I've had two Lexus dealerships tell me they cannot take orders for the LC 500. They say they only get allocated what Lexus decides to send to them.

I've seen others here post about placing orders recently. Can someone clarify what's going on here? Are the dealers I'm speaking with just too small or something? Is there a "best" dealer to place an order with? I'm in the Midwest/Missouri if it matters.

Thanks!

 

It’s mostly true. From what I’ve experienced, they cannot say I have a customer who wants this and this and this. Can you build it and send it over.
What they can do is say I have a customer who wants this and this and this, what do you have coming that matches and if we can get this vehicle. For the most part, Lexus just builds what they want, send it to dealership and sometime of the dealer of their choice.
The only way to get somewhat custom build is doing a Bespoke build(only available on LC500) but most dealership have no clue what and how to do it. Most take the easy route and say can’t do bespoke but I can see what’s coming. Most dealerships don’t bother making the effort of doing a bespoke build.
This is the current sad and true state of custom Lexus build program because there really isn’t any.
Larger dealerships do have better allocations than smaller volume one. But you just have to find one that is willing to spend some effort on getting the LC for you. They rather sell what they have on their lot.

 

I put down a deposit for a NG/Black/Touring Coupe on 2/14 here on Oahu. I was told by the dealership that the car was an "order" but that most orders from them were fulfilled by the factory. No further word until April when I received a call stating that the order has been accepted by the factory and another call in June that production would likely begin in mid-late August. I phoned the dealership a few times after June but was informed there was no further information. Fast forward to just last week, I received a call telling me the car would be at the Honolulu port on 9/10 and I would likely be able to pick up the car around the 16th. I stopped into the dealership the following day, spoke with the GM and Finance Manager, and was given a VIN# along with a printout of the final payoff amount. Not sure how they were able to give me the final payoff without the Monroney sticker but I have a figure. Anyway, the situation went from "minimal information" to "your car will be ready in about 10 days". The other good news is that I ordered the 10-spoke wheel option and those are the wheels I will get (I've heard others who have ordered the 10-spoke and have received the flower petal wheels instead).

Based on my experience, it does seem to come down to the dealership and I guess allocations. I do know the Honolulu dealership would never order this color for their own inventory so from my experience, the order process did work and it is not a Bespoke model. That said, I've got quite a bit to do in 10 days to prepare for delivery, including lots of forum searches for threads involving picking up the car, the walk around inspection, dealer settings, etc.

 

That’s a pretty wild story, and you’re a lot more patient than I am. I would’ve given up a lot earlier. I guess you get used to supply side issues when you’re in Hawaii, or at least more understanding. Good luck with your car when you pick it up.

 

Coming into this, I knew all about the allocation system. Toyota/Lexus doesn’t do orders (outside the Bespoke program for the LC 500).

I asked extremely specific questions at my dealer. I was assured they can actually order an LC 500, and particularly a coupe because Lexus simply doesn’t make many and they will make one if requested. I even posted on Reddit and had Lexus dealer employees tell me the same thing.

That was in June. I still don’t have a car coming my way. So, I was right going into this. There are no orders unless you do a Bespoke build.

 

maybe search for a dealer that wants to earn ur business. I ordered a 24 in Sept. 23, 2 dealerships in Sacto. One dealer could give a rats butt about ordering and the other dealership answered my questions and got the job done in 4-5 months...Wasnt an inspiration/Bespoke package just Touring with semianiline leather, moon roof, upgraded stereo...didnt try for the nicer looking wheels but they took the order.

 

I did my research on local dealers here in San Diego and Escondido was hands down the best. But given the time, I’m about ready to ask for my deposit back and go elsewhere. Only thing that has been delaying me was the 2025 MY announcement but at some point it’s a sunk cost fallacy.

 

My experience is that they can "preference" an allocation and trade or swap with other dealers once they are allocated inventory but beyond ext and int colors it'll be hard to specify much else.

I custom ordered a 2014 and a 2017 IS 350 in the past but It seems like they don't do that anymore, especially on the LC500 where they want to drive any custom orders to their bespoke program.

 

I feel your frustration but I'd give it a bit more time if you can. For my non-bespoke allocation, it was a 5 month process total and the dealer couldn't give me a whole lot of concrete information until month 4 when I was informed it was being scheduled to be on the ship in a week or so. Even when my allocation was "confirmed" by the regional Lexus rep in month 3, there wasn't any other detail to go on like anticipated build date, what options, etc. A black hole of information, but then it suddenly changes. Good luck!

 

Normally I'd agree but there have been a few things that I have not liked. I understand it's not their "fault" but their messaging has sucked. They told me my order was in and to expect delivery in December, then a month goes by and I get a call from the sales manager telling me they actually don't have anything for me. I'd be fine with it, but I asked *very* pointed questions when I went in June and was assured and re-assured they could order one, they even said they had two slots and only one has been taken up. I don't mind waiting, but I don't enjoy being told everything was fine only for them to reverse course when I was extremely specific with my questions.

 

This is pretty much identical to the experience I had except it will be a 7 month process just about to the day. A fair amount of waiting for sure with little information along the way until the last month or so like Blue says.

 

What does this say for the MY25 LC’s. If they were coming along why aren’t dealers taking orders?

Unless the MY25’s are significantly different from the 24’s I don’t understand the logic. It sounds like the dealers are selling off the end of the LC’s.