Guys, I plan to buy a LC500 and would like some recommendations. It's still a good deal to buy 2018 or anything higher than 2021 would be better since it's newer?

 

You can answer your own questions with one number. The amount you have to spend!

 

Assuming you're talking about LC coupes, since the convertible wasn't released until 2021.

The main benefit you're going to see 2018 to 2021 is the ride, the suspension was refined every year or two and the 2018 is typically said to be a harsher ride than the 2021's. There's a substantial infotainment / driver aids upgrade in 2024 that you'd essentially have to buy new. I've owned a '21 and a '24, I can't tell a difference in the ride. The infotainment upgrade is substantial, lane tracing assist (LTA) is a game changer for highway driving.

We've seen a handful of 2018's in the $55-65K range, the cheapest 2021's with fairly low mileage are in the ~$75-80K range? So you save a good bit of money with the 2018.

Not sure how many cars you've owned in this price range, if this is another in a long line of them or if you're stretching to afford this one. My advice would be to spend exactly the amount of money that is necessary to get exactly the car you want. Saving 5-10% on a car that isn't exactly the color you want or that is missing some option always drives me nuts, especially in these price ranges. If you have to wait to find exactly the car you want at exactly the price you can afford, then you wait.

 

I prefer not to buy the first year models, but I usually can make exceptions for Toyota/Lexus products. I picked up a 2018 LC500 about 6 months ago with 50k miles. After putting 10k miles on it, it is everything I expect from Lexus quality and reliability

 

IMO the differences since 2018 are too minor to really worry about. As others have said it's about how much you have to spend, but beyond that it's just the number of miles and any remaining warranty that should factor into your decision. These are great cars and there are remarkably few posts here about mechanical problems to indicate that old or high mile LC's are problematic.

 

Bought a 2018 back in 2022 and so far no issues reported. Had 39000 kilometers when I bought it and now has 51000. Only upgrade was to install CarPlay and add a carbon fiber rear spoiler.

 

My LC is the second used Lexus I’ve bought that was a first model-year car (SC400 was the first). My suspicion is that first-year cars — especially expensive ones from Toyota — are wonderfully built and free from input from the Product Cheapening Department. And as time goes by subsequent models respond to the Sales Department, which in turn reflect input from customers who sometimes don’t know what they’re talking about (the ‘24 LCs have a nasty-looking touchscreen; the LC’s gorgeous interior has become less so because customers couldn’t figure out how to use the mousepad). Granted, in many cases production experience can improve the product and its reliability. But to a significant extent this is offset by the amount of money saved (my 2018 LC, with 12,000 miles, was just over $25,000 cheaper than new when I bought it last year, and it came from a state where they don’t salt the roads).
Also, if you’re buying used, check the service/maintenance records, and have an expert take a close look at the car — especially the underside.
Good luck!

 

I just purchased a 2018 after looking for over a year at all model years. I found a lot of folks believe the 2021 model to be the year with the most noticeable upgrades to the suspension and transmission tuning to be softer. You can also still find 2021's with warranty which is nice. However, they do run about $12-15k more expensive than a 2018 and I didn't feel like spending that much more for somewhat minor upgrades.

I also figured that since it's a sports car, I didn't really need the softer suspension or other upgrades for the price. Not to mention that insurance and my registration is also lower on the older vehicle (in WA you pay A LOT of money in registration based on model year), and while I can afford a more expensive car, I take personal satisfaction in maximizing the value I get for my limited investment, so the 2018 fit the bill.

Having said that, it sucks dealing with a known squeaking issue that the 2018's can experience but I'm optimistic that once I get that resolved it should be a fairly trouble-free car.