http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/28/r...f-a-stillborn/

Unfortunately Lexus canned the LF-A and said that it will only be a development vehicle. IMO, i think the LF-A is a stunning car with great performance, however $225,000 for one is pretty steep. Now that they shelved the LF-A there isn't any vehicles in the whole Toyota lineup for enthusiasts. The most boring brand on the planet!!

 

bye bye Supra.

 

the gas market and economy is killing all these super car rebirths

 

Agree 100%. I think the only thing Toyota will dump development money into from now on will be hybrid stuff. So maybe there will be a sporty hybrid car or there is still hope for the Subota coupe under development.

 

I was wondering when this would happen. Toyota has been systematically turning their cars into boring, soulless automotive appliances for drivers who hate driving. After killing off the Celica, Supra, and MR-S, I don't know the next time I'll even think of stepping on a Toyota/Lexus/Scion lot. The IS-F is the only car that sparks even a little bit of passion.

 

knew it was too good to be true.

 

They spent so much money already on this car i don't see why just make an exclusive 1000 vehicles in a span of 2 years. I understand it's doesn't turn a profit, but do you really think the FJ Cruiser and current 4runner turn a profit! in the central atlantic region they only sold 19 4runners this past month.

 

I still can't believe the pricetag on that thing

 

if you cost a quarter mil and cant beat the gt-r around the track, i would can it too. they will make much more money with their cheap rwd coupe ae86 successor

 

Best quote of the article

Actually, one 'Ring test driver didn't mind going on the record with his opinion. Former Nissan racer, NSX development driver and Nurburgring legend Motoharu "Gan-san" Kurosawa reckons, "Toyota are good at making money, but they're no good at making sports cars."

 

aggreed with all Toyota just isnt cutting it with any sports car development, also it would be nice to see a revival of the AE86 or MR2(not the MRS) something cheap and sporty....
Even thier F1 team, which dumps more money than any other team out there into R&D cant cut it.....

 

I heard from a representative from Lexus that the LF-A is still a go, but it won't be out till the 2010 MY or 2011. They're still working with Yamaha on the engine to try and squeaze more power out.

 

Absolutely. three times the price of gt-r, and it may not even beat it.

 

I hope you're right, but I trust this paragraph more. Especially since Lexus never committed to a release date.

 

The LF-A is confirmed for the MY 2011. They'll only produce 500 cars per year for 2-3 years. It will be powered by a V10 with an output of 590bhp and 450 ft.-lbs. The car will weigh around 3000 lbs. The estimated price will be around $225,000. And only 200 will make it to the states.

 

that's not a very fair comparo ... sure it's a sports car, but you're comparing LEXUS vs NISSAN! I'm sure if infiniti had a "gt-r" it would be a lot more than the gt-r is going for...no way the gt-r could touch the comfort and quality of a lexus -- again, i know it's a sports car, but geez, it's still a lexus, not a nissan!!

 

damn thats a beautiful car

 

^^ I agree that is a beautiful car.

Is it me or does the front and the side at a certain angle, the car looks like it could pass for a RX-8 2 door coupe.

 

You mean its a Toyota vs Nissan.

Lexus is just a name. add a few piece of wood here and there, maybe softer leather. BOOM you can now mark the car up for another 20 Grand.

Thats how I see it.

Not to mention, Nissan is small when compare to Toyota, and Toyota have yet to be able to dominate anything in the high performance car area. thats just sad.

 

true, but i've sat in a lexus, other than styling (inside and out), they ARE better than a toyota/nissan -- they DO have nicer leather, they DO have nicer wood grains, etc. like i said, if INFINITI was putting out the gt-r you better believe it would be pricey too!!

 

Lexus marketing department must love you

 

haha. well my gf has a camry, base model, and i don't care if it's the same frame or engine or drive-train or whatever (i really don't know exactly what they share!!), but it's not a lexus!! my mom used to have one, and trust me, i KNOW they're essentially the same car, and i personally wouldn't buy EITHER, but the fit and finish, sound dampening, etc. IS nicer on a lexus, you can't deny that. same for honda/acura, nissan/infiniti, etc. i'm not saying it's worth the price difference, but there is a difference!

 

Meh. Some ridiculously overpriced car that they might sell like 20 of might not make it to production.... big deal. I'd be much more upset if anything happened to the Toyota+Subaru RWD coupe.

 

The IS350, and of course IS-F, are great machines, but concur not enthusiast-oriented. The former has DSC, etc. 'safeguards' that can't be disabled. Still a very nice grand touring ride.

 

This is a car that Toyota/ Lexus needs bad to repair their reputation in the sports car segment. I think they should've built a car in the 8 and Z segment to start off, but hey i'm just a customer. I'm still excited about this vehicle though.