Edmunds CarPool

Looks like a Celica on steroids. When I compare the gestation of the Nissan GT-R to the LFA they seem worlds apart. The GT-R was cool, the LFA...not so much. Maybe it's better that Acura didn't pursue the 2nd gen NSX any further. Remember when the 240Z went "uptown" as the 280ZX? Seems like the Japanese supercar is going uptown again.

3.7s? 7'30"?

carbon fiber? V10? What good is boasting technology when the sum of the parts suck?
Use the most expensive materials and make crud.
Outpaced and outstyled.

Lexus should have sold it as the convertible concept with its decent styling, instead of going all ugly aero to get the 200+ top speed.

If I had supercar money, I would want to buy the car made by the car company of my youth (which happens to be Toyota). And yes, I would want it to look like a Celica on steroids. I think it's awesome! The panel cut lines look like they belong on a mecha.

There are at least 500 people out there like me, except they've struck it rich. They'll buy this car, but the point isn't to give them a car, it's to wake up a little enthusiasm for people who enthusiasts who used to appreciate Toyota. They have one coming up high, and in a year or two another one coming down low. If that one sells, maybe a Supra or MR2 in the middle as well.

Disagree carlismo. Billt has it right:

"carbon fiber? V10? What good is boasting technology when the sum of the parts suck?
Use the most expensive materials and make crud.
Outpaced and outstyled."

Exactly! And have we heard this story before? Yes, and it's spelled S-L-R. Mercedes-Benz spent a crap load of money developing a highly advaced chassis made of carbon fiber.

Then they put an 8 cylinder engine and five-speed(torque converter) automatic in it (basically the SL55 drivetrain, and not even the 12 from the 600s), plus a bunch of luxury features to offset the carbon fiber weight savings. They ended up with a $400,000 boat anchor that dealers couldn't move.

But at least the SLR looked good.

The LFA is more expensive (at least in Europe), slower, uglier and has a SINGLE-CLUTCH automated manual, meaning it will have the same annoying head-toss that every one of thsoe transmissions delivers (ala Smart car, Audi R8, etc.).

Once again -- EPIC FAIL!

I expect the first 50-100 to sell fast, the next 200 to sell not-so-fast, and the remaining run to be an albatross around dealer necks. Or they just won't build all 500 for lack of demand.

But we'll see...