Hello folks,

Longtime LC500 admirer, first time poster. I'm getting closer to acquisition of a 2018 LC500. I've been skirting around it for too long by acquiring other vehicles in its place, filling voids, but I'm done with procrastinating. I'm jumping in. I have three 2018's to choose from in my search, that meet the 3-point criteria (white exterior, hardtop, V8) of what I'm looking for. Just have to decide and work a deal now.

While in the process of all of, figured maybe I'd join in with you folks and learn myself up on some of the ins and outs of the car in question. I've came across the "Issues to be aware of" thread posted on here that outlines some of the common problems with the LC in general.

Not sure if there is anything in particular that stands out for the 2018 model as far as concerns, things to look for, etc that may aid in my search, prior to purchase.

The reasoning for getting into the 2018's, is basically affordability. I've been wanting this car for so long, but it's been a little out of reach. But now the popularity and pricing of them keeps going up. The earlier models are of course in the cheaper range. If I want in, then I'd better get on board now or not at all. Used prices are basically hitting the MSRP of what that particular car sold for originally. And sometime more. BUT...I don't want to get myself into a money pit of the early models are notoriously problematic. Which can tend to happen in the first couple or so years after a new model has been introduced. How many bugs were there in the '18 model year?

So far, what I am to understand as common issues across the model year board, are door handle actuator issues, throttle body issue, rear camera condensation issue, squeaky brakes, and HVAC/AC motor issue. Some of those have TSB's attached to them by the sounds of it.

Other than that, the only thing that I would consider doing to the car is the NIA body kit. It's a subtle yet stylish kit. I'd go for the full kit, sans rear diffuser though. The rest of the car looks so sleek. It's good as is. Would interfere too much to introduce anything else, IMO. Don't want to make it look too tuner-ish. Some of you probably are thinking that it's going too far to add that kit already. But to me, it's so subtle but adds just the right amount of extra sporty vibe. Any feedback good or bad in dealing with NIA, or feedback on their product quality, etc?

The other thing is the interior. If I were to order a new car, it would be with a black interior. Hard to get picky when searching in the used inventories. They don't come up too often, and hard to get the proper choices that I want. Of the three cars that I'm choosing from, neither one has the interior that I would have chose. One has the full caramel, the other two are the two-toned black and red. I'm wondering if anyone here has found quality seat covers? Just to tone down the amount of red inside the car. I don't want to cheapen the look or feel of the seats by adding covers though. So if there's nothing good, I'll deal with it. But, if there's a quality product, I'd like to investigate.

Thanks in advance for any possible light shed

Cheers

 

2018 are the harshest riding ones. They revised suspension every year, but 2018 was notably more of a "sports car" ride than a GT ride. If you wanted something a bit more supple, get a 2019/2020+. I dont remember which year (19 or 20) savage geese said they did major suspension revision, but i believe its 2019.

Otherwise yes those are the common issues so far. I havent heard of any valley plate leaks yet on the LC but RCF and ISF guys who have the same engine have run into a few of these.
None of these are detractors and can be fixed without insane $ (unlike say a more exotic car like bentley gt or a ferrari roma, etc)

 

Id hold out for the colors U prefer...seems like always alot of used inventory,be patient and it will pop up.

 

Thanks for the quick reply and heads up. Something to consider and look more into for sure, as that helps with the overall driving experience. Is this Savage Geese a member on here that you're referring to, to check with?

I'm on the BC coast as well.

EDIT: Just looked more info on the suspension upgrade that you mentioned. Looks like '19 was the first year of "- Range of Adaptive Variable suspension expanded for enhanced ride comfort

Then for '20, it was said to be "Updates were also made to the Adaptive Variable Suspension, including new bushings on the damper rods and a switch to independent rebound and compression orifices. Both changes allow for an expanded range of damping force for enhanced overall comfort.

Wonder how extensive the parts and labour were with those upgrades. Maybe an easy one to do to a '18 car to give it those same upgrades, rather than waiting for, and paying more for a '19 or '20 to show up?

 

They aren't as plentiful up here in Canada. And to find what I'm looking for as far as the white, hardtop, V8, isn't easy as is. But there doesn't appear to be any with all black interior. Seems to be a common thing to have the two-toned or caramel with white exterior. Knowing my luck, the right one will pop up after I settle on another.

 

He is a YouTuber.

 

One of the few high-profile YouTubers who has actually owned an LC500, as well has having made content on them, throughout the life of the model.

 

welcome!

 

If you don’t like the interior color, better to hold off and wait for the right one.
The interior color is more than just the seats. The dash, door panels are all different color as well.
I’m also a black interior kind of guy.

 

I suggest to just wait for the interior color you really want. Don't rush a purchase if you're not fully on board with the options that are important to you.

 

Just looked him up and having a gander at the vids. Thanks for the tip.

Thank you. Glad to be aboard. Not technically as of yet, as I'm still a searcher and lurker. Soon-to-be owner

It's a long hard wait thus far. I just don't see that colour combo come up very often with the white exterior and full black interior. I'm sure by now there has to be a registry or stats out there that list how many white, V8 hardtops there are with black interiors. Can't be many from my searching. Either that, or everyone is holding onto them. I've been looking for too long. There's a white hard top, black interior one that just showed up on AutoTrader and I just about flipped out. Then get into the details and it's the 'H' version. #@*%!!! So close.
The black/red interior isn't hideous. I can deal with it. I thought if at least the seats were two toned black and red, or full black, then that helps tone down the amount of red.
I have the caramel interior version on GT7 on PS5, along with some Enkei wheels that I painted the same caramel colour, and that combo doesn't look too bad. But still. That caramel interior is borderline with me.
And now the prices are going up on these rigs, so I figured I better just either order a new one with black interior, or lower my expectations slightly with a used one.
I doubt if there'd be a good quality seat cover for this kind of car. Little too high quality of car for someone to pull that off proper-like.
Maybe coming across a salvage one that has black seats would do the trick. If they're not stained by the people sitting on them when the accident occurred.
First world problems. Oiy

 

White on black?

https://www.karmadfw.com/inventory/2...lc-500/1062507

https://www.graysonbmw.com/used-cars...model=LC%20500

 

Looks like he's in Canada so his options will be much more limited.

OP - can you buy a U.S. model and import it or fly down and drive it back? Might push up the cost too much I imagine...

 

I mean, you can still order replacement panels for the seats, so in theory if the red/black is too much for you, you could switch the seats for all-black, without too much trouble. Not free, of course, but from recollection nor is it too wildly expensive. I have the full caramel interior and I'll admit, it can take a little getting used to. Kinda wished they had made it caramel and saddle tan, like the green Inspiration series cars, but with the alcantara option. I shall refrain from my longstanding rant that Lexus has no idea what Bespoke actually means... If they had still done Manhattanhenge in 2025, I would have pushed to have that interior in my Nori Green car, then switched out the steering wheel for a black one...

 

Thanks anyways NickL.Yes, I'm in Canada. And it's made it much harder, as there doesn't seem to be too many of these around too often, either for sale or just out there driving. Not very common vehicle to see, let alone to see for sale. Especially with the 3-part criteria that I have. Less of them up here than down there, border wise.
Not sure what all is involved with cross border shopping regarding cars. I know there's paperwork, inspections, etc of course. One can either use a broker direct to deal with it, or go with auto transport companies that do their own brokerage for their clients. Either way will add costs for sure. Not sure how much, but maybe it's time to ask and see if it's worth it.
Patience grasshopper, I keep telling myself.