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Normally, I'd agree with you. But, Lexus is not exactly known for making a decent sports cars. All those other cars that he compared the LF-A with, they're all purebreds. You just can't gain decades of experience overnight. Do you seriously thing this $250k street-version LF-A will pose any significant competition to the Enzo or the Murcielago? Puhlease.
thousands of mods are available for the m3...not so with the IS-F. For just a little bit of money you can make an m3 that will destroy the IS-F in every test
Well hell, with a few mods the M3 can destroy plenty of sports cars that cost a lot more. That wasn't the point though, the point is Lexus' first entry to the sports car segment is a success and it has turned a few heads. Lexus brought what most did not expect from them. Like I said, if you match-up the price of the M3 and ISF feature for feature, M3 will probably cost $10k more so to those who are looking for more comfort, luxury and speed for the money, Lexus is a good choice and probably the best choice right now. I believe it is still the cheapest choice and the one that could be discounted the most.
Don't get me wrong, if I had a choice between these cars (C63, ISF, M3, RS4, etc...) and money is no object, it'll be the M3 concertible in black with coral red leather interior (I believe it is fox red for the M3) but that base M3 price comes with practically nothing. However, like I said before, the standard features on the ISF is loaded and match it up with the M3, even if you keep the M3 a manual and it'll cost a lot more than the ISF easy.
Thats the thing, ISFs options are small becase most are already part of the standard features like the keyless entry/push button start, heated and colling perforated seats, 19" wheels, moonroof, etc... That is what I meant by comparing it side by side, feature for feature. if you add all the standard features on the ISF and add it to the M3 as an option to buy, the M3 cost more so you do get more with the ISF. And yes, i get the argument of "sports car enthusiast doesn't need bigger wheels or better sounds" but come on now, not everyone who buys an M3 will burn rubber every red light they hit. To some, maybe even to most, it is about the power it provides, the comfort and luxury. Sure both cars offers these stuff but the ISF does offer more for the money and that is Lexus' advantage and that is all I am trying to say. I admit that the M3 is a much better sport car (it hasn't been dethroned in it's segment in what, 2 decades?) and probably beat the ISF 9 out of 10 times and I would even pick it out of the lot but that wasn't the point of my post though. There is a room for the ISF in it's segment and for their first entry to the field, they did a pretty good job. I think we can both agree on that and that adds to the point that the LFA might just surprise some people here, even for the price.
But the best part of the IS-F are the cool stacked exhausts... that aren't even connected. I guess there's no option for that:
Well, the M3 costs the same optioned out if you don't get DSG, which I'm guessing more people than not would do, and would actually swing some people towards the BMW over the Lexus' forced auto transmission, which is why I see the Lexus competing more with the older AMGs. Also, the limited choices for leather options and paint colors might sway people over to MB or BMW. I'm all for competition, and they did a decent job for their first time in the segment. The thing with the LF-A, which likely makes it a more serious competitor, is that it is not based on an existing model and is going to be their purpose built supercar. Unlike the IS-F which, as you pointed out, is laden with options due to it being a suped up IS built to compete with M, AMG, S/RS models. But the best part of the IS-F are the cool stacked exhausts... that aren't even connected. I guess there's no option for that:
But the best part of the IS-F are the cool stacked exhausts... that aren't even connected. I guess there's no option for that:
Well hell, with a few mods the M3 can destroy plenty of sports cars that cost a lot more. That wasn't the point though, the point is Lexus' first entry to the sports car segment is a success and it has turned a few heads. Lexus brought what most did not expect from them. Like I said, if you match-up the price of the M3 and ISF feature for feature, M3 will probably cost $10k more so to those who are looking for more comfort, luxury and speed for the money, Lexus is a good choice and probably the best choice right now. I believe it is still the cheapest choice and the one that could be discounted the most.
Well, the M3 costs the same optioned out if you don't get DSG, which I'm guessing more people than not would do, and would actually swing some people towards the BMW over the Lexus' forced auto transmission, which is why I see the Lexus competing more with the older AMGs. Also, the limited choices for leather options and paint colors might sway people over to MB or BMW. I'm all for competition, and they did a decent job for their first time in the segment. The thing with the LF-A, which likely makes it a more serious competitor, is that it is not based on an existing model and is going to be their purpose built supercar. Unlike the IS-F which, as you pointed out, is laden with options due to it being a suped up IS built to compete with M, AMG, S/RS models. But the best part of the IS-F are the cool stacked exhausts... that aren't even connected. I guess there's no option for that:
Geez, I guess some people are just there to bash a certain brand. I mean you talk like the M, AMG and S/RS series aren't suped up versions of their lesser car; ie: A-Series, C-Class and 3-Series. I think if they want to test the waters for interest in a Lexus sports car, suping up an IS is the best idea instead of throwing a new coupe out there with a V8 engine, those could all come later.
And again, your argument of "people will most likely prefer this option over the other" isn't the whole point. I have said money-wise, ISF is the bargain car out there. It is easy to say "if a car enthusiast really want a sports car, spend $20k more and get a GTR and forget all the heated seats, M badge and all these luxury items." It's understandable though, kind of like every time a new sports car comes out, it is compared to the GTR and it's price. "Why buy an R8 when a GTR will kick it's ass for half the price?" Like the GTR, M3 has become like Michale Jordan, every one is compared to him and has become the best out there so every one has to top them to get any recognition. I mean really, Audi and MB has been trying for decades and still barely scratched the surface so the ISF getting as close as they did is good.
I agree, the faux quad exhaust is somewhat stupid but it really isn't that bad. It is actually more customizable friendly with new kits as you don't have to worry about fitting in the exhaust. I mean hate all you want but it has taken a few sales away from the M3.