From the Land of the Rising Sun and its neighbor with people named Sun comes the all-Asian World Cup Face-Off. Defending the sensibly priced and powered Hyundai Genesis Coupe we have former Vice-Admiral of Testing, Inside Line Associate Editor Mike "Kim Jong" Magrath. Behind the wheel of the wildly overpowered and overpriced Lexus LF-A is Associate Editor Mark "Kujira Sushi" Takahashi.
Opening Statements
Takahashi for the Lexus LF-A and the Glory of Japan
A supercar is a wonderful beast wherein too much is almost enough. In this spirit, I present to you the Lexus LF-A. Under the hood, it's got ten cylinders punching out 552 horsepower to propel 3,263 pounds of exotic metals and carbon fiber. That's four more cylinders, 246 more horses, and 31 pounds less than your "cute" little Hyundai. To keep its exclusivity intact, there will only be 500 produced.
Honestly Mike, I don't see how you're going to type your way out of this one. I've got power, performance and prestige on my side. I mean, the LF-A can shatter glass with its dual octave exhaust. That's cool. You'd have to drive over it in your Hyundai to do the same. So not cool. Sure, yours costs one-tenth as much as my Lexus, but what would I have done with that extra $340,000 anyways --something sensible? Booooring. Speaking of boring, it's your turn.
Magrath for the Hyundai Genesis (but really, anything would walk your Grandmother's Lexus)
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. Really, Mark, a vuvuzela orchestra would be a more compelling investment than an LF-A. Neat, it can break glass. So can most cars. And bricks. And well-thrown vuvzelas.
Lexus building a supercar is like Metamucil making an energy drink. It's just not right. I'm not even going to talk about the Genesis Coupe (or the new 3.8 R-Spec), and how it handles well, looks cool, does burnouts, and is essentially the Mustang for a new generation, because you've picked such a pathetic car. The best thing about the LF-A was that video of the carbon fiber weaver. The one they took down because it was too exciting for their customer base.
Oh, and in the grand tradition of actually owning a car, you can buy yourself a Hyundai Genesis, you don't have to rent it from Toyota for a year first.
This comparison isn't akin to South Korea Vs Japan, this is North Korea Vs Portugal and you're North Korea.
Also: BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
Rebuttals
Takahashi:
Put down that stupid horn or I'll make sure it becomes a permanent part of your anatomy. At best, your Genesis Coupe is average, while my LF-A inspires superlatives. You wanna make jokes about Lexus? If memory serves me correctly, Hyundai makes something called an Accent -- a car that makes walking a more attractive alternative.
You say the Jenny Coupe handles well, looks cool and does burnouts. I think the LF-A might be just a smidge better in all of those arenas. And by a smidge, I mean a mile.
Magrath:
BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ! BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ BZzzZZZzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZZ BZZZ ::glass shatter:: Genesis!
So which car/country get your vote?
By old_volvo
on July 19, 2010
07:24 AM
Damn, this is a tough one, I love the LFA, it's an awesome car. But I dated a Korean girl a while back and she was absolutely insane...in a good way. Not in a bring home to mom sort of way, in a oh-my-god-I-can't-believe-that-just-happened sort of way.
On one hand the LFA is beautiful, it's fast, it luxurious, and its exclusive, sort of like Ashley Dupre.
The Genesis is inexpensive and the drive impression is sort of a foregone conclusion, like a date with Nicole Oring.
The elitist in me likes the LFA, but my other brain steers me toward the Genesis. Since I have been thinking with my lesser brain for much of my adult life, I gotta go with the Genesis. Plus I already voted for the 458.
Verdict, Genesis by a few inches.
By dougtheeng
on July 19, 2010
07:38 AM
I vote Genesis. The LFA would get me vote if it cost half the price, but as is I just don't see why anyone would buy it. It doesn't even look that great - its ok, but for the price it needs to be more then just ok.
Japan should have put forth the GT-R.
By sabastian
on July 19, 2010
08:35 AM
This is a tough one. On one hand, I would rather have a Lexus LFA than a Genesis coupe, but on the other hand, affordable performance is more impressive than expensive performance. Hmm...I say Genesis coupe because Hyundai should be commended for creating an enthusiast-oriented car in an age where most auto makers are building appliances.
By ahightower
on July 19, 2010
09:01 AM
I'll go for the Lexus. I appreciate the Genesis' value proposition, but still like the 5.0 Mustang and 370Z more.
By greenpony
on July 19, 2010
11:08 AM
Sorry, but "BZZZZ" is hardly a compelling argument.
The LFA wins. No contest.
By ne1butu2
on July 19, 2010
02:23 PM
Not really a competition, the LFA wins hand's down... on paper. But the Genesis does a better job at what it's intended to do.
With regards to the price, the LFA is a laughingstock. It's not attractive enough, good enough or branded enough to play in the supercar league. Actually, it fails miserably. It's like Buick coming out with a half-assed McLaren competitor after offering Roadmasters for years. It makes no sense at all! Good thing Lexus has only built a handful. That way they can say they're "sold out."
While it might not be a winner in the ponycar league, the Genesis at least deserves respect as a viable contender. It looks okay, performs okay and is priced perfectly.
By brn
on July 19, 2010
03:29 PM
The LFA is overengineer, overpriced, and generally a huge disappointment.
The LFA still wins. The Genesis Coupe shouldn't even be in this competition.
By boxermike
on July 19, 2010
03:45 PM
Gennesis!
By firstwagon
on July 19, 2010
05:09 PM
Genesis wins.
I'd be embarrassed to drive the LFA. Anyone who actually knew what it was and what it cost would think I was a complete idiot and had more dollars the sense.
By proudgcowner
on July 19, 2010
06:08 PM
Genesis! Genesis! My vote goes to the Genesis Coupe.
I really like the LFA but I have my Genesis Coupe for over a year and I extremely LOVE it. LFA is a dream and Genesis Coupe is more realistic.
BTW Takahashi, plz don't make fun of Hyundai Accent. Accent is nothing compare to the LFA but it's the little budget car that does the little job of bringing people from place to place. Plus the 2011 Accent will be nicely equipped and look refresh. I really don't like those people who look down on people who are less fortunate.
By blackadder5639
on July 19, 2010
07:11 PM
Lexus LFA!
By holzmank
on July 19, 2010
08:40 PM
The Genesis is a smart, well priced, competitive sports coupe. Which comes with a slick 6 speed manual gearbox with three proper pedals. Depending on the price of the new 3.8 R, this is on my short list for my next car.
The LFA is a tremendously overpriced two-pedal semi-automatic attempt at a supercar, which is slightly faster than its main competitors while being less rewarding to drive and exponentially expensive. I'd take a base Boxster before I'd even look at an LFA.
By fuhteng
on July 21, 2010
09:36 AM
I vote for the Genesis! The Lexus is too silly to be counted.
By guy1974
on July 22, 2010
01:03 PM
Genesis