dunnojack

don't forget he also says, "at the end of the day, it's just a LEXUS???!! oh god..(it's not even exotic)."

MR_F1

I apologize if you feel I insulted you, I sincerely mean that. It really is just getting tired that everytime a discussion on the car comes up, some one chimes in "but the cost.......".
We've know the price for 2 months now. You can't say any of these cars are faster. The Ferrari and the Lexus have not been tested real life, and you will see that when they are tested head to head the LFA will likely best the all and at least equal the Ferrari and Mclaren. You have to remember the on paper specs of the LFA (if that is what you are using for comparison) takes into consideration having a driver **and** passenger onboard (making for an extra 60-75kg) as well as considering the traction control is turned off.
The beauty of the LFA is the driving experience, and how close, or past the limit it allows the driver to take it (according to what we've been told). Which is why it can turn in incredible lap times as opposed to say, a Porsche carrera GT which if you go by the specs, ought to be much faster, but it simply doesn't allow the driver to take it to the top of it's potential.

MR_F1

Lexus does not have that great an image in the UK.

oohpapi44

iTrader: (1)

I'm not sure I understand your point with the LFA as I don't think Lexus has ever said they were breaking the supercar mold. As you said, Lexus will sell all 500 which is its intent. And if that's the case where is the mistake?

Better car next time? Exactly where is this car lacking?

Mister Two

The 599 is only "as fast" as the LFA in straight-line 0-60 acceleration. That's it!! On a track with bends the LFA simply obliterates the 599, which does the 'Ring in a pathetic (for a modern supercar) 7 minutes and 47 seconds. The LFA does the 'Ring in less than 7:24 according to various sources. The beauty of the LFA lies in its perfectly balanced vehicle dynamics, not raw power. 0-60 time is not the only measurement of a car's performance or we'd all be driving American muscles.

biggie27

I never said that there gonna break the mold all I meant that the cars lexus priced there cars against ( LP670SV, SLR 722, Gumpert, noble, ect. ) all these cars are far superior than the lexus, and im not quoting numbers off a magazine, these are numbers published by the top gear track by the same driver on the same track....even if u give the lexus a 3 second bump up because of the wet condition ( which is alot.... the stig says its 2 seconds with his driving ) it still doesnt match up......the best it can do is meet up with the tier under these cars, which are the GTR, 458, Lp560, R8 V10, Porsche Turbo, Porsche GT2, the new Mclaren, SLS amongst others.......yes it will beat some of those cars but not all of them even on the track, it doesnt mean its a bad car, hell I just got one of those cars and Im exctatic......but HP to dollar ratio is off the charts here, yes its a limited run car but honestly can you say that the price justifies its performance and class, I mean taking that 400,000 dollar lexus on a track to show it off, only to be beat by a 250,000 dollar ferrari, and lambo, and porsche, and corvette, even the 430 scuderia will give it a run for its money.........ok so maybe the track is not your scene, going to the club the lexus will sure get alot of attention......but that bright orange SV is gonna grab ALOT more, so will that crazy looking Gumpert or that loud mouthed SLR with its crazy doors........as I said lexus did build an amazing machine if only it was half the price.........



FLAME SUIT ON

S2000toIS350

Please remember that Top Gear is about entertainment.

They do blather along.

I would point us back to Hammond's drive where he admitted that their blah blah ing the car befor having one to drive resulting in an egg on face and foot in mouth moment. That says enough.

One aspect of the 599 comparo that I noted was the 100K pounds pricing difference. That is about $160,000 for UK customers.

In the US market, a nicely equipped 599 is more like $340,000 (before discounts). If the $375,000 US LFA price is real, the difference for US customers is only $35,000.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

anyone see in the top gear vid when hammond kinda scoffed at a 100,000 pound LFA? Did he really expect a car built like this to cost so unrealistically little?

05RollaXRS

x 2

Don't forget the 3.7 secs 0 - 100 km/h (3.6 0 - 60 mph) is the underrated Lexus claim. I am sure using launch control, the LF-A will scream its way to 60 mph in less than 3.3 seconds in first gear alone. GUARANTEED!!! Certainly, a 5.9 lbs/HP power-to-weight is that of a low-3 second car.

$230K Ferrari 458 is nearly 150 lbs heavier and makes 2 HP less. The chassis dynamics of LF-A are very hard to match. I am quite sure LF-A can comfortably beat it around a race track.

Then add the fact, LF-A sound puts F458 sound to shame, which sounds exactly like two VTEC 4 bangers smashed together. The LF-A is far more luxurious than F458 so it is not a stretch for the car to be over $300K.

Remember, Lexus has already decided to make only 500 of these. That is why they do not have to worry about pricing or selling since all of these 500 will sell very easily. An Enzo Ferrari cost a million dollars and only 300 were made and spoken for.

LF-A MIGHT BE overpriced, but I cannot find another 2-seater exotic car that combines luxury and hardcore race car attributes this well. 599 GTB is a luxury GT touring sports car and not an all out exotic supercar. It will still get killed by the LF-A around a race track, yet it costs $350,000 in the US.

9500 rpm rev limit in LFA is 500 rpm higher than the Ferrari 458. Now that is just pure sweetness!!!

Jetfire

iTrader: (3)

there are people who love the LFA(me included) and some people that don't. it's just different strokes for different folks. some people needs to calm down a bit. no need to call each other names.

it is expensive, but technology is expensive. an LED tv costs more than a LCD. they're pretty much similar except for the backlighting. LED offers a bit better black levels and contrasts but costs more.

Just think about how much it costs to make all that CF, R&D and etc. the low production numbers don't help(economies of scale). price isn't too bad considering it costs $5million for an F1 car, hahaha.

it's not always about hp and 0-60 numbers. look at the AE86.

paul_k

Could links to the sources be provided please?

05RollaXRS

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_LFA

"In December 2007, Auto Express reported that the LF-A had set an unofficial 7:24 lap record at the Nürburgring"

ExTrEmE99

iTrader: (6)

Just watched it and its great! The lap was kind of boring, but it was fast for a wet lap. Everyone blow up lexusPR on twitter and tell them to give it back to the stig on a dry day!

For the most part, i thought the review was very positive. It didnt surprise me what Clarkson said because i think we all know he isnt a fan of Japanese cars(especially toyota/lexus ).

edinlexv8

iTrader: (2)

I watched lastnights top gear a few times on the iPlayer just to get a feel of the sounds that LFA makes!! Amazing!! I would like to see a dry lap time for this supercar. Strangely Clarkson complains about the price of a supercar when there are Zondas with full carbon fibre body for 3/4 of a million! I know it is still a lexus but it feels like it is worth the money when you put it in the mix with the other bad boys!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxII5cwvsc

Hope with all this innovation Lexus brings out some good high performance cars for a decent price, something in the range of GTRs!

I8ABMR

I absolutely see your point and appreciate what you are trying to say but I am still blown away by the price as are most automotive journalists .

Is it possible that the LF-A was "over engineered" therefore resulting in its stratospheric price? The Carerra GT is a V10 super car made with loads of CF and it went for close to what the LFA is when it was released in 2004 ($414,000). In 2004 the car was faster and reached a higher top speed . $414,000 was insane but for the technology offered 6 years ago the price should have been higher. I dont know what the deal is exactly. Bottom line we should all celebrate the LF-A as enthusiasts and especially as Lexus owners and fans. I will never get tired of the sound this thing makes.