Lexus GS F Destined for Collectible Status?

Future Collectible

These days, it's not uncommon to discuss which production cars might turn into future classics. Cars like Dodge's Hellcats, the Mustang GT500, and Camaro ZL1 come to mind. But according to Road & Track, the real future collectible that no one's talking about is actually the Lexus GS F.

Photos: Lexus

Negative Factors

R&T does note that the Hellcat is a popular target for a good reason. But there are also a ton of them out there in the world, with tens of thousands having already been sold. And the turbo V8 super sedans from Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW might prove difficult to keep on the road years down the line.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Rare and Well Done

On the other hand, you've got the Lexus GS F and RC F, which R&T calls "the Wagyu steaks of luxury performance, being both rare and well done." In other words, they're "cars that deliver unfiltered, unboosted V8 thrills with million-mile durability and collector-friendly production numbers."

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Low Numbers

Exact production figures are hard to come by, but R&T believes that neither the GS F nor RC F has sold over 5,000 units here in the U.S. And that only adds to their future prospects.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Clear Winner

After wringing out the GS F on the track, R&T is also surprised to learn that it's their favorite of the two. "As good as the RC-F is on track, I think the GS-F is probably better. It’s a generation ahead of the RC-F in terms of suspension and unibody design, a difference that is clearly visible at speed. It’s also just 50 pounds heavier despite being larger inside and out."

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Unkillable?

Yes, the GS F is significantly more expensive than some of its competition. But to R&T, that doesn't really matter. "There’s enough value here to justify the price. All of the running gear is proven to be both durable and reliable. There’s not a single corner cut anywhere you look, from the paint to the leather to the brake calipers. I don’t know how you could kill the thing before you got to 250,000 miles. Maybe if you never changed the oil, or jumped it off a sizable ramp."

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Blending In

Despite this, so long as you choose a more subdued color, the GS F blends right in wherever it goes. "You’ll find that the GS F easily passes for a socially-acceptable Lexus GS350 in church parking lots, school drop-off lines and Thanksgiving trips to see the family," R&T says. "You’ll be the only one who knows that you have a first-rate performance sedan."

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Setting the Precedent

This type of car has fared well in terms of retained value in the past, as R&T points out. "In its combination of performance, sensible luxury, low-profile presence, and anvil-solid build quality, the GS F reminds me quite a bit of another post-production enthusiast favorite: the W124-generation Mercedes-Benz 500E. That, too, was an unassuming three-box sledgehammer with the virtues of both track rat and upscale commuter car. Like the GS-F, it was priced ambitiously—but it has retained quite a bit of value."

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Maturing Well

It's a reasonable argument, for sure. We can certainly see a time when the GS F is a celebrated classic, much in the way the IS F has matured well over the years.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Get It While You Can

So we'd suggest getting out there and buying yourself a GS F while you still can. Truthfully, Lexus could pull the plug on this amazing ride at any time. And even though that day might be inevitable, it'll be a sad one for enthusiasts around the world.

>>Join the conversation about the Lexus GS F right here in the ClubLexus forum.

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