The $400,000 Question: Was The Lexus LFA A Flop Or Success As A Halo Car?

As an individual car, the Lexus was a huge success for its driving capabilities and performance.

As a halo car, I think it was a significant fail. It was priced in the stratosphere, so it was a rare sighting on the streets. To this day, I have yet to see one and in my town, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, SLS', Porsche Turbos, Bentleys, RR Phantoms, and R8's are a very regular occurrence, and not just on weekends. Because you rarely saw one on the street, I don't think non-enthusiasts could make the connection for Lexus' attempt to switch gears in their approach. Therefore, their attempt at a sportier, more dynamic image still appears to be trying to catch wind in its sails. And their more daring designs might still be alienating the typical Lexus buyer.
On top of that, the trickle-down effect of an effective halo car just seems to have disconnected mid-cascade. Yes, it seems like steering and chassis technologies were properly engineered into the F-Sport editions of the GS and IS, but where is the power technology? Why does the RC-F weight almost as much as some SUV's when the LF-A weight 700 lbs lighter?

The final nail in the coffin? The fact that it appears the LF-A's biggest claim to fame is as Paris Hilton's favorite car. Fail confirmed.

Quick, but way off the mark. Ugly, super mega FLOP.

The real car enthusiasts would know the greatness of Lexus LFA. I believe Paris also was sick and tired of bad reliability of those European supercars, which explains why she thought Lexus LFA was her favorite.

I noticed two of Audi R8 owners complained about many problems that the car has. It seems to die down whenever it just feels like it.

But Lexus LFA was engineered to be reliable, and not only that, I think there is not a single car that can make that kind of exhaust sound out there. Lexus LFA, is truly the engineering masterpiece.

I doubt Paris cares about reliability. She wants to stand out and want a car that's exclusive. Ferrari's are common place in affluent neighborhoods. For the ultra rich it's all about owning something that their friends do not
LFA as a Halo does just that.

So much bias in this. First off, I would say the Ford GT was a much worse halo car than the LFA. It has quickly been forgotten and even when brand new failed in many respects, not to mention horrendous fuel economy and ergonomics. I don't remember it doing much for Ford's brand either. The Mustang is a better halo car. The LFA was a performance statement from a company not known for performance. While it wasn't the fastest supercar around it was one of the most advanced. Lexus knew they wouldn't make money on a single one but they all sold out. It sent a message that Lexus was serious about performance while some of its tech and design filtered down to lesser Lexus cars. There are other car makers who would ransom relatives to have an engine like the one in the LFA in their stable. I'd say mission accomplished.

I agree 100% with your analysis on this, but it is interesting to note that the used prices of Ford GT have doubled from the original sales price (how many late model cars can claim this), while the LFA is selling for less (up to 25% lower), and it appears that many still remain unsold even to this day.

Saab's moniker was "Born from jets."

....Didn't work so well for them.

How do you define success?
- Selling in great numbers?
- Directly making a profit for the company?(i.e., LFA's revenue > costs)
- Indirectly making a profit? (i.e., Increase in company profit due to LFA > LFA's costs)

Using these measures, I don't think it'll be a success.

Halo cars aren't typically meant to be profit earners. They are primarily image cars. The best way to consider this is has the LFA changed any perceptions about the brand. In other words, what if Lexus never made the car? The other factor to consider is whether or not Lexus learned anything from the experience.

I agree with the no crowd, it was not a successful halo car. 1) There is not much for the technology to trickle down into, people influenced by a halo car like to think there is some tie between the car they buy and the halo car 2) It is not lust worthy, the shape could have easily been the new Supra with a few small detail changes, in this respect the Ford GT that 222max mentions was a bit more successful 3) Nobody knows it exists (ok a few car enthusiasts), for a car to be a true halo car it needs to attract people to the brand, how can it attract people if nobody knows it exists. I do think it was a successful engineering exercise, nice looking, bloody great performance but those alone do not make a halo car.

Being able to deliver one of if not the best Super-car on their first go sure qualifies as a success.

Your average person didn't even know this car existed. So total failure as a halo car.

The VW Phaeton was a colossal turd for Volkswagen. BMW's 8 Series was an absolute embarassment in nearly every regard, from timing-to-market to what it actually offered compared to its competitors.
Halo cars are not always a shining gem in a company's repertoire. At least with Lexus, they proved they can produce a car that destroys the competition, their focuses however just aren't aligned with competing with the masses for meaningless scraps of recognition.

Total flop. It did NOTHING to ignite the notion that Lexus is a driver's brand. Moreover, it market positioning was arrogant and for the price, a Ferrari or Lamborghini was a value. Had been a volume--relatively speaking--player like a Porsche 911, it might have accomplished something.

The LFA was as pointless as the slow selling GTR.

GT-R is indeed selling slow.

By the way, the Nismo edition of GT-R is all sold out in the U.S. now.

I think the lexus LFA is the japanese face of super cars. Even if it is not the best at every stat. The car has a good aesthetic value and that is what makes a supercar what it is. Some people would argue that the gtr is the japanese super car which is also understandable but the LFA is my pick.

I think the lexus LFA is the japanese face of super cars. Even if it is not the best at every stat. The car has a good aesthetic value and that is what makes a supercar what it is. Some people would argue that the gtr is the japanese super car which is also understandable but the LFA is my pick.

I don't know if it was a success as a halo car but I'd sure love to have one. At least for a while it was Jeremy Clarkson's favorite car and he's probably driven just about everything out there.

No one here has the inside scoop on how Toyota measures success of the LFA...because Toyota made the investment and only they know if the expected returns were realized or not.

I happen to see one the other day. I live in So. Fla. I will admit that the exhaust note is mind blowing in real life on public roads. And it does break your neck. There's nothing else out there that screams like that. I'd say it was a success since a thread popped up just thinking about it. LOL

Quick, but way off the mark. Ugly, super mega FLOP.

agent009, you should sit eating animal crackers trying to rethink your call sign. After reading the sad bit of writing you do for this site, you should genuinely name yourself "AgentLexusH8r", your constant criticism and elitist views need a solid rethink. You're about as unbiased as CNN. Signing out of this site for the last time, enjoy wallowing in your own misery.