a flying shit) you need to play with exotics. I always find it interesting to ask the guys with exotics the cost of maintenance. It'll surprise you more than their skid pad numbers or 0-60 times hahah.

[Badhobz]

It's been parked there for years now. The owner lives in the apartment next door. He even built a Plexiglass garage in the restaurant parking lot, but stopped using it.

I dont even think it runs. Considering the prices charged by Ferrari Maserati Vancouver, i dont blame the guy.

[JSALES]

Growing up in the 90's, everyone was into imports. I thought my brother in laws Mitsubishi Eclipse GSX was the shit because you rarely ever saw those around while everyone rolled in their Civics and Integras lol

[Amuse]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiySZYBd_Ms

Anyone still have pictures of the Boom Autoshow back in the late 90's/ early 2000's? Or pics from the first few Revscene meets?

[Detox89]

I got my first exotic back in 2007 and I remember it being an event driving it. People would always stop and look. Now I will see 10-15 of the same car just walking around downtown for an hour in the summer. Even when I am London or other places in Europe the volume is not the same is here. I think the shift happened roughly around 2009 but I could be wrong.

[Akord]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiySZYBd_Ms

Anyone still have pictures of the Boom Autoshow back in the late 90's/ early 2000's? Or pics from the first few Revscene meets?

I do, but this is back before most people had digicams I believe. Had a lot of photos of car shows.

Remember all those Garage 5 civics and tegs, that boom plus or whatever ek hatch with buddy club kit, and there were a lot of modified accord sedans

[meme405]

It's been parked there for years now. The owner lives in the apartment next door. He even built a Plexiglass garage in the restaurant parking lot, but stopped using it.

I think it might go without saying, but it's the owner of the restaurant. He's an eclectic guy, if you go for lunch he's sometimes lifting weights in the restaurant...

He does drive it every so often. Usually to go to the liquor store... Lol. It's also on a battery tender everytime I see it.

Sidenote: great Greek restaurant for those who are interested.

[Digitalis]

^^ I was expecting italian restaurant

[twitchyzero]

I had suspected that restaurant was a front
the parking lot was always empty when I drive past
may be i'll try it now

[Timpo]

Growing up in the 90's, everyone was into imports.

yeah people were getting Wings West, Erebuni, Kaminari bodykit on their Civic, MR2, 240SX and all that. aka rice rocket.

That quickly ended people started getting real JDM stuff.