LFA

[easytiger123]

I know this is technically not the correct forum for a discussion about the Lexus LFA but I figured it was the most likely place to get some response/feedback.
I've got the opportunity to buy one of these but am really in two minds. I'd especially love some input from anyone who owns or has even driven one of these things, because I haven't and won't be able to get into the UK demonstrator until after I've got to make my decision and put the (not inconsiderable, and non-refundable) deposit down. Yes I know that at circa 350k they don't look great value next to an Aventador or pretty much anything out there, but that's not really the main issue for me. I love the way they look and being slightly geeky I can appreciate the amazing detail and technology that has gone into them. I just have no idea what they're like to drive and whether to take the plunge. I don't have a vast collection of exotica and so this wouldn't be the 5th or 25th car in the garage. Just my main 'toy'. Any thoughts welcome!

[z4chris99]

never driven one but at 350k for a Lexus I think your mad

get a f40 instead.

[andrew]

i wouldn't mind being a second owner ( good car, techy interest, lexus reliability and costs ) after the first had taken what must be a record-breaking depreciation hit

[andy355]

i would see a doctor first

[munch997]

Sometimes it is good to be different. I for one would love to see an LFA on the road! If I was ever in the position to buy an LFA I would, then head for the nearest tunnel...
I doubt it will ever go wrong being Japanese, and if LHD i'm sure someone it would appeal to some American as a large proportion seem to be over there. (When it comes to selling)

[h0b0]

I love it as a concept but can't justify the extra expense over the Nissan GTR. They are both tech heavy Japanese cars. I accept one more than the other but not enought. If I had 350 to spend and wanted to fill a tech need I would have the GTR and a Ford GT. You then get 2 ends of the spectrum and lots of change.

Also, the image of the LFA dived when I saw Paris Hilton has 2 of them. I can only assume she didn't pay for them which leads me to guess Lexus gave them to her. If that is their target demographic I'm out. (I know her boyfriend was reported to have given them to her but I think that's a load of crap.)

[Olivera]

Extraordinarily expensive, but Evo did prefer the LFA to the 599 GTO in a group test. I also recall PH's Mr Harris stating the LFA Nurburgring Edition was the greatest ever road car he's driven at the ring.

[easytiger123]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Sadly it still leaves me completely torn between the insanity of blowing F40 ish money on a Lexus, and buying one of the greatest modern cars available. Guess i'll see how I feel at the last minute and make an impulse decision. As always. Will let you know which way I go!

[wtdoom]

I think the LFA is one of the most underrated cars on this earth .
It is utterly ( I mean UTTERLY ) bespoke , in its own way as much as a Zonda for example ( except we all know that Toyota probably spent more money on the electric window switches in r and d than Horacio did on the whole car ) .
The car is built so beautifully and sounds so glorious it has to be experienced to be believed . With respect its absolutely nothing like a GTR , the only thing they have in common is the country of origin .
Sure in a straight line many things out gun it but if you want something completely unique , beautiful in an original way , yet doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb , with unrivalled build quality its one of the true greats , its never been about straight line speed .
I can’t comment on the drive as I refuse to drive or indeed even go near one because I know if it drives any way near as good as they say , combined with its other attributes I will not be able to resist it .
I have no knowledge of depreciation etc ( as others somehow seem to ) as I have never ever seen a second hand one for sale so won't comment on that .

[andrew]

ok, on the subject of depreciation, can anyone find a used lfa for sale anywhere ?

[cptsideways]

I've met many car collectors & the LFA is considered rare & special enough to be on their A List. You will not be loosing money on it I think you'll find. The noise is simply epic & you could use it every day if you wanted to.

[wtdoom]

cptsideways said:

I've met many car collectors & the LFA is considered rare & special enough to be on their A List. You will not be loosing money on it I think you'll find. The noise is simply epic & you could use it every day if you wanted to.

This is my opinion too , but I have no facts to support it .

[5hero]

andrew said:

ok, on the subject of depreciation, can anyone find a used lfa for sale anywhere ?

One in the US http://www.jameslist.com/cars/lexus/lfa/2012-for-s...

[RallyRider]

wtdoom said:

Lots of proper stuff I agree with

I only had a little go in one but savoured every moment of it. Only thing that puts me off is the price tag but then again it should have Toyota reliability.

[kbf1981]

It'll be an awesome and rare car. Tbh can't see them depreciating massively simply because there's sod all about.

[toppstuff]

wtdoom said:

cptsideways said:

I've met many car collectors & the LFA is considered rare & special enough to be on their A List. You will not be loosing money on it I think you'll find. The noise is simply epic & you could use it every day if you wanted to.

This is my opinion too , but I have no facts to support it .

I completely agree.

Comparisons to the GTR are nothing more than Clarkson inspired gibberish. The GTR is closer to a Nissan Note than the LFA, such is the extraordinary degree of geeky bespoke parts and design evident in the LFA.

By all accounts Lexus do not make money on any LFA they sell, such is the bespoke complexity of the thing.

It is an EPIC car. And very collectible IMO. It will always be very, very special.

I do not believe we will see a new car ever again with a mega-revving V10 engine. This alone will make the LFA very special in the future.

[clorenzen]

Apparently the gearbox is a major let down. Yes it is rare but only for the connoisseur - for everybody else it is a Lexus. It obviously depends on price but i doubt whether these cars will ever appeal to a broad audience. Would be interesting to hear from an owner.

[toppstuff]

clorenzen said:

Yes it is rare but only for the connoisseur - for everybody else it is a Lexus. .

Which is part of the appeal. I personally couldn't give a monkeys what other people think it is. I wouldn't care that the less informed would consider the obvious Italian or German brands first. I would know how rare, bespoke and special it is and that's enough for me.

As with so many of the finest things in the world, the best things are those things where only those people who know what they are, know what they are.

I would even pick one over an Aventadour if it was the same money.

[pastrana72]

You need to track down a copy of EVO where they took a LFA and a 599 GTO to scotland (sept 2011 I think)

That article did it for me, this car is the amazing. 350K is a lot of money, but the LFA is a one off.

At the end of the day it is your choice, it is hard to take a leap before you try, but you only live once and it is only money.

Get a LFA and use it as it is intended,

[Cheib]

The "you could buy an F40" argument is a bit daft IMHO....no one would ever have bough a 599 GTO if that was the case.

I reckon an LFA is probably a great car to own.