As far as niche cars go. Growing up I had several 1977/78 Datsun 280Z's 2+2, later on 2013 Camaro ZL1 coupe, 2022 Raptor, and recently added a 2025 Lc500 coupe to the stable.

 

So true... so true...

 

I'm a MK3 & MK4 Supra dude... also previously owned a SC 400.

The LC is like the amalgamation of the cars listed above + LFA.

I've been a loyal Toyota / Lexus enthusiast for life, but it appears the LC is the last car that they will make that really appeals to me.

 

Funny story. Spent years with our del Sol, great little car, could remove the targa roof without looking.

Years later I'm in a whole new city hanging with a whole new car crew and one of the guys brings his NSX. And he asks if I can help him take the roof off. I reach under the lip, completely blind, and it's familiar...it's the exact same latch and lever as on the del Sol. So he starts to explain how to do it and I'm like DONE.

Fantastic little cars. Gave the last decent one to my niece, who then got demolition-derby'd in it (not her fault). I can't imagine a world where Honda would build that car again, considering what they did to the CR-Z.

 

Hope I can communicate thoughts without too much screw-up. I grew up loving automobiles, this as inherited from my father. His best friend was the Studebaker dealer, which sold new Mercedes for a time back then. I was probably 9 or 10 when he received a Mercedes 300SL Gullwing silver with red interior. I can still feel a bit of the flush I had being allowed to sit in it. His friend also had tastes for exotic cars, known as "foreign cars" then, so there were always used MG's, Morgan's, Jaguar's, etc. on his lot and available for me to test as a teen.

Next, I'm not a "car guy" knowing the various models and some makes even discussed on the forum (had to search Alpine110 and wow!). Had no clue what ADM was nor the barrel of a wheel. But also, I have an appreciation of steering, brakes, suspension, performance, aesthetic form/design, reliability etc.I read here of owners exploring the limits of track-centered modifications and others grinning ear-to-ear driving along top down at the ocean. Finally to my point. "Are LC lovers just Niche-minded folks?" No, just seekers and some finders regardless of niche IMO.

Edit: picture a once dream car. LC almost fulfills LOL

 

Fine sentiments!

I like to think I've evolved a little bit since my blatantly contrarian youth. What's consistent, though, is I do tend to like car models which have a story. You know the ones - the great engineer's passion project, the after-hours "skunkworks" project by a team in their free time, the hologation special, the cars built because someone said it couldn't be done. I have found that those are the cars which, if not always perfect, tend to put the biggest smile on my face. Basically, anything which wasn't driven by "product planners" (apologies to any product planners on this forum - the role is important, but... passionless...)

The LC fits neatly into the "overengineered passion project" category, and you can feel it every time you open the door, sit in that cabin and fire up that wonderful engine.

 

Indeed Hythe. I marvel how this masterpiece escaped globe notice, hemisphere notice, North American notice, and USA notice. Even a rube like me might have marketed it better.

 

I have never considered myself a niche buyer...but I love having a car that is more unique than what everyone else drives, and especially one that turns heads. I love convertibles and have owned BMW, Mercedes, etc. None of the American car companies have sexy convertibles. All are boring except for the Corvette...and that car just did not fit me well. When I decided to dump my Mercedes, because I hate their ripoff service model, I did not know the LC 500 even existed. I never saw one. Once I started searching convertibles and came across this beautiful and amazing machine....I just had to have one. I love this car more than any other I have owned. You don't drive it...you wear it! I bought it out of state and had it shipped cross country. When I took it into my Lexus dealer... the sales and service people surrounded me saying they rarely see one of these! That was really cool and made my day! Maybe I am a niche buyer!

 

4,500 lbs with a 0–60 in the upper 4s doesn’t help with getting noticed.

 

Well, at least LCs are rarely noticed spinning into ditches in an attempt to impress others...

 

True when speed-launch is the yardstick. My belief for near future is it will continue to rule the masses.

 

Interestingly I have the LC, LX and GX “New Posts” set in the forum. There is a probably 20-1 ratio of posts for the LC versus the LX and GX. That seems to say a lot about how people feel about the LC; constantly discussing, constantly communicating about the vehicle. In my mind this shows the interest people have for their LC.

 

Huge Lexus and Toyota fan. Fell in love with the LC.

 

Testament to the give-back this awesome machine blesses owner-drivers.

 

Wish I'd said this summation so well. " You don't drive it...you wear it!" Yes, sir.