Lexus Enthusiast Membership Drive Starts Today

Posted by Kevin on August 11th, 2014

Hello all,

Since launching in 2007, the Lexus Enthusiast website has become the single best independent source for daily news and insider information on all things Lexus.

This fall, the site will be going through a large scale redesign that will introduce important & frequently requested new features — it’s an ambitious goal with plenty of challenges, and will need your help to make it a reality.

I’ve created this video with an overview of the changes and an explanation of what’s next:

Now that you have an idea of what’s happening, here’s a detailed breakdown the major changes.

Please note: While the site will be changing extensively, it will remain free to access and will continue to be updated with daily news.

Community Forum

The single biggest change will be a new community forum — It’s time for enthusiasts from around the world to have a central place where we can discuss Lexus news and events while sharing our knowledge with other owners.

This forum will be the heart of our community, moderated by well-respected and passionate enthusiasts, and built on a modern discussion platform that rewards participation.

Registration will be free, and active members will be recognized for their contributions through a reward system. The regional sub-sections will encourage local meets around the world.

World’s First Lexus Podcast

Readers have also been asking for more meaningful access to Lexus executives and decision makers — that’s why Lexus Enthusiast will be launching the world’s first dedicated Lexus podcast.

Every month, I will be releasing a new audio interview with the movers and shakers in the Lexus world, full of answers to questions that you ask.

Exclusive Merchandise

Lexus Enthusiast has been given permission by Lexus International to produce limited-edition merchandise available exclusively to site members.

A new t-shirt design will be released every three months, and additional merchandise is currently in the planning stages.

Daily Photo Project

Lexus Enthusiast will be launching the Daily Photo project, a new section of the website focusing exclusively on Lexus photography.

Images will be sourced from photographers, reader submissions, official sources, and the extensive archives of Lexus Enthusiast.

Founding Membership

In order to fund development of these new features, Lexus Enthusiast needs a group of 100 founding members.

Please note, the site will remain free to access, and will still be updated with daily news. The premium membership is for the value-added services outlined below.

For your early pledge of $105, you will receive a lifetime premium membership with unlimited access to:

The world’s first Lexus podcast
Exclusive member forums & posting privileges
Limited edition Lexus Enthusiast merchandise
Daily photo downloads
Monthly contests
Reduced advertising
Early access to new premium features

You will also receive recognition in a special Founding Members section, a custom forum badge marking your special status, and this limited edition Lexus LFA t-shirt:

Lexus LFA T-Shirt

This t-shirt is a launch exclusive and will be never printed again. As a founding member, you will be able to vote on the final color combination.

(When the site launches in the fall, a premium membership will be $30 a year.)

To become a founding member, please visit the Lexus Enthusiast Membership Drive Indiegogo crowdsourcing page for more details.

As mentioned in the video, I would like to thank everyone for their continued support over the years. What started as a hobby seven years ago is now bigger than I ever expected, and I can’t wait to see what happens when we all work together.

If you have any questions at all, please leave a comment!

Sincerely,

KREW Sig
Editor, Lexus Enthusiast

Features Personal

Comments

R
Rafal
August 11, 2014

Kevin. No you are about to make the biggest mistake of your life trying to make $ on people who visit your website with your "Premium Membership". As soon as that happens you will lose 99% of visitors. You can't charge people for any news about Lexus because there are millions of other websites where people can find the same info for free. But yes you should make $ on advertising and from advertisers, not from the visitors.

K
krew
August 11, 2014

Hi Rafal, The site will remain free to access, and will still be updated with daily news. The premium membership is only for the value added services outlined below, here they are again: * The world’s first Lexus podcast * Exclusive member forums & posting privileges * Limited edition Lexus Enthusiast merchandise * Daily photo downloads * Monthly contests * Reduced advertising * Early access to new premium features Thank you for your comment, I'll be updating the post to reflect your feedback.

T
Tommi
August 11, 2014

Great work! Really looking forward to the forums and the podcasts.

T
Troy Howard
August 11, 2014

Krew, unlike some, I listened to your video presentation about the advantage of becoming a founder to your premium side of your website. So much so, I was the First, #1, Numero Uno to pledge the $105!! So I'm feeling kinda special right now. Since your website is #1 in my book and so is Lexus I had to show my support. Thanks for providing the must update and accurate information about the best car maker in the world. Your rock dude!

K
krew
August 11, 2014

I appreciate your support -- thank you for being a founding member!

B
blkpantha
August 12, 2014

am down as well

R
RAL
August 11, 2014

Glad to be a part of this new chapter. All the best success to you Kevin in these new endeavors.

K
krew
August 11, 2014

Glad to have you aboard! Thank you!

G
GSCT
August 11, 2014

Sounds intriguing enough to join, so I did. Lexus Enthusiast is the best Lexus site for news and content, so with its own forums it will be really great and I can see how I am going to be spending even more time on it.

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Thank you for your support!

L
Lasse J. Nordvik
August 11, 2014

This sounds awesome,Kevin! I've signed up as a founding member. Both Lexus and us fans are lucky to enjoy the fruits of your labours. :-D

K
krew
August 12, 2014

That's the hope, Lasse -- big things planned!

L
lafars
August 11, 2014

bloomberg stated that the LFA successor will be coming in 30 years time for a "new generation" (don't know if he means cars or people) can you confirm if this is true or just some claim that bloomberg has come up with (the one that the claim came from was a writer at bloomberg)

K
krew
August 11, 2014

Sure, I'll be writing about that story shortly.

L
Lexus Cohen
August 11, 2014

It's definitely worth penny, jumping onboard for sure.

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Thanks for the support, much appreciated.

C
car7nut
August 11, 2014

Kevin, Just joined the founding membership group and really looking forward to all what Lexus Enthusiast has to offer.

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Great, thanks! Very excited about the future.

J
Jack Pesselman
August 11, 2014

Did I miss something. I thought I was still going to receive daily news information via e-mail for free as before. It is now 7:23 est and no daily news today. Do I have to sign up again ?

K
krew
August 11, 2014

Hi Jack, The daily email is sent out at 10am EST every day. All posts that happen after 10am are included in the next day's email.

M
mrxandthexfactor
August 11, 2014

An excellent idea and you have my fullest support, Kevin. Really excited about what lies ahead.

K
krew
August 12, 2014

You and me both, my friend.

P
Paul
August 11, 2014

Although I haven't posted much in the past, I check here every day and Lexus Enthusiast is my most visited website. Glad to be a part of the founding membership and I'm looking forward to the upgrades

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Awesome, thanks!

M
Mohammed Taha
August 12, 2014

Haven't watched the video yet. Contributed. :)

K
krew
August 12, 2014

I worked hard on that video, you better watch it. ;-) (Seriously, thanks for the support!)

L
LexusTechSA
August 12, 2014

Just signed up :)

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Thanks, appreciate it!

M
Mohammed Taha
August 12, 2014

Almost half way there. Come on guys. We can do this. Where's my fellow UAE Lexus Fans? I'm calling you Hamed Al Sayes

E
EOEIW
August 12, 2014

Ready to donate but will anonymous donation still give me all the perks as listed?

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Absolutely, anonymous donations are fine. Thanks!

K
k_one
August 12, 2014

Contribution made - good luck with the new website Kevin! :)

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Thanks, excited to share the new site with you!

J
James Ollick
August 12, 2014

I signed up yesterday and look forward to your success, keep up the good work.

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Appreciate the support, makes a big difference!

N
Normski
August 12, 2014

Brilliant idea, good luck with what's to come!

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Thank you for your generous contribution!

A
Alex
August 12, 2014

I signed up too glad to be a founder!

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Great, thanks for the contribution!

A
Andyl
August 12, 2014

Kevin. thanks for your great idea and vision. Look forward to the new features, especially the forum and more interaction with Lexus decision makers. Hopefully it would improve the offerings from Lexus Canada. Just joined the founding member group.

K
krew
August 12, 2014

Sounds good to me, let's see what we can do!

A
ApplesX
August 12, 2014

I've visited your site everyday since I won an IS F shirt, pen and hat from you quite a few years ago. Happy to support you! Campaign ID: paul19652

K
krew
August 12, 2014

That was a long time ago! Thanks for your continued support.

A
AC
August 13, 2014

just signed up! keep up the great work. almost there!

K
krew
August 13, 2014

Not much longer now, thanks for joining!

C
corradoMR2
August 13, 2014

Kevin, I could not pass up this once in a lifetime opportunity!

K
krew
August 13, 2014

Yes! Great having you as a founding member!

S
SK
August 13, 2014

If we are a Founding Member will we get the Limited Edition items right away or do we have to pay a fee for the items? I know we get the LFA Shirt but will we get a new shirt every 3 months?

K
krew
August 13, 2014

Founding members will receive the free LFA t-shirt for signing up. All other merchandise will be available to founding members, but it will not be free.

R
Rob Grieveson
August 14, 2014

Sounds promising look forward to improvements etc. Am I alone in not liking this huge and hideous new grille pasted onto the front of Lexus? Especially on the so called Sport versions, the smaller grille used on the standard models whilst not really like able is just ok in my eyes.

R
RAL
August 15, 2014

You are not alone!!!

H
Hamed Al Sayes
August 14, 2014

Officially (Founding Member)

K
krew
August 14, 2014

Welcome aboard!

A
Andyl
August 15, 2014

Hi Kevin, I joined the founding member group but I just figured I selected "no perks" by mistake in Indiegogo a few days ago. So I made another $5 contribution to top up the $100. Am I getting the LFA shirt? Sorry for the trouble. Thanks.

K
krew
August 18, 2014

Of course, no worries!

O
OlFius
August 17, 2014

And funder 97 is a fact, it's me ! Only 5$ needed to get your goal of 10,000$. Who's next ?

L
Lexlthr
August 20, 2014

Sounds great! I will be joining as a founding member as well. Best of luck to you and thanks for all the hard work!