Lexus LF-A: Yay or Nay?

[jelly2m8]

The LF-A doesn't do alot for me looks or performance wise ( sure it has impressive performance) but the sound it makes! ^^

[storm79]

just like every1 else said, too expensive for the performance, granted it is fast but again like every1 else I'd rather have a ZR-1. As for the rest of the car, not really that big of an eye catcher. Kinda reminds me of a Mitsubishi n a Nissan combined for some reason haha. Inside is pretty cool but that's not a good enough swinger for someone like me 2 buy it. Not that I could afford it, but yeah kind of a stupid decision to produce this car for Toyota. I mean the millions they took to develop the car is there really a profitability chance with the car?

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by storm79

just like every1 else said, too expensive for the performance, granted it is fast but again like every1 else I'd rather have a ZR-1. As for the rest of the car, not really that big of an eye catcher. Kinda reminds me of a Mitsubishi n a Nissan combined for some reason haha. Inside is pretty cool but that's not a good enough swinger for someone like me 2 buy it. Not that I could afford it, but yeah kind of a stupid decision to produce this car for Toyota. I mean the millions they took to develop the car is there really a profitability chance with the car?

No. Given the years that it took, Toyota wouldn't get enough back to pay the salaries of the engineers who developed it. On top of that there is the cost of testing and prototypes, development of a unique engine, not to mention the material and production cost of the final vehicle. I say they stand to lose hundreds of millions of dollars overall from this program, unless they apply what they've learned to other cars in the future and it promotes sales and helps to build the brand due to its 'halo car' status.

[storm79]

Yes, exactly. I don't know why people are so in love with Toyota. I really don't care for them. I personally believe that they are this brand who has gotten way too much credibility when it wasn't deserved.

[RobAGD]

I like the looks on the car, the cost like many have said is a bit silly.

heck pick up a 430 Spyder and go have some high revving fun with that.

If it were just 100% performance the Z06 would get the call from me or maybe pick up a F430 off lease

Down side to the prancing horse is the maintenance cost, and after do some work on a LP640 Lambo I wouldn't buy one, fit and finish or poo vs the Ferrari or Porsche.

-Robert

[MrIcky]

I know some of the below comments were meant to be humorous, but some of them are outright silly.

*The only 2 seater in this class that's under 3000lbs is the Scuderia and it has a lot of high tech equipment too. And it's absolutely stripped inside to what is practically a racing dash and carbon shell seats. I think it was actually Dragoneye who pointed out elsewhere that you have to compare the Camaro against other coupes with the Camaros performance to see if you could find 1 lighter (and you couldn't). The Lambo uses significant amounts of CF and it isn't any lighter, even in the new rwd version. Lexus is going to have to meet safety requirements as well you know.

*Everything I've read is that it's directly 100% marketed at the 430 and 430 Scuderia and it's Lambo equivalent. It does not appear that they intend to do any direct marketing in America. It's a limited run of vehicles period- not 500 for the US market. They are making a superlight version too.

*Basic economics says it's worth what people are willing to pay for it. The only measure of whether something is worth the price charged is whether someone forks over the money. Camaros are selling for over 100,000 in Europe. 343000 Euros is pretty much right in the face of this cars most direct competitors.

*0-62mph = 0-100km. I think you know this, but this is how they measure things everywhere else, someone just did the math for you.

*No one seems to have an issue with Ferrari's and Lambo's building 5.0 litre or smaller engines with 8000-9000 rpm redlines and <400lbs of torque. How can you say the engine isn't serious? Or Porsche making 430 out of 3.8 litres at over 8000. Are you actually saying these aren't fast cars?

*Do you HONESTLY believe that this Lexus V10 is going to be less reliable then a Ferrari or Lambo? You realize it costs 20k just to get the computer to check engine codes on a Ferrari, right?

*Toyota has a great deal of experience making engines that spin up to 18,000 rpm and last entire racing seasons? 2.4 litre NA v8's with 700+hp? Seems like >500 out of 4.8 litres would be a walk in the park for Toyota.

*And ZR1s aren't $275,000 cheaper in the rest of the world. ZR1s go for $214,146 in Europe according to Kroyman's (the importer for 'Vettes to Europe).

*Some people have taken the 'ring times to task, but this appears to be within 4 seconds of the 'Vette and that was a preproduction version. Looks like it's going to be a pretty strong performer on track day. That wasn't the stripped out light version either, that won't


I can understand that you don't like it or you don't get the appeal. Or you simply don't like imports (keep in mind-I don't think America is the direct target for this car, it's not all about you. Someone just converted Euros to dollars for you). However it doesn't appear that some of you have thought to compare this vehicle against it's direct competitors. I'm with Zeus in that I'd rather have a Carrera GT for that money. I'd actually rather have a GT3. I can't deny though that it appears competitive with those vehicles that it appears to be marketed after and I can't really call it a POS based on this either.

[AZCamaroFan]

This car has decent stats, but the looks are such that you really don't know what brand it is. Plus it's way more money than cars it competes against. Japan just doesn't have heritage in their design. Plus they are apparently going to lose money on everyone built, and only build a limited number. What's the point? Even after all these years. I look at the GT-R, and it's fairly average looking. Looks like it could be a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Motor Trend did a comparison several months ago between it, the ZR-1, Ferrari 599 GTB, and Porsche GT2. If you see the picture of that GT-R sitting next to the Ferrari... not even in the same ballpbark.

[DGthe3]

I know of one buyer of the LFA: General Motors

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I know of one buyer of the LFA: General Motors

Yep...no doubt for benchmarking...hopefully when they're done, they'll melt it down to make LS9s!!

Though, if there are only 500 sold, you think they might be selective of customers?

[ConceptVBS]

Enough said.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Yep...no doubt for benchmarking...hopefully when they're done, they'll melt it down to make LS9s!!

Though, if there are only 500 sold, you think they might be selective of customers?

Possibly, but everyone buys everybody elses cars. The main thing GM (and every other automaker) is interested in is the carbon fibre construction.

[DGthe3]

Well, Car & Driver just tested the LFA

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/10q1/world_exclusive!_2012_lexus_lfa_tested-short_take_road_test

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door coupe

ESTIMATED PRICE AS TESTED: $375,000 (estimated base price: $375,000)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 40-valve V-10, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 293 cu in, 4805cc
Power (SAE net): 553 bhp @ 8700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 354 lb-ft @ 6800 rpm



TRANSMISSION: 6-speed manual with automated shifting and clutch

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 102.6 in Length: 177.4 in
Width: 74.6 in Height: 48.0 in
Curb weight: 3583 lb

PERFORMANCE:
Zero to 60 mph: 3.7 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 7.8 sec
Zero to 130 mph: 12.9 sec
Zero to 150 mph: 18.3 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 11.8 sec @ 124 mph
Top speed (drag limited): 202 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 156 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 1.00 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14/20 mpg


Thus far, it looks like performance is pretty much on par, if not a little shy, of the Z06. Except for fuel economy, Z06 clearly beats it there.

[n!ght r!der]

Maybe it would cost less if production wasn't limited to 500..

[SleepWarz]

Nice, an absolute fail on the torque side.

Whats the point of this car? You could probably budget build a supercar that twice over spanks that thing for a quarter of the price.

I thought the specs would be far more impressive than that.

ROFL 3500lbs? Hahahaha after all that time wasted on the carbon fiber and it almost weighs at much as my camaro.... hahahaha