Rasidel

thought you guys might like to see and hear about it.

I couldn't believe how good this car is. Its just crazy good. Well for $375k I suppose it should be. Had 2 laps in it at Autobahn on Friday. Was able to floor it and take it to redline whenever possible but not too hard in the corners since it was cold out and tail came out pretty easy. I want one.

This car runs out of revs so fast, I did it a few times during the 2-lap run. ****ing best car experience ever, period. I mean I've driven a few exotics before (but only on the street). 360, 355, 348, 996 turbo, Viper, off the top of my head - but this was just crazy good. I am planning to do a write-up on it. Need to find the time/motivation. Which I think I will find.

I was surprised, I thought these cars were sold out! I asked the dealer guy there (guy I didn't know, one of the regional reps for Lexus) and he said they are available! I was stunned.


Lexus LF-A event at Autobahn CC by Rasidel Slika, on Flickr



yellow LF-A at Autobahn CC by Rasidel Slika, on Flickr



yellow LF-A at Autobahn CC (HDR) - rear 3/4 view by Rasidel Slika, on Flickr

this is the car I drove -

black LF-A at Autobahn CC (HDR) - rear view by Rasidel Slika, on Flickr

Rasidel

the dash is ridiculous. and, initially the shock factor was like overwhelming and I was like, "gawdamn". But thinking a couple of days later now, I think it costs just a bit too much. The 458 handles and performs pretty much the same and its what, like 100k less. ridiculous. and, its a Ferrari. But one thing thats nice about this car is you don't have the same astronomical maintenance costs as you do with the Ferrari. You would have to take care of the brakes and that'll be pricey but you won't have a $15k basic maintenance bill at 15k on the clock or whatever it is. And also oil changes will be drastically cheaper. I believe they are in the thousands for Ferrari because they have to do extensive work on the engine. All of that being said, I think if I was in a position to buy something like this I'd have to strongly consider the 458 also, along with the Gallardo or hell for this money I'd even be looking at Murcielagos as well, hell maybe even the new LP700. This car is no joke though, 3200 lbs and 552 hp, V10 with a 9000 rpm redline. Its by far the best car I've ever driven. (the best prior to this was a Ferrari 360, 6MT. I've also driven older Ferraris and Porsches).

I was a bit delirious at the end and basically speechless so that's what's going on there lol. The instructor in the IS-F is a kind of 'pace car' so that was another reason I couldn't just go ***** out on the track. But still had ample opportunities to nail it. Oh and, you would never shift gears in the middle of a turn in real racing. this video is with the windows closed... the car has technology that pipes the noise of the engine into the passenger compartment and noise-canceling to get rid of unwanted external noise interference. how ****ing cool is that. I love the sound my friend makes in the beginning, reminds me of one of those Best Motoring videos. we are both ex-Supra guys, btw. So you can imagine how much we enjoyed this. Sitting inside the LF-A for the first time I felt a similar emotion to when I sat in my Supra for the first time..... that car felt like getting into a spaceship too, the first time I did. The interior looked so dream-like, it didn't even look real. The way the console wraps around you, the driving position, etc. The LF-A technically began life as the "Supra successor" so I think that's cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fR1CTBRQnvk


smiling ear-to-ear by Rasidel Slika, on Flickr

The first order of business was getting accustomed to the track. Each of us got our own IS-F's for this purpose and went out for a preliminary 2-lap run. We followed the instructor in his IS-F so he could get a feel for how we are driving. They weren't about to put us in a $375,000 car at a racetrack if we were driving like idiots. Thankfully having had a good amount of track time myself in my old Supra at Road America and Gingerman Raceway, combined with LOTS and LOTS of seat time on Gran Turismo and many other various racing games over the years, I felt completely at home. The IS-F has some serious power and I had no trouble bringing the back end out coming out of the turns, especially since it was early in the morning and some 35 chilly degrees out. But that did not phase me, I was on a mission!









here's my friend driving it, me video'ing... excuse the shaky hand, I was a bit nervous because my friend is kind of a madman on the street and he doesn't have much (read: almost no) track experience... so uhh.. yeah I was a bit on edge. he gave me a little semi-scare once you'll notice in the video (he almost did some off-roading), its not exactly the best for unexperienced to drive at a racetrack. he gives a pretty good summary of it at the end, including what he thinks about it in comparison to driving a GTR - he's driven Murcielago, 996 and 997 turbo, GTR, and some others - on the street though.

before we left the Lexus guy said "you don't want to be that guy" meaning the guy who wrecks a car at an event like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMwYHVRdg5A

cfl70

thats cool.how did you get a gig like that?

UE Triplefi

That Toyota-Yamaha engine inside the LF-A needs to trickle down to other Lexus/Toyota models!

Also, I think the Chassis of that car is more expensive than the engine.

Just look at how riduclous this is (wow-wise)




Carbon fiber weaving! This is like a homage to Toyota's REAL roots (making textile machinery) before they became a giant car manufacturer.


I'm 1000% sure that this is what made the LF-A seem overpriced to most people when compared to others like the McClaren MP4 and F-458 Italia.

Rasidel

while I no longer own a sports car (ex-Supra owner) I have some amazing friends who know and respect my love for sports cars (and photography) and they kept me in mind for this event. it was a win/win situation! super friends.
the natural first reaction to this car is its overpriced etc. but most people do not know (and unfortunately they do not care either) how expensive CF is. in terms of materials, this car is in the same league as the Reventon, Enzo, Zonda, SLR, and CGT.

PeterK

Damn you're lucky! I believe all these cars are already pre-sold so this vs. that comparison is of little practical value. I'm sure if lexus were making these cars in volume they would price it competitive to ferrari. But some say that this car costs lexus about twice as much to build than its selling price.

But frankly I'd chose a ferrari too. At this price I want a rear midengine car.

Rasidel

that is no longer the case. I could have bought one on Friday if I had the money. there is a new (small) allocation of cars in the US, right now.

hbvette07

Great videos, I love that car, and I too believe it is in the same league as the enzo, and others. I currently own a IS-F, sold my 07 C6 and picked it up because it just fit my needs better, but once you have owned a Lexus with the fit, finish, and reliability it is hard to look back. Though I am very interested to see if there are going to be significant refinements to the C7.

Were you not permitted to pass the IS-F?

I have done the lead follow at Lexus events before, but never in the driver seat of a LFA.

MVR 155

While I did not get to drive the LF-A I did get to ride shotgun in the car with a pro driver last year at Autobahn..... it is truly an amazing automobile..... its definately gotta be one of the best sounding cars in production.

After we got to take a couple of hot laps in the LF-A riding shotgun we got to drive the IS-F in a very aggressive lead follow session. Lexus puts on a class act event all the way.

Thanks for sharing

PeterK

Damn. That's a news to me

spicytuna

Thanks for the great write up!

What an incredible car. I don't think I'll ever be able to afford a car like that but I'm looking forward to seeing its technology trickle into their mainstream cars.

QUIKAG

Very cool car. I hope they put this V10 in the next GS-F or LS-F and keep it under $100k. I'd buy it as a daily.

Richor

Too bad the car is so ugly inside and out

C5 Pewter Coupe

why does it have 3 exhaust tips? makes no sense at all..

Stewart Allison

Looks to japanesey to me. It's got GTR looks about it that I don't particularly like. It's a bit sleeker than a GTR but not exotic looking enough for me. It needs a BB in it the motor is quiet small. But the guys who have driven it swear it's the ducks guts ! Stewy

kageryu311

I think it looks sexy!


To the OP: thats an awesome writeup. Its good to get a write up like that and hear about such an amazing car. Its overpriced but I would buy one if I had the money just for the experience.

JBauer47

Hopefully some of the personality will trickle down to mainstream cars. I would love to see a true sports car from Japan again. I grew up lust after the NSX, RX-7 etc...

Gering

Cool!

I like the black hood.

JJS04

Thanks for sharing.

Hokie

do want. sick car but I would take the 458 italia and keep the extra 100k.