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Why can't Lexus make a cheap LFA?

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Old May 10, 2017 | 05:05 AM
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Default Why can't Lexus make a cheap LFA?

Keep the body design but non carbon fiber and have the same engine and performance specs as the RC F for $65k. If Lexus made this available for $65k, would people not buy it?

Last edited by vital; May 10, 2017 at 05:11 AM.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 05:29 AM
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Counterpoints

lexus up is not into cheap (except using vinyl for the seats in the IS)
why would they spend to slot a car where the weak selling RC-F sits
the LFA cost $750k per car to build so no amount of cost cutting would land it where you are asking it to be
they built the excellent LC so they have a sexy halo coupe
the Supra replacement is coming at some point and that is basically the car you are asking for without an L badge
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Old May 10, 2017 | 05:35 AM
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where did this fantasy 65k number come from? Thats how much an RCF costs using existing parts
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Old May 10, 2017 | 07:04 AM
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You may not be able to remake the LFA without the carbon fibre; it was designed to use that material and to use that small V10 engine. To re-engineer the car for non-exotic materials and to use an off-the-shelf engine could be as difficult and as expensive as designing a brand-new car, from scratch.

And didn't Lexus already do that? Lexus has the LC now, which is the new flagship, replacing the LFA.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 07:13 AM
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Originally Posted by vital
Keep the body design but non carbon fiber and have the same engine and performance specs as the RC F for $65k. If Lexus made this available for $65k, would people not buy it?
Yes its called the RCF and its mediocre. Let it go. The LC arrived and that's the new flagship.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 08:23 AM
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Originally Posted by 4TehNguyen
where did this fantasy 65k number come from? Thats how much an RCF costs using existing parts
Forums with no insight into the actual cost of building these cars love coming up with random price points where they would be happy to buy a car they still wouldn't buy
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Old May 10, 2017 | 08:43 AM
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If a Nissan GTR selling more than 100k, the new Supra wouldn't cost anything less. 65k is just simply dreaming.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 09:00 AM
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Yeah, I'd totally buy a 335i with S65 V8 at $30K.

Maybe BMW will also give me their first-born.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 09:10 AM
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Manufacturing is only part of the cost.

The cost of research, design, safety, testing, racing, and engineering without manufacturing probably covered the LFA's pricetag alone.

And let's not even get into Marketing. That's purely an investment with gains/returns for the Lexus brand, not solely the LFA.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 10:27 AM
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sc400

i thought the new Supra was supposed to slot well under the GTR as I haven't seen any info indicating that it will be a high horsepower machine
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Old May 10, 2017 | 11:07 AM
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Why don't they take the 86 (FR-S) chassis and carve an LFA themed body onto it?
Those of us of a certain age remember the Opel Kadett running gear underpinning the
swoopy Opel GT in the 70's. "Baby Corvette" right down to the flip over hidden headlights.
Compare the basic profile of the Toyota/Subaru twins and an LFA and check how close
it could be. Under $30k Toyota could be an under $40k Lexus, right?
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Old May 10, 2017 | 11:14 AM
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The more important question for Lexus is why can't they build an SUV that attacks the Range Rover market

the 86 is a cheap crap box that is fun to drive, too small to be a Lexus anyway
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Old May 10, 2017 | 11:21 AM
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Check them out...
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Old May 10, 2017 | 11:25 AM
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The RC-F is 400lbs overweight. You might HAVE TO make the body CF just so it's actually competitive, and now the car is $100k+ again.

No. Lexus needs to go back to the drawing board for this segment. The RC looks good, but it's not making the waves it should be.
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Old May 10, 2017 | 11:52 AM
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With the excellent offerings of the M4 and C63, there is little point in Lexus blowing more dough to be a bit better than the RC-F is now
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