Well when I say flop I mean that it will sell good initially, but like the GS it will drop off rather quickly.
I see.
People who buy Lexuses aren't interested in performance, nor are people who are looking for performance shop Lexus.
That's true, the general buyers who purchase Lexus automobiles are not looking for a performance car per se, but I can't see the addition of such to their exsisting line up hurting them by any means. After all, the IS350 brought a new degree of performance to the company - not hardcore by any means, but more than enough. And once it's made further available to customer with the IS-F, I wouldn't be surprised to see those buyers who intially said performance was low on their attractive strengths in a car, suffer an epiphany. It may seem like a large stretch, but as far as I see it, loyal Lexus customers will see that the company is now offering the addition of performance in a package which does not alienate some of Lexus' most well known traits such as luxury, reliability and quality. When something now available to a customer exsists which wasn't previously available, does it not expand the horizons of the customer? Lexus is certainly not the only company to do this; after all, there is a reason why the new M3 has been made more comfortable and easier to handle. While the E46 wasn't exactly an Elise, I doubt that the majority of M3 owners were expecting this to happen. Perhaps it's even the same reason why the C63 AMG appears to have taken a large leap from the C55 by enhancing the driving experience. One could argue that Mercedes-Benz fans never expected a great drivers car out of the C-lass, but with the gaps between it and the 3er, it appears the C is revealing a new edge from Mercedes-Benz.
Perhaps Lexus customers do not expect performance, but what happens when they have the chance to have it? It's all icing on the cake as far as I'm concerned.
Also, when I say flop I mean that it will lose every single comparo it enters with the C63, M3 and RS4.
I won't argue that. I don't think we'll ever see Lexus overtake the majority of BMW's or Mercedes-Benz's in any comparsions any time soon. However, even if it does not win any of its comparisons, I can't see that necessarily meaning the vehicle is bad or even a flop. I think someone would be as high as a kite to think that Lexus would ever steal the gaunlet from the M3; surely, even Lexus is not this stupid.
And let's face it, even if the IS-F was as good as a drivers car as the M3 (and I don't ever believe it will be), I think the odds are most immediately in favour of the German automobiles. The Germans have a global status which Lexus will never achieve.
We won't hear about this car more than 12-16 months after it hits the streets, IMO.
Time will tell, but I do think it's safe to say that it's German rivals will have always have the advantage of having a longer attention span amongst enthusiasts.
IMO, the styling of the car (outside of in white it seems) is awful. The hood bulge is just ridiculous as are the side vents. The whole car looks so nose heavy and rushed/contrived to the point where I think most will walk on looks alone. Then there are the stacked tailpipes. I mean we drew better cars kindergarten.
Styling is merely subjective. I recall a few implying that the C63 AMG was somewhat contrived and particular busy towards the front-end. Not myself, but as you can see, opinions are likely to vary.
I wouldn't be so sure about what you've bolded though. People are likely to buy most everything they see; most everything that comes from a particular brand which they are partial to; even if they don't really like the vehicle. It's not exclusive to Lexus of course, it's something which is seen most every where.
And on that subject, I realize that one could argue that most of Lexus' designs are conservative, but I couldn't agree any less. The current ES and SC are two of the most awful designs anywhere and in my opinion, clearly aimed at an American audience, while the LS is set for a more conservative buyer; one who most likley does not appreciate the flash-of-the-pan styling of the IS. I think you would agree that the IS (IS-F included) is aimed a very different demographic than an LS is. I have no doubts the IS-F is properly catering to its Lexus demographic and the various Lexus fans which I have encountered on other forums (who have had the pleasure of driving the unit themselves) would agree. It may seem illogically ugly to you, but to the average IS buyer, I don't believe so.
Of course Lexus already has an idea of how many they can sell so they will ship just a few less than that figure to keep them "exclusive".
I do agree that Lexus already knows how many they call sell, but not for the sake of being overly pity to gain karma for being exclusive. This is what I was referring to in my last post about Lexus knowing its customers. You can be damn sure they don't expect to out sell the M3 - that would be just stupid - but they'll build enough to supply the customers base which they know they have without losing any of the their profit. I can't ever recall Lexus having any
real flops; regardless of what some would think, I think much more consideration and planning has gone into this car than most expect.
I really fail to see the improvement over the IS350 other than its faster of course.
It's more than a beefy V8 though. It's the addition of an up-rated suspension, Brembo brakes and an 8-Speed transmission (which apparently shifts crispers and faster than the one fitted to the LS). Frankly, Its no more or less of an improvement than which most other higher-end performance vehicles are subjected too.
The real test will be how Lexus actually carries out the IS-F. Thankfully, I do think they are on the right track. Judging on various pictures and a few of the video's the IS-F appears to exhibit handling uncommon for a Lexus; particularly in that one video where the driver chucks it around the corner in a good 'ol fashioned slide and the nose it doesn't wiggle it's nose like a drunken sailor. It looks rather controlled and stiff - as anyone should expect. Those who have driven the car, confirm the stiffness. A number of members from the Club Lexus Forums have driven the car and they think it's just wondrous. Whether it's a wondrous as it's competition remains to be seen, but coming from fellow Lexus fans (and when compared with the IS350, for instance), it's definitely a large step in the right direction for Lexus and its customers.
Anyways, I suppose there isn't much else to say as we disagree in a variety of things.
It's 12:01 AM and my body tells me it's time for sleep. Cheers.
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