Lexus LFA will be available with leasing option only

Posted: Nov 23, 2009
Filed under: Industry News, Lexus, Toyota

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Yes, at $375,000 the 2011 Lexus LFA is one expensive supercar; however, when the model goes on sale in January 2011, Lexus will only offer two-year leases, according to Brian Smith, vice president of sales and dealer development for Lexus division. That means Lexus will hang on to the vehicle’s title while you drive it around for two-years.

“If someone buys it the first month and then decides to sell it, that could be damaging for the ownership experience,” Smith told Automotive News. “If it is not controlled and hits the speculation market, all bets are off.”

Lexus has plans to build only 500 units of the LFA over a two-year period beginning in Dec. 2010. No vehicle will be built until it is ordered. Smith said Lexus wants each customer to pay about the same price for the LFA.

“We want people out driving the car and not just parking it in a museum or selling it at an inflated price,” he said.

The 2011 Lexus LFA will make its U.S. debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show next week.

Click here for more news on the Lexus LFA.

Refresher: Power for the Lexus LFA comes from a 4.8L V10 engine that makes 552-hp with a maximum torque of 354 lb-ft. Mated to a 6-speed Automated Sequential Gearbox, the LFA goes from 0-60 mph with a time of just 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph.

2011 Lexus LFA:

2011 Lexus LFA 2011 Lexus LFA 2011 Lexus LFA 2011 Lexus LFA

- By: Omar Rana

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  • zermatt

    If I am not mistaken, Ferrari tried this a ways back with the F50. They thought it to be just so undignified for speculators to be making money off of the sale of such a limited edition car.

    The lease ploy ultimately makes the car more expensive than it really is. The people that can afford to buy this car would normally pay cash, but the lease will introduce the concept of interest to be paid on the car. In Chicago, you pay sales tax on the sale price of the car (10%) and sales tax again on the residual value at the time that you buy the car at the end of the lease. Between additional taxes and interest, the car is much more expensive than it may be worth – even at high demand pricing.

  • mangysaurus

    Just let the market work. How would it be detrimental to the ownership experience? Even at a higher price point, someone will still own the car. Toyota can't dictate how an automobile is “experienced” (in that case let's toss in a “fun experience” on some bland models in the Toyota portfolio).

    With only 500 units being built does Toyota seriously think the majority of them will use this as a daily driver, let alone as a weekend toy? A bit illogical and as Zermatt mentioned, a ploy for Toyota to make money before others do.

  • teknoboy66

    I suppose this also means you can't modify them in any way.
    I guess you could if you really wanted to, but it would be hard to run under the radar having a boosted LFA and I suppose the Lexus people would be quick to swoop in and take your car away from you.

  • zermatt

    If I am not mistaken, Ferrari tried this a ways back with the F50. They thought it to be just so undignified for speculators to be making money off of the sale of such a limited edition car.

    The lease ploy ultimately makes the car more expensive than it really is. The people that can afford to buy this car would normally pay cash, but the lease will introduce the concept of interest to be paid on the car. In Chicago, you pay sales tax on the sale price of the car (10%) and sales tax again on the residual value at the time that you buy the car at the end of the lease. Between additional taxes and interest, the car is much more expensive than it may be worth – even at high demand pricing.

  • mangysaurus

    Just let the market work. How would it be detrimental to the ownership experience? Even at a higher price point, someone will still own the car. Toyota can't dictate how an automobile is “experienced” (in that case let's toss in a “fun experience” on some bland models in the Toyota portfolio).

    With only 500 units being built, does Toyota seriously think the majority of them will use this as a daily driver, let alone as a weekend toy? A bit illogical and as Zermatt mentioned, a ploy for Toyota to make money before others do.

  • teknoboy66

    I suppose this also means you can't modify them in any way.
    I guess you could if you really wanted to, but it would be hard to run under the radar having a boosted LFA and I suppose the Lexus people would be quick to swoop in and take your car away from you.

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