i would like to see Lexus create a true Mercedes-Benz SL killer. a killer $80,000+ long, powerful, 2 door convertible that can compete with the MB SL yet be priced so much more competitively. i think this would be a much needed "halo" product for Lexus and bring a lot of excitement to the brand. bring back the Lexus SC but make it awesome!

 

not going to happen except maybe a gs-f.

funny guys!

 

Here is your answer, but it won't be cheap, and it may not be a convertible. From what I hear, $85k+ base.

 

If they can hold this LF LC beauty under $100k, I would be impressed. And they could have a BIG hit on their hands. But my hunch, this avant-garde beauty is going to quickly creep into the low 6-figures for the base. At that price point, it better be awfully good, not just aeshetically. And I think it can be just that.....a really great coupe.

 

I'm not sure, though, just how well it would sell. A number of the SL's buyers are those who fell in love with the classic ones decades ago (including the gull-winged ones) but simply didn't have the money for one back then....now, of course, they do. Having a Lexus competitor probably wouldn't do very much to sway them....especially now that Mercedes reliability and customer-service, after years of being in the tank, now seems to be improving.

 

halo value aside, is this even a big enough niche market for Lexus to be interested in?

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Calendar year US sales
2001 4,217[6]
2002 13,717
2003 13,318[7]
2004 12,885
2005 10,080[8]
2006 8,462
2007 6,126[9]
2008 5,464
2009 4,025[10]
2010 1,449
2011 4,899[11]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercede...SL-Class#Sales

 

Looking at some of the latest news and LF-LC threads have pointed to below $180K

 

if they can build it close in looks to that, even for $100k, i think it would do quite well. that's STUNNING.

 

Considering the SL and 6-Series easily hit $100K AND the LF-LC will go after the AM Vantage and Maserati Gran Turismo too, the rumor mill of $150,000 is very plausible

 

still you could get 2 for a lot less than an lfa.

 

I imported 2 R34 GTRs 10 years ago back in my crazy days (look at my screen name), if you want to do it the legel way, it is a total pain and close to impossible. Unless you mean vintage Crown and Century that are older then 25 years old, then there are no rules.

But if you are just talking about coolness, V12 Century for sure, the only V12 Japan ever made.

I was deep into the world of illegal JDM import in the U.S. 10 years ago, in So Cal, everything exist, you name it, I have seen it being driven on U.S. road with a U.S. plate. I have met shady importer that told me they can smuggle in any car I want and snap a plate on it.

I want the Royal family bespoke Century

 

Not true about being the only V12 engine ever produced by Japan. Honda and Nissan have both both built V12 racing engines.

 

Excuse me for not being specific in my statement.

The Century's V12 is the only mass produced V12 from Japan that are sold in a mass produced production vehicle that a normal person can buy from a dealer and register it at the department of motor vehicle that can legally put a license plate on it to drive on a public road on a regular basis and come with a factory warranty from the manufacturer for a few years. It runs on pump gas from gas station on the street and comply with all production street vehicle's regulations of the countries the car is used in.

Better?

 

Looks like a chunky Rolls Royce. Love it!

What were/are the specs on that V12?

 

From the top of my head, the peak power is not impressive, is the same as the LS430's 3UZ-FE, 300 hp, 325 lb-ft, but it is EXTREMELY smooth and very torquey from that 5.0L displacement.