October 27, 2009
I feel bad for Lexus. And it's not often I feel bad for a vehicle manufacturer, especially one swimming in cash (and trust me, even with its recent financial woes Toyota is still swimming in billions of dollars).
But the introduction of the Lexus LFA has me seriously concerned. Not about the company's long-term outlook -- Toyota has too much money and too many strong products to be in any serious trouble. But I fear the next couple years could be very painful for Toyota's top-line dealers, and I don't see the LFA helping their cause.
First, every premium brand is facing an uphill battle to maintain sales in this emerging "rather-save-my-money-than-impress-the-neighbors" era. It's called value, and people are (thankfully, IMHO) finally considering it when making a vehicle purchase. Don't believe me? Check out our data showing how premium SUV sales have TANKED in the last couple years.
Second, while the Lexus LFA offers impressive technical and performance specs these can't overcome the inherent weaknesses in its supercar pedigree. A single-clutch automated transmission in a 2011 model that costs $400,000? That questionable technology is already a decade old. And even a 3.7-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 202 mph, as amazing as those numbers sound, really aren't class leading in today's supercar field.
Which begs the question: What makes a supercar truly super?
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- Karl Brauer October 27, 2009, 6:00 AM
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- Ford GT, Lexus, Talk Back Tuesday
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- Lexus LFA
August 18, 2009
I just got back from The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Monterey Historic Races.
Like any automotive enthusiast I enjoyed the events immensly, but I picked up a new nugget of wisdom regarding petrol-themed activities:
If an automotive event has more parking attendants than judges (or track workers), it may be getting too big for its own good.
I say this after spending the last 3 days crawling between Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and The Lodge at Pebble Beach.
In my opinion the time and effort required to enter and park at Laguna Seca is acceptable, though I'm betting it still breaks my "Parking Attendant" rule. I was able to get from the main gate to my parking spot in 40 minutes, which is right before my patience meter goes into Red Alert mode. And considering the genuine feel of the classic racing action (once you're parked and taking it in) I feel the Monterey Historic event hasn't lost its soul. It remains worth the time and effort it takes to attend.
But Pebble Beach...
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- Karl Brauer August 18, 2009, 6:00 AM
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October 17, 2008
It's not everyday I can drive a Ford GT through the more picturesque parts of California with a like-minded enthusiast. Okay, technically I can drive the car wherever I want whenever I want to, but in reality my schedule leaves precious little time for galavanting around The Golden State's backroads.
However, earlier this week I managed to escape the daily routine and meet up with friend and co-worker, Brent Romans, for a romp through California's central valley. Our mounts of choice? One 2005 Ford GT and one 2008 Chevrolet Corvette (with six-speed manual transmission and Z51 suspension package).
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- Karl Brauer October 17, 2008, 2:00 PM
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- Chevrolet, Driving, Ford, Ford GT, Road Trips
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August 27, 2008
Since the Ford GT is officially out of the long-term program
, that leaves only one place to report its antics -- right 'chere.
After sitting for a couple weeks I went out to drive the GT into work the other day and noticed it didn't roll particularly well while backing out of the garage. In fact, it felt like the parking brake was still engaged -- but it wasn't.
So I got it out of the garage, walked around to the other side and saw a completely flat rear passenger tire. Several thoughts went through my head, including "Just pull it back into the garage and deal with it later." But because both Edmunds' offices and Stokes Tire Pros are in Santa Monica it made sense to use the GT for work transportation. Except for the tire being completely flat my plan was flawless.
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- Karl Brauer August 27, 2008, 6:00 AM
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