American buyers can now purchase the Lexus LFA supercar outright, but only if they allow the dealer first right of refusal if they want to sell within the first two years.
Lexus had previously only planned to allow US customers to lease the 200mph supercar to prevent buyers from keeping their LFAs as unused museum pieces, waiting to appreciate in value.
Read more about the lease scheme in the US
It was also designed to fend off speculators buying the car and then selling it on almost immediately for a large profit.
Lexus is now offering the LFA for outright sale, but the owner has to sign an agreement giving the dealer the option to buy back the used LFA at either market value or at the original ‘as new’ price.
Read Autocar’s first drive of the Lexus LFA, plus see pics
If the owner sells the car within two years of purchase without giving the dealer that option, the owner must pay the difference between what the buyer originally paid for the car and what they sold it for, plus any legal fees.
Previously Lexus said after the two-year lease period had expired, the customer would be able to purchase their LFA for the outstanding amount, less leasing costs.
Read more about the Lexus LFA supercar
Watch the video tour of the Lexus LFA
Lexus’s US vice president for sales Brian Smith said last year that speculators buying and selling LFAs would be “damaging the ownership experience”.
“If someone buys it in the first month and then decides to sell it, that could be damaging for the ownership experience,” he added.
“If it is not controlled and hits the speculation market, all bets are off. We want people out driving the car and not parking it in a museum or selling it at an inflated price.”
The original two-year lease cost $300,000 (£187,950) and had to be paid up-front rather than in monthly instalments.
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Re: Lexus LFA lease scheme canned
Re: Lexus LFA lease scheme canned
The customer build programme (as opposed to press/PR cars, which will be the ones that have been seen running about) is scheduled to start up this December. Deliveries to customers will begin in 2011, and continue for two years. The press cars have generally been white, but customer cars have a high degree of 'bespokability'. I doubt you'll see two the same.
Re: Lexus LFA lease scheme canned
Looked like an LFA and had a V10 sound. Driven by a guy in a suit and tie. I've written to Lexus UK to say where and when I saw it, and to ask if it could it have been one. I'll post the reply when I receive it. If I'm wrong, I'll say so. Oh, if you're implying with I'm making it up, well, you wouldn't be the first to do that.
Never call McNeil's bluff though, that's what people always remember about me;)
LOL;)
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As promised, I wrote to Lexus to ask when the LF-A was introduced into the UK. I had a reply today. Here's a brief but pertinent extract:
Thank you for your email to Lexus and for your interest in the LF-A.
In response to your query, I can confirm that the LF-A was launched on 21 October 2009 at the Tokyo Motor Show, and deliveries to United Kingdom were made in March / April 2010.