The problem was that it took so many years to develop, that by the time it came out there were aluminium Ferraris that were faster, cheaper and lighter than the carbon fiber LFA. People bought a cheaper Ferrari or a Lambo instead of an expensive Toyota.
I remember two things before the launch of the LFA: 1. Toyota made it clear they were not making a profit out of it, and 2. Toyota stopped taking orders before production started because they had been all allocated. How come nobody bought it? You cannot even find a used one for sell
Marco R, You're Definitely Telling The Truth! All Units Allocated Were Purchased Before Production Even Started! There Will Be A Fully Electric Version At Some Point With Yamaha Electric Motors And Toyota's Newly Developed Solid State Batteries! The Best Is Yet To Come! I Appreciate Your Comment! 🔥💯👊😎
Toyota couldnt make a sports car now, much less a supercar. When ever they are challenged to produce something that's not a cheap prius or corolla, they outsource (look at the poor supra, that's nothing more than than a rebadged BMW Z4. Right down to the software [thats been reverse engineered and shown to share everything with the z4]) Toyota (And Lexus) didnt just forget how to make the LFA, they spit on the idea of it and thought "I wonder how much we could make if we sold it to BMW and used a corolla chassis?" Toyota (And most of the Automotive Industry) simply doesnt care about breaking the envelope and making cars that are made to set records. They care about short-term margins and nothing more.
Please just not Jeremy Clarkson. This guy is a nutsack. He was one of the people that slacked the LFA from the very beginning, he's the one that said LFA is not even worth looking at it, because it's '' not 6 times better than a Nissan GTR.''
@@kevinvojta692 Japan is notorious for keeping their word with "limited edition" goods. They don't like to go over the amount they wanted to create in the first place.
@@mi12no True Dodge only made 3,303 Demons. But look at the Money. They gave up doing it. Dodge has made over $3,969,420,000 Billion dollars. Just on the Hellcats.
I remember when they were about to being it out. I wanted one as a dream car. They said the V-10 was basically a f-1 engine stuffed in a car. The sound of this was outstanding! Have to add this. They had to use a digital rpm gauge because a analog one couldn't keep up with how responsive this engine was.
It wasn't a f-1 engine because the LFA had a 4.8 litre v10 at a time when F-1 engines were 2.4 litre v8s and even the v10 engines f-1 had run before that were only 3 litre
@@darrellwaymouth4354 it was F1 spec when they started it but it took them almost a decade to develop the LFA. By the time it released they were onto low displacement V8s
I don't think the LFA was meant to be a long production line for Toyota. It's more of a car production meant for Toyota to give the finger to the world and say "If you think we're going without a fight... THINK AGAIN!!!"
Let’s be real here, the LFA was basically a research project. It was never meant to profit because what they learned making the LFA could be reused in other cars.
@@Wayne3nterprises if no one bought it then try finding one now and buy it with the original price that came from factory, lexus didn't make any profit of the LFA because the price was too low for what they had spent to make it
“If somebody were to offer me a choice of any car that had ever been made, ever, I would take a dark blue LFA. That's how much I love this thing,” said Clarkson, on Top Gear, in 2012
@@beautyisontheinside Nope. I’ve never used heroine and I can say with certainty that it’s not good for human use. Virtually every review is a parrot of what Clarkson says about the LFA. It’s a show piece demonstrating Toyota’s ability to produce excellence. And, I drive a GS350 and am an unapologetic Lexus fan.
I remember as a kid taking the bus to see the LFA at a dealership here in LA. I was mesmerized by it so much me and my friends went a few more times after that and one of the employees took me for a ride in it around the block. Just want to say thank you to that guy wherever you are bc that ride made me want to become an engineer, I did electrical but still. Since then ive driven a lot of cars but none have sounded or felt the same as that LFA ride. I still havent driven one but my god do I still think of that day every time I get into a car.
Same energy as when Commissioner Gordon comforted Bruce Wayne in the Nolanverse. Hopefully all of us can randomly inspire kids like that. As well as have a go at our dream cars.
Honestly, this supercar is probably the most "Driver feedback reliant" ever, it doesn't focus on performance, rather it focuses on the driving pleasure you get from owning one of these, it's a actually a supercar made to be driven to have the best experience, not to be a garage queen which sadly is what's happening to these cars now as there just really really damn rare.
@@FourT6and22 it really depends honestly, i'd rather get the LFA just for the sound alone, although in reality, the porsche one is just better overall. it really depends honestly, but you are right about your statement.
Hiromu passed away in an LFA but his soul became the LFA and that’s what every single one carries… his soul. and damn they did a very good job on it. Thing sounds dope, feels dope, working at Lexus gave me the opportunity to see one in person and since then uuffff I’ve wanted one haha. And I’m a mustang guy..
This was my dream car for the longest time. One thing you didn’t mention was the exhaust was tuned by Yamaha, and to me at least is the single greatest sounding car of all time
I'm surprised you didn't mention Yamaha being included in the tuning of the exhaust. This is why it is still the best sounding car. If anyone, Yamaha knows a thing or two about sounding good (fyi They are one of the most successful instument brands)
If you listen to the sound of the current Lexus you will understand that this was a success, both in terms of prestige for the company with the LFA and what they learned from it and can use on their cars today. I enjoyed watching the documentary and learned a lot from it, thank you!
Which current Lexus? They have no other V10 cars or anything that sounds like that. Their best sounding cars now would be the N/A V8 LC500 and IS500, which sound good, but not better than a typical Mustang or anything else with a N/A V8, and nowhere near how good older cars sounded.
The LFA's Engineering Landmark still stands...a V10 that is as Compact as a V8 but Light like a V6 hasn't been achieved by any other Manufacturer or bettered👏....it's not all about BHP and Top speed you don't need.....in how many countries can you drive at 180mph plus and not end up in jail🤣
This amazing car struggled to sell for $450,000 USD new, selling 10 years later for nearly 2 million dollars. Bits & pieces of its DNA continue to live on in other Lexus "F" cars.
WRONG: the regular version sells for the same, ten years later. You can still buy them new for the same price (which means it depreciated due to inflation). Only the Nurburgring edition appreciated in price.
@@barrydraper Nah, I'm a BMW guy all my life... but if it was between a LFAilure or an old Dodge Hemi, I'd go Hemi all day... everyday. There's an LFAilure listed on sale (in SF, CA) for 999k, no takers... I doubt it's worth the 2 mil like you claim. Value is based on the average sale, not just one random case where some loony overpaid. Nobody wants that DNA, what's the sale number on F cars??? I don't see any RC-F, GS-F on the road. The old IS-F rotted and died out years ago. And you're right, I'm not in the market for any Lexus... I'm not old enough yet.
The LFA did not fail. The goal was not to sell a lot of cars. The goal was to push the limits of technology and innovation and to learn something. That was achieved.
The owner of our dealer franchise owned an LFA, hardly ever drove it but he had many cars and since we have a Lexus dealership he of course had to have one. I remember at one of the local cars and coffee events we would go to on Saturday morning he pulled up in the LFA and the amount of attention this thing got was astounding. One blip of the throttle and the crowd was 10 rows deep around it. There were people drooling over Aventadors and rare Ferrari's who immediately walked away from them when they saw the LFA. Its really a car that pictures do no justice to, the details and look of it up close are unreal.
The most over engineered car ever. The more you learn about the LFA the more in awww you become and understand why it's just a magnificent engineering masterpiece. It is literally art.
I just had the opposite viewpoint. Hearing they went to all that trouble to produce 500 and sell them to rich d-bags made me super sad. What a wasted effort. I've yet to see one in the flesh and I'm a former car junky. Money poorly spent. Should have created a lightweight EV and taken the world by storm reinventing the car into something sustainable. 200mph V-10 is just viagra.
I think it's important not to undestimate the marketing worth of a halo car like the LFA, giving both Lexus and Toyota a certain racing cred and likely boosting the sale of their other cars.
When the LFA came out, there was an open day type event at dunsfold and you could pay £110 (i think) to ride in one. It was £30 to go in a track car, or a bit more for a sports car. I remember thinking, why is it double the price when you could go in a ferrari for less? And now I understand.
It’s kind of the proof of why normal car brands shouldn’t make exotic cars. It’s hard to convince someone to spend $400,000 when the badge is the same as a $40,000 car.
@@IdealMediaChannel I kinda get it though. With Lexus being the luxury brand, I can understand why they would want to make a foray into supercars. I do wonder if it would have sold better as the Toyota LFA instead.
I know I always go to a guy with a few copied videos and an opinion. Few twisted google "facts", and you are a real expert in the subject with totally valid credentials.
I can guarantee if I had the kind of money needed to buy an LFA, I would definitely have one parked in my garage! It has great styling, some pretty cool technology, and thee best sounding exhaust note EVER!
I can guarantee that if you had the kind of money needed to buy an LFA, you would definitely spend it all on hookers and blow instead. 😃 The little " 'd " in "I'd..." is a big flashing warning sign that a meaningless counterfactual is coming up.
@@davidjones5059 I'm not much of a Mercedes fan, but I do love Porsche. Again, if I had the money, I would be crazy enough to buy every model year and example of the 911. Probably one of the best sports cars ever made.
It's true: Most people don't understand this car. And most of them, who do, couldn't affort a LFA: There has never been a better Super Sports Car. And given modern environmental policies, there never will be one.
@@jeromyzwiers1452 In which way? Sound of an engine? Enjoy shifting a perfect gearbox? This car is like a high quality mechanical watch. It's alive, it has a mechanical heart. An electric car is like a quartz watch. It's perfect. But nobody likes it.
@@avronaut Yet people are buying even more electronic smartwatches like hot cakes. Evolution (read progress) is constant, and no amount of nostalgia can stop it.
I was a teenager at the time when i was walking through the NY Auto show and i saw it in person. Its a stunning car even a decade later. They had the 1LR on a stand next to it and it was something that changed the course of how i viewed high performance vehicles forever. I wish i had the means to own one.
As of 2020, Lexus still had four unsold LFAs after selling three LFAs in 2019. However two were sold in March 2020 and another in September 2020, still an LFA remains unsold even though the car's production ended in 2012. It will be a sought after car in the future for this Japanese supercar.
Was lucky enough to see one in the flesh at the nordschleife in ~2011. The sound was unique and I could hardly believe it was a combustion engine. Probably the rarest car I'll ever see.
About 7 years ago, I was having car trouble. I had a colleague pick me up to bring me to work - from my humble, white bread, solidly middle-class Houston Exurb. As we were taking the corner off of my street onto the main drag - we got caught by the light. In front of us was a Lexus - and the signature triple exhaust. Our moths agape, my colleague and I sat in stunned silence for nearly 3 minutes until we could both confirm that we had seen an LFA in person... Such a wild experience, and completely mundane at the same time. Even pulling away from the light it sounded sublime...
When talking about the lack of "super cars" coming out of Japan I would garner a guess that it had a lot to do with the 276hp gentlemans agreement among the auto manufacturers.
Looking at the asian race scene we all know better. Race versions of all those cars are all supercars. That one agreement is sad. Imagine all the supercars made with the perfection driven minds. The R35, LFA and NSX are the only ones who made it. :(
@@craigquann Have RX 7 FC Turbo. In the speedo is a switch that unleashes the EGI after 30000 kms. Guess other manufacturers have / had a similar trick up their sleeves to go around that 280 hp barrier ... Mazda is known to state their hp - outputs very low. As I remember the 1. MX 5 has been stated with 115 hp, same power figures as a 1. gen Golf GTI running 184 kph max. MX 5 was doing 200 easy despite worse aerodynamics and 100 kg more ...
LFA wasn't a failure. Toyota built an amazing car spared no expense , sadly though the cost of building it was $380K wholesale. Toyota couldn't sell any at a profit because for less you could get a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, etc , etc. But what a car
I wish more companies would ignore maximum profit from time to time (at least when its going as smoothly as with Toyota) to prove that they are the best, or trying to be it. Sure the lfa didnt make money but now Toyota will forever be known to have built the best sounding car of all time with one of the most perfectionist and attention to detail car productions of all time
Should've used all the money and resources then to make a new Supra because they can both prove they're the best at it and make something that would sell.
Companies do (or did) For example, the 1995 Ford GT90, Jaguar XJ220, and the Bugatti Veyron (which if I’m not mistaken loses money made on every vehicle). Also arguably the first Gen Dodge Viper (before it got successful/proven).
The LFA is an engineering masterpiece, styling will always be subjective. The Japanese brought exotic to the average guy and they have built enough models making them attainable either new or used. The same can be said of American muscle cars has well. The fact that the LFA costs so much basically put it out of reach of most of the real car car enthusiasts and had it competing with established super car brands with far more history and mystique. I can appreciate what Toyota has created but some people just see a name like Ferrari or Aston Martin and they don’t really care about the nuts and bolts and what the vision was of it’s designers. I for one hope it’s the last of it’s breed and they return too making cars like the Supra again.
I would put my life on the line that if you shot truth serum into every owner of every supercar or semi-supercar in the world they would give you a top 3 list of why they bought it. On that list would be to attract significant others. Simply put, few car about nuts and bolts when the reasoning is majority sexual partners.
It would be a shame if you were right. Top three for me, My impression The company and design that built it and their vision How it performs on track and the open roads.
@Paul Truesdale Why do people buy Tesla's? It's a status symbol & drag racing idiocy that true racing enthusiasts don't really care "that much" about . Every Tesla Nurbergring record, excluding Plaid, gets beaten by various years of Honda Civic Type R. Which an Audi RS4 beats the Plaid on that track. All being a fraction of their EV counterpart. To normies, saying you own the fastest Ford they sell doesn't have the same wow factor of saying you simply own a Lamborghini even if it were it's slowest from the brand. If I were in Toyota marketing, I'd suggest they create the Gojira (Godzilla) brand exclusively for their supercars & track only vehicles.
If I remember correctly the LFA was never actually for sale when it first came out. They were only available on a leasing contract. Might have a bit of a reason why they sold so poorly.
@@craigsmith4518 I think it is just 150 limit production. They did out on sale alright. But it sold out the moment it open to order. Canada only allocate 1 or 2 units if I recalled correctly
That was to protect the values and ensure that potential owners wouldn't flip it. The reason it sold poorly is because it was deemed expensive when compared to its competitors, especially the Italians. Simple as
Toyota with the 2000 GT was clearly trying to mimic the styling of the Jaguar E-Type. It didn't "have lines that inspired sports cars for generations that followed it". The inspiring car you are referring to, was the car that inspired the 2000 GT, the E-Type.
First thought was hmmm looks like e type. Then went to comments and was surprised top comment wasn’t ‘ who you trying to kid that’s clearly not the inspiration for that style’. Your comment was the first one to point out how this was clearly inspired by the e type
@@kadov3579 you can't call it improved when it's objectively not. There's been thousands of polls over the years and I've never seen it ranked above the e type in terms of beauty. If fact, most consensus have the e type as the most beautiful of all time. So again, nothing was improved.
I want to drive one. I don't want to own one- that would terrify me. I feel terrible when I dent my pos Subaru. But man, to sit in the hot seat of an LFA would just be awesome.
@@alunesh12345 I believe in Jesus. I hired him to clear my mom's driveway when it snows, really nice guy. I try to buy tamales from his wife when I can.
The LFA is truly a work of automotive art and precision engineering. I've had the honour of being a passenger in a LFA Nurburgring on a fast lap and by gosh they are thrilling and scarily fast.
About 8 years ago I walked into a Lexus dealership in NC San Diego and my jaw dropped. They had 2 brand new LF-A’s for sale. I would have bought the black one in a heartbeat but I was $449,000 short of the asking price. Such an awesome piece of history!🔥
Want to know something crazy? In 2022 they would be worth FOUR TIMES AS MUCH!!! Who knew buying a car would be a good investment within ten short years?!?
When i saw this car for the first time, both on the internet and in person, i stood there blank because of how much i fell in love with it. No other car for me evokes that kind of reaction.
@@200mphBrian it was a perfect combination of other cars I loved as a kid. I was a fan of the JGTC racing Supras when I played Gran Turismo 3 which was my first ever racing game, which ofc had that front engine rear drive layout. Then as I played Need For Speed and earlier Forza titles later, I found how amazing V10s and V12s sound from cars like the Gallardo and F50 which I took a great liking to as well. Also growing up in Japan made me fascinated with cars they make. Running performance figures that aren't as high or impressive as many European cars yet could still run toe to toe in competition. The LFA was a dream list come true for me. I won't defend it as the best car in the world because factually, that's just not true. But it's everything I could ask for in a dream car.
The second iteration of the Mazda RX-7 was spectacular. The Acura NSX was a solid supercar that laid waste to unreliable Ferraris. Both cars were reliable and durable at a fraction of the cost of those exotic cars.
One of the best sounding car ever made ..as a matter of fact jeremy clarkson from top gear said it was the best car hes ever driven .. now that car is worth a million
Sorry but all new supercars nowadays have catched up in reliability nowadays, even ferrari, and it shows in sales, same laws of physics for all, and i cannot say the LFA is a monster, only 500 hp for 350k, you se why people go for a faster Huracan or Aventador
...and folks this is how I met this channel. Simply great content. Toyota knew they won't make any profit from the sales, as each car was sold in a loss but still Toyota sold them. LFA is a engineering masterpiece and as everything is going electric we won't see a legend like LFA anymore.
I have a Lexus RX450h 2013. I hope it is the last car I ever buy. It does what I bought it for, TOYOTA quality. My RX will always be a TOYOTA to me and I respect their work , I only wish TOYOTA had put one finger up to the other car manufacturers and kept the TOYOTA name. Now to the LFA, it is the greatest engineered sports car ever made in my opinion. It was a labour of love but once started TOYOTA put everything they could, or had too, to finish the task and didn't they do well. That engine is sublime, just sublime even now. To hear that click as the paddle levers are moved working the mechanism to make the gearbox change gear is amazing. I pray that one day Iwill be able to visit an owner or visit Lexus in Japan and just look and touch one and really appretiate all their effort and their abilities that the designers, the engineers and the workmen/women put into making an absolute dream that will be in my thoughts until my last day. Thank you TOYOTA, thank you Lexus. Please Lexus - Put the original "L" badge back on the boot where it belongs, that L E X U S just is not worthy in respect of Lexus history.
The LFA is a gorgeous car with an amazing sound. It was built with passion, that's for sure. It was more a research project for Toyota than anything. I just wish Toyota would build their own engines for their sports cars, considering Lexus engines are reliable and amazingly smooth.
LFA. is damn near then perfect super car. They had to go with a digital speedo over an analog one because it’s revs were simply way too fast for a analog one. Incredible job on putting this together for your followers and hats off to your narration. Well done. You have a way with words.
It was truly a masterpiece and I loved it! The way Yamaha tuned the sound, they sounded like music to the ears. And especially that performance and driving pleasure. We won’t find such ‘real’ supercars again.
They could've had more to do with the engine. Considering they're went to for many other manufactures valve design. Even the 2jz was co built with Yamaha in believe.
The production cost dictated the selling price. The selling price and performance numbers did not align. Cars that were a third of the price performed better (GTR as an example). The irony is that this car will be the next Toyota 2000GT. A very low production number car that is worth millions in the next 30-50 years.
Exactly. Thus my emphasis on the 2000GT in the beginning. It’s funny how mirrored this is to that tale. Toyota 2000GT and 240z Fairlady, one expensive and rare and iconic, and one cheap and mass adopted. Same can be said for the LFA and R35 GT-R
The LFA was never meant to be a "raw numbers" car, it was designed to be a supremely driver oriented vehicle with the right balance of refinement, power, feel...etc. It doesn't matter that a GTR outperformed it for the price; have you ever sat in a GTR? listened to the exhaust note? They are leagues apart in terms of refinement.
@@dantheman3022 you can say what you want about ICE cars, but this thing is far from ugly. Something tells me that you are probably a Tesla fan right? They make the ugliest cars on the market bar some weird Chinese manufacturers.
I wouldn't call the Lexus LFA a failure for a number of reasons. Title is very misleading. Reason #1 - Rarity means exclusivity. The Nurburgring Editions will appreciate even more, and generate better ROI over time. Reason #2 - The LFA V10 engine is legendary to the supercar community. You will never hear or find this engine produced in any other vehicle, ever. Reason #3 - Toyota build quality. Besides the outsourced V10 engine, This car will survive many generations with very little upkeep & maintenance.
It couldn't be described at anything other than a failure. Remember, cars are nothing else but consumer products. And the only thing a consumer product needs to do is sell well. If it doesn't sell well, it's a failure. The LFA was therefore a total marketplace failure. It's a good car, sure, but still a failed product
The video has a lot of downplaying and omissions, even from other Japanese manufacturers in the intro. Lexus never meant for it to be a sales success, but an engineering study and halo car whose advances would slowly trickle down to the consumer cars of the company...and it achieved all that.
@@istvanlorinczi2817 Toyota could afford such an engineering exercise to prove to themselves and to the world that they could be at the very pinnicle of automotive exellence. Your totally blinkered commercial mind has endeavoured to cancel that notion out. Toyota are still globally successful so who cares if the LF-A was not a commercial success.. They proved their point to everyone in the car business.
@@briantitchener4829 once again. It's a good car, but a total marketplace failure. And it doesn't get a pass just because it's a halo car for Toyota. Audi did the R8 at about the same time, and that car was a total success. Audi was at the same point Toyota was, they didn't really have anything that would make potential buyers get their car over other stuff, so they both had to make a move. Audi was successful with their halo car, and Toyota wasn't. Again, the LFA is a good car, it's Toyota (and Yamaha) engineering pushed to the limit, but the car still failed as a product
@@istvanlorinczi2817 Before they started taking orders for the car they said there would be 500 of LFAs produced. So they DIDN'T want to make more not they COULDN'T sell more. How is that a failure?
I heard one of these a few weeks ago in Covington, KY getting on 75n. It sounded incredible. I knew they were special. I had no idea how rare they are...
I respected the LFA before I watched this video. After the video I respect the car and Lexus as a brand for putting the time and love into the LFA and all other sports cars before this one.
What a beautiful and respectful portrait of the supercar and its creator I had forgotten all about, I did check the prices on one now, at it appears that the LAF is all but forgotten!!!! Thank you Sir.
i've driven a GTR R35 and i own a Supra MK3 (modded with a 2JZ swap, around 600whp) and i could tell you that the R35 is a fast car BUT i still prefer my old MK3 and its set up near the edge of my driving skills (with more power than i'll ever need) the GTR on the other hand its a fast car and i can drive much faster in it but for some odd reason you feel removed from the car... the LFA is also a fast car BUT with only with the correct driver, in the LFA you feel EVERYTHING (i haven't driven a LFA but i did get a ride and its good)... for price for performance the GTR is better than most super cars (then again you can buy any used car and mod it to the same performance) where as the LFA is about how it makes you feel while you drive it
Lol, man I absolutely love the GTR, but it's no supercar as much as the marketing would have you believe otherwise. The LFA is engineering perfection, price tag fully justified
I remember watching that Top Gear episode and being so impressed with it during, and then laughing my ass off when they announced the price. In that price bracket your car needs to be as exciting to look at and own as it is to drive. As you say, most people who can afford cars at that cost don't "get it".
in 2012 i bought a Black LFA, I still have it in my car collection, whilst it probably isn’t number one in any particular area in my opinion as an all round package it is probably the best super car ever built. I do 2-3 thousand miles per year in mine and i wouldn’t sell it for any price it’s just got something i never found in any other car.
I honestly loved this car ever since I saw it in need for speed most wanted (2012), I was so confused why no one was talking about it, happy to finally see that happen
I wish I had bought one at $375K in 2012, price has nearly tripled since. The LFA Nurburgring was $435K in 2012 is $1.6M if anyone can find one for sale. LFA is getting rarer and only appreciates in value as time goes by. LFA is truly Masterpiece of Art indeed.
It is screaming comfort and reliability like Toyotas are. Not cramped up sports cars that don't even have a door handle and what if they make a mile or two per hour fast.
I also love the IS-F. Very underrated. We had one from 2008-2011. Put a Borla exhaust on it and an ECU. Thing was a little 5.0 v8 beast with lots of potential. They should’ve continued making it to compete with the M3, S4, C63 etc… 😪💙
In one word for me, the LFA is a RIOT. A damn riot. The engine, the specs, its idle to redline revs. Its a damn riot. And the body lines? Sleek elegant and brute at the same time. It is a going to be a classic. That exhaust note? A damn riot. An intoxicatingly satisfying addicting sound. I mean hell, its a goddamn riot.
People who have money don't necessarily have taste. This has happened many times in automotive history, like with the Volkswagen Phaeton. Most wealthy people buy cars for status symbols, not because they know the in-depth inner workings of how it was built and what makes it exceptional from an engineer's perspective. They also tend to buy cars that are the latest fad, like SUVs. I consider them oversized grotesque boxes on wheels, but the rich salivate over G-wagons and Range rovers. I'm the kind of guy that appreciates an LFA, Ferrari F-40 or a 2001 BMW M5 or perhaps the once affordable 2004 SVT Cobra and I always will but I'm broke AF!
Over the years, Yamaha Motor has co-developed and produced under commission numerous automobile engines for Toyota Motor Corp. Of those, one of the most high-end projects was the 1LR-GUE 4.8L V10 engine for the LFA, the flagship supercar of Toyota's Lexus luxury brand.
Nobody bought it at it's release time was all a blessing to make it even more special years after. Not a single person who could buy it and didn't at that time can't stop regretting later. They couldn't understand what a gem they missing and today it's almost 3x the price but you can't find one on sale. The best car ever
Had the pleasure of driving my friends LFA and yes it was incredible, and ranks at the top of my favorite cars I’ve been blessed to drive. So much better than the Ferrari 458, fit and finish was spectacular.. But the price tag is what killed it, not many could stomach $500k for a Lexus.
sad, but this is how the market works. If you can afford something ridiculously expensive, you want it to be something that screams exclusive. Lexus doesn't do that. They make really good cars, but those are mostly sedans, known for luxury and reliability, not speed. I'm willing to risk that even with the Toyota badge it would've sold better (as a Supra successor or something)
the problem is the "for a lexus" They are only the superior vehicle as far as quality is concerned..... funny to me these squids think "luxury" is when your car is always broken and in a shop for too much money to repair.... Sooooo luxurious.... Mercs are fuckin cardboard shit boxes for the last 20 years and fools still simping ='D
@@Inferiis stop making yourself looking so dumb. Go search the LFA and the amount of engineering that went into making the LFA, you would realized your comment was really dumb. Not to mention you are lucky if you can find one for sale at 500k
Literally one of my favorite cars of all time, I would love to own one, possibly my dream car honestly, also video was incredible, definitely liked it and totally going to subscribe man loved your storytelling and will definitely check out some of your other videos, you have a great talent man keep it up ❤️🙏
Beautiful ! 100% of marks for this documentary ! Many buyers would have queued up or put their name on a list if the badge was the prancing horse, the raging bull, or whatever. ..........but, a TOYOTA ?........Nah !!!!!! The Japanese have taught the world how to build the automobile, like it or not. A reliable and affordable machine. The LF-A was a slap in the face to hardcore supercar makers, that the Corolla maker can do it also ! Sometimes extra effort or money must be spent to set things right. Toyota spent both on the LF-A. It may not have been their intent to make money out of its production. They are smart. You can find a profit-making Corolla worldwide........by the millions !! Thanks for this video. Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.
this year, I purchased a used, 2014 GS350 F-Sport... A car that undoubtedly carries on some styling and essence of the LFA. My favorite mode to drive in is Sport + because of the beautiful sounds it makes.
I agree. I have a 2021 IS350 F-Sport and every time the gauge cluster moves and the engine revs high I can't help but think of the LFA's DNA in it. Just a little bit, but something nonetheless.
engineering succes, toyota knew it wasnt going to make money but it was more about pushing engineering and performance. this car started testing on the track in 2004
3:08 Japanese manufactures had a "gentleman's agreement" in the 90's to keep the maximum horsepower at 276bhp. A few cars were over the official specifications but not by too much. This lead to an explosion in the aftermarket tuning industry. The amount of cars in Japan that would destroy a McLaren F1 in any race was staggering. And for cheap compared to the top European supercars. 700HP+ R32 GTR's were becoming common and it just took off from there. The Toyota Supra 2JZ and Nissan's RB26 became legendary engines for tuning. Japanese car manufactures could've made super cars to rival the best from Europe. They have the money, tech and the knowledge to. I'm not certain why they didn't but I know it's not because they couldn't.
I don't think they had cars that would destroy an f1 Maclaren remember it's not just about power there is aero brakes gear tuning and power to weight ratios that make a car fast around a track...
I think all the replies above are confusing McLaren F1 with an F1 car. McLaren F1 was a road car, probably the most attractive till date and the fastest before Veyron came. It’s a modern classic. A tuned Supra could’ve easily beaten an F1. The McLaren car. Obviously not the FIA Formula One car :)
![I.N "HALLUCINATION" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/n5B5q1Hwt_U/mqdefault.jpg)
The LFA to me is more of a demonstration of what Toyota engineering is capable of.
Right there with the Volkswagen Nardo W12. These 2 cars coulda been bunkmates at University..
Who wants a V10 Supra?
The problem was that it took so many years to develop, that by the time it came out there were aluminium Ferraris that were faster, cheaper and lighter than the carbon fiber LFA. People bought a cheaper Ferrari or a Lambo instead of an expensive Toyota.
Spot on.
Who the fuck would buy a 350k car when a 70k Vette whoops it’s ass
I remember two things before the launch of the LFA:
1. Toyota made it clear they were not making a profit out of it, and
2. Toyota stopped taking orders before production started because they had been all allocated.
How come nobody bought it? You cannot even find a used one for sell
And it is now more expensive than MSRP.
Had the chance to buy one in Katy..... it was nice. Really, really nice.
*sale
Marco R, You're Definitely Telling The Truth! All Units Allocated Were Purchased Before Production Even Started!
There Will Be A Fully Electric Version At Some Point With Yamaha Electric Motors And Toyota's Newly Developed Solid State Batteries!
The Best Is Yet To Come! I Appreciate Your Comment! 🔥💯👊😎
@@joesinegal8167 the best is yet to come? What “best” will replace the sound of the engine of the LFA?
“What if the LFA was so good, Toyota forgot how to make it again.” - Jeremy Clarkson
Toyota couldnt make a sports car now, much less a supercar. When ever they are challenged to produce something that's not a cheap prius or corolla, they outsource (look at the poor supra, that's nothing more than than a rebadged BMW Z4. Right down to the software [thats been reverse engineered and shown to share everything with the z4])
Toyota (And Lexus) didnt just forget how to make the LFA, they spit on the idea of it and thought "I wonder how much we could make if we sold it to BMW and used a corolla chassis?"
Toyota (And most of the Automotive Industry) simply doesnt care about breaking the envelope and making cars that are made to set records. They care about short-term margins and nothing more.
@@edenrose2374 that's what happen when a bunch of accountants leads a company, they know nothing but shit 🤣🤣
@@edenrose2374 They mostly outsourced the GT86 as well...
Please just not Jeremy Clarkson. This guy is a nutsack. He was one of the people that slacked the LFA from the very beginning, he's the one that said LFA is not even worth looking at it, because it's '' not 6 times better than a Nissan GTR.''
Just like we forgot how to go back to the moon🙈🤣🤣🤣
The LFA wasn't a failure. It was too good that people couldn't understand the beauty of this masterpiece.
Or afford it
It had to vs the skyline gtr
That’s why
Absolutely spot on
Yes you are ok and all the world are wrong
those who buy super cars to flex didnt understand it and those who buy cars for fun and fully understood the lfa couldnt afford it. :(
Toyota Motor Co only planned to build 500 units and no more. All those cars were reserved at sales release. So calling it a failure is incorrect.
Not true. Reserved by whom? Lexus dealerships? Check your sources.
If it was a failure they were not geting sold by $1M by now
Dodge only planned to sell 3,000 to 5,000 Hellcats. They have now built 56,706, as of 03 Jan 2020
@@kevinvojta692 Japan is notorious for keeping their word with "limited edition" goods. They don't like to go over the amount they wanted to create in the first place.
@@mi12no True Dodge only made 3,303 Demons. But look at the Money. They gave up doing it. Dodge has made over $3,969,420,000 Billion dollars. Just on the Hellcats.
I remember when they were about to being it out. I wanted one as a dream car. They said the V-10 was basically a f-1 engine stuffed in a car. The sound of this was outstanding!
Have to add this. They had to use a digital rpm gauge because a analog one couldn't keep up with how responsive this engine was.
It wasn't a f-1 engine because the LFA had a 4.8 litre v10 at a time when F-1 engines were 2.4 litre v8s and even the v10 engines f-1 had run before that were only 3 litre
@@darrellwaymouth4354 "was basically" not literally lol soccer wanted one as a dream car
@@unknownvanitas2135 I wouldn't call having a different number of cylinders basically the same
@@darrellwaymouth4354 it was F1 spec when they started it but it took them almost a decade to develop the LFA. By the time it released they were onto low displacement V8s
@@darrellwaymouth4354 omg it doesnt have to be identical to be like a f1 engine 🙃
I don't think the LFA was meant to be a long production line for Toyota. It's more of a car production meant for Toyota to give the finger to the world and say "If you think we're going without a fight... THINK AGAIN!!!"
Let’s be real here, the LFA was basically a research project. It was never meant to profit because what they learned making the LFA could be reused in other cars.
@@romannasuti25 Or perhaps both reasons gave birth to the LFA.
I think it was meant to be a big toe!
too bad it wasn't a middle finger it was a face plant lol it was slow in it's price range and no one bought it 🤣👏👏👏
@@Wayne3nterprises if no one bought it then try finding one now and buy it with the original price that came from factory, lexus didn't make any profit of the LFA because the price was too low for what they had spent to make it
“If somebody were to offer me a choice of any car that had ever been made, ever, I would take a dark blue LFA. That's how much I love this thing,” said Clarkson, on Top Gear, in 2012
@@beautyisontheinside Regardless, Clarkson's right about the LFA.
@@beautyisontheinside Nope. I’ve never used heroine and I can say with certainty that it’s not good for human use.
Virtually every review is a parrot of what Clarkson says about the LFA. It’s a show piece demonstrating Toyota’s ability to produce excellence. And, I drive a GS350 and am an unapologetic Lexus fan.
You know that sh*t is real when Jeremy Clarkson says that.
I remember as a kid taking the bus to see the LFA at a dealership here in LA. I was mesmerized by it so much me and my friends went a few more times after that and one of the employees took me for a ride in it around the block. Just want to say thank you to that guy wherever you are bc that ride made me want to become an engineer, I did electrical but still. Since then ive driven a lot of cars but none have sounded or felt the same as that LFA ride. I still havent driven one but my god do I still think of that day every time I get into a car.
Thats so wholesome. Gotta love that salesman, now they inspired you. Shiet like this made me think that humanity still exist
Same energy as when Commissioner Gordon comforted Bruce Wayne in the Nolanverse. Hopefully all of us can randomly inspire kids like that. As well as have a go at our dream cars.
Sure you did.
Always that doubter lmfao
Honestly, this supercar is probably the most "Driver feedback reliant" ever, it doesn't focus on performance, rather it focuses on the driving pleasure you get from owning one of these, it's a actually a supercar made to be driven to have the best experience, not to be a garage queen which sadly is what's happening to these cars now as there just really really damn rare.
The one commenter who gets it!
Sad truth
Japanese Dodge Viper
I think Porsche GT cars do it just as well if not better.
@@FourT6and22 it really depends honestly, i'd rather get the LFA just for the sound alone, although in reality, the porsche one is just better overall. it really depends honestly, but you are right about your statement.
The effort put in the LFA is just crazy to think about and Hiromu Naruse may rest in peace, he will not be forgotten
🙏
Hiromu passed away in an LFA but his soul became the LFA and that’s what every single one carries… his soul. and damn they did a very good job on it. Thing sounds dope, feels dope, working at Lexus gave me the opportunity to see one in person and since then uuffff I’ve wanted one haha. And I’m a mustang guy..
My dream daily is LFA
This was my dream car for the longest time. One thing you didn’t mention was the exhaust was tuned by Yamaha, and to me at least is the single greatest sounding car of all time
Most people know LFA for its sound and it's just 🤤
Ikr
Ok so I'm not the only one who gets like that
The sounds give me goosebumps
@@ghostdog3680 we love it
Best sound of all supercars by far
I'm surprised you didn't mention Yamaha being included in the tuning of the exhaust. This is why it is still the best sounding car. If anyone, Yamaha knows a thing or two about sounding good (fyi They are one of the most successful instument brands)
Yamaha makes instruments?? Thank god you put that in your post, now we all know as well 👍
@@christophermartin972 Guitars(electric too), piano, keyboard, so on.
@@13AK98 I think everyone on the planet is aware Yamaha makes musical instruments 😂 I was being sarcastic 👍
@@christophermartin972 you edited the reply, so nope.
@@christophermartin972 literally no one likes a sarcastic tosser. So well done 👍
Thank you so much for mentioning this legendary car on your channel! About time someone showed some respect for it. Probably my most beloved supercar.
It's the best Japan has ever made. I'm surprised it took us this long to bring it up.
I don’t know a single person that DOESN’T respect the LFA
@@adeetard2545 Many CGT fans hate it idk why. Even though it's cheaper thsn the CGT and offers more tech, safety and sound
I dunno why anyone fans over one car or brand... like, cars are awesome. Why limit yourself?
@@IdealMediaChannel based and v10-pilled
If you listen to the sound of the current Lexus you will understand that this was a success, both in terms of prestige for the company with the LFA and what they learned from it and can use on their cars today. I enjoyed watching the documentary and learned a lot from it, thank you!
Which current Lexus? They have no other V10 cars or anything that sounds like that. Their best sounding cars now would be the N/A V8 LC500 and IS500, which sound good, but not better than a typical Mustang or anything else with a N/A V8, and nowhere near how good older cars sounded.
The LFA's Engineering Landmark still stands...a V10 that is as Compact as a V8 but Light like a V6 hasn't been achieved by any other Manufacturer or bettered👏....it's not all about BHP and Top speed you don't need.....in how many countries can you drive at 180mph plus and not end up in jail🤣
Germany only. Haha
Why do you think people would go super fast in the road??
Or dead lmao.
Germany and japan only,
Any of them if u r fast enough xd
This amazing car struggled to sell for $450,000 USD new, selling 10 years later for nearly 2 million dollars. Bits & pieces of its DNA continue to live on in other Lexus "F" cars.
750k aud and all 10 were sold in Australia
WRONG: the regular version sells for the same, ten years later. You can still buy them new for the same price (which means it depreciated due to inflation). Only the Nurburgring edition appreciated in price.
@@Area-ty2oq You have obviously NOT shopped the LFA market lately. Stick to driving your old dodge hemi.
If they made it for $250k, would have sold well I think
@@barrydraper Nah, I'm a BMW guy all my life... but if it was between a LFAilure or an old Dodge Hemi, I'd go Hemi all day... everyday.
There's an LFAilure listed on sale (in SF, CA) for 999k, no takers... I doubt it's worth the 2 mil like you claim. Value is based on the average sale, not just one random case where some loony overpaid.
Nobody wants that DNA, what's the sale number on F cars??? I don't see any RC-F, GS-F on the road. The old IS-F rotted and died out years ago.
And you're right, I'm not in the market for any Lexus... I'm not old enough yet.
The LFA did not fail. The goal was not to sell a lot of cars. The goal was to push the limits of technology and innovation and to learn something. That was achieved.
But they could've done that by developing a new Supra as well. Why do it on a Lexus instead of bringing back an iconic nameplate?
what's fail is the A90 supra , toyota doesnt want to build sports car anymore
@@romiarkan450 no one would’ve taken toy yoda seriously as a super car
finally some sence of mind
Toyota still want to make sports cars they literally just made the the gr86 and the gr yaris
With only 500 produced, I interpreted the LFA as a brand-builder for Toyota, a marquee for all the well-engineered vehicles below it.
The owner of our dealer franchise owned an LFA, hardly ever drove it but he had many cars and since we have a Lexus dealership he of course had to have one. I remember at one of the local cars and coffee events we would go to on Saturday morning he pulled up in the LFA and the amount of attention this thing got was astounding. One blip of the throttle and the crowd was 10 rows deep around it. There were people drooling over Aventadors and rare Ferrari's who immediately walked away from them when they saw the LFA. Its really a car that pictures do no justice to, the details and look of it up close are unreal.
They may be lambos and Ferraris but the LFA is the one and only supercar made by Toyota.
Damn, I love the 1st Gen NSX and LFA.
Hearing it in person, the V10 is unreal, you could tell they poured a lot of energy in every aspect of the car right down to the exhaust note.
The most over engineered car ever. The more you learn about the LFA the more in awww you become and understand why it's just a magnificent engineering masterpiece. It is literally art.
Want be surpriced If someone would told driven over 200 000 miles of it.
Literally?
I just had the opposite viewpoint. Hearing they went to all that trouble to produce 500 and sell them to rich d-bags made me super sad. What a wasted effort. I've yet to see one in the flesh and I'm a former car junky. Money poorly spent. Should have created a lightweight EV and taken the world by storm reinventing the car into something sustainable. 200mph V-10 is just viagra.
@@karlInSanDiego You got point there. But they begin development of LFA over 20 years ago. Almoust no one was thinking EVs back then.
@superkadabra LFA will still be a much more amazing masterpiece of engineering genius and art. 🤷♂️
Although the ‘LFA’ was technically a financial failure, the project was a financial success for the company as it’s used in their sedans
What
It was never intended to make money. This whole video is based on a lie.
@@negativeindustrial you’re just being negative
@@negativeindustrial They said in video it wasn't intended to make money. Did you even watch the video?
developing new tech/engineering for a halo car is potentially worth a loss if it means that tech can make your everyday cars better
I think it's important not to undestimate the marketing worth of a halo car like the LFA, giving both Lexus and Toyota a certain racing cred and likely boosting the sale of their other cars.
When the LFA came out, there was an open day type event at dunsfold and you could pay £110 (i think) to ride in one. It was £30 to go in a track car, or a bit more for a sports car. I remember thinking, why is it double the price when you could go in a ferrari for less? And now I understand.
understand dee's nuts
@@fitfirst4468 HA GOT EEM
I remember paying £10 to go in a jaguar xf 4.2 which was seen as shoddy compared to the other options there
throws money at monitorrrr
The Lexus LFA was way before its time. A 500hp naturally aspirated V10 with a screaming exhaust note. It definitely should have sold more than it did.
It’s kind of the proof of why normal car brands shouldn’t make exotic cars. It’s hard to convince someone to spend $400,000 when the badge is the same as a $40,000 car.
@@IdealMediaChannel I kinda get it though. With Lexus being the luxury brand, I can understand why they would want to make a foray into supercars. I do wonder if it would have sold better as the Toyota LFA instead.
@@IdealMediaChannel I wonder if it would have been different if they created a bespoke brand, like Kia did with "Genesis", just for the LFA.
Eh, the whole point of the LFA was to promote the Lexus F division, I think it wouldn't have made sense to debadge the car.
@@JeffOfTheMountains before its time? u mean 7y after porsche had it as a supersportscar and 5y after bmw had it in a sedan? LOL!
This car is timeless. Someone should put one in a time capsule, I'm definitely subscribed.
yeah it looks bad anytime lol
@@alpha-cf2oi no taste
@@emmanuelbarboza7347 no taste you say huh, its such an overrated car lmao
@@kaz8103 Fortnite player
@@kaz8103 a car nobody bought is overrated but Mk4 is the most sought after. What?
I know I always go to a guy with a few copied videos and an opinion. Few twisted google "facts", and you are a real expert in the subject with totally valid credentials.
The LFA is the Toyota Supra we've always wanted, I'm not disappointed with the GR Supra though
100% engineered and design by Toyota and yahama well Japan made
This is the only worthy lexus car to own
You mean the b58 Beamer
@@chevyss934 the is350's and 300's are good tho
What?
I can guarantee if I had the kind of money needed to buy an LFA, I would definitely have one parked in my garage! It has great styling, some pretty cool technology, and thee best sounding exhaust note EVER!
I can guarantee that if you had the kind of money needed to buy an LFA, you would definitely spend it all on hookers and blow instead. 😃
The little " 'd " in "I'd..." is a big flashing warning sign that a meaningless counterfactual is coming up.
Ditto. Used to be a Ferrari fanboy, but if I had F-U money, I'd get a LFA. LCs aren't bad, either.
i prefer Porsche or Mercedes, never buy japan cr ap after owning Lexus, NEVER
@@davidjones5059 I'm not much of a Mercedes fan, but I do love Porsche. Again, if I had the money, I would be crazy enough to buy every model year and example of the 911. Probably one of the best sports cars ever made.
each to their own, but the styling is not great on the lfa
"Mitsubishi? We want a super car not a really fast tv." -Nailed it
I died when he said that!!🤣🤣
Evo drivers prob got butt hurt by that statement!
😆
Mitsubishi 3000 Gt 😏 is not the fastest but it is the most Beutifoul 🤗
I used to have a mitsubishi tv when I was a kid. Very nice
That noise is just gorgeous.
It's true: Most people don't understand this car. And most of them, who do, couldn't affort a LFA:
There has never been a better Super Sports Car. And given modern environmental policies, there never will be one.
Utter BS. Have you heard about electric cars my friend. They will be better in EVERY way very soon. God Bless
@@jeromyzwiers1452 In which way? Sound of an engine? Enjoy shifting a perfect gearbox? This car is like a high quality mechanical watch. It's alive, it has a mechanical heart. An electric car is like a quartz watch. It's perfect. But nobody likes it.
@@avronaut yes
@@avronaut Yet people are buying even more electronic smartwatches like hot cakes. Evolution (read progress) is constant, and no amount of nostalgia can stop it.
…*looks at naked wrist,….looks at empty garage* Sure would be nice to have a fancy Lexus watch I could sit in.
I was a teenager at the time when i was walking through the NY Auto show and i saw it in person. Its a stunning car even a decade later. They had the 1LR on a stand next to it and it was something that changed the course of how i viewed high performance vehicles forever. I wish i had the means to own one.
You must still be like 17 or something as the car came out in 2012
@Harris N369 ? 🤔 that wouldn’t be possible.
@@harrisn3693 The concept was unvailed in 2007...
As of 2020, Lexus still had four unsold LFAs after selling three LFAs in 2019. However two were sold in March 2020 and another in September 2020, still an LFA remains unsold even though the car's production ended in 2012. It will be a sought after car in the future for this Japanese supercar.
I have just acquired this LFA. It will be sold to an enthusiast in The Balkan States.
Price? Never to be disclosed.
Those are special cars for showroom purposes.
Unsold not because nobody want it…many people willing to throw their money but….
@@LeeMooEez Well, we're willing to throw that money at it, it's just that we don't actually HAVE that money to throw! =)
It doesn't help that many owners of dealerships jacked up the prices way above the msrp to make it even more unattainable
You are better and betterrr everyday buddy , love to heard your voice and the videos
Was lucky enough to see one in the flesh at the nordschleife in ~2011. The sound was unique and I could hardly believe it was a combustion engine. Probably the rarest car I'll ever see.
About 7 years ago, I was having car trouble. I had a colleague pick me up to bring me to work - from my humble, white bread, solidly middle-class Houston Exurb.
As we were taking the corner off of my street onto the main drag - we got caught by the light.
In front of us was a Lexus - and the signature triple exhaust. Our moths agape, my colleague and I sat in stunned silence for nearly 3 minutes until we could both confirm that we had seen an LFA in person...
Such a wild experience, and completely mundane at the same time. Even pulling away from the light it sounded sublime...
When talking about the lack of "super cars" coming out of Japan I would garner a guess that it had a lot to do with the 276hp gentlemans agreement among the auto manufacturers.
Yeah he should've mentioned this for sure
up
Looking at the asian race scene we all know better. Race versions of all those cars are all supercars. That one agreement is sad. Imagine all the supercars made with the perfection driven minds. The R35, LFA and NSX are the only ones who made it. :(
Yup. Supra, Skyline, RX-7 etc. They were factory limited to modest power. But good god! How wild they can be when let off the leash!
@@craigquann Have RX 7 FC Turbo. In the speedo is a switch that unleashes the EGI after 30000 kms. Guess other manufacturers have / had a similar trick up their sleeves to go around that 280 hp barrier ... Mazda is known to state their hp - outputs very low. As I remember the 1. MX 5 has been stated with 115 hp, same power figures as a 1. gen Golf GTI running 184 kph max. MX 5 was doing 200 easy despite worse aerodynamics and 100 kg more ...
Without question the greatest sounding road car ever made.. There’s something about the way high revving V10’s sound that gives me goose bumps.
yeah, when hearing the LFA all other Supercars sound dull in comparison.
Pretty subjective, but I'll take the Ford GT for exhaust note. That said, the LFA is definitely something special.
Best sounding V10. Each other configuration has its best
Pagani Zonda
LFA wasn't a failure.
Toyota built an amazing car spared no expense , sadly though the cost of building it was $380K wholesale. Toyota couldn't sell any at a profit because for less you could get a Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche, etc , etc.
But what a car
I wish more companies would ignore maximum profit from time to time (at least when its going as smoothly as with Toyota) to prove that they are the best, or trying to be it. Sure the lfa didnt make money but now Toyota will forever be known to have built the best sounding car of all time with one of the most perfectionist and attention to detail car productions of all time
Should've used all the money and resources then to make a new Supra because they can both prove they're the best at it and make something that would sell.
Companies do (or did)
For example, the 1995 Ford GT90, Jaguar XJ220, and the Bugatti Veyron (which if I’m not mistaken loses money made on every vehicle). Also arguably the first Gen Dodge Viper (before it got successful/proven).
They partnered with Yamaha for their exhaust, for an added musical note that would echo through time.
The LFA is an engineering masterpiece, styling will always be subjective.
The Japanese brought exotic to the average guy and they have built enough models making them attainable either new or used.
The same can be said of American muscle cars has well.
The fact that the LFA costs so much basically put it out of reach of most of the real car car enthusiasts and had it competing with established super car brands with far more history and mystique.
I can appreciate what Toyota has created but some people just see a name like Ferrari or Aston Martin and they don’t really care about the nuts and bolts and what the vision was of it’s designers.
I for one hope it’s the last of it’s breed and they return too making cars like the Supra again.
I would put my life on the line that if you shot truth serum into every owner of every supercar or semi-supercar in the world they would give you a top 3 list of why they bought it. On that list would be to attract significant others.
Simply put, few car about nuts and bolts when the reasoning is majority sexual partners.
It would be a shame if you were right.
Top three for me,
My impression
The company and design that built it and their vision
How it performs on track and the open roads.
@Paul Truesdale Why do people buy Tesla's? It's a status symbol & drag racing idiocy that true racing enthusiasts don't really care "that much" about . Every Tesla Nurbergring record, excluding Plaid, gets beaten by various years of Honda Civic Type R. Which an Audi RS4 beats the Plaid on that track. All being a fraction of their EV counterpart.
To normies, saying you own the fastest Ford they sell doesn't have the same wow factor of saying you simply own a Lamborghini even if it were it's slowest from the brand. If I were in Toyota marketing, I'd suggest they create the Gojira (Godzilla) brand exclusively for their supercars & track only vehicles.
@@paultruesdale7680 "I for one hope it’s the last of it’s breed and they return too making cars like the Supra again."
SUPRA IS REALITY NOW AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE OF AND IS GETTING STUNNING REVIEWS!!!
If I remember correctly the LFA was never actually for sale when it first came out. They were only available on a leasing contract. Might have a bit of a reason why they sold so poorly.
That's a big reason as to why. I didn't wanna get mired down in all the reasons the LFA struggled, I just wanted to tell the tale of it getting made.
Correct. They wanted it to go to people who appreciated the brand. You had to have been a multi-Lexus owner to even be considered... at first.
@@craigsmith4518 I think it is just 150 limit production. They did out on sale alright. But it sold out the moment it open to order. Canada only allocate 1 or 2 units if I recalled correctly
That was to protect the values and ensure that potential owners wouldn't flip it. The reason it sold poorly is because it was deemed expensive when compared to its competitors, especially the Italians. Simple as
@@MonsieurGuy You oversimplified it too much.
It is a car enthusiasts love.
I was introduced to the LFA by Jeremy Clarkson. I loved his review. This is a more detailed history that I didn't know about. Thank you.
Toyota with the 2000 GT was clearly trying to mimic the styling of the Jaguar E-Type. It didn't "have lines that inspired sports cars for generations that followed it". The inspiring car you are referring to, was the car that inspired the 2000 GT, the E-Type.
Was thinking the same thing. Jag, Ferrari, and vettes already covered all these curves, lines, and aesthetics for 20 years at this point.
First thought was hmmm looks like e type. Then went to comments and was surprised top comment wasn’t ‘ who you trying to kid that’s clearly not the inspiration for that style’. Your comment was the first one to point out how this was clearly inspired by the e type
Well it can be inspired by a car and then tweaked, the curves aren’t replicas of the e type, they are improved. Therefore that was the inspiration
@@kadov3579 you can't call it improved when it's objectively not. There's been thousands of polls over the years and I've never seen it ranked above the e type in terms of beauty. If fact, most consensus have the e type as the most beautiful of all time. So again, nothing was improved.
@@iannealcole why be inspired by a car inspired by a better car¿ answer they wouldn’t they would take inspiration from the original.
I want to drive one. I don't want to own one- that would terrify me. I feel terrible when I dent my pos Subaru. But man, to sit in the hot seat of an LFA would just be awesome.
When I drove one around in a parking lot, that was about the most terrifying moment of my life for sure.
@@alunesh12345 I believe in Jesus. I hired him to clear my mom's driveway when it snows, really nice guy. I try to buy tamales from his wife when I can.
The LFA is truly a work of automotive art and precision engineering. I've had the honour of being a passenger in a LFA Nurburgring on a fast lap and by gosh they are thrilling and scarily fast.
I am working at a Toyota/Lexus Car Dealer who owns a LFA and it's honestly astonishing every time I walk by.
About 8 years ago I walked into a Lexus dealership in NC San Diego and my jaw dropped. They had 2 brand new LF-A’s for sale. I would have bought the black one in a heartbeat but I was $449,000 short of the asking price. Such an awesome piece of history!🔥
They’re still there in San Diego!! Only they’re not for sale anymore.
Want to know something crazy? In 2022 they would be worth FOUR TIMES AS MUCH!!!
Who knew buying a car would be a good investment within ten short years?!?
This comment was absolute GOLD😂
When i saw this car for the first time, both on the internet and in person, i stood there blank because of how much i fell in love with it. No other car for me evokes that kind of reaction.
Why and I'm seriously asking you this question because in my opinion the car does nothing for me other than the sound and I've driven one
@@200mphBrian it was a perfect combination of other cars I loved as a kid. I was a fan of the JGTC racing Supras when I played Gran Turismo 3 which was my first ever racing game, which ofc had that front engine rear drive layout. Then as I played Need For Speed and earlier Forza titles later, I found how amazing V10s and V12s sound from cars like the Gallardo and F50 which I took a great liking to as well. Also growing up in Japan made me fascinated with cars they make. Running performance figures that aren't as high or impressive as many European cars yet could still run toe to toe in competition. The LFA was a dream list come true for me. I won't defend it as the best car in the world because factually, that's just not true. But it's everything I could ask for in a dream car.
The second iteration of the Mazda RX-7 was spectacular. The Acura NSX was a solid supercar that laid waste to unreliable Ferraris. Both cars were reliable and durable at a fraction of the cost of those exotic cars.
And fraction of the cost of the LFA.
One of the best sounding car ever made ..as a matter of fact jeremy clarkson from top gear said it was the best car hes ever driven .. now that car is worth a million
Such a well made tribute and superbly narrated! I subscribed for the strategies but stayed for the stories. Great stuff :)
Much appreciated! Thanks for watching!
I'd take an LFA over any other super car. It's gonna be reliable, it's a monster and you don't see them in every young social media stars house.
Sorry but all new supercars nowadays have catched up in reliability nowadays, even ferrari, and it shows in sales, same laws of physics for all, and i cannot say the LFA is a monster, only 500 hp for 350k, you se why people go for a faster Huracan or Aventador
...and folks this is how I met this channel. Simply great content. Toyota knew they won't make any profit from the sales, as each car was sold in a loss but still Toyota sold them. LFA is a engineering masterpiece and as everything is going electric we won't see a legend like LFA anymore.
Absolutely! it’s sad to hear but true..
Good point...in that sense it really is a nice ode to the internal combustion engine.
No, but we will see new legends, ones that are inconceivable now. We'll miss combustion but electric can surely make outstanding vehicles too
I have a Lexus RX450h 2013. I hope it is the last car I ever buy. It does what I bought it for, TOYOTA quality. My RX will always be a TOYOTA to me and I respect their work , I only wish TOYOTA had put one finger up to the other car manufacturers and kept the TOYOTA name.
Now to the LFA, it is the greatest engineered sports car ever made in my opinion. It was a labour of love but once started TOYOTA put everything they could, or had too, to finish the task and didn't they do well.
That engine is sublime, just sublime even now. To hear that click as the paddle levers are moved working the mechanism to make the gearbox change gear is amazing. I pray that one day Iwill be able to visit an owner or visit Lexus in Japan and just look and touch one and really appretiate all their effort and their abilities that the designers, the engineers and the workmen/women put into making an absolute dream that will be in my thoughts until my last day.
Thank you TOYOTA, thank you Lexus.
Please Lexus - Put the original "L" badge back on the boot where it belongs, that L E X U S just is not worthy in respect of Lexus history.
Such a timeless piece of fine art. 🤤🤤🤤 The LFA is ageless!
The LFA is a gorgeous car with an amazing sound. It was built with passion, that's for sure. It was more a research project for Toyota than anything. I just wish Toyota would build their own engines for their sports cars, considering Lexus engines are reliable and amazingly smooth.
LFA power by Yamaha man not lexus like all new supra
@@reshan995 It's not it was a crossover project
I remember seeing one at the dealership. It was roped off so you could not touch it though. The asking price was $210,000.
@@reshan995 dude Yamaha built the head and did work to the exhaust they didn’t build the whole car ….
LFA. is damn near then perfect super car. They had to go with a digital speedo over an analog one because it’s revs were simply way too fast for a analog one. Incredible job on putting this together for your followers and hats off to your narration. Well done. You have a way with words.
Lmao it's literally not
@@kurtburns4600 What do you want to say, dogs**t?
Every time he said LF *dash* A, a part of my soul died.
same 💀
LF-A is the name of the concept car at 6:26
LFA is the final version of the car after years of revisions
@@GuyWhoLikesYogurt makes sense. Thank you kind stranger.
It was truly a masterpiece and I loved it! The way Yamaha tuned the sound, they sounded like music to the ears. And especially that performance and driving pleasure. We won’t find such ‘real’ supercars again.
They could've had more to do with the engine. Considering they're went to for many other manufactures valve design. Even the 2jz was co built with Yamaha in believe.
This was my dream car since my 3rd grade. The engine sound, design, everything matches so perfectly. It's just timeless
this era wasnt ready for LFA
The production cost dictated the selling price. The selling price and performance numbers did not align. Cars that were a third of the price performed better (GTR as an example). The irony is that this car will be the next Toyota 2000GT. A very low production number car that is worth millions in the next 30-50 years.
Exactly. Thus my emphasis on the 2000GT in the beginning. It’s funny how mirrored this is to that tale. Toyota 2000GT and 240z Fairlady, one expensive and rare and iconic, and one cheap and mass adopted. Same can be said for the LFA and R35 GT-R
The LFA was never meant to be a "raw numbers" car, it was designed to be a supremely driver oriented vehicle with the right balance of refinement, power, feel...etc.
It doesn't matter that a GTR outperformed it for the price; have you ever sat in a GTR? listened to the exhaust note? They are leagues apart in terms of refinement.
in 30-50 years time no one will have the gas to run this ugly car. It will be all electric then, so no one will want it even then
@@dantheman3022 you can say what you want about ICE cars, but this thing is far from ugly.
Something tells me that you are probably a Tesla fan right?
They make the ugliest cars on the market bar some weird Chinese manufacturers.
@@dantheman3022 lmao, dude says LFA is ugly, what you drive, a cybertruck?
I wouldn't call the Lexus LFA a failure for a number of reasons. Title is very misleading.
Reason #1 - Rarity means exclusivity. The Nurburgring Editions will appreciate even more, and generate better ROI over time.
Reason #2 - The LFA V10 engine is legendary to the supercar community. You will never hear or find this engine produced in any other vehicle, ever.
Reason #3 - Toyota build quality. Besides the outsourced V10 engine, This car will survive many generations with very little upkeep & maintenance.
It couldn't be described at anything other than a failure. Remember, cars are nothing else but consumer products. And the only thing a consumer product needs to do is sell well. If it doesn't sell well, it's a failure. The LFA was therefore a total marketplace failure. It's a good car, sure, but still a failed product
The video has a lot of downplaying and omissions, even from other Japanese manufacturers in the intro.
Lexus never meant for it to be a sales success, but an engineering study and halo car whose advances would slowly trickle down to the consumer cars of the company...and it achieved all that.
@@istvanlorinczi2817 Toyota could afford such an engineering exercise to prove to themselves and to the world that they could be at the very pinnicle of automotive exellence. Your totally blinkered commercial mind has endeavoured to cancel that notion out. Toyota are still globally successful so who cares if the LF-A was not a commercial success.. They proved their point to everyone in the car business.
@@briantitchener4829 once again. It's a good car, but a total marketplace failure. And it doesn't get a pass just because it's a halo car for Toyota. Audi did the R8 at about the same time, and that car was a total success. Audi was at the same point Toyota was, they didn't really have anything that would make potential buyers get their car over other stuff, so they both had to make a move. Audi was successful with their halo car, and Toyota wasn't.
Again, the LFA is a good car, it's Toyota (and Yamaha) engineering pushed to the limit, but the car still failed as a product
@@istvanlorinczi2817 Before they started taking orders for the car they said there would be 500 of LFAs produced. So they DIDN'T want to make more not they COULDN'T sell more. How is that a failure?
I heard one of these a few weeks ago in Covington, KY getting on 75n. It sounded incredible. I knew they were special. I had no idea how rare they are...
Buenísimo!!!!
Great video! -- Every word conveyed excitement and admiration. Good job!
I respected the LFA before I watched this video. After the video I respect the car and Lexus as a brand for putting the time and love into the LFA and all other sports cars before this one.
What a beautiful and respectful portrait of the supercar and its creator I had forgotten all about,
I did check the prices on one now, at it appears that the LAF is all but forgotten!!!!
Thank you Sir.
Great video! The engine sound is beautiful…they just made a V10 with size of V8 and weight of a V6
Given the price they go for now i wouldn't say it's a failure, just took a minute for people to catch on
The R-35 was faster and cheaper than all those other cars when it was released in 2009. In 2022 it can still hold up surprisingly well.
R-35 doesn’t even come close to the luxury performance and sound the LFA provides. GTR’s has always been a part of the aftermarket society.
@@AsadKhan-kk8ms I disagree.
i've driven a GTR R35 and i own a Supra MK3 (modded with a 2JZ swap, around 600whp) and i could tell you that the R35 is a fast car BUT i still prefer my old MK3 and its set up near the edge of my driving skills (with more power than i'll ever need) the GTR on the other hand its a fast car and i can drive much faster in it but for some odd reason you feel removed from the car... the LFA is also a fast car BUT with only with the correct driver, in the LFA you feel EVERYTHING (i haven't driven a LFA but i did get a ride and its good)... for price for performance the GTR is better than most super cars (then again you can buy any used car and mod it to the same performance) where as the LFA is about how it makes you feel while you drive it
Lol, man I absolutely love the GTR, but it's no supercar as much as the marketing would have you believe otherwise. The LFA is engineering perfection, price tag fully justified
@@dunhillsupramk3 so freakin jealous man ;-)
Every time I see an LFA, I am stunned at the amount of detail they put in it...more so than any Ferrari or Lambo I've seen.
yea the time they took to create this masterpiece says it all. They even lost a life making it.
Saw an LFA like a week ago, at a stop light. My friend didn't understand why I was so excited. 🙃
I remember watching that Top Gear episode and being so impressed with it during, and then laughing my ass off when they announced the price. In that price bracket your car needs to be as exciting to look at and own as it is to drive. As you say, most people who can afford cars at that cost don't "get it".
in 2012 i bought a Black LFA, I still have it in my car collection, whilst it probably isn’t number one in any particular area in my opinion as an all round package it is probably the best super car ever built. I do 2-3 thousand miles per year in mine and i wouldn’t sell it for any price it’s just got something i never found in any other car.
...it has a soul. It comes to life only for the driver. It's soul sleeps for you. Love and protect it forever.
@ the bub I wanna see your car collection 😀
Matchbox or hotwheels?
@@ajctrading lol you wish, i have 11 cars, jealousy is a sad sin.
The best car ever! How is the transmission, in your experience?
One of the LFA drawbacks, according to Jeremy Clarkson, was the fuel tank’s lack of size
And the lack of cup holders
Inspired by the bladder size of your typical Lexus buyer.
@@batterybuilding *Prostate
I honestly loved this car ever since I saw it in need for speed most wanted (2012), I was so confused why no one was talking about it, happy to finally see that happen
Me too. Most beautiful car ever made. When I saw it into NFS MW 2012, I said "is this car real?"
Literally same.
I wish I had bought one at $375K in 2012, price has nearly tripled since. The LFA Nurburgring was $435K in 2012 is $1.6M if anyone can find one for sale. LFA is getting rarer and only appreciates in value as time goes by. LFA is truly Masterpiece of Art indeed.
Squid. This is by far your best video to date! The content is fantastic and about as perfect as the LFA. Bravo!!
Thanks Tollef! I tried to tell a story with a little heart for this one.
Those LFA videos have been coming out since last year very seriously 😍😎
Looking back, the car's design became timeless.
The lc 500 it’s amazing
It is screaming comfort and reliability like Toyotas are. Not cramped up sports cars that don't even have a door handle and what if they make a mile or two per hour fast.
Most unique engine sound ever! Thank you for this video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I also love the IS-F. Very underrated. We had one from 2008-2011. Put a Borla exhaust on it and an ECU. Thing was a little 5.0 v8 beast with lots of potential. They should’ve continued making it to compete with the M3, S4, C63 etc… 😪💙
In one word for me, the LFA is a RIOT. A damn riot. The engine, the specs, its idle to redline revs. Its a damn riot. And the body lines? Sleek elegant and brute at the same time. It is a going to be a classic. That exhaust note? A damn riot. An intoxicatingly satisfying addicting sound. I mean hell, its a goddamn riot.
The specs are basic asf u can get the same power out of a damn c63 amg lol 😂
@@facemobbnation I'd be afraid the Benz might break.
@@facemobbnation Just power? Ok.
It's scary how similar this is to Ken Miles and Shelby even the death while at the track while testing the car he helped create.
I've wanted one of these since seeing it for the first time on Top Gear so many years ago.
People who have money don't necessarily have taste. This has happened many times in automotive history, like with the Volkswagen Phaeton. Most wealthy people buy cars for status symbols, not because they know the in-depth inner workings of how it was built and what makes it exceptional from an engineer's perspective. They also tend to buy cars that are the latest fad, like SUVs. I consider them oversized grotesque boxes on wheels, but the rich salivate over G-wagons and Range rovers. I'm the kind of guy that appreciates an LFA, Ferrari F-40 or a 2001 BMW M5 or perhaps the once affordable 2004 SVT Cobra and I always will but I'm broke AF!
If you ever discover any aspect of life that's fair - let me know. : /
Over the years, Yamaha Motor has co-developed and produced under commission numerous automobile engines for Toyota Motor Corp. Of those, one of the most high-end projects was the 1LR-GUE 4.8L V10 engine for the LFA, the flagship supercar of Toyota's Lexus luxury brand.
Nobody bought it at it's release time was all a blessing to make it even more special years after. Not a single person who could buy it and didn't at that time can't stop regretting later. They couldn't understand what a gem they missing and today it's almost 3x the price but you can't find one on sale. The best car ever
Agree
Had the pleasure of driving my friends LFA and yes it was incredible, and ranks at the top of my favorite cars I’ve been blessed to drive. So much better than the Ferrari 458, fit and finish was spectacular.. But the price tag is what killed it, not many could stomach $500k for a Lexus.
sad, but this is how the market works. If you can afford something ridiculously expensive, you want it to be something that screams exclusive. Lexus doesn't do that. They make really good cars, but those are mostly sedans, known for luxury and reliability, not speed. I'm willing to risk that even with the Toyota badge it would've sold better (as a Supra successor or something)
but as time goes on, these cars are climbing up in value, 500k now is a steal for this car.
the problem is the "for a lexus" They are only the superior vehicle as far as quality is concerned..... funny to me these squids think "luxury" is when your car is always broken and in a shop for too much money to repair.... Sooooo luxurious.... Mercs are fuckin cardboard shit boxes for the last 20 years and fools still simping ='D
Not a single one is available at that price tag. Its value has gone up and will continue to do so
@@Inferiis stop making yourself looking so dumb. Go search the LFA and the amount of engineering that went into making the LFA, you would realized your comment was really dumb. Not to mention you are lucky if you can find one for sale at 500k
Literally one of my favorite cars of all time, I would love to own one, possibly my dream car honestly, also video was incredible, definitely liked it and totally going to subscribe man loved your storytelling and will definitely check out some of your other videos, you have a great talent man keep it up ❤️🙏
This car has the best exhaust sound,ever.
Yamaha, its music division isn't just for making pianos.
Beautiful ! 100% of marks for this documentary !
Many buyers would have queued up or put their name on a list if the badge was the prancing horse, the raging bull, or whatever.
..........but, a TOYOTA ?........Nah !!!!!!
The Japanese have taught the world how to build the automobile, like it or not. A reliable and affordable machine.
The LF-A was a slap in the face to hardcore supercar makers, that the Corolla maker can do it also !
Sometimes extra effort or money must be spent to set things right. Toyota spent both on the LF-A. It may not have been their intent to make money out of its production.
They are smart. You can find a profit-making Corolla worldwide........by the millions !!
Thanks for this video.
Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies.
this year,
I purchased a used,
2014 GS350 F-Sport...
A car that undoubtedly carries on
some styling and essence of the LFA.
My favorite mode to drive in is Sport +
because of the beautiful sounds it makes.
I agree. I have a 2021 IS350 F-Sport and every time the gauge cluster moves and the engine revs high I can't help but think of the LFA's DNA in it. Just a little bit, but something nonetheless.
@@TheTravelingTexan so I'm not the only one.
reminds me of the unique exhaust note / engine sound... by yamaha.
engineering succes, toyota knew it wasnt going to make money but it was more about pushing engineering and performance. this car started testing on the track in 2004
I'm not sure a bunch of desk-bound execs with their heads up one another's butt ever know what anything automotive is about.
You may be the most eloquent announcer on automotive websites. Truly outstanding production and storytelling !
Wow, thanks!
3:08 Japanese manufactures had a "gentleman's agreement" in the 90's to keep the maximum horsepower at 276bhp. A few cars were over the official specifications but not by too much. This lead to an explosion in the aftermarket tuning industry. The amount of cars in Japan that would destroy a McLaren F1 in any race was staggering. And for cheap compared to the top European supercars. 700HP+ R32 GTR's were becoming common and it just took off from there. The Toyota Supra 2JZ and Nissan's RB26 became legendary engines for tuning.
Japanese car manufactures could've made super cars to rival the best from Europe. They have the money, tech and the knowledge to. I'm not certain why they didn't but I know it's not because they couldn't.
I don't think they had cars that would destroy an f1 Maclaren remember it's not just about power there is aero brakes gear tuning and power to weight ratios that make a car fast around a track...
bruh take off the weeb glasses for a sec
ain't no tuned up r32 or supra gonna beat an F1 on anything except the drag strip
Lmao a tuned R32 beating a McLaren F1 in a race. Ok bud.
I think all the replies above are confusing McLaren F1 with an F1 car. McLaren F1 was a road car, probably the most attractive till date and the fastest before Veyron came. It’s a modern classic.
A tuned Supra could’ve easily beaten an F1. The McLaren car. Obviously not the FIA Formula One car :)
@@schaz7563 Nope. Like I said, not on anything but a drag strip.
NSX in the 90s was considered a super car my friend. I know because I actually lived through the 90s.
Its not a failure. LFA's now sell for more than double the retail price. They accomplished their goals. All 500 are sold!
Not much of a goal. Break even on a one-off and call it quits.
"Maybe the LFA was so good, even its own engineers don't know how to make another one"-Jeremy Clarkson