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Detroit, 4:35 PM
Fri Dec 4
28 posts in the last 24 hours

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    Dsmvwl  Admin  Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×
    Image of Clown Shoe Pilot Clown Shoe Pilot
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    now... will you have to PROVE you own an LFA to get a replacement CF hood prop, or will any schmuck (like me) with several hundred dollars be able to walk into their friendly lexus parts dept and buy one? #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Clown Shoe Pilot was starred Clown Shoe Pilot was unstarred
    Image of Elhigh Elhigh
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    Gas struts are totally the wrong thing for this car. For one thing, you can't easily make one in carbon fiber. But here's the clincher:

    Gas struts wear out. Just sitting around they slowly lose their charge over time. That's physics, can't change it. And just sitting around, the prop rod keeps on being a prop rod. It weighs about the same as a single gas strut - a carbon fiber one probably weighs less - and right there you've got a weight savings. One prop rod displaces two heavy, fallible gas struts.

    Is a prop rod fallible? Sure. It can rust into nothingness - oops, not this one. It can bend and break under load - oops, you'd have to do something stupid, like bend the car around a phone pole to do that. It can pop out of the catch hole and drop the hood on your head - oops, that's gonna leave a mark. But with $400K invested, you're probably not going to lift the hood outside of your climate-controlled, hermetically sealed, Mafia insured eighteen-space garage. So no wind. The Mafia wouldn't allow it.

    At 88 miles an hour, the two solenoid cases pop out of the Alien intake and start eating the oil coolers. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred
    Image of that ain't the way to have fun, son that ain't the way to have fun, son
    11/04/09

    @Elhigh:

    +1 on the gas struts.

    Nothing like having marginal ones and finding today was the day it was too cool to hold the hood up when a 2 mph breeze touched it.

    /learned not to place hand in hood's travel without a broomstick as a backup hood prop...the hard way #lexuslfa
     Reply
    that ain't the way to have fun, son was starred that ain't the way to have fun, son was unstarred
    Image of Ryanrule Ryanrule
    11/04/09

    @Elhigh: I am willing to bet I would have to replace this entire care before I had to replace the gas struts.

    Supercars are NOT reliable.
     Reply
    brandegee promoted this comment Ryanrule was starred Ryanrule was unstarred
    Image of brandegee brandegee
    11/05/09

    @Ryanrule: I agree. If made well, gas struts last many, many years. And they are cheap.

    This was done for weight alone. And it passed the cost-benefit analysis algorithm that Toyota doubtless subject the entire car to. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    brandegee was starred brandegee was unstarred
    Image of Ryanrule Ryanrule
    11/05/09

    @brandegee: I cant see how this was done for weight. Look at all the extraneous weight inside the car. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Ryanrule was starred Ryanrule was unstarred
    Image of P161911 probably shoudn't have P161911 probably shoudn't have
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    The Lexus engineering manager is going to be pissed when he finds out what happened to his golf club shaft. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    P161911 probably shoudn't have was starred P161911 probably shoudn't have was unstarred
    Image of Ryanrule Ryanrule
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    No gas struts on a 400k car?

    pfft
     Reply
    P161911 probably shoudn't have promoted this comment Ryanrule was starred Ryanrule was unstarred
    Image of P161911 probably shoudn't have P161911 probably shoudn't have
    11/04/09

    @Ryanrule: Any car that cost more than $20k shouldn't have a prop rod. That is one of the things that really pissed me off about the wife's Trailblazer, a $34k (sticker) vehicle that uses a damn metal broom stick to hold up the hood. I've driven GM vehicles built from 1973-2004 and it is the only one that can't hold the hood up. Even the lowly G-bodies got proper hood hinges with springs. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    P161911 probably shoudn't have was starred P161911 probably shoudn't have was unstarred
    Image of skaycog skaycog
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    I have not seen a matte black car that I liked. IMO, the awesome cars in this video are unawesome because of the matte black. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred
    Image of tekamul tekamul
    11/04/09

    @skaycog: I'm personally a fan of the matte black look. Mainly because I can apply it with a rattle can to my freshly ground, previously rusted 1991 civic hatchback.

    Civic dx?

    Is there any other kind, baby? #lexuslfa
     Reply
    skaycog promoted this comment tekamul was starred tekamul was unstarred
    Image of skaycog skaycog
    11/04/09

    @tekamul: It would look better than rust. I like the matte blue on certain cars, like the '34 Ford posted here last evening. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred
    Image of livinlvis livinlvis
    11/24/09

    @skaycog was here: doesn't matte paint scratch really easily?
     Reply
    skaycog was here promoted this comment livinlvis was starred livinlvis was unstarred
    Image of skaycog skaycog
    11/24/09

    @livinlvis: I don't know about the scratching easily. I think matte paint is still in its babyhood with improvements being made. I've heard that it's easy to spray on, but hard to keep the matte finish. We'll see if it's just a fad, or an everlasting thing.

    #tips
     Reply
    skaycog was starred skaycog was unstarred
    Image of livinlvis livinlvis
    11/24/09

    @skaycog was here: oh, fad for sure if you ask me.

    #tips
     Reply
    livinlvis was starred livinlvis was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    I guess that looks nice-but if I was buying a 400k car I'd expect a bit higher tec to hold up the hood than the CF version of a broom stick. This is like having forged titanium handles for your hand-cranked windows. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of ProstWest ProstWest
    11/04/09

    @powermatic: Do you want luxury or performance? Ask an F40 owner why he's pulling a rope to open his door. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    powermatic promoted this comment ProstWest was starred ProstWest was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/04/09

    @ProstWest: An F40 owner is tugging his rope because he bought and paid for a racing car with license plates, i.e. virtually no human comforts that might sully the power/weight ratio. Plexiglass windows (the early models had sliding door windows), no sound deadening, no carpeting, no power steering or brakes, full racing seats, and etc.-basically no amenities other than AC.

    The LFA is designed for and marketed to someone looking for high performance as well as all the highest-tech and greatest creature comforts that his 400,000.00 can buy. Your analogy is like comparing a Veyron to a Le Mans Prototype. Other than that, it was....perfect. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of ProstWest ProstWest
    11/04/09

    @powermatic: No, my analogy was like comparing an ultra high performance street car to an ultra high performance street car. Is it perfect to invoke the zenith of Maranello's efforts when discussing a car from the company that brought us the Paseo? Likely not, but let's face it- the Toyota buyer who just left 400 large at the dealership is not checking his own washer fluid. Therefore the engineers made a smart, easy decision and spec'ed the epitome of lightweight engine-bay access technology: the prop rod. Enzo's boys came to the same conclusion, albeit as part of a package that compromised a great deal more than the LFA in areas that actually affect the driver's comfort. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    ProstWest was starred ProstWest was unstarred
    Image of powermatic powermatic
    11/04/09

    @ProstWest: Please carry on Circular Reasoning.

    vaya con dios #lexuslfa
     Reply
    powermatic was starred powermatic was unstarred
    Image of ProstWest ProstWest
    11/04/09

    @powermatic: All right, let me try again, with your gracious encouragement. The car should have a prop rod because it's faster that way. The prospective owner is not negatively impacted by economizing both weight and expenditure in this design area. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    ProstWest was starred ProstWest was unstarred
    Image of FTGDWolverineEdition'09 FTGDWolverineEdition'09
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit

    Wow. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was starred FTGDWolverineEdition'09 was unstarred
    Image of Pew Pew BOOM Pew Pew BOOM
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    Somebody starts bootlegging those F stickers and giving them "carbon fiber" look ASAP. It will be in high demand, I tell you. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Pew Pew BOOM was starred Pew Pew BOOM was unstarred
    Image of bzr bzr
    11/04/09

    In reply to Lexus LFA In Matte Black Shows Off Coolest Carbon Fiber Bit
    Carbon fiber hood strut: now coming to a 1996 Corolla DX with spinners in a Pep Boys parking lot near you! #lexuslfa
     Reply
    bzr was starred bzr was unstarred
    Image of Paul Y. can't get in the club; gotta parking lot pimp Paul Y. can't get in the club; gotta parking lot pimp
    11/04/09

    @bzr: People already put ugly-ass CF-patterned vinyl all over the place. This is nothing new. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Paul Y. can't get in the club; gotta parking lot pimp was starred Paul Y. can't get in the club; gotta parking lot pimp was unstarred
    Image of tempesjo tempesjo
    11/04/09

    @bzr: Will it come with an external mounting system, so people can still see it when I don't have my hood open? #lexuslfa
     Reply
    tempesjo was starred tempesjo was unstarred
    Image of bzr bzr
    11/04/09


    @tempesjo: No, you'll have to get the transparent hood for that! Adds madd street cred too, yo. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    bzr was starred bzr was unstarred
    Image of FightingChance FightingChance
    11/04/09

    @bzr: Hahaha - 3G Eclipse, synonymous with Grand Am GT levels of performance. Show off that 210hp SOHC V6, so exotic! #lexuslfa
     Reply
    bzr promoted this comment FightingChance was starred FightingChance was unstarred
    Image of NilesStonne NilesStonne
    11/04/09

    @bzr: And a cleaning nightmare! #lexuslfa
     Reply
    bzr promoted this comment NilesStonne was starred NilesStonne was unstarred
    Image of tempesjo tempesjo
    11/04/09

    @bzr: Wow. The transparent hood would be a great canvas for some frosted glass etching. Maybe "turbo" tastefully etched diagonally across the entire hood?
     Reply
    Edited by tempesjo at 11/04/09 3:21 PM tempesjo was starred tempesjo was unstarred
    Image of autocannibal autocannibal
    11/04/09

    @tempesjo: dear god no. im not a fan, of transparent hoods. heres an idea, take your regular hood off if you need to show off your engine bay to the world. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    tempesjo promoted this comment autocannibal was starred autocannibal was unstarred
    Image of tempesjo tempesjo
    11/04/09

    @autocannibal: But your idea wouldn't cost any money, and goes against the whole foundation of this industry, which is tricking people into buying ridiculous "performance upgrades" for their cars. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    tempesjo was starred tempesjo was unstarred
    Image of Comrade Clockwork Comrade Clockwork
    10/26/09

    In reply to 2011 Lexus LFA: First Drive
    Toyota is like that nerdy science kid who volunteers to do extra credit stuff just for the pure love of learning. None of it is on the test and it won't bring him anything material; just the smug satisfaction of doing it. I wish I could give Toyota a swirly.

    From all accounts the thing sounds as if it drives pretty much perfectly. Everything is neat, tidy, in place, efficient and completely predictable. The center of gravity is optimally placed to blah blah blah. The hideous front end is perfectly design to channel air yada yada yada.

    I don't remember reading a press release explaining to me why I need a Ford GT (or a Halle Berry for that matter); why must I read one to convince me I need an LFA?

    It's about the experience, I know. But from all that I've read, I've basically concluded it is very fast, and very easy to drive. That's it.

    If Toyota wants to build something to fund R&D for cars I can actually buy, I'm cool with that. And I'm glad they did.

    But if I had $400,000 in my pocket, I would be buying something that smokes in the upstairs bathroom and starts a fight for spilling his tray in the cafeteria. Something with edge, with personality. And yes, something that can get the girls.

    But if you wanna hang out at the science fair, hey, to each his own. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Scaramanga promoted this comment Comrade Clockwork was starred Comrade Clockwork was unstarred
    Image of Mobius Mobius
    10/26/09

    In reply to The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice
    Demand for car-sized freezers in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia has increased by a factor of 20 after the recent news that Toyota are going to produce their new overpriced supercar in limited volumes in ice, and that it is the new "cool" thing to own for Sheikhs and if you didn't have one, you couldn't hang out with the cool kids. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Mobius was starred Mobius was unstarred
    Image of stinkycatfish stinkycatfish
    10/26/09

    In reply to The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice
    You're as cold as ice
    You're willing to sacrifice our love

    You never take advice
    Someday you'll pay the price
    I know #lexuslfa
     Reply
    snapoversteer 'bout to get told promoted this comment stinkycatfish was starred stinkycatfish was unstarred
    Image of snapoversteer 'bout to get told snapoversteer 'bout to get told
    10/26/09

    @stinkycatfish: Hey, alright now
    Alright now fellas, (YEAH!)
    Now what's cooler than bein' cool?
    (ICE COLD!) I can't hear ya'
    I say what's cooler than bein' cool?
    (ICE COLD!) whooo... #lexuslfa
     Reply
    snapoversteer 'bout to get told was starred snapoversteer 'bout to get told was unstarred
    Image of snapoversteer 'bout to get told snapoversteer 'bout to get told
    10/26/09


    @stinkycatfish: #lexuslfa
     Reply
    snapoversteer 'bout to get told was starred snapoversteer 'bout to get told was unstarred
    Image of bmoreDLJ bmoreDLJ
    10/26/09

    In reply to The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice
    Coors Light should replace the Soul Train with this. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    bmoreDLJ was starred bmoreDLJ was unstarred
    Image of beercheck beercheck
    10/26/09

    In reply to The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice
    If only for the confusion factor, I'd have used Lexan. Which, when the wacky-named brand was first introduced, is what I kept finding myself calling Lexus.
     Reply
    Edited by beercheck at 10/26/09 10:44 AM beercheck was starred beercheck was unstarred
    Image of Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet
    10/26/09

    In reply to The All-Acrylic Lexus LFA Looks Cold As Ice
    That will look fantastic, covered in prawns.

    Mr. Freeze, you are now ready to do battle with the Batmobile. Please be careful around the flamethrower. #lexuslfa
     Reply
    Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was starred Van Sarockin, rogue trebuchet was unstarred
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