Lexus LC500 - Talk me out of one?
Discussion
I'm not pissed off just a bit annoyed that the reality of owning such a superb looking car was not what I had expected, even if I had spoken to Lexus regarding the breakage of the clip and if they had agreed to repair/replace it would have taken two trips to Ipswich plus the wait etc, I have the means and skills to repair it so I did.
I had an argument with Lexus over a broken door mirror, unbeknown to me the previous owner had changed the colour of the moulding from black to bronze, they changed the faulty mirror that then left me with one mirror black and one mirror bronze. My argument was it now looked like I bought a second hand mirror from a scrap yard and why didn't they tell me there were certain items that had been modified when I bought it.
All these things grate with me, I've worked hard to be able to afford cars like this so perhaps I'm expecting too much.
Would I buy another LC, probably not, but what else is out there that isn't a Audi, BMW or Mercedes.
I had an argument with Lexus over a broken door mirror, unbeknown to me the previous owner had changed the colour of the moulding from black to bronze, they changed the faulty mirror that then left me with one mirror black and one mirror bronze. My argument was it now looked like I bought a second hand mirror from a scrap yard and why didn't they tell me there were certain items that had been modified when I bought it.
All these things grate with me, I've worked hard to be able to afford cars like this so perhaps I'm expecting too much.
Would I buy another LC, probably not, but what else is out there that isn't a Audi, BMW or Mercedes.
wilksy61 said:
I'm not pissed off just a bit annoyed that the reality of owning such a superb looking car was not what I had expected, even if I had spoken to Lexus regarding the breakage of the clip and if they had agreed to repair/replace it would have taken two trips to Ipswich plus the wait etc, I have the means and skills to repair it so I did.
I had an argument with Lexus over a broken door mirror, unbeknown to me the previous owner had changed the colour of the moulding from black to bronze, they changed the faulty mirror that then left me with one mirror black and one mirror bronze. My argument was it now looked like I bought a second hand mirror from a scrap yard and why didn't they tell me there were certain items that had been modified when I bought it.
All these things grate with me, I've worked hard to be able to afford cars like this so perhaps I'm expecting too much.
Would I buy another LC, probably not, but what else is out there that isn't a Audi, BMW or Mercedes.
Couldn’t they just change the mirror glass?I had an argument with Lexus over a broken door mirror, unbeknown to me the previous owner had changed the colour of the moulding from black to bronze, they changed the faulty mirror that then left me with one mirror black and one mirror bronze. My argument was it now looked like I bought a second hand mirror from a scrap yard and why didn't they tell me there were certain items that had been modified when I bought it.
All these things grate with me, I've worked hard to be able to afford cars like this so perhaps I'm expecting too much.
Would I buy another LC, probably not, but what else is out there that isn't a Audi, BMW or Mercedes.
It’s slightly scary looking at the parts prices. £4500 for the centre console, £1750 for a wing mirror, and I’ve seen $10,000 for the carbon boot lid. Note to self : do not crash.
It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
andy43 said:
It’s slightly scary looking at the parts prices. £4500 for the centre console, £1750 for a wing mirror, and I’ve seen $10,000 for the carbon boot lid. Note to self : do not crash.
It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
The valve controller makes a nice difference at the lower rpm range, well worth the money and gets you some of the drama back that's lost via the GPF.It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
andy43 said:
It’s slightly scary looking at the parts prices. £4500 for the centre console, £1750 for a wing mirror, and I’ve seen $10,000 for the carbon boot lid. Note to self : do not crash.
It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
When you get it PPF'd this may have to be declared to your Insurance. It's on another PH thread. An owner found his insurance got voided when he was hit by someone, as the Insurance company claimed it was an undeclared modification (in this case full car covered, & classed as a wrap). Whilst it turned out this 'wrap' classification was incorrect, I don't know if the Insurance company backed down, Some Insurers are fine with PPF, others aren't, as it makes their work harder, slower, costlier & increases their liability. It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
TrotCanterGallopCharge said:
andy43 said:
It’s slightly scary looking at the parts prices. £4500 for the centre console, £1750 for a wing mirror, and I’ve seen $10,000 for the carbon boot lid. Note to self : do not crash.
It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
When you get it PPF'd this may have to be declared to your Insurance. It's on another PH thread. An owner found his insurance got voided when he was hit by someone, as the Insurance company claimed it was an undeclared modification (in this case full car covered, & classed as a wrap). Whilst it turned out this 'wrap' classification was incorrect, I don't know if the Insurance company backed down, Some Insurers are fine with PPF, others aren't, as it makes their work harder, slower, costlier & increases their liability. It’s now day 3, I’ve cleaned it twice, tracker is fitted, and it’s going to get ppf’d next week.
Overall the noises this car makes may actually be better than the Grancabrio MC it’s replacing.
Low revs in traffic it’s a throbby muscle car then it gets very smooth and technical sounding higher up.
God knows what the pre GPF cars sound like.
They’ve already had their pound of flesh forcing me to fit a tracker - I was told anything over 60k is now classed as requiring a cat 5 or s5 tracker. I couldn’t even get Lexus’s 3 day drive away insurance without one.
Fellow owner of an LC500 sport +. Had it for almost a year now and love it. It was originally a stop gap got a 911 GTS but the wait and smiling every time I got in the LC made me cancel.
IMO the best GT out there, and it’s uniqueness makes it even more special. No issues to report and highly recommended.
IMO the best GT out there, and it’s uniqueness makes it even more special. No issues to report and highly recommended.
Well, I’m getting on very well 
Build is ridiculous, hood is excellent - it’s quiet when erect and goes down with no complaints, exhaust is very good, really nice burble at low speed then a real technical super smooth vibe at higher revs. Maybe not as nuts as previous TVR and Maserati but still awesome. Soft top definitely helps release the sound. Savagegeese style gear changes are childish but ace.
There is no stop-start system - it’s a two year old 5 litre car. That genuinely cracks me up.
My brakes squeak on coming to a stop. Lexus tested it and have prescribed new pads all round in a couple of weeks time, free as it’s a known problem. I get a UX courtesy car. I think it’s like an RX but diddier. Very impressed with Lexus Stockport. Being phoned the day before to ask what drink I’d like is hilarious, even more so when said drink appears by magic as soon as I’ve sat down in the waiting area. And they have cake.
I have spotted one red coupe driving localish to me and I once spotted one in Swansea parked in a driveway, both before I got my LC. Apart from dealer forecourts that’s it. It’s even rarer than my Kia Stinger or my wife’s Honda E. I like that. I genuinely can’t understand why though - it has to be the badge.
If you’re reading this and haven’t already, go and buy one. 5 litre NA V8, concept car looks, and they’re still making them. I’m not sure how they get away with that. The 2024 model will have 360 cameras and a touchscreen which ruins the look of the dash but supposedly makes the tech easier to use - I’m not convinced on that - I’m fine with the touchpad thing now I’ve got used to it. As has been said by other owners, now I’ve got it I’m not sure what I’d replace it with.
Build is ridiculous, hood is excellent - it’s quiet when erect and goes down with no complaints, exhaust is very good, really nice burble at low speed then a real technical super smooth vibe at higher revs. Maybe not as nuts as previous TVR and Maserati but still awesome. Soft top definitely helps release the sound. Savagegeese style gear changes are childish but ace.
There is no stop-start system - it’s a two year old 5 litre car. That genuinely cracks me up.
My brakes squeak on coming to a stop. Lexus tested it and have prescribed new pads all round in a couple of weeks time, free as it’s a known problem. I get a UX courtesy car. I think it’s like an RX but diddier. Very impressed with Lexus Stockport. Being phoned the day before to ask what drink I’d like is hilarious, even more so when said drink appears by magic as soon as I’ve sat down in the waiting area. And they have cake.
I have spotted one red coupe driving localish to me and I once spotted one in Swansea parked in a driveway, both before I got my LC. Apart from dealer forecourts that’s it. It’s even rarer than my Kia Stinger or my wife’s Honda E. I like that. I genuinely can’t understand why though - it has to be the badge.
If you’re reading this and haven’t already, go and buy one. 5 litre NA V8, concept car looks, and they’re still making them. I’m not sure how they get away with that. The 2024 model will have 360 cameras and a touchscreen which ruins the look of the dash but supposedly makes the tech easier to use - I’m not convinced on that - I’m fine with the touchpad thing now I’ve got used to it. As has been said by other owners, now I’ve got it I’m not sure what I’d replace it with.
lornemalvo said:
Be aware that the LC. like other models, is vulnerable to theft within 1-2 minutes via the canbus access at the wheelarch. Having said that, it seems that Lexus themselves aren't averse to a bit of theft, going on the parts prices quoted in this thread.
The first nicked uk LC was only stolen recently and then recovered from a shipping container last week bound for Dubai.Mine has a tracker fitted - most Lexus probably do for the insurers - for £100 extra iirc it has an immobiliser included. No fob, no theft.
What bugs me is the likely damage an attempted theft would cause so I’m looking at adding either a cat 2 immobiliser or a 2-1 canbus alarm upgrade. Something that is visible in some way - led or immobiliser touchpoint on the dash.
Parts prices - yeah they’re probably expensive, but with a ten year warranty I’m hoping to avoid the parts department for another few years…
andy43 said:
lornemalvo said:
Be aware that the LC. like other models, is vulnerable to theft within 1-2 minutes via the canbus access at the wheelarch. Having said that, it seems that Lexus themselves aren't averse to a bit of theft, going on the parts prices quoted in this thread.
The first nicked uk LC was only stolen recently and then recovered from a shipping container last week bound for Dubai.Mine has a tracker fitted - most Lexus probably do for the insurers - for £100 extra iirc it has an immobiliser included. No fob, no theft.
What bugs me is the likely damage an attempted theft would cause so I’m looking at adding either a cat 2 immobiliser or a 2-1 canbus alarm upgrade. Something that is visible in some way - led or immobiliser touchpoint on the dash.
Parts prices - yeah they’re probably expensive, but with a ten year warranty I’m hoping to avoid the parts department for another few years…
I've just bought a lc500 convertible with top sports spec.
It ticks all the boxes, exclusive,well built, fantastic warranty, sounds great, fast enough, handles well enough,and is good all found daily driver.
I sold a ferrari portofino and would say this p gets more looks than the ferrari ...its more useable!
The infotainment system will be regarded as out of date but adds to the already classic status of the lc.
It's like a reliable 5litre jag, or well built aston..
Personally one of the best car buying decisions I have made
It ticks all the boxes, exclusive,well built, fantastic warranty, sounds great, fast enough, handles well enough,and is good all found daily driver.
I sold a ferrari portofino and would say this p gets more looks than the ferrari ...its more useable!
The infotainment system will be regarded as out of date but adds to the already classic status of the lc.
It's like a reliable 5litre jag, or well built aston..
Personally one of the best car buying decisions I have made
I think it looks nicer than the current Vantage. Let alone a M4. Totally different league style-wise.
If it could be had with a manual and that V8 it would be on the top of my list. I do know an auto might be more fitting, blah, blah, blah. It is still the reason I wouldn't buy one. But this is a very personal thing and I think as stylish coupes go, the LC500 is hard to beat. Beautiful, V8, glorious soundtrack, luxurious, rare.
If it could be had with a manual and that V8 it would be on the top of my list. I do know an auto might be more fitting, blah, blah, blah. It is still the reason I wouldn't buy one. But this is a very personal thing and I think as stylish coupes go, the LC500 is hard to beat. Beautiful, V8, glorious soundtrack, luxurious, rare.
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