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New member of the Lexus forum...
I’m seriously considering buying an LFA. Thin market for cars.
I’m in DFW and found a car in LA area at an exotics dealership.
Ex-Oracle Larry Ellison car. The car was last serviced 8 years ago at 4300 miles, per Lexus dealership records. Only driven 330 miles over last 8 years.
It’s going to a LA Lexus dealership for a PPI next week. At a minimum it needs tires, all fluids done.
Any deferred maintenance issues in these cars? Just trying to avoid a big maintenance/ repair bill right off the bat.
I drive my cars, take care of them, and am wary of garage queens.
I had a CGT for 7 years. Drove it 10k miles. It had no problems like the cars that sit in collections with leaky seals and pitting cams etc.
I have 57k miles on my 2005 FGT. Just sent it off for a full refurb.
Having sold my CGT, I miss that V10 wail. I think an LFA will scratch the itch.
I also own a bone stock 91 NSX. Great car.
Like you, I'd be wary of any car much less the LFA that only has ~330 miles and no services over the last 8 years, but at least it was driven enough before that.
I did keep close tabs with various Lexus corporate contacts on LFA reliability issues through ~2017 and reportedly the LFA has been bulletproof other than some obvious owner abuse issues (like one transmission that had to be replaced after our Laguna Seca owners' event). I did have to replace the battery on mine (fortunately my dealer just warrantied it), but that might be something to check on the PPI since it's pretty expensive.
Recommend checking with the dealership whether the recalls have been done, and when and where (LFA also suffered from the Takata airbag recall, but Lexus organized a vehicle maintenance program in conjunction with it - but not all LFAs went through this, or even the recall yet). If you buy, it'd be a nice bonus if #085 went through that.
According to flowrider's research, the Takata airbag recall work was performed.
I would think PPI & along with normal annual servicing / inspection would be wise. As gengar said, the LFA is generally bulletproof. At about 15K miles, mine developed a tiny oil leak that required a new seal on the oil pump shaft (similar to what was mentioned here: https://blog.lexus.co.uk/how-to-service-a-lexus-lfa/). My understanding is there's an updated performance seal that supersedes the original part. We had the shaft replaced while we were in there. Brake pads & rotors can be expensive; however, given the miles and measurements from the service history flowrider provided, I'd imagine there is plenty of life remaining.
Wonderful collection of cars you have… I would love to add a CGT at some point. You'll love the LFA's V10 "roar of angel". I've had several NSXs over the decades - wonderful cars and a delight in their stock form especially with the unassisted steering. My "keeper" NSX is 1999 NSX Alex Zanardi Edition #04 which just rolled over 123K miles.
Wonderful collection of cars you have… I would love to add a CGT at some point. You'll love the LFA's V10 "roar of angel". I've had several NSXs over the decades - wonderful cars and a delight in their stock form especially with the unassisted steering.
Agreed 100%, although given the CGT pricing these days that ship has probably long sailed for me.
One of the reasons I liked the Cayman so much was that it reminded me of the NSX, although obviously that car had a much more aggressive personality. Timeless design as well. Always thought about making a project out of one; maybe the FC too. Perhaps with ICEs on the brink, there's no better time.
According to flowrider's research, the Takata airbag recall work was performed.
I would think PPI & along with normal annual servicing / inspection would be wise. As gengar said, the LFA is generally bulletproof. At about 15K miles, mine developed a tiny oil leak that required a new seal on the oil pump shaft (similar to what was mentioned here: https://blog.lexus.co.uk/how-to-service-a-lexus-lfa/). My understanding is there's an updated performance seal that supersedes the original part. We had the shaft replaced while we were in there. Brake pads & rotors can be expensive; however, given the miles and measurements from the service history flowrider provided, I'd imagine there is plenty of life remaining.
Wonderful collection of cars you have… I would love to add a CGT at some point. You'll love the LFA's V10 "roar of angel". I've had several NSXs over the decades - wonderful cars and a delight in their stock form especially with the unassisted steering. My "keeper" NSX is 1999 NSX Alex Zanardi Edition #04 which just rolled over 123K miles.
Best of luck in your search!
Thanks for the input! Yes, I have looked at the LFA at Tactical in Dallas. It's getting fluids and tires done pre-sale. Just some moving pieces in making a deal for either the DFW car vs LFA #85 in LA. I'm trading a car against the LFA and so far the LA car deal is more favorable.
The PPI on #85 generally shows a clean car consistent with 4600 miles. Some minor scuffs on rear diffuser way under car. Some front lip scuffs. Very minor weepage on the shocks (that's what happens when a car sits). Paint and interior clean with no flaws.
The car needs tires since OEM Bridgestones date coded 2011 still on it. That's about $2100 balanced and mounted for some Michelins. The LA area Lexus dealership is also quoting about $10000 for the major service including engine oil, wheel alignment, brake fluid, transaxle oil, new engine coolant, and new engine and cabin air filters. The biggie they quote is new spark plugs and "engine tune up/ torque specs". That's $5000... 1/2 of the overall bill. Not sure how you tune a computer controlled motor
I get it that the car needs the "works" but seems a bit high overall so I'm checking with the DFW Lexus dealer who services these cars.
The PPI on #85 generally shows a clean car consistent with 4600 miles. Some minor scuffs on rear diffuser way under car. Some front lip scuffs. Very minor weepage on the shocks (that's what happens when a car sits). Paint and interior clean with no flaws.
The car needs tires since OEM Bridgestones date coded 2011 still on it. That's about $2100 balanced and mounted for some Michelins. The LA area Lexus dealership is also quoting about $10000 for the major service including engine oil, wheel alignment, brake fluid, transaxle oil, new engine coolant, and new engine and cabin air filters. The biggie they quote is new spark plugs and "engine tune up/ torque specs". That's $5000... 1/2 of the overall bill. Not sure how you tune a computer controlled motor
I get it that the car needs the "works" but seems a bit high overall so I'm checking with the DFW Lexus dealer who services these cars.
Park Place Lexus Plano regularly services LFAs in the DFW Metroplex. If you're in SoCal, Longo and Riverside would be my top two recommendations for LFA Service. In Vegas, definitely Lexus of Henderson. I know most of the assigned techs for each of these locations.
LFA maintenance is definitely labor intensive and there is always one LFA tech specialist at dealers that have sold several.
Haha that dealer sounds like an idiot. If you are buying an LFA you obviously are not easily duped by dealer bull****
And to be honest, Lexus corporate should clamp down on that BS. Throughout the buying and ownership process, Lexus reps have always been vocal about committing to lifetime support for the LFA and it's totally contrary to that to allow dealerships to scam owners. Plus, it just makes Lexus look really bad.
And to be honest, Lexus corporate should clamp down on that BS. Throughout the buying and ownership process, Lexus reps have always been vocal about committing to lifetime support for the LFA and it's totally contrary to that to allow dealerships to scam owners. Plus, it just makes Lexus look really bad.
There are a very few people around that had part in LFA. The sad part is most people that were there from the start have either changed positions within the company, stayed in California after the Texas relo, retired or left the company to pursue other things.
#085 arrived yesterday after our Texas ice and snow melted. It’s in great condition. Can’t wait to get it out for a run down the highway. Document showing first owner
Congratulations!!!! Curious if it came with all the accessories like the car cover, luggage set, etc...? As time goes by I have a feeling these would soon be "decoupled" from the cars during sales.
And I see all the Porsches in the background, fun garage!
No luggage or cover. Do have the books, first aid kit, inflator kit.
You are right. I wonder where the extras go. I’ve always conveyed that stuff when I sold on a car.
Lfa 085
