I have been considering getting an LC 500 for some time now, and I've been wondering something: as a Lexus, we can expect the LC 500 to be relatively reliable over the long term, but if something breaks in 10 years, or even less, will it be repairable? I tend to keep cars I love for a while (I've had my Miata for 13 years), but I'm concerned that the LC might become an orphan parts-wise fairly early. Only about 8000 LCs have been sold in the US over the past 5 years, and with such low numbers there is essentially no aftermarket for it. While you can find compatible aftermarket rear brake rotors, the only source for front rotors is Lexus (at $500 list price per rotor, no less; a rotor for a C8 Corvette with the Z51 package lists at $150, for comparison). The Japanese manufacturers live and die by just-in-time parts delivery, so I can't imagine that right now there is a warehouse filled with LC 500 rotors, let alone in a few years after the car is discontinued. I've read stories about other low-volume cars being orphaned early (and none were as low-volume as the LC). Once the limited numbers of new OEM parts are used up, the only option is to get used ones from crashed cars, which will be an issue with so few available. Once a tailight or headlight goes, that could be it (and I shudder to think about those little explosive hood poppers waiting to go).

I know this doesn't matter to most owners, as they will either lease or own the car for a few years and get something else. But this will likely be the last ICE car I buy, so I would hope to be able to hang on to it for longer. Anyone else worried about this?

And before anyone says mentions it: there is no law requiring manufacturers to supply parts for 10 years past the last car coming off the line - that's an urban legend.

 

Isn't there some law that states the manufacturer must carry replacement parts for a certain number of years after its no longer produced?

 

7 years I believe.

 

US law requires that manufacturers supply parts for repair within the warranty period or else provide a new replacement product (e.g., new car). There is no US law that requires auto manufacturers to supply parts beyond the warranty period. There is a California law requiring parts to be made available for 7 years after the date of manufacture for ELECTRONICS (e.g., TVs), but not auto parts, which people mistakingly assume. The EU has a similar law for electronics and appliances but not autos.

 

I think as Toyota and Lexus transition to more hybrids, fuel cells, electrics, partnerships etc. they are going to put less and less priority into supporting their legacy cars.

 

In this regard, then the support will be longer and more readily available for the GSF since it shares parts with the RCF?

 

since the lc500 is a flagship model of their luxury brand, i don't see it being 'abandoned' any time soon.