They are a thrill to drive. Most are capable of speeds of 170 to 180 mph or more. They can accelerate from zero to 60 in three or four seconds. These sleek machines look like they're traveling at high speed even when they're not moving. Many of them cost more than a house - even in the Bay Area. One owner paid $1.2 million for an Enzo Ferrari. But those who buy them say the price tag is worth every penny.
Photos By Richard Wisdon The lineup of exotic cars parked near the Discovery Bay's
Starbucks.
Like other exotic car owners, Horne's main concerns are other drivers - especially the ones who tailgate.
"I installed a fuel cell just in case I'm ever rear-ended," he said.
Luis Aldaz of Discovery Bay arrives at the gatherings in his 2000 Porsche GT3, which he also races. Although the car is not street legal, Aldaz said the cops don't ticket him.
"Most of them like exotic cars," he said. "So they don't write us up unless we're speeding."
Perhaps the fastest car of the group is an American-made 1992 Vector capable of hitting nearly 220 mph and accelerating from zero to 60 in under four seconds. The car is owned by Tony and Jacqueline Ta of Shadow Lakes.
"There were only 17 of them made," Tony Ta said. "Most of them are in museums in Europe and Japan. I have the only yellow one in the world."
Jacqueline Ta also owns a bright yellow 2000 Ferrari Modena. It's her second Ferrari and she likes the new one mostly because of the Formula One-style transmission, which does not require using a clutch. The up and down shifting levers are located on opposite sides of the steering wheel.
"It's much easier for me to drive with the F1 transmission," Jacqueline said, "especially in traffic."
Sorbello said his wife indulges him in his passion for exotic and expensive cars.
"When I told her I was going to pay six figures for a car," he laughed, "she said, 'Well that's cheaper than a girlfriend and a divorce.'"
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