[Bruce]

More below.

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[Centurion]

Looks much better in those pictures, but I just figured out my biggest problem with the car, the fog lights. Sure fog lights are cool and adds to a cars aggressiveness but unfortunately the fog lights on the IS-F are a bit out of place and not well incorporated in the car. Further more they look a bit to big and after market as if they were bought at Home Depot. They are too pronounced and need to be smoked out or something.
I made a quick PS job*my first, wohooo* and think the car looks much better without them. Change the exhaust to rectangular ones and voila the IS-Fugly becomes IS-Fabulous.

[Merc1]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Is that any different than a hardcore fanatic of any brand? That why I mentioned brand loyalty and what-not in my previous post. It's not really any different from any other brand; after all, how many BMW fans were disapointed with the E60 M5 when it come out? Or how about the upcoming face-lifted SL? How many hardcore MB fans will disaprove of it?

Brand loyalty exists everywhere my friend, and it alone, can guarantee sales. .

True, but Lexus fans tend to be rabid, again not those on this site. I guess my experiences on Edmunds are seeping through.

M

[Monster]

There are 2 major problems I have with this car. Does the bonnet have to have this shape? It looks like a lump of dough being left in the oven for too long. My 2nd major problem with the car is the engine cover. A performance car engine need to look like a performance car engine, just take a look at the RS4 engine, and compare it to the Lexus engine.

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I know the quality of an engine cannot be judged by the cover but any hardcore red blooded motor enthusiasts will always admire the jewel hidden under the bonnet, I am afraid Lexus has failed massively in this area.

[Tycoon]

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Well, that's a beginning too...

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by monster

My 2nd major problem with the car is the engine cover. A performance car engine need to look like a performance car engine, just take a look at the RS4 engine, and compare it to the Lexus engine.

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I know the quality of an engine cannot be judged by the cover but any hardcore red blooded motor enthusiasts will always admire the jewel hidden under the bonnet, I am afraid Lexus has failed massively in this area.

Here's where I couldn't agree more. I absolutely HATE the engine cover in the IS-F and sadly, it appears many of Lexus vehicles are heading in this direction (aka "plastic-slab") for engine covers.

Engines are obviously supposed to be the heart of a car - raw and mechanical - not a place where you display huge chunks of plastic

Originally Posted by TycoonGTR

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Well, that's a beginning too...

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Good question. As the car was given more than a decent amount of press through out Europe I assume Lexus plans to sell it there.

Can anyone confrim that?

I've seen and heard nothing. The car has been vaguely mentioned in some magazines but that's it. Even if it were sold here, it would FLOP because people with money would consider an M3, C63 AMG and RS4 over it. It's the same deal with standard Lexus cars. Before you buy an LS, you look at the S-Class, A8 and 7-Series, maybe even the Jaguar XJ and Maserati Quattroporte, then the Lexus.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

I've seen and heard nothing. The car has been vaguely mentioned in some magazines but that's it.

Hmm, interesting. I had seen a decent amount of mention of the car when it was first released on a number of European car websites (Sport Auto, AMuS, etc). Then again, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it virtually dropped of the map quickly thereafter.

Even if it were sold here, it would FLOP because people with money would consider an M3, C63 AMG and RS4 over it. It's the same deal with standard Lexus cars. Before you buy an LS, you look at the S-Class, A8 and 7-Series, maybe even the Jaguar XJ and Maserati Quattroporte, then the Lexus.

Yup - it only makes sense. Lexus will never gain recognition like any of the European manufacturers in their homeland.

I completely agree that keeping the car for the North American market would be the best bet.

[cawimmer430]

Originally Posted by Bruce

Hmm, interesting. I had seen a decent amount of mention of the car when it was first released on a number of European car websites (Sport Auto, AMuS, etc). Then again, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised that it virtually dropped of the map quickly thereafter.

I don't visit AMS online much, but I did see them give a very small mention of it with one picture early in a magazine. It was basically a small update of what this car is and the possible performance specs. That was it.

Originally Posted by Bruce

Yup - it only makes sense. Lexus will never gain recognition like any of the Germans in Europe.

The European market is tough to crack. Prestige and heritage are important, but on a smaller scale, so is design. Lexus cars do look "very Japanese" in a way and the idea of the Japanese producing luxury cars is still not quite accepted here in Europe.

And once again, status is very important. A BMW 318i or Benz C180 Kompressor might be a cheaper BMW / Benz, but it's from those two prestigeous companies and everyone knows what they stand for.

Lexus doesn't really stand for anything here except fully loaded cars for generally less money. The only problem is that Lexus cars have gotten very expensive in Europe lately and a lot of Europeans actually want to be able to choose what goes into their car and what doesn't.

Originally Posted by Bruce

I completely agree that keeping the car for the North American market would be the best bet.

Agreed.

I can see the IS-F being imported by some exotic car dealerships, but on a very small scale.

Besides, the IS-F was clearly designed for "American tastes" because America is Lexus most important market at the moment.

[Bruce]

Originally Posted by cawimmer430

I don't visit AMS online much, but I did see them give a very small mention of it with one picture early in a magazine. It was basically a small update of what this car is and the possible performance specs. That was it.

I see. Thanks for the information.

The European market is tough to crack. Prestige and heritage are important, but on a smaller scale, so is design. Lexus cars do look "very Japanese" in a way and the idea of the Japanese producing luxury cars is still not quite accepted here in Europe.

And once again, status is very important. A BMW 318i or Benz C180 Kompressor might be a cheaper BMW / Benz, but it's from those two prestigeous companies and everyone knows what they stand for.

Not much to say other than I agree!

Lexus doesn't really stand for anything here except fully loaded cars for generally less money. The only problem is that Lexus cars have gotten very expensive in Europe lately and a lot of Europeans actually want to be able to choose what goes into their car and what doesn't.

Percisely. If you want fully optionize (is that a word? lol) you're luxury car, Lexus isn't a desirable brand for it. From Engine availiabilty, right down to interior options, Lexus has a much smaller operation in this regard.

And yeah, Lexus prices aren't by any means friendly to European buyers. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the standard LS460 in Europe costs €82,000, while the S450 costs €74,300 and the S500 costs €82,800?

Besides, the IS-F was clearly designed for "American tastes" because America is Lexus most important market at the moment.

Agreed yet again.