Why are Lexus LFAS so rare?

Only 500 Lexus LFA models were built, making them extraordinarily rare. The car was conceived as a halo performance model and carried a high development cost, bespoke engineering, and a very limited production run.

The Lexus LFA represents a deliberate attempt by Toyota’s luxury division to showcase cutting-edge engineering, materials science, and high-revving performance. Produced between 2010 and 2012, with a later, even rarer Nürburgring Edition, the LFA remains one of the most coveted collectors’ cars from the brand. Its rarity is tied to a combination of limited units, specialized production, and a high price tag that kept demand concentrated among enthusiasts and collectors.

Limited production and exclusivity

This section explains the factors that kept the LFA’s production numbers so small and how that translates into rarity.

• The production run was capped at 500 units worldwide.


• Vehicles were built over a short window, primarily from 2010 to 2012.


• Assembled largely by hand at Toyota’s Motomachi plant, using a carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) monocoque and composite body panels.


• The LFA’s engine was a bespoke 4.8-liter V10 developed with Yamaha, delivering high-rev performance and a distinctive soundtrack.


• The car employed a 6-speed automated manual transmission tuned for high-speed shifting rather than everyday convenience.


• Pricing at launch was around $375,000, with options and market fluctuations driving up the effective price for many buyers; maintenance and servicing are correspondingly specialized and costly.

The LFA Nürburgring Edition amplifies the exclusivity, representing a rarer subset of the overall production with unique performance-focused tweaks.

Nürburgring Edition: a rarer variant

In 2012, Lexus released the LFA Nürburgring Edition, a 50-unit variant with track-oriented improvements in aerodynamics, suspension tuning, and weight management. These cars are among the rarest LFAs, commanding strong attention from collectors and enthusiasts for their exclusivity and engineering refinements.

Engineering and cost factors

Beyond scarcity, the LFA’s engineering choices contributed to its rarity. A bespoke development program for the powertrain, chassis, and materials meant limited production throughput and high per-unit costs.

• Engine: A purpose-built 4.8-liter V10, developed with Yamaha, delivering roughly 550 horsepower and revving toward 9,000 rpm.


• Powertrain: A specialized 6-speed automated manual transmission designed for rapid, high-RPM operation.


• Chassis and materials: CFRP monocoque and body panels to maximize rigidity while minimizing weight.


• Exhaust and components: Titanium exhaust and other high-end material choices for performance and durability.


• Cost and development: The LFA program was extremely expensive to develop, with media reporting that per-unit costs and total program outlays were among the highest for Lexus at the time.


• Manufacturing: Low-volume production required highly skilled labor and specialized processes, limiting throughput and maintaining exclusivity.

These engineering decisions contributed to both the car’s extraordinary capabilities and its sustained rarity in the market.

Market and rarity today

Today, the LFA remains one of the most coveted Japanese performance cars. Its rarity is reinforced by the small number of units, the prestige of the Nürburgring Edition, and the car’s status as a benchmark for Lexus’ performance ambitions.

• The 500-unit worldwide cap ensures scarcity; the Nürburgring Edition further narrows the pool with only 50 cars.


• Many LFAs are held by private collectors or museums, with notable sales occurring in specialty channels and auction houses.


• Parts, maintenance, and specialized service for the V10 and CFRP construction require expertise from technicians familiar with the LFA’s unique design.


• Market values have remained strong for well-preserved examples, reflecting rarity, engineering pedigree, and collector interest.

In summary, the LFA’s rarity is driven by a deliberate production cap, a high-cost, high-performance engineering program, and limited edition variants that together ensure only a small number remain in the hands of enthusiasts and collectors.

Summary

The Lexus LFA’s scarcity can be traced to a conscious choice to produce only 500 units globally, paired with a high-cost, high-technology development program that leveraged advanced materials, a Yamaha-developed V10, and a bespoke transmission. The addition of the Nürburgring Edition—limited to 50 cars—adds another layer of rarity. Decades on, the LFA endures as a symbol of Lexus’ performance aspirations and a landmark in the world of rare automotive collectibles.

What is the most rare Lexus?

The rarest Lexus is the Lexus LFA Spyder, with only two prototypes ever built. Other extremely rare models include the limited-production Lexus LFA Coupe (500 units) and the Lexus GS F (around 2,500 produced). Special one-off or highly specific configurations, such as certain colors or options on the LFA, are also considered among the rarest examples.
 
You can watch this video to learn more about the Lexus LFA and its rarity: 58sOh ShiftYouTube · Jul 3, 2025
Extremely rare models

• Lexus LFA Spyder: With only two prototypes built, this convertible version of the LFA is the rarest Lexus model ever made. 
• Lexus LFA Coupe: Production was limited to 500 units, making the standard LFA coupe extremely rare, especially in pristine condition. 
• Lexus GS F: The performance-oriented GS F had a limited production run of approximately 2,500 vehicles, and low-mileage, stock examples are becoming increasingly scarce. 
• Lexus SC SportCross: This wagon version of the SC is considered very rare, with only about 3,000 produced. 
• Lexus LC 500 (2022 Model): The 2022 model year of the LC 500 had a particularly low production number, with only 150 released worldwide. 
• Specific LFA configurations: Within the 500 coupes produced, certain configurations are exceptionally rare. Examples include the Nürburgring Edition with only 64 units worldwide or one-of-a-kind color and interior combinations, like the "Pearl Blue" LFA with a blue Alcantara interior. 

This video shows the rarity of the Lexus GS F: 40sS&E's GarageYouTube · Nov 9, 2024

Why is Lexus LFA so rare?

The LFA isn't a run of the mill supercar. It's a limited-production Halo car without any design compromises. It's expensive because that contrary to typical Toyota SOP, Lexus took the financial safeties off and let their engineers run absolutely wild.

Why is the Lexus LFA so special?

The LFA's body features sharp edges and cutoffs for improved aerodynamic performance, made possible by the carbon fiber body. The body was designed with an emphasis on downforce.

How many LFAs are in the US?

There were originally 177 Lexus LFA models made available for the US market out of the 500 produced globally. The exact number of LFAs currently in the US is difficult to track, as some have been exported and a small number were still listed as being in dealer inventory or held for investment purposes years after production ended.
 

• Initial US allocation: 177 units were initially made available for the US market. 
• Total production: The total global production was limited to 500 units. 
• Current numbers: The precise number currently in the US is not exactly known due to a few factors: 
  • Some models have been exported out of the country. 
  • A few were held by dealerships for investment or display purposes after production ceased in 2012. 
  • Some were sold by dealers years after the end of production.