For a car that has no precedence or shared components, for the most part, I don't expect replacements to be cheap. To call it overpriced shows a clear misunderstanding of manufacturing, development costs, and the car when taken as a whole. Instead I'm assuming that you are basing those comments on just the numbers. Expensive? Yes....very. We can debate this if you would like.

I see you both as a sponsor and a member. It wouldn't matter either way. Those comments are developed from ignorance. Just like another member in another thread that discredited the car because 'at the end of the day, it is just a Lexus'. I'm not asking you to agree with me, but to have an open mind. But as a sponsor, you should be wary of making such ignoramus statements because simply put, it just doesn't look good. I apologize for coming out in the wrong foot!

 

Porsche gives some of the best value and performance for the money of any car company. Period

 

Value is a subjective thing, and I don't strictly base it on performance. But they are great cars nonetheless. Reliable too, for what it's worth.

 

I completely agree, the amount of developement and research that went into this car exceeded costs of even some exotic companies. The unique carbon fibre process, the all in house materials etc, are why the car costs so much, and Toyota still expects to lose money on every car sold. All in all, for what you pay vs what Lexus' cost is- is actually an excellent deal.

All in all however, in person- while the car is attractive just seems so dry and plain looking. Yes the exhaust is unique, and it's sound incredible, but the top-speed is unimpressive, and performance in the straight line is lack-luster.

When I saw and sat in my first LF-A I realized I was in a Lexus, you can can tell it's a Toyota.

In comparison, look at the Aventador, $389,000 starting point vs LFA at $400,000. Top speed of 217mph vs 202mph, 0-60 in 2.9 vs 3.6. Lamborghini created an entire new factory building to facilitate the Aventador.

You have Lexus luxury but the performance of a Gallardo Superleggera, or a 458 Italia. In the end is it worth it if you are still paying over $100,000 more than the 458 or Super G?

As for the hood rod, not a big deal. struts add weight and take up some room in some cases. but it doesn't look cheap or like a Civic. Toyota was successful in building a nice exotic Japanese car, but people also need to remember- THIS IS NOT THE FIRST! I am not refering to a GT-R either. There was the R390-GT, not produced in excess, but there were a few. The Lexus is just the first to really produce more than a few.

 

I wonder if this is the same reason people buy the Veyron. It's said that it costs VW 8 million per car. So would you think that this is an ego deal for Lexus making this car. Saying if Bugatti can do it so can we? I myself being a small business owner don't get the concept build it even if we lose our ass on it concept. But that's just me.

 

Make no mistake; I dislike Lexus as a whole. Their business model of success taken directly from a chapter out of the 'general motors handbook'. - that is, to rebadge, add cheap chrome and 'leather' and charge MORE. - when it's a Toyota.

Are they reliable? Sure. But so are most modern day luxury cars. But for a company who could have done the right thing; and taken their profits to develope TRULY unique cars that would rival the Germans- they chose not to. Instead, the Germans learned from their mistakes and now, produce much more exciting, sturdy and reliable cars. - Thanks, almost wholly, to Lexus competition.

My issue with Lexus producing this car is b/c its price point/value is a joke. Do I think it's an exciting car? Cool? Awesome sounding? Yes. I do.

I see it as a 225k(ish) car. Not 400k. Thats the joke. Will people buy it, yes. Only to be underwhelmed by the value/price point/experience. Trust me. The only thing is, you'd be hard pressed to find a Lexus owner admit it. Because they won't. They'll complain only amongst themselves. Too worried about egg on their face.

Customers complaining has made Porsche an incredible auto maker. They're listening. And quiet frankly IMHO they're charging too little for the 911. You will not get the speed, performance numbers, reliability or cheap maintenance costs on any other car that is built to the level a 911. Not Mercedes. Not BMW, not Ferrari. Not Lambo. No one.

Porsche doesn't build but 10% of the cars that the Big Germans build, and builds many more than Ferrari and Lamborghini. Yet our cars our JDPower #1, cost less to maintain, are at, and in certain models cases- punish Ferrari and Lambo performance numbers- yet you can beat the **** out your 911 and it'll still only cost you a fraction in up keep compared to those cars.

You want $10 oil changes and body parts? Stick with the ES350 or IS-F.

You want hand assembled, F car performance numbers at HALF the cost mind you- and Honda Civic day to day reliability-

You buy a Porsche.


Again, if I was Porsche, I'd build fewer models of the 911, and charge more. Weed out the weaker, under performing dealers (that's an all encompassing comment btw) and support the product with sewing machine efficiency.

The GT2RS event is a perfect example of what Porsche does for it's clients.

I'm sorry your bumper cost you so much; however you cannot produce a car as I've laid out before you and just charge $12 bucks for an oil change.

Never. Gonna. Happen.


(I hope you don't take this post as me talking down to you, as clearly, you OWN these cars, I just sell them. But this is my 'buddy to buddy' talk, and don't take it in a negative tone)

 

Seriously? 8?? uhm....

 

I completely agree with you. Toyota has always had an ego. They are kind of going through a middle-age crisis. I think it is because Japan has been laughing at Toyota for not have a sports car let alone and exotic fo over 10 years. From 98 when the Supra was haulted, Toyota blessed the world with the new Celica, and Scion... WTF?! Even Subaru has been better to its fanbase by providing the STI.

I think that Toyotas real ego was against Nissan, as it has always been. They needed something to beat the GT-R, and they did for just $310,000 more

 

As a disclaimer, I'm not in the market for the LFA. However, this is where many will disagree with me. For the price, you are getting something that performs on the straight line on par with something less, but there are cars up and down this ladder that are guilty of the same thing. So that to me is not even an argument. If I wanted something fast in the straight line, Italian is the last thing I'm looking at. I'll write my thoughts on the Lexus later.

The Aventador is going to face the same fate as its predecessors. They're going to overproduce it and give it a 10 year lifespan without any major tweaks. For someone shelling out $400k for a car like that, they're going to be PISSED. Let's not forget about the costly options. In another thread a Ferrari was spec'd to $150k over. I didn't even think that was possible.

 

Well it's a 'halo' concept to show the world what Lexus is capable of. So yes it is a EGO thing, but costs contributed to the development of it will benefit future models. There will be more mass produced cars made with composites in the future thanks to the LFA. Their cars will be lighter and more performance oriented.