Hello, I had been weighting out my options between the ATSV, Stinger, GT500, M3/4, RC F and RS5 and was about to pull the trigger on an 2019 M3 when I ran across the 2018 LC500 setting in the lot (first time I had seen one parked) and completely screwed up all the research I had done. We took it for a drive and I fell in love once I hit the start button, total eargasm. Now I am leaning towards the LC500, a car I don't know much about. I do know I loved the way the LC drove vs. any of the other cars mentioned above, it checked more of the boxes I was looking for.

There are pros and cons to the cars mentioned above, and I drove all of them. At the end of the day I am not a street racer, but I like G's and spirited driving on empty country roads. Living outside the city and doing a lot of driving is what has manipulated my decision. This car just made more since for daily driving and something I probably would keep for a while.

If you guys had it to do all over again, what would you do different?

- Would you have bought new or used?

- Packages you wish you would have included i.e. Mark Levinson, performance, 4WS etc.

- What are common issues when buying a 2018 and what to look out for?

- Paint colors that may or may not durability issues.

Many thanks for any feedback.

 

comments in quoted section

ppp

 

- Would you have bought new or used?
Used. That large luxury coupe depreciates a lot. I get an msrp 105k 2018 lc for 72k in July, that car is 5000 miles.

- Packages you wish you would have included i.e. Mark Levinson, performance, 4WS etc.
I add all the packages. Weather package is good, audio is good. I find it looks better with rear wing so I need the performance one, but you can always choose touring package if you prefer leather seats.

- What are common issues when buying a 2018 and what to look out for?
Brake dust, and the pad can be changed in dealers for free as this issue is well-known. One of the 2019 LC selling points is upgraded transmission from 2018 LC. I do find 2018 LC transmission logic has some problems: reluctant to downshift even in sport+ and not as quick as I expected. It takes a while from R to D and you can feel that, which is weird. You can test drive two versions to compare and see if you care about it.
- Paint colors that may or may not durability issues.
Avoid the black interior. I go with white/red, which I think is the best. For others, I simply trust Lexus's quality and their extra commitment for their new flagship cars (Did I even mention that is the factory that produced LFA?)
Many thanks for any feedback.

 

New - I bought my new 2018 LC in June for $81K. Had to drive to Nebraska, but it was worth it I haven't bought a used car since 1961,

I have the Touring Packaging. I didn't want the complexity of RWS and I don't particularly like that retractable wing. I have the CF spoiler. Also I wanted lull leather,

The brake dust is not an issue for me. I have had Hi-Po brake pads for the last 17 years. I'll take performance over a little dust any day.


I've heard that too, but have not experienced it. It bang down shifts for me Have not experienced any delay going from Reverse to Drive.

Haven't experienced or heard about this either. I had my ISF for eleven years, the paint looked as good as when I bought it - when I saw it 2 weeks ago at a local meet.


I specifically chose the black interior. Had the black on my ISF also I like all black interiors The red is actually a mix of black and red. The white will be a bi**h to keep clean.

Lou

 

I just got my brand new 2018 this summer for around $14k off MSRP. Atomic silver on black, sport package, Mark Levinson, LSD, most of the goodies. I definitely would get those options.

I had the brake pads replaced and it made a world of difference.

I use the paddles most of the time if I’m driving at any speed more than plodding along in traffic. I’ve never had an issue with the transmission.

I think it was totally worth the extra money to get a brand new LC versus a used one. I hate used cars and tread my cars very well. Any little mark on it would have driven me nuts.

 

In my case, I considered buying used vs new.

Frankly, on a gem like this, I wanted to be the first owner.

I did not want the "risk" of buying the car with any flaws that I did not cause.

It's OK if I screw up and create a scratch here or there, or if when I am driving the windshield gets dinged by a flying whatever.

I believe you can make a great purchase by buying a used car but the savings comes from increased risk.

The risk may turn out to be minimal, but the degree of it is what you don't know.

At the end of the day it is a personal preference.

Certainly, I believe there is huge savings from taking on the risk.

Puertex

 

Many thanks for the feedback. I'm the proud owner of a 2018 SMOKY GRANITE MICA LC500 with 7k miles on itI. I sacrificed the color I wanted over the performance package. With this car your splitting hairs on packages vs. other OEM models. IMO it's a well equipped whip and you can't go wrong either way.

 

That color is good enough, but you can always spend an extra 3k to wrap and change your lover.

Congratulation on your Xmas gift!

 

you can always spend an extra 3k to wrap

Has anyone done chrome delete or accent wraps in this groups? The lines and color combinations on this car is amazing stock. I would be interested in seeing what others have done.

 

Yup I chrome deleted my Nightfall Mica LC. See attached.

 

Congrats !
Mine is the same year, color and package.
Puertex

 

Well said.

I would get it polished, front nose wrapped and finally a ceramic treatment.

In lieu of ceramic, I would use a polymer paint sealant after the polish.

Puertex

 

I did a full color change wrap to satin, chrome delete, black PPF on the gloss black trim and tint. I also did some wrapping on the tail lights, the lower inner fascia insert and part of the rear valance. The exhaust tips and the wheels are powder coated.

 

Car looks awesome! In my opinion I think buying cars brand new is not worth it but I'm sure others may say otherwise. I've personally have bought two brand cars in life and I haven't seen the benefit besides my cheaper financing rate (even tho I typically pay off my car in 1-2 year), first service is free, and factory warranty (which I never had to use).

I do have a question for the other LC owners. Would you say your LC can run to 100k without major complications?

 

I am going to extrapolate ! (I am an engineer and in my trade, this means going out on a limb !)

I have owned several Lexus automobiles during the last 20 years.

Some of them I just plain got tired of them before they gave my any problems.

My IS 350 lasted me 150k miles without any issues.

My RX300, gave me 150k miles... Now I have a 2016 RX350 with 30k miles with no issues...

Lexus brand statistics show the brand at the top of the reliability charts along the Porsches...

The extrapolation comes from the inference that one vehicle will exhibit the same reliability characteristics as the rest of the brand.

To your question, my answer is, more than likely the LC500 will be a highly reliable high performance machine when treated and maintained appropriately.

Puertex