Leno: LFA Roadster

[GTaudiophile]

Nice vid!

That V10 sound...with no roof!

 

[JackBurton]

That car is gorgeous! And yes, Jay Leno is one lucky son of a bitch.

 

[Baked]

I'll take 2 please.

 

[Doppel]

Don't touch to keep quality!

If he's in the only spyder why are there pics of a red one at the link?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

God I wish this video had been made by Chris Harris or the TG crew. Leno is a talented comic (not that you'd know it from the Tonight Show), and has a clear passion for cars, but he manages to make even the most exciting cars dull. Still, that engine note at redline remains one of the most amazing I've ever heard.

 

[zoiks]

The engine sound is awesome but it sounds absolutely fake coming out of that car. It's obvious that they tuned it to sound artificial.

 

[Fenixgoon]

yamaha-tuned V10 :wub::wub::wub::wub::wub:

 

[Baked]

Don't touch to keep quality!

If he's in the only spyder why are there pics of a red one at the link?

You know there's this program called photoshop...

 

[Throckmorton]

Toyota, stop wasting money on these cars that no one gives a crap about. Build real sports cars again... ones that are faster than a Camry.

 

[angry hampster]

The engine sound is awesome but it sounds absolutely fake coming out of that car. It's obvious that they tuned it to sound artificial.

I don't care whether it's designed or authentic sound; it's glorious.

 

[zoiks]

I don't care whether it's designed or authentic sound; it's glorious.

I do. I hate the fact that they took a great car and then put an artificial element to it. Why couldn't they come up with their own awesome sound. I. I wish they could make a car and make it awesome on its own. Sort of what Nissan did with the GT-R. But they have a racing/performance pedigree. Lexus doesn't so they 'borrow'.

 

[angry hampster]

Toyota certainly does. Toyota = Lexus. It's not like they are the first ones to tune exhaust.

 

[Baked]

I do. I hate the fact that they took a great car and then put an artificial element to it. Why couldn't they come up with their own awesome sound. I. I wish they could make a car and make it awesome on its own. Sort of what Nissan did with the GT-R. But they have a racing/performance pedigree. Lexus doesn't so they 'borrow'.

Ummm... I guess you've never played Gran Turismo? Like poster above says, Lexus is part of Toyota, and Toyota has been a major player in motorsports for a while now. Source.

 

[Arkaign]

Toyota, stop wasting money on these cars that no one gives a crap about. Build real sports cars again... ones that are faster than a Camry.

This. The LF-A is kind of an interesting creature, but it's hideously overpriced and overengineered. If it were priced somewhere near the ZR-1 level (doable with less exotic materials and wasting time with a V10 powerplant), it'd be a lot more compelling. As it is, I can't see passing over a Lambo or F458 for the LF-A.

I guess I'd have less of a problem with the LF-A if they had a true Supra successor, on the lot of every Toyota showroom.

 

[Howard]

The engine sound is awesome but it sounds absolutely fake coming out of that car. It's obvious that they tuned it to sound artificial.

I don't know how you manage to not get yourself killed every day.

 

[zoiks]

I don't know how you manage to not get yourself killed every day.

I don't drive a Toyota/Lexus. That's how.

 

[phucheneh]

Re: Toyota sucking as building a driver's car...

Correct me if I'm wrong: Lexus builds one RWD performance car, Acura builds none. And while I thought the older IS's were pretty decent, the later ones just weren't competing with Nissan. Or the hi-po AWD'ers from Mitsu and Subaru, but that's a bit of a different animal.

I'm interested in driving a new IS...not really the IS F, as that thing is just a bit too damn pricey. But a standard IS350 to compare to a G37. I wonder if they've tightened those cars up a bit...hmm...must find skidpad data, if nothing else.

But why don't they build a cheaper 'Z car' equivalent for us poorer folk? Or is that what that new RWD Scion (almost forgot about that thing) is supposed to be?

I miss affordable RWD cars that handle. I praise my Mazda and similar competent front-drivers, but there just seems be a big empty gap in the 20-30k range for a solid-but-simple RWD sports car. I know, Ford and GM are trying but those cars are still kind of pricey for the actual performance they would offer in a track setting (other than a drag strip).

Disclaimer: I've not driven a new Camaro. I hear it's better than the Mustang, but I don't think GM is putting the handling effort into that like they are the Corvette (and then you get back to IS F prices or more and the slightly problematic POOOOOOWWWWWAAAAAAAHHHHH!* obsession the Corvette designers have)

*Jeremy Clarkson yell

 

[Arkaign]

Camaro ZL1 is better than the GT500 as an all-rounder.

Mustang GT is better than Camaro SS

Mustang V6 is better than Camaro V6

All of it is slightly arguable.

I think Mustang, WRX, Miata, Speed3 are the best sports cars for under $30k, with an honorable mention to FRS/BRZ.

 

[phucheneh]

I think the Mazdaspeed3 is fantastic for its price, the Miata is a great little Japanese 'British roadster' (another niche area for them), and the WRX is the more reliable/less costly bits of rally tech put to very good use...

But dammit, I want something that handles like a 3-series or a G37, but with all the luxury stripped out. I know the Z seems like an obvious answer, but those still start at over 30k. Actually, taking a quick look...it's 33k vs 36k...who, with 30-40k to spend, is going to worry about a <10% price difference?

 

[Arkaign]

I think the Mazdaspeed3 is fantastic for its price, the Miata is a great little Japanese 'British roadster' (another niche area for them), and the WRX is the more reliable/less costly bits of rally tech put to very good use...

But dammit, I want something that handles like a 3-series or a G37, but with all the luxury stripped out. I know the Z seems like an obvious answer, but those still start at over 30k. Actually, taking a quick look...it's 33k vs 36k...who, with 30-40k to spend, is going to worry about a <10% price difference?

Do you have good roads around? The Mustang V6 w/track pack sounds like your answer. Ludicrously good grip and track performance for the $. Of course a modded WRX or Turbocharged Miata is gold as well.

The lack of IRS in the Mustang makes it a little less awesome on bad roads, but to be honest, I think if you were going fast enough to get unsettled in the Mustang, you'd probably be in poor shape in most cars anyway, IRS or not.

 

[phucheneh]

Maybe I've just driven too many early Mustangs (of this gen). And rental car Mustangs. They're very...eh...'rolly polly' would be the technical term, I think?

Although basic SLA or modified macpherson setups coupled with a solid rear axle (assuming there's at least a four link back there) can be made to handle damn well, my experience has always been that it's kind of a labor of love (and a pile of aftermarket parts) to get them there. And then the ride is...a bit painful.

With FWD being so overwhelmingly prominent now, a lot of people probably don't know how many 'comparison drives' they've made with regards to IRS vs solid rear axle. But I think the old 'trailing torsion beam'* setup tends to work almost as well as true indepenent rears...what can I say, I've push too many econocars to their limits. :X

*I don't know if I invented this term or not. But I'm talking about the hollow beam (usually a steel 'u channel') that is pulled behind two trailing arms, with 'coilovers' between the beam and frame providing the second articulation point on each side. The beam is made to twist slightly in an effort to be 'semi-independent.' Hopefully I'm remembering/picturing this stuff right...mmm, now I wanna go research 'suspension science.'

 

[Throckmorton]

Camaro ZL1 is better than the GT500 as an all-rounder.

Mustang GT is better than Camaro SS

Mustang V6 is better than Camaro V6

All of it is slightly arguable.

I think Mustang, WRX, Miata, Speed3 are the best sports cars for under $30k, with an honorable mention to FRS/BRZ.

How in the hell can you call a WRX a sports car, much less a FWD Mazda 3?

 

[Arkaign]

How in the hell can you call a WRX a sports car, much less a FWD Mazda 3?

Well, the market for under-$30k new cars that perform well is sort of narrow.

Given that limitation, the WRX and Speed3 are very capable performers. Both will do 300+HP on stock turbo with a reflash, which of course with the FF Speed3 is only really usable from a roll, but it is what it is.

The more proper "sports" car in the classic definition is really only represented by the Miata and FRS/BRZ (barely, the prices on those aren't too good, but will cheapen as the fad wears off). These handle great, but get smoked in a straight line by a Camry V6.

The best all-round performer for under $30k new (as in, capable of putting up the best track times AND drag racing times) is the Mustang V6 w/track pack. But it's still a pony car. The Camaro is just too heavy for the V6 imho. Anyhow, a tuned WRX should keep up capably with a Mustang V6, and a really well tuned one might be up to GT levels, though probably not for the GT price.

Used, there's TONS of options all over the board for $30k or less. But new? What else is there in the US? Genesis Coupe i4t maybe? I know the 370Z is above $30k MSRP. Ditto Mustang GT (barely), Camaro SS, STI, Evo, etc.

 

[Arkaign]

Maybe I've just driven too many early Mustangs (of this gen). And rental car Mustangs. They're very...eh...'rolly polly' would be the technical term, I think?

Although basic SLA or modified macpherson setups coupled with a solid rear axle (assuming there's at least a four link back there) can be made to handle damn well, my experience has always been that it's kind of a labor of love (and a pile of aftermarket parts) to get them there. And then the ride is...a bit painful.

With FWD being so overwhelmingly prominent now, a lot of people probably don't know how many 'comparison drives' they've made with regards to IRS vs solid rear axle. But I think the old 'trailing torsion beam'* setup tends to work almost as well as true indepenent rears...what can I say, I've push too many econocars to their limits. :X

*I don't know if I invented this term or not. But I'm talking about the hollow beam (usually a steel 'u channel') that is pulled behind two trailing arms, with 'coilovers' between the beam and frame providing the second articulation point on each side. The beam is made to twist slightly in an effort to be 'semi-independent.' Hopefully I'm remembering/picturing this stuff right...mmm, now I wanna go research 'suspension science.'

If I am thinking of the Mustangs you're thinking of (Pre-'11 V6, and rental models), yeah I know exactly what you're talking about. Roly Poly would describe them well. Hell, I always used to just laugh at pre-11 V6 models, and the 4.6 GT wasn't all that great really either outside of the super special versions.

The '11+ with track pack is a very different beast, and worth a look just for the crazy value. 0-60 in ~5, 1/4 in the 13s, .96g grip, ~30mpg highway, and not too expensive. Obviously for the price it's not nearly as advanced as something like an STI or M3, but it's a bargain for what it is.

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_1003_2011_ford_mustang_v_6_test/viewall.html

 

[Pariah]

You know there's this program called photoshop...

That's a hell of a photoshop job. Not only did they change the color, they changed most of the body panels, notably the entire front end including hood and lights. Then they photoshopped in an entirely different interior with the steering wheel on the other side of the car. Those are obviously not the same cars. Don't know where the red one came from, but without any mirrors it must have been some sort of prototype, not an actual production car like Leno was driving.