Stylish mid-engine cars like the NSX look exotic because they remind people of Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

The average person who doesn't know much about cars will think a second generation MR2 is more exotic than it is. Toyota probably wouldn't make their top three brand guesses. The R34 GT-R will thrill every car enthusiast (and probably everyone who had a Playstation around the turn of the millennium), but most people won't give it a second look.

An NSX stands out, but anyone who doesn’t know what it is would just think it’s a ferrari.

GTRs absolutely do not stand out. They look like your your average sedan.