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Hi. First post here. Not my first Lexus - I had two SC430s, which I traded way too soon (lesson learned). I've been a Bimmer person for some time - currently driving a year-old M850ix convertible, in some ways a close cousin to the LC convertible.
However, and there's really no reason to mention this to my wife at this point, if you catch my drift, I find myself pretty enamored with the LC 'vert, especially the Inspiration series, which I'm probably too late to take a shot at.
I live in North Florida, two hours from the nearest Lexus dealer (itself a disincentive - and one of the reasons I stupidly traded away my second SC430 ), so I haven't had a chance to see an LC 'vert in person or even in the wild, and that dealer still doesn't have any in stock. As soon as it does, I'm set up to drive over and take a look. (Again, no reason at this point to bother the wife with this plan.) We did see an LC coupe in our neighborhood the other day and even my wife said, "Wow. Look at that. It's gorgeous. What is that?"
If I may ask a series of questions, all at one time and all in one place (I appreciate that relatively few people here other than @Kingdom08 have the 'vert, so responses from LC coupe owners also would be much appreciated):
- I'm 73, in pretty good shape, but I'm wondering if I'd...fit...in an LC 'vert. I just compared all relevant specs and the LC seems close in many respects to my M850ix, but photos and videos suggest to me that the LC cockpit might be a little tight. Is it?
- Also, getting in and out. It is "Miata low"or pretty "normal?"
- These days, do Lexuses feature auto-stop-start technology, which I find highly annoying? And, if so, can it be programmed to remain inactive (off) as the default or must it be turned off each time one starts the engine?
- How is the A/C system? Cold and powerful? (Again, I'm in extremely toasty and humid North Florida.)
- And the ventilated seats? Are they ventilated with cool air or just...ventilated with existing cabin air?
- I believe that these vehicles come with remote engine start - a phone app, I imagine - so, the cabin can be pre-cooled or pre-heated?
- I've heard plenty about the user-unfriendly infotainment system. I guess I'd have to find my way through that.
- Only one cup holder? Really? It’s 2020. That’s an...interesting...design choice.
- According to the LC specs, all of these come standard with driver assistance systems such as lane departure warnings and dynamic cruise control. Those are real pluses. Any insight into these systems' efficacy and performance? Are they more helpful than intrusive?
- Are the windshield wipers rain-sensing?
- Only two complimentary oil changes, right? (BMW still does it for three years.)
I guess that's it, though I'm sure I'll think of three more as soon as I press "post."
Truly, many thanks in advance as I strongly consider rejoining the Lexus family.
Last edited by redhot47fl; Sep 2, 2020 at 05:40 PM.
I can't wait for Lou's responses - he's older than you!
Here are a few of my responses...
AC is plenty cold. Many owners on this site live in hot areas. I'll defer to them.
Seats are ventilated with cool air - adjustable through the idiotic menu system if you can figure it out.
I believe newer models have easy access seat memory (older models can just set one of the seat memory positions to assist)
One official cupholder, a second spot is often used with the armrest moved back. Can be annoying if you use the armrest.
Driver assistance features are really good and Lexus reliable. Can be deactivated if desired.
Wipers are rain-sensing.
Drive a coupe and get a feel for yourself. Convertibles don't drive much different - from what I've been reading.
I think only a few Inspiration Series have hit the US so far. May not be too late to get one. Dealers have allocation sheets and can likely find one for you. But be forewarned - some are charging ridiculous markups.
I live in North Florida, two hours from the nearest Lexus dealer
I hear ya... i'm in north central (Ocala) so about 90 minutes from a dealer. Shocked there isn't one in Tallahassee where you are.
Since i don't own one and haven't been in one i can't answer some of your questions, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn.
- These days, do Lexuses feature auto-stop-start technology, which I find highly annoying?
The LC does not. Drive easy and economy is 'ok'. Drive lead foot and it drinks gas (probably 13-15). But if you can afford the car, you can afford the gas.
- How is the A/C system? Cold and powerful? (Again, I'm in extremely toasty and humid North Florida.)
lexus AC is usually very strong. flowrider (lou) has a black on black LC and lives in arizona. If he can cope, so can you.
- Only two complimentary oil changes, right? (BMW still does it for three years.)
unless you're driving it a ton, oil changes won't be that often and again, cost is pretty minor overall. Plus, even if they were 3 years, are you going to drive 5 hours round trip to get it?
Last edited by bitkahuna; Sep 3, 2020 at 06:49 AM.
Hi. First post here. Not my first Lexus - I had two SC430s, which I traded way too soon (lesson learned). I've been a Bimmer person for some time - currently driving a year-old M850ix convertible, in some ways a close cousin to the LC convertible.
However, and there's really no reason to mention this to my wife at this point, if you catch my drift, I find myself pretty enamored with the LC 'vert, especially the Inspiration series, which I'm probably too late to take a shot at.
I live in North Florida, two hours from the nearest Lexus dealer (itself a disincentive - and one of the reasons I stupidly traded away my second SC430 ), so I haven't had a chance to see an LC 'vert in person or even in the wild, and that dealer still doesn't have any in stock. As soon as it does, I'm set up to drive over and take a look. (Again, no reason at this point to bother the wife with this plan.) We did see an LC coupe in our neighborhood the other day and even my wife said, "Wow. Look at that. It's gorgeous. What is that?"
If I may ask a series of questions, all at one time and all in one place (I appreciate that relatively few people here other than @Kingdom08 have the 'vert, so responses from LC coupe owners also would be much appreciated):
- I'm 73, in pretty good shape, but I'm wondering if I'd...fit...in an LC 'vert. I just compared all relevant specs and the LC seems close in many respects to my M850ix, but photos and videos suggest to me that the LC cockpit might be a little tight. Is it? - Not to me and I'm 81.
- Also, getting in and out. It is "Miata low"or pretty "normal?" - The 2020 and later have a setting that moves the seat all the way back when engine is turned off. On earlier models, like mine, I use memory setting 3 to move the seat all the way back. Then it's easy.
- These days, do Lexuses feature auto-stop-start technology, which I find highly annoying? And, if so, can it be programmed to remain inactive (off) as the default or must it be turned off each time one starts the engine? No Start/Stop, Thank Goodness.
- How is the A/C system? Cold and powerful? (Again, I'm in extremely toasty and humid North Florida.) - I'm in Arizona, hotter here, but nowhere near as humid. AC works Great,
- And the ventilated seats? Are they ventilated with cool air or just...ventilated with existing cabin air? - No added cooling to the seats
- I believe that these vehicles come with remote engine start - a phone app, I imagine - so, the cabin can be pre-cooled or pre-heated? - Yes, but like all Toyota products, the engineshuts off when you open the door.
- I've heard plenty about the user-unfriendly infotainment system. I guess I'd have to find my way through that. - With time you'll get used to it.
- Only one cup holder? Really? It’s 2020. That’s an...interesting...design choice. - Actually two. there is a square in the center cubby.
- According to the LC specs, all of these come standard with driver assistance systems such as lane departure warnings and dynamic cruise control. Those are real pluses. Any insight into these systems' efficacy and performance? Are they more helpful than intrusive? - The only one I really can't stand is that you can't depress the accelerator and the brake at the same time. If you do, there is no power to the engine. I usually trail brake and left foot brake. Trail braking is impossible in an LC Otherwise no other interference that I have encountered.
- Are the windshield wipers rain-sensing? - Yes
- Only two complimentary oil changes, right? (BMW still does it for three years.) - Yes only Two. Doesn't bother me, I change my own oil.
I guess that's it, though I'm sure I'll think of three more as soon as I press "post."
Truly, many thanks in advance as I strongly consider rejoining the Lexus family.
Answers Above. Welcome to the site. Lot's of GREAT information here and GREAT folks to share it with.
Lou
Last edited by flowrider; Sep 2, 2020 at 09:17 PM.
Thanks folks. These responses have been quite helpful.
A point of clarification: Though I suggested otherwise, I'm not really concerned about oil changes. It's true that we don't drive all that much anymore (especially during the COVID crisis), and oil changes and other preventative maintenance tasks are readily acquired in a number of other ways. It mostly was warranty inspections and repairs - and the distance involved - that were on my mind. (I suspect that this is much less of a concern with a Lexus than it has been with my BMWs, which is another story altogether.)
I certainly agree that it's disappointing that Lexus does not have a dealership in or near Tallahassee, the capital of the nation's third largest state and a metropolitan area of more than 200,000 people (plus tens of thousands within an hour's drive). And that - apparently by corporate policy - the local Toyota dealer won't handle Lexus warranty repairs. That said, the Jacksonville Lexus dealerships (two halves of the same dealership) said they offer valet service that delivers loaners as they pick up and return cars for service. Hard to envision - it's 165 miles each way - but that is somewhat reassuring.
Again, thanks for the responses thus far. I'm looking forward to trying on one of these beauties.
trying to follow, are you saying no, the air is not cooled that's coming out of the seats? i would have thought it would be.
The ventilated seats are good enough for me living in the hottest city in the US, and with the black interior. Not as good as my wife's actively cooled Lincoln MKZ, but good enough, and one major concern I always have with any new vehicle purchase. They are louder than her MKZ, but about the same and work better than our Highlander. With the LC's Concierge program, from about March to October, I don't have to mess with or adjust the seat cooling.
I certainly agree that it's disappointing that Lexus does not have a dealership in or near Tallahassee, the capital of the nation's third largest state and a metropolitan area of more than 200,000 people (plus tens of thousands within an hour's drive)
Salem, Oregon.
Oregon's capital.
Over 200,000 population in the area.
No Lexus dealer.
Lexus of Eugene, 60 miles south
Lexus of Portland, 60 Miles north
Doesn't make sense to me, either....
Originally Posted by hoonose
With the LC's Concierge program, from about March to October, I don't have to mess with or adjust the seat cooling.
That's likely not a Lexus publication. Bitkahuna is correct - the auxiliary box area is not meant to hold beverages, although I'm sure many people use it that way. From the manual:
what's "Mp Active cooling"? sounds like marketing speak for 'not air conditioned ventilation'. it may be great, you're right, i've not experienced it. my car's seats has FREEZING air conditioned air coming out - i never need it more than level 1 (of 3).
I have used it as a cupholder, have you
not sure why you have to be so obnoxious and defensive. good for you using it as a cup holder, but just because you use it as a cupholder doesn't make it designed for that purpose, and clearly it wasn't. but glad it works for you.
can we just make peace? i LOVE the LC500, but no car is perfect, just like you repeatedly bring out how the stock wheels and tires are too narrow.
^^^^This is the third time you have put me down and called me names. Ignore my posts and I will do the same. BTW, Mp was a typo - should be No as in my post #4 above. Have a good day
Just to chime in, I live in a hot area...106 the other day. A/C is spectacular! Same with all the Lexus I have had. It's one of the reasons I'm back to Lexus after trying a M550ix...the A/C left a lot to be desired. Does your M850ix have good A/C Redhot? I too found the auto start/stop annoying...especially in my last Porsche where you had to turn it off every time you got in the car. I love getting in my LC or GS F and not having start/stop. Safety features work well for me...not intrusive. I would say getting in an out for me has not been as bad as the Miata or 718 I had.
Seats are ventilated with cool air - adjustable through the idiotic menu system if you can figure it out.
I should clarify - seats are ventilated with the cabin air, which is cool if the cabin is cool. The cabin is sufficiently small, that I find it cools very quickly. And that cooler air channels through the ventilated seats really well. Before I figured out how to use the Concierge, I actually thought the AC was being channeled directly through the seats - cuz I was freezing. It's not though. I've found that linking everything through the Concierge system works really well. Once I figured that out, I've never really messed with it. Just adjust the temp levels and everything works great for me.
Just to chime in, I live in a hot area...106 the other day. A/C is spectacular! Same with all the Lexus I have had. It's one of the reasons I'm back to Lexus after trying a M550ix...the A/C left a lot to be desired. Does your M850ix have good A/C Redhot? I too found the auto start/stop annoying...especially in my last Porsche where you had to turn it off every time you got in the car. I love getting in my LC or GS F and not having start/stop. Safety features work well for me...not intrusive. I would say getting in an out for me has not been as bad as the Miata or 718 I had.
Many thanks for the review of the A/C and other features. The AC in my M850ix works very well and the seats are ventilated with cooled air. However, the M8 and M8 competition varieties are experiencing an epidemic of total A/C failures, some as soon as the owner drives off the lot, others within a few hundred miles of use. Apparently, a large load of compressors and possibly other components were compromised before installation at the BMW factory. Worse, though this is by now a known issue, dealers are waving happily to owners as they drive off the lot with these faulty vehicles, in some cases only to return a half-hour later. Replacement parts remain scarce and owners remain...you can guess the rest.
Newbie questions - LC 'vert/Lexus systems
Otherwise no other interference that I have encountered.
