ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" align="right" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/caj0082opt.jpg" class="right border" alt="" /></a>With <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall/">Toyota's woes</a> seemingly multiplying by the day, you knew it was just a matter of time before the lawyers arrived on scene. Cue two law firms, Parker Waichman Alonso and the Becnel Law Firm, that are joining forces in a bid to sue Toyota's pants off. <br />
<br />
The suit hopes to attain class action status and is "intended to benefit all residents of the United States who purchased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 that is subject to the recalls." How many cars is that? We don't have a total off the top of our head, but considering the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/camry">Camry</a> has been the best selling car in the U.S. for all six of those years, and the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/corolla">Corolla</a> has been number three or four over the course of that same time frame, we'll go ahead and say the answer is a staggeringly large number. <br />
<br />
But hang on one minute: Since all the affected cars have been recalled by Toyota and will (eventually) be repaired, what could the two law firms possibly be suing ToMoCo for? Away we go:<br />
<blockquote>
<div><em>[Parker Waichman Alonso] and the [Becnel Law Firm allege] that, as a result of these recalls, Toyota owners lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress. The complaint charges Toyota with breach of implied warranty and negligence, and seeks compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages for the Class, as well as equitable and declaratory relief. It also asks the Court to enjoin Toyota from implementing any fixes in the accelerator pedals of the subject vehicles without approval from the NHTSA.<br />
</em></div>
</blockquote>There you have it. And yes, they really did mention emotional distress.<br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html">The Auto Channel</a> | Image: Corbis]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/">ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19338933/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" align="right" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/caj0082opt.jpg" class="right border" alt="" /></a>With <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall/">Toyota's woes</a> seemingly multiplying by the day, you knew it was just a matter of time before the lawyers arrived on scene. Cue two law firms, Parker Waichman Alonso and the Becnel Law Firm, that are joining forces in a bid to sue Toyota's pants off. <br />
<br />
The suit hopes to attain class action status and is "intended to benefit all residents of the United States who purchased a Toyota vehicle of model years 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and/or 2010 that is subject to the recalls." How many cars is that? We don't have a total off the top of our head, but considering the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/camry">Camry</a> has been the best selling car in the U.S. for all six of those years, and the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/corolla">Corolla</a> has been number three or four over the course of that same time frame, we'll go ahead and say the answer is a staggeringly large number. <br />
<br />
But hang on one minute: Since all the affected cars have been recalled by Toyota and will (eventually) be repaired, what could the two law firms possibly be suing ToMoCo for? Away we go:<br />
<blockquote>
<div><em>[Parker Waichman Alonso] and the [Becnel Law Firm allege] that, as a result of these recalls, Toyota owners lost the use of their vehicles, and sustained, among things, economic losses and severe emotional distress. The complaint charges Toyota with breach of implied warranty and negligence, and seeks compensatory, punitive and exemplary damages for the Class, as well as equitable and declaratory relief. It also asks the Court to enjoin Toyota from implementing any fixes in the accelerator pedals of the subject vehicles without approval from the NHTSA.<br />
</em></div>
</blockquote>There you have it. And yes, they really did mention emotional distress.<br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2010/01/30/463886.html">The Auto Channel</a> | Image: Corbis]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/">ThrottleGate: First class-action lawsuit filed against Toyota over pedal recall</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Sun, 31 Jan 2010 12:36:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19338933/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/throttlegate-first-class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-toyota-ov/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is sitting on the bubble
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/hatchbacks/" rel="tag">Hatchback</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mazda/" rel="tag">Mazda</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/reviews/" rel="tag">Reviews</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/lead1mazdaspeed32010revie w.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em> <small>2010 Mazdaspeed3 - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
Last summer, our man Damon Lavrinc <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/21/first-drive-2010-mazdaspeed3-the-five-door-sports-car-evolved/">drove the then-brand-new 2010 Mazdaspeed3</a> around California's legendary Laguna Seca Raceway and then Caramel Valley's world-class back roads. And he loved it. I mention this because we're sure that under similar, near-ideal conditions, I would have been nearly as smitten. But reality has a funny way of tossing monkey wrenches at even the most lovely picnics. To wit: I had the Speed3 in Los Angeles during the recent torrential downpour/tornado warnings, then drove to Phoenix through a monsoon the same day/night that <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/22/strong-winds-cause-russo-and-steele-auction-tents-to-collapse/">Russo and Steele got their tents blown across a freeway</a>. Ideal? Hardly. Informative? Keep reading and decide for yourself.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/">Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/01mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/02mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/03mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/04mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-mazdaspeed3-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/01/05mazdaspeed32010review_t humbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Phot os by <a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotograp hy.com/">Drew Phillips</a></small></strong></em><em><strong><small> / </small></strong></em><em><strong><small>Cop yright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.</small></strong></em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is sitting on the bubble</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/">Review: 2010 Mazdaspeed3 is sitting on the bubble</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19340644/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/review-2010-mazdaspeed3-is-sitting-on-the-bubble/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Report: NHTSA says it has "no reason to challenge" Toyota throttle fix
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/toyotas-recalled-pedal-assembly-close-up/"><img hspace="0" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/toyotapedalaolautos001-1265127826.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>Toyota's recalled pedal assembly close-up - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
<br />
That's right, more <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall">ThrottleGa te</a>! Even though the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) doesn't have to approve <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide#multimedia">Toyota' s solution</a> to fix its <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/01/toyotas-remedy-for-recalled-pedals-announced/">recalled gas pedals</a>, the NHTSA could offer up an objection. 2.3 million Toyota cars and trucks have been affected by the pedal recall in the U.S., with other pedals being <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/31/toyota-gas-pedal-recall-woes-spread-to-peugeot-citroen-in-euro/">recalled in other cars</a> around the world. <br />
<br />
Since Toyota's remedy is not being challenged, this gives the green light for the Japanese car-building giant to resume production of the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/26/breaking-toyota-temporarily-halts-sales-of-selected-models/">eight vehicles halted</a> by the recall. The target date for this is February 8. Additionally, Toyota dealers should be able to resume selling the eight prohibited models, including the hottest-selling Camry and Corolla, one they get the parts. And finally, NHTSA says that customers who receive a fixed pedal now will be eligible for a new pedal once said pedals reach dealerships. We're not sure if Toyota's down with that claim, though company president Jim Lentz did indicate that customers could <a href="http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/lentz-dont-like-the-gas-pedal-fix-insist-on-replacement/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm _medium=twitter&utm_sourc e=twitter">work with dealers on a case-by-case basis</a> if they want an all-new pedal instead of the fix.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide"><img hspace="0" height="55" width="630" vspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/ab-recall-banner-sm-1265128031.png" /></a><br />
<br />
[Source: <a href="http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100201/OEM01/302019811/1147">Automotive News</a> - sub. req. | Images: Adam Morath - <a href="http://autos.aol.com/gallery/toyota-pedal-close-up">AOL Autos</a>]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/">Report: NHTSA says it has "no reason to challenge" Toyota throttle fix</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 11:44:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19341548/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Mazda to launch special 20th Anniversary MX-5 Miata in Geneva
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertible</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/geneva-motor-show/" rel="tag">Geneva Motor Show</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/mazda/" rel="tag">Mazda</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/gallery/20th-anniversary-mazda-mx-5-miata/"><img vspace="4" hspace="0" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/630mazda.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><strong><em><sma ll>Twenty years of motoring goodness - click above for high-res image</small></em></strong></div>
<br />
Twenty years. Can you believe it's been two decades since we first heard the Japanese phrase <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/jinba+ittai"><em>Jinba ittai</em></a> (meaning "rider and the horse are one")? To catch you up, way back in 1976, some <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/mazda">Mazda</a> engineers asked American auto journalist Bob Hall what they should build next. Mr Hall, who later wound up working for Mazda, mentioned the bugs-in-the-teeth British roadsters that every gearhead both loved and loathed. Their reputation as great driver's cars was only preceded by their rep for breaking down and stranding you on the side of the road. <br />
<br />
If Mazda could engineer a tight, compact, great-handling roadster that didn't dump all its fluids every other Wednesday, they'd surely have a hit. Back at the 1989 <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/chicago-auto-show/">Chicago Auto Show</a>, the world met the <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/mx-5">MX-5</a>, much, <em>much</em> better known as the <a href="http://autoblog.com/model/miata">Miata</a>. Since then, nearly 1,000,000 Miatas have been built, with just under 400,000 of them getting snatched up by American consumers. In other words, the Miata gambit worked.<br />
<br />
To commemorate twenty years of building such great sports cars, Mazda will be introducing a 20th Anniversary Limited Edition MX-5 Miata at next month's <a href="http://autoblog.com/category/Geneva+Motor+Show">Geneva Motor Show</a>. Pay special attention to the "Limited" part of the name, as only 2,000 anniversary cars will be built, and they'll only be available in Europe. One reason for the latter might be that the 20th Anniversary cars are based on the smaller displacement 1.8-liter car, a version of the Miata not sold in the States, or it could be that we may get our own commemorative edition to be announced at a later date. <br />
<br />
Like most anniversary packages (see the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/Nissan370z40thAnniversary Edition/">big four-oh Nissan Z</a>), nothing too exciting is happening to this Miata. There is, of course, the requisite numbered plaque. There's a chrome grille surround, chrome door-handles and chrome headlight surrounds. You also get "silver-look" fog light surrounds, plus special 17-inch wheels with "20th Anniversary" logos. The 20th Anniversary cars are available only in red, white or a new <font size="2" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Aurora Blue, which we find rather sharp looking. And lest you think Mazda's not tossing a bone to performance enthusiasts, the car comes with a strut-tower brace. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/20th-anniversary-mazda-mx-5-miata/low/">20th Anniversary Mazda MX-5 Miata</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/20th-anniversary-mazda-mx-5-miata/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/20thmazda_thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
[Source: Mazda]<br />
</font><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/mazda-to-launch-special-20th-anniversary-mx-5-miata-in-geneva/">Mazda to launch special 20th Anniversary MX-5 Miata in Geneva</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/mazda-to-launch-special-20th-anniversary-mx-5-miata-in-geneva/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19340964/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/mazda-to-launch-special-20th-anniversary-mx-5-miata-in-geneva/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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LaHood: Getting Toyota to recall took "enormous effort," calls automaker "a little safety deaf"
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/government-legal/" rel="tag">Government/Legal</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/recalls-tsbs/" rel="tag">Recalls</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/toyota/" rel="tag">Toyota</a></p><a href="http://freep.com/article/20100202/BUSINESS01/100202049/1318/Official-U.S.-had-to-force-Toyota-into-safety-recall"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/630lahood.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
Man, when it rains, it absolutely <em>pours</em>. Especially if you're a carmaker called <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/toyota+recall">Toyota</a> and are already embroiled in a credibility-killing (<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/pedal-power-toyota-sales-fall-16-in-january/">and sales-smothering</a>) <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/21/toyota-issues-new-voluntary-recall-for-sticking-accelerator-peda/">gas pedal recall</a> plus another for <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/25/breaking-toyota-to-recall-3-8m-vehicles-to-reshape-and-replace/">defective floor mats</a>. According to the <em>Detroit Free Press</em>, none other than U.S. Transportation Secretary <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/ray+lahood">Ray LaHood</a> has absolutely blasted the Japanese giant, calling it "a little safety deaf" and noting he was upset that NHTSA officials had to fly to Japan "to remind Toyota management about its legal obligations." That's just the tip of the spear stuff, too. Check out the shaft:<br />
<blockquote>
<div><em>Since questions were first raised about possible safety defects, we have been pushing Toyota to take measures to protect consumers. While Toyota is taking responsible action now, it unfortunately took an enormous effort to get to this point. We're not finished with Toyota and are continuing to review possible defects and monitor the implementation of the recalls.</em></div>
</blockquote>To paraphrase <em>L.A. Confidential's</em> Captain Dudley Smith, we wouldn't trade places with Toyota right now for all the whiskey in Ireland. Still, we find the timing of Secretary LaHood's comments a little odd. Here's what we mean: the NHTSA official that flew to Japan to verbally beat on Toyota did so in December. And while Toyota seems to have behaved badly at first, the company has found an <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/report-nhtsa-says-it-has-no-reason-to-challenge-toyota-thrott/">unobjectionable solution</a> (according to the safety agency) to its gas pedal problem. So, why whip on 'em today? Could it have something to do with next week's <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/01/29/second-house-hearing-on-toyota-pedal-recal-scheduled-for-feb-5/">Congressional inquiry</a> scheduled to begin on February 10? We'd wager yes.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/toyota_recall/guide"><img hspace="1" border="0" vspace="4" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/ab-recall-banner-sm-1265124357.png" alt="" /></a><br />
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[Source: <a href="http://freep.com/article/20100202/BUSINESS01/100202049/1318/Official-U.S.-had-to-force-Toyota-into-safety-recall">Detroit Free Press</a> | Image: Alex Wong/Getty Images]<p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/lahood-getting-toyota-to-recall-took-enormous-effort-calls-a/">LaHood: Getting Toyota to recall took "enormous effort," calls automaker "a little safety deaf"</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/lahood-getting-toyota-to-recall-took-enormous-effort-calls-a/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19342096/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/02/lahood-getting-toyota-to-recall-took-enormous-effort-calls-a/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport is a mixed, expensive bag
 

<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/convertibles/" rel="tag">Convertible</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/sports/" rel="tag">Performance</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/japan/" rel="tag">Japan</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/lexus/" rel="tag">Lexus</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/reviews/" rel="tag">Reviews</a>, <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/category/luxury/" rel="tag">Luxury</a></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/"><img hspace="0" border="1" vspace="4" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/2010is350cfsportreviewlea d.jpg" /></a>
<div style="text-align: center;"><em><strong><sma ll>2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport - Click above for high-res image gallery</small></strong></em></div>
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When <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/toyota">Toyota</a> launched <a href="http://autoblog.com/make/lexus">Lexus</a> in 1989, it had one goal in mind: Beat the Germans at the luxury game. And for a while, at least, they did exactly that. The LS400 didn't change everything, but it manifested a shift in the luxury paradigm. However, the <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/ls400">LS400</a> was at the top of the heap, competing against the mighty <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/tag/s-class">S-Class</a> from <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/mercedes-benz/">Mercedes-Benz</a> and the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/7+series">7 Series</a> from <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/bmw/">BMW</a> (<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/audi/">Audi</a> and <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/cadillac/">Cadillac</a> were both in their basket case phase and not really competing with anyone). Towards the bottom of the luxury pile sat the Lexus ES 250. Despite being the nicest <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/camry">Camry</a> ever built, it was most definitely Glass Joe to the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/3+series">BMW 3 Series</a>' Mike Tyson in the entry level luxury/performance punch out.<br />
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After more than a decade, Lexus eventually realized that no matter how refined it made the front-wheel-drive, Camry-based ES lineup, it simply couldn't compete with the sportiness inherent to the rear-wheel-driven 3 Series. As such, it introduced the sporty <a href="http://autoblog.com/tag/is300">IS 300</a> in 2001. While the IS featured some killer features - chronograph style gauges, pop-up navigation screen, manual transmission, a wagon body style and sporty dynamics - its rear seat was so tiny it got classified as a subcompact. Despite some fans, it just wasn't in the same league as the 3 Series, and as you might expect, sales remained lackluster in the U.S.<br />
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Finally, in 2006 Lexus launched the current generation IS. Available with a 2.5-liter (IS 250) or 3.5-liter (IS 350) V6, the second-generation IS became the first Lexus product that could credibly compete with BMW's dominant 3 Series, as well as the surging <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/make/infiniti/">Infiniti</a> G35. Then came the hopped-up <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/is+f">IS-F</a>, with a 5.0-liter V8 that cranked out 416 horsepower, two ponies more than the 414-hp V8 motor in the <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/model/m3">M3</a>. Lexus need not make any excuses for the brute IS-F. While Lexus continues to shy away from the full-fledged 3 Series battle royal by not bringing out a two-door or a wagon, it has released a hardtop convertible variant called the IS 350C. We got our hands on a nearly murdered-out variant, the IS 350C F-Sport. Our thoughts and impressions are available after the jump.<br />
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<div class="postgallery"><p><s trong>Gallery: <a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/low/">Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport</a></strong></p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2010is350cfsportreview_01 _thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2010is350cfsportreview_02 _thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2010is350cfsportreview_03 _thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2010is350cfsportreview_04 _thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-review/low/"><img src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2010is350cfsportreview_05 _thumbnail.jpg" alt="" title="" /></a></div><br />
<em><strong><small>Phot os by <a href="http://www.drewphillipsphotograp hy.com/">Drew Phillips</a></small></strong></em><em><strong><small> / </small></strong></em><em><strong><small>Cop yright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.</small></strong></em><p><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/03/review-2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-is-a-mixed-expensive-bag/" rel="bookmark">Continue reading <em>Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport is a mixed, expensive bag</em></a></p><p style="padding:5px;backgr ound:#ddd;border:1px solid #ccc;clear:both;"><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/03/review-2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-is-a-mixed-expensive-bag/">Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport is a mixed, expensive bag</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://www.autoblog.com">Autoblo g</a> on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our <a href="http://www.weblogsinc.com/feed-terms/">terms for use of feeds</a>.</p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/03/review-2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-is-a-mixed-expensive-bag/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/forward/19342350/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/03/review-2010-lexus-is-350c-f-sport-is-a-mixed-expensive-bag/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a>

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