When the Lexus LF-A hits the street, will the Nissan GT-R become a flash in the pan?

Ahhh Another flame war starter.

Agents can't u make a proper/decent headline.

As till now we know nothing about the performance or design of the real thing (Production LF-A).

btw Concept LF-A's design is on par with Ferraris and Laborghinis.

JUGNU

On par with funny lookin' fish you mean :)

"btw Concept LF-A's design is on par with Ferraris and Laborghinis." Ah, no. Competition with Porsche and M Cars. Lamborghini and especially Ferrari play at a far different level

Our job is to build the best and most fun automotive news and social network on earth, where the REAL questions and issues in automotive are discussed and understood.

AutoSpies.com is built for the prosumer and auto enthusiast, not for the auto manufacturers like the traditional magazines are.

Be the best and the ads take care of themselves.

001

actually, robots are not silly. that are the future...and we are at least a decade behind them in R&D. We might have conquered the moon, but let us not blind ourselves with past success, it's not how life works. Competition is perpetual and it's a good thing dumbasses like yourself are not the majority.

"I can guess a few specs....A handful of new world records for anything in it's class...

That just about sums it up...."

I just don't understand where all this comes from.

JUGNU and houstoncutie (and "Lexus), all of you make obnoxious statements about this car's performance. From my perspective, it isn't going to be anything groundbreaking. It will be just "another" sports car. But what makes you think it will blow all the others out of the park? You have no specs, no real shots of the thing, nothing. So you're just pretending. It's all a game.

Before the R8 came out, I didn't think it would be anything special. I didn't even love how the LeMans Concept looked--it didn't cross my mind that that car would make production. But then it came out. And I was VERY pleasantly surprised. It set new standards, if not in straight-line speed then in ride/handling balance, ease of use and the combination of sex appeal and aerodynamics in its styling.

It would be appreciated if you guys were more like that, and not so speculative. YOU might be pleasantly surprised. Don't expect it to be the best thing since sliced bread; just wait, and it will come.

"When the Lexus LF-A hits the street, will the Nissan GT-R become a flash in the pan?"

Yes, because that boy-toy styling only goes so far.

From what I've been seeing the Japanese are in love with building silly robots in addition to silly looking cars.

We've been building robots since the Apollo missions to the Moon.

Can't deny the facts ;)

its gonna be more expensive than the GT-R. nothing can compare to the GT-R for its price and performance, great car.

"In our opinion, the LF-A design makes the GT-R look like a wallflower."


Reverse this statement. The GT-R looks gorgeous. The LF-A, at least to me, looks like a styling disaster.

And you, Bleek, sound like a total idiot.

I think that when the LF-A comes out, its going to suprize alot of people, even with its performance. Its definitely an eye catcher and imo opinion, it looks better than the GT-R. They are each aimed at different groups of car enthusiasts and i dont think that anyone that was looking to buy the GT-R would be considering the LF-A as the other option. By the time the LF-A comes out, the used GT-Rs , will be more affordable and the LF_A will be three times the price of the GT-R.

Bill, I don't think the LF-A's design is terrible. But it's not beautiful by any means; it's just strange, and almost ugly. It does nothing for me.

The GT-R is sexy. It's not beautiful, but it's hot. It's like comparing a beautiful woman (Angelina Jolie) with a sexy woman (Pamela Anderson). Different levels of sophistication.

Yes, even I prefer the styling of the GT-R. And Jugnu, to say the LF-A, infact any Lexus is on par with that of Ferrari or Lamborgini shows your lack of respect for beautiful cars, but the love for a badge, even a s**t one in your case.

"so what's in the Lambo/Ferrari design that makes it so much more beautiful then Lexus?"

EVERYTHING. I saw a dark gray F430 in front of some restaurant the other day, and just stood, admiring it for a good ten minutes. So gorgeous.

bleek, sorry, but I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR OPINION.

Ohmygod, what a shocker! You think the LF-A looks better! We are all so surprised!

I am not flaming, being biased, etc. when I say this. I just don't really think the LF-A's design is that great. It's certainly not ugly but it's not attractive, either. It just doesn't do anything for me. The F430, R8 and 911 Turbo elicit emotions in me that this car can't match.

Ha Ha, youre totally right, that looks like a speaker from my living room....in the year 1990 of course.

it vents air OUT from the underbody and the engine compartment.

same principal as the ferrari with underbody panels. both do this so winged spoilers are not needed.

Different market, very different buyers.

Agent 001, will you one day surprise this readership by posting a line with a whit of journalistic integrity in it?
The GTR isn't in showrooms yet, and you're pondering its possible demise already! Playing Agent Provocateur 24/7 doesn't suit anybody. Instead, it'll only welcome ever more trash posting quality by the already large number of witless dolts on this site.

Careful! A post like this might be banned by the regime here!

Not predicting, just posing a legitimate question.

We are such a society of the moment, can ANY car have lasting legs anymore?

001

Like the fact Bill thinks we're a regime around here...we must rule! ;)

Long reign the regime!!!!!!

001

I'm a history teacher, remember, Agent001. :-)

Slow news day.

When I look at the LFA and GTR I see two totally different things. The GTR is more likely to be actually flogged about, while the LFA will be driven more conservatively by its owners.

Both should prove to be highly capable machines. Pitting them against one another is akin to arguing which Victoria's Secret model is the sexiest.

Let's argue that too!

Gisele!!!!! ;)

001

I still believe Laetitia Casta blows away all the current girls!

They're to skinny for my tastes.

Sorry, I don't find either appealing..

Great Car..... unfortunately 95% of us readers will not be able to afford it!

czlinski

actually to show no respect towards LF-A and calling it any other lexus shows your narrow mind.

It same as showing no respect to R8 because it's a new model and Audi....etc

JUGNU

"It same as showing no respect to R8 because it's a new model and Audi....etc"

The R8 has proven itself dozens of times worldwide. It also has Audi's formidable racing prowess to back it up, with Lamborghini platform appeal.

The LF-A is nothing right now. Nobody knows how good it will be, or how bad it will be. So don't make such baseless claims.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the GT-R is a much better looking car than the Lexus concept. It costs substantially less, and even with the "proposed" numbers for the LF-A, the GT-R will out perform it, not to mention the fact that the GT-R has a very storied history. So in answer to your idiotic, flame war type statement, no the GT-R will flourish, in my humble opinion.

The choice is between, refined, luxury, high-performance, and “Oh my dear God my eyes a being pulled from their sockets” boy racer nirvana.

THE NISSAN IS IN A DIFFERENT CLASS.LOW LOW LOW.

Agent 001 has posed an interesting question, but the GT-R and LF-A are going to be 2 different kind of cars. The GT-R, which is aimed at the Porsche 911 Turbo, is doing just that. It's got advanced all wheel drive and has top level driving performance features like the Porsche. The interior is more driver oriented and less luxurious.
The Lexus LF-A will probably be directed more towards the Ferrari F430. As such, it won't be a 'bargain' like the Nissan GT-R. The LF-A will come in at around $150,000. The car will also probably be rear wheel drive. The styling will be more dramatic than the GT-R, more similar to the F430. Because of the hig price tag, the interior should be very luxurious and refined. The fit and finish should be top notch.
So to answer the question, "When the Lexus LF-A hits the street, will the Nissan GT-R become a flash in the pan?"
I don't think so. The GT-R is marketed and directed towards a certain group of enthusiasts. The Lexus LF-A is a high end car designed to give Lexus more brand awareness and to show Lexus can compete with Ferrari at the world level.
Honda/Acura who targeted the original NSX at the Ferarri Maranello, and now after seeing Nissan's GT-R(Porsche 911 turbo fighter) and Lexus's LF-A(Ferrari F430 fighter), seems to be directing the next generation NSX towards the Aston Martin DB9. We all know Honda is very secretive about it's stuff until the last minute. That's just my prediction. We'll see.

"Honda/Acura who targeted the original NSX at the Ferarri Maranello"

What, ah, no, the 550 Maranello was introduced in 1995 and the was introduced in 1990.

Other than both being high-performance cars. they have very little in common the NSX V6 mid engine and the 550 front engine, and a completely different price point. Perhaps you thinking of the 1989 348.

As far as the Lexus competing with Ferrari, guys, give up. No one competes with Ferrari, I,m not talking about performance, or sales. Ferrari is a very special club go try to buy a new one, expect to wait of 2-5 years. I remember and Acura representative telling me "Were going to bury Ferrari", Today Ferrari is stronger than ever and the next NSX is struggling to come to market.

The Lexus will be a great car, but Ferrari won't lose a single sale to it.

unfortunately, it doesn't LOOK anything like those supercars...the GTR performs but it looks low rent.

Tough to say without knowing anything about the LF-A. If indeed the rumors are true and its a carbon fiber body, with a F1 inspired V10 pushing around 500hp, then i would say yea, the car will be better than the GT-R, as it will probably way a ton less, have slightly more HP and imo it looks better.

Now does that make the GT-R anything less than great, no not at all, because the LF-A will definitley be priced much closer to 100,000+.

Both are great cars, and when they are released will only make it better for the consumer as they are going to be great values.

To Golfer38 and Agentorange

"They're to skinny for my tastes."

"Sorry, I don't find either appealing."


Come on, admit it...
You have both done worse...

Yes, but I've certainly done better.

I don't think the LF-A will effect the GT-R at all, I thought they were both in very different price ranges. As far as looks go the LF-A may look more exotic but the GT-R looks better without trying as hard.

Also I have my money on the GT-R for being the better athlete of the two, Nissans proved time & time again their ability to build great sports cars for the road, I know Toyota has as well but not to the extent Nissan has.

It's like BMW & Mercedes except Nissans BMW, Toyota's Mercedes & they're Japanese not German.

I think that when the LF-A comes out, its going to suprize alot of people, even with its performance. Its definitely an eye catcher and imo opinion, it looks better than the GT-R. They are each aimed at different groups of car enthusiasts and i dont think that anyone that was looking to buy the GT-R would be considering the LF-A as the other option. By the time the LF-A comes out, the used GT-Rs , will be more affordable and the LF_A will be three times the price of the GT-R.

i really think... at least, the LF-A looks better than the GT-R... ...
no comments about the performance

The Lexus LF-A definitely look cooler and hoter than the GT-R. If the performance on the concept LF-A are true and make it to production model, it will out shine the GT-R.

Lexus LF-A with 570+ hp and run over 220+ mph, will definitely make a big splash in the supercar segment.

Lexus

Whomever it was that said the Nissan GT-R is designed to take on the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Lexus LF-A is designed to take on the Ferrari F430 needs to put down the Pokemon kool-aid ASAP because anyone that is sober is embarrassed for you :o

you crack me up.........don't stop.

Very slow news day...

No new car news, just issues to start arguements.

This site is starting to annoy me.

it won't have more performance but will cost more

NO

"you're the one who loves the badge. but a Lamborghini badge on the LFA and you'll be drooling all over it. "

Firstly, rubbish argument. I wouldn't, there is no beauty in that design. Secondly, as S4 said, Lambo/Ferrari they just stand out, they are stunning designs. They look expensive, and have a sense of occasion.

"you wouldn't be able to take your eyes of that is you saw it on the street. and the LF-A even sounds better then the ferrari- almost like a Formula 1 race car"

"Where the Ferrari 360 Modena sounded like an overgrown motorcycle, the F430 sings a more melodious, more complex tune. It's a delicious, utterly intoxicating engine noise, one that encourages you to use every last one of the 8500 revs that are on tap before you finger-flick the paddle shifter back and engage third gear, just like that. The engine blares, and-bang, bang-you upshift into fourth, then briefly into fifth, before getting on the brakes for the approaching right-hander." - Automobile Magazine

"The Ferrari is the most expensive car here, but we’d argue that the extra money is worth it just for the car’s soundtrack, which is amazing. You tend to drive it around town with the windows rolled down just to hear the 4.3-liter V-8’s array of rasps and farts and barks." - Car & Driver

"So the 4.3-liter, 479-horsepower V-8 got a motor with a high-pitched, hard-edged wail that’s unlike anything else you’ll hear from a car with license plates." - New York Times

So please... STOP TALKING.

Déjà vu.
The GT-R is the “new Datsun 240Z” of the 21st century.
Of the cars in its category GT-R is the true bargain (if you consider 70k a bargain).

I am sorry to say this, but i think that deciding to make the LFA is a mistake for toyota. Because when i am going to buy a supercar, i will want a bit of renowance, i want to buy something that people already know about, and already admire, even though may not have driven one. I would want a supercar that brings up memories of savage power, and record breaking achievements in GT racings or circuit laps. I would want a car that can make yours nerves chilled even from hearing the name of the car from memories of the ferocious monstrocity of power and performance. And simply if you tell somebody the name LFA, no such emotions will be inflicted upon them. But if you name something like a Mclaren F1, or the Ferrari F40 people do start to feel excited and agitated from the sense of the simply monstrous renowance of speed and performance of this legend names. In that sense the GTR is way more creditable with it's long line of history and achievements. But if you ask me to speak from my heart, i will say that i'll choose a GTR over any lexus(even the LFA), BMW, or Mercedes any day of my life, simply because i feel more aura from the utterance of the word "GTR", a feeling that none of those common sedan building companies can conjure. I am sorry for my derogatory terms, but the emotions that GTR convery into my system is too overpowering for me to really show any partisanism toward other brands like Lexus, BMW, or Mercedes.

lmao...you want a supercar that everyone will kiss your a$$ over. typical exotic car enthusiast!!!

Honestly, the Lambo designs are ugly as ****. Just a personal opinion. They stand out because their designs are nowhere to be found and copied by other down-to-earth manufacturers. Some *parts* of the overall design are not bad but, put it all together and well... I'd take a more subtle and sleek Porsche/LF-A/Ferrari/etc look any day.

That's why Lamborghini doesn't care. They sell cars to people who WANT those designs.

What can I say, I have a unique taste. :)

Bleek, no one cares if you've majored in Archtecture, doesn't mean you know s**t, or what people should prefer. Grow up.

*Architecture

and who know WHEN that will be. we've been seeing this car at auto shows going on FOUR years now. and still no firm word from lexus.

This Lexus is definitely going to be blowing some doors off in the future. I can't wait until production, not that I'll ever be able to afford one or anything.

the gt-r definitely wont be a 'flash in the pan'. i think itll be a big hit.

not sure i can say the same thing about the lf-a. if i had 100,000 to spend id rather get the porsche gt3 or an m6. and if i had 70,000 to spend you;d better belive id get the nissan

The LF-A looks fast & modern but is far from the recipe for what makes a beautiful automobile. The LF-A looks like the creation of designers who got a little too experimental during the styling process.

However Lexus could have carved out anything, as long as it looked like a supercar big L fanboys would be all over it, even if though it isn’t anything special.

If this was a design from BMW the Lexus guys would be all over the trunk design saying it suffers from the infamous Bangle "Ice Shelf" look, the diffuser underneath is a little to much, the taillights are off, or the triangular housing for the tailpipes is awkward (Basically everything a blind fan boy doesn't see).

The GT-R looks really good, not very exotic but it’s design gets my heart going like I just want to drive it (Mainly the tailpipes, taillights, angular roof, & slightly flat rear corner panels do this for me).

"The LF-A looks fast & modern but is far from the recipe for what makes a beautiful automobile."

Well said, exactly.

No.

GTR is pure performance, acquired taste style, while the LF-A is pure exotic style, and more performance on paper than experienced (think Maserati, gorgeous, but NOT breaking any records).

"(think Maserati, gorgeous, but NOT breaking any records."

Not by a long shot, that's like saying the LS is as gorgeous as the Quattroporte, what are you smoking?

Its called an analogie. Maseratis are beautiful, but do they break performance records, or for that matter, compete all at? No. That is what this car will be. Same concept....get it now?

*analogy

Maserati has more in common with Aston Martin. They both focus more on the design, and the "experience" of driving their cars, rather than trying to come out with the new fastest supercar (Porsche, Ferrari, Bugatti, etc.).

When you drive a Quattroporte or DB9, it will be etched into your memory like a hot iron branding.

This Lexus is far from beautiful. Interesting. But not sexy.

" No. That is what this car will be. Same concept....get it now?"

No, because the LF-A is NOTHING from a design perspective, it doesn't look good, nor will it break records. Basically, it's a waste of time.

That's your own opinion. I think Scion's are ugly, yet people by them. You do not represent the demand of the auto industry.

Did that get through to you? Not sure how I can be any clearer.

No, you got through. And yes, Scions are ugly. But all i was saying to you, is not to compare Maserati with Lexus. They have NOTHING in common.

Clear enough?

You may understand but you're still missing the point. Trust me, I hold Maserati's in much higher esteem than Lexus. The theme of the car will be the same, even if it doesn't compete with it in anyway.

I was at the Nurburgring a few months ago (testing a vehicle for another company)and was able to time the Lexus? prototype LF-A through a few segments of the track while their testing was going on. This car is more than competitive to Ferrari and Porsche (GT3 RS) judging from the times I clocked it at. It had amazing acceleration coming out of the corners and the handling was first rate.

Do you expect us to believe you?

I think that we should wait until Lexus finalizes the LF-A design (if ever) and commits to production before we start comparing it to the Nissan GT-R or anything else. Assuming that the production version of the LF-A has similar performance or price to the GT-R, we should wait until a major auto magazine compares the two. Hell, we actually ought to test-drive the two cars and come to our own conclusions.