Lexus Will Only Lease Its LFA Supercar
Nov 23, 2009 - By Chris Weiss
Hoping to own a new Lexus LFA when it hits the market in 2011? You’re out of luck. Sure, you can drive the anticipated new supercar, but Lexus will be keeping ownership rights–at least for the first two years.
According to a report originating in Automotive News, Lexus only plans to offer potential owners a two-year lease option. Owners will then be able to buy out the car at the end of the lease. The report cites Brian Smith, a Lexus vice president, as stating: “If someone buys it the first month and then decides to sell it, that could be damaging for the ownership experience. If it is not controlled and hits the speculation market, all bets are off.”
Sounds a bit overprotective if you ask us–if someone is willing to spend several hundred grand outright on a car, we’d think the manufacturer would go ahead and allow that.
Smith explained: “We want people out driving the car and not just parking it in a museum or selling it at an inflated price.” If it helps to sweep an LFA or two out of the hands of an “entrepreneur” and into those of an actual car lover, then we’re all for it.
Only 500 LFAs will be built beginning next December. [via egmCarTech]