[Vocabulary] peculiar or special or both

[eeshu]

In the sentence "The cars may all follow the same design, but each one is special in its construction", can I replace "special" with "peculiar"? If so, is there any difference in meaning?

 

[Skrej]

Yes, you can make the substitution, but it does change the meaning. Although 'peculiar' can mean unique, it generally carries a negative connotation, while 'special' has positive connotations. Such is the case in your example. It suggests the car has strange or odd features.

 

[Tarheel]

You could use "different" if you want to use a neutral term.