I've been speaking with a few dealers on my quest for a new LC. Seems like the factory is going to be building mostly verts this year. Actually a few unspoken for as of now. My question is according to my guy who sold me my IS 500 that the verts in, So Cal are a bit of an issue with a soft top, easy to get in and steal. I'm not a big sun on my head guy, lots of skin cancer, what are your experiences with both resale value etc., Might even be a deal to be had on a vert. I would probably have the top up most of the time.

 

I mean you answered your own question right?

 

I struggled between the coupe and convertible for a while. While I do think the convertible looks great with the windows and top down, I'm just not a fan of the soft top look when it's up. The coupe has much better lines and a more aggressive look IMO. Plus where I live in South Florida, the tiny lizards crap all over everything. Garages can't even stop those little terrorists from doing their dirty work. Constant clean up on the top would **** me off after a while.

 

If you aren't going to drive with the top down mostly, I don't see the point of the convertible. Coupe also has better rigidity.

 

yes i did

 

Buy the car you want and most suitable for you. Don’t go buy a car just because it’s on the lot and can get discount on it. You won’t last long with it.
I made this mistake when getting my first Lexus. I truly wanted the new redesigned 2013 GS350 F sport at the time. But I couldn’t get a penny off msrp and have to wait. While a left over 2011(there’s no 2012 MY of GS) GS350 can be had the same day with steep discount.
Surely, I ended up with a 2015 GS after about 3 years in the 2011.
Not saying that you won’t enjoy the LC500 convertible. But those two reasons you posted are exactly why convertible won’t work for me. Now if it was a hardtop, I would do it.

 

The Vert is a little higher cost (unless it's winter) and I like the option of top open/closed. But I also don't track, modify or add much to the OEM vehicle. I can't tell any noise difference with the top up and the build quality (layers) is thick enough that even driving 80+ in the rain the windshield is noisier. I'm not worried about someone cutting the top to get in, more so about someone would jump in if the top was down (but I usually have the windows up when the top is down). Top down; much easier entering/egress, V8 sound is amazing, climate concierge works fantastic. Added benefit is you can get different roof colors.

 

Since the weather here in NC is always so marvelous, it was an easy decision for me to order a new LC 500 convertible vs. a coupe. Also, when looking at the available/remaining new 2025/2026 LCs currently online right now, it seems the coupes are priced at about the same (or even more) than the verts listed (supply/demand imbalance?). You can't make a bad decision either way but based on the eLFA announcement last night, I'd buy an LC sooner than later before they are either all gone or experience anymore 'market adjustments'. Good luck!

 

Several factors that you mention are valid. To me factors are: What's the weather like? Do you prefer a vert in general and have you ever had one? Security wise a glass window never stopped anyone from breaking into a car so the issue of more security without the vert really not important to me. In AZ my top is down 90% of the time because I love the view and the sounds. Top only goes up over 100 degrees or extended highway driving. With the top down and windscreen up the car is fantastic to have.
Glenn

 

Hmm - Thought I posted in another thread about available LC Coupes with leather. You acknowledged, have you investigated❓

Lou

 

Well, One thing to consider that sealed it for me. Go to a Lexus parts catalog on line and price a replacement top. The price of a new top will make up your mind quickly.

RKTINC.

 

Where you live in Fla?

 

Toyota decides how many of each to build each year, and they've built 7-8 times as many convertibles as coupes since the convertible was released in 2021.

If you really want a coupe, talk to your dealer about building a "bespoke" one. Talk to them ASAP. If they don't know how the process works, or at any point uses the word "allocation", use a different dealer.

Lexus' "bespoke" process is the only custom-order car you can buy from Toyota or Lexus. You submit an order to the factory, factory decides if they'll build it or not then they tell you if they've accepted the order. I think the next bespoke build window is February. With a bespoke LC500 you pick exterior color, interior color, options, wheels etc.

The odds of you getting exactly the coupe you want via the allocation process rather than bespoke, considering the 7-or-8-to-1 ratio of them building convertibles, is slim. Better to build a bespoke car and get exactly what you want.

And don't worry about resale, you won't be selling this one any time soon. The GR GT is going to be crazy money and the LFA replacement is an EV. You're buying the best looking and second best sounding car to ever leave Japan, there's no reason to sell it

 

@jbuffett
“The odds of you getting exactly the coupe you want via the allocation process rather than bespoke, considering the 7-or-8-to-1 ratio of them building convertibles, is slim. Better to build a bespoke car and get exactly what you want.”

The primary flaw with the Bespoke process is you aren’t able to order the Dynamic Handling Package. This omission makes no sense. It’s a very worthwhile and desirable options package.

 

I know there's an official bespoke program, but when I custom ordered my 24 model, it didn't seem to be under the actual bespoke program. Were they just banking on that Lexus would build the config I wanted?