The ls has a 8 speed auto tranny. What in the world are you going to do with 8 gears. And the new LFA I personaly think it looks like a newer supra. I never liked lexus and my mother is in love with them. Any of you guys or girls have experience with them. It sounds like they are trying to keep up with Benz.

 

Maybe rip off some 12.8sec. 1/4 mile runs.
RoadandTrack.com -- Road Tests - Road Test: 2008 Lexus IS F (1/2008)

 

Top Gear tested one, Clarkson said it seemed like it was always hunting for a gear.

 

Comparing the IS-F to the LF-A is like comparing a C63 to a SL65 Black Series.... both great cars but can not be compared.

 

Actually I was comparing the transmissions. Cassidyrj1 asked what in the world would you do with an 8 speed?

 

Lexus needs a dual clutch for the LFA and IS-F line, the 8 gears is a marketing gimmick to me.

 

That's the whole reason Lexus exists in the first place. Extremely well made, very luxurious, but I find them boring as can be. No doubt the IS-F is a pretty awesome car, but it isn't quite up to the M3 or C63AMG in overall driving experience. Still, given that this is the first true high performance sports sedan attempt by Toyota's luxo division, it ain't bad. The LF-A is supposed to be an amazing car, and seeing it in person it looks pretty cool on the outside (very Japanese, though) but the interior is really ho-hum. For $375,000 I would expect more. Oh, and in 30 years, is anyone really going to say "hey, want to come over see my Lexus collection?". I doubt it. Mercedes has an incredibly rich and successful motorsports history. Toyota, not so much. Sure, Ivan Stewart won a bunch of Baja type truck races with the marque, but sports cars, touring cars, prototypes, Formula 1 - Mercedes wins, hands down. Multiple championships, in fact. Toyota? An estimated $2.5 billion over 6 years in F1 with nothing more than a handful of podiums to show for it. They packed their bags and finally went home for good.

If I had the $$$$ to but something that pricey, it would NOT be a Lexus. I like the thought of the heritage and history behind a marque. Given the crowd surrounding the AMG SLS Gullwing at the LA AutoShow recently, and the small handful of folks looking at the LF-A, I don't think I'm alone.