Lexus Says If Approved, LF-A May Never See More Than 500 Units Ever

Looking forward to picking one up.....uuummmm as for the actual release date? "When it happens, it happens...whenever that is...", so what else is new in the automotive world?

It's Nice, but Lexus needs a Hot high end (50-70k) droptop, something easy on the eyes... even go with a soft top... Not small like the 2ndGen.SC... the 1stGen. SC was hot.

Enough Already!! Either they build it or they dont. It's been like 5 years now!

$261,000-$313,000? LOL!!

Good luck Toyota.

This has to be the longest gestation period of any car I have ever seen.

erm the Ford mustang 2010 aka 2009 V2 or the Chevy Camaro ring a bell?

At that price they will be lucky if 3/4 of those 500 are sold. Not many people will want to fork that kind of money out for a Lexus. In that price range you hit the SL65 Black Series, Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Aston Martin, and the likes.

Lexus shouldn't even think about a sports car like that until they build a small to mid-size coupe that is even worthy of being called a sports car. When it comes to appeal in the sports department they are a joke. The SC430 is a joke and the only people I see driving it are old elderly Caucasian folks who don't any better. The sports-GT category is owned by the SL for it's luxury.

All the LF-As will be sold, don't kid yourself.

The LF-A will be purchased because it's a limited production car and will probably be driven by middle to elderly people. The hardcore Japanese import fans will opt for a GT-R or the upcoming NSX. Luxury and sport does not go hand in hand for Lexus. Why jump ahead of themselves when they don't even have a proper medium-size sports car? The LF-A should inspire the lower range first and then work it's way up. So in that regard my statement still stands. "Not many people will want to fork that kind of money out for a Lexus. In that price range you hit the SL65 Black Series, Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, Aston Martin, and the likes." Plus in today's economy people will look towards a brand like Lexus because its slightly cheaper than its German counterparts. Many of the Lexus drivers were former Toyota drivers and with the same income + some good rates they were able to obtain a Lexus badge. $150,000 USD would be the best pricing for the car but apparently the R&D and costs to put the darn thing together is too expensive? They sure came into he market a bit late.

Two words: ECONOMY MELTDOWN

The LF-A will be a car those SC430 owners will adore because it's a major upgrade in power and most likely quality. Lexus aren't meant to be exotics so don't kid yourself. But I do have respect for the car and would love to see it sell well but as I said, the pricing is a bit steep for a Lexus. Most of the sales will be in North America as it should. It is after all a Japanese-American brand and the marketing(which has been superb by the way) has been catering for the N.A consumers.

I respect it but don't mean I have to be head over heels over this car and it's price David. Hate it or love it but that's my two cents.

Ok Agent that's a fair comment. The LF-A definitely sounds like a screamer, especially in those spy videos. I agree with some of what you had to say about this LF-A myth. It's pretty safe to say it's priced too high. If I wanted luxury amenities with hammer blowing sound and power the MB SL class is a leader. My 997TT is world class performance with luxury amenities although it's not as comfortable as the SL but doesn't sacrifice much. If I don't care about luxury or the world's best interior material the GT-R is king and that's why I've put a deposit down for one. I've waited about a month now I think for mine? With the LF-A price I could buy a nice slick CLS63, a ML63 for my wife :P, and a Maserati Gran Turismo with some change left for a nice vacation in south of France and still out class the LF-A.

lexus spilled the beans early on the LF-A.

notice even back from detroit, the nav was equipped with the "remote touch" controller as well. so they planned it to be released after the RX

My thoughts:

1) It better have more than the 480hp that is described above. I feel like this car, to get any street cred, should be pushing 600hp.

2) Toyota needs to sh-t or get off the pot. Either release the car or just kill it. Having the LF-A in production limbo for years isn't a solid marketing strategy.

3) $261,000-$313,000 for a Lexus is outrageous. In this price range, give me the Ferrari 430 -- a true exotic, an amazing performer, and a car with real racing heritage.

Think about how much Zonda F roadster cost, Millionaire will consider get 1 of dis...

It has taken Lexus a long time I agree. Then again, look how long it's taken GM to produce the new Camaro??? However, Lexus will be the first to admit, they take their time on everything, but once it's out, watch out !! This car is going to be the ultimate "Halo" car for them.
This car is designed to go after the Ferrari buyer that wants reliability too...

Don't worry, with a production schedule of only 500 units, most will be bought up by the Dealership principals and then sold off as a pre-owned vehicle for alot more than MSRP..

Amiodynski, in response:

1) Production of the fifth generation Camaro was approved in August 2006 and will go on sale this spring. The concept was first displayed at the 2006 NAIAS. That is really only three years of production time. The first LF-A show car was dispalyed at the 2005 NAIAS and has been in development hell/limbo since then.

2) Your argument, "... but once it's out, watch out !! This car is going to be the ultimate "Halo" car for them. This car is designed to go after the Ferrari buyer that wants reliability too..." awfully is trite.

This was the same reason your fellow Lexus fanboys gave us as to why the IS-F would dominate the BMW M3 (before the IS-F was actually released). Now that the IS-F is out, it has done nothing to diminish the dominance of the M3. At best, the IS-F is an also ran that has already been forgotten about.

** is awfully trite.

AMiodynski - I think Lexus will sell every one at that price. But 480 HP is way too low for this league. At that HP a RS6 Station Wagon may out run it before it is released.

The LF-A test mule already outruns what are considered superfast cars on the "ring". These include the GT-R and SLR.

They really do need to just build this car...

I think that this car is a good match for the Camaro... (In terms of how long it takes from concept to production...)

Except that the Camaro is finalized for production and the plant is already set up and production begins in what 3 months.

Lexus can't even decide IF they should produce this car much less get it to market.

haha...yes, I know, you are right. Its sarcasm...

wow, $200k-300k is a lot of money. 480 hp seems rather little for that price, i guess unless it has killer handling or is very lightweight.

I'd rather get a Ferrari for that price. Or, get a GTR for 80k-ish.