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Has anyone gone from a 18 coupe to a 20/21/22 coupe with performance/dynamic handling pack?
I have a 2018 with just the sport package, no rear wheel steer or vgr steering and it has the unrevised suspension, so it does ride a little more rough than you’d expect. I bought it used for 75k back in Feb 21, and trade in is around 70k. I’m wondering if it’s worth trading in for a new coupe with the dynamic handling package etc
how big of a difference are the cars overall? Very noticeable or something you really have to pay attention to. I’d love to custom order a green on brown coupe, but not if there isn’t any many difference in the drive of the older vs newer ones. I’ve also thought about upgrading to the vert…decisions decisions.
just for context I also own a 2022 Audi rs6 avant, so it takes care of the speed and high performance itch.
i drove a 18 coupe when they first came out. It handled quite well (well enough for me anyways, coming from a maserati granturismo) but i recall the ride was quite harsh. The 21+ i think they revised the suspension quite a few times so now the ride is JUST RIGHT (for me). Its not a sports car, so im not sure why it needed such hardcore suspension. That being said, you can easily track it if you wanted to... here's a fellow canadian doing a track day in his 18' LC.
I dont think the difference is big enough to warrant spending 30k+, but to each his own. If i were to spend 30k+ id for sure get the convertible. a very different experience vs the coupe.
100….The ‘2018’ was Lexus’ original recreation of the LF-LC. It was a mastercraft design. The car does in fact ride a lil harsh compared to my LS or GS. But it was supposed to….Folks complained about the ride quality because it didn’t feel like a Lexus. Those folks probably shud have never been in this car in the first place. BUT to appease that audience, Lexus softened up the suspension to give it a gentler, cushier ride. You already have the more manly version of the car , why spend more just to get the more feminine. (just joking…no sexism intended.....not trying to be politically incorrect…entertainment purposes only.)
100….The ‘2018’ was Lexus’ original recreation of the LF-LC. It was a mastercraft design. The car does in fact ride a lil harsh compared to my LS or GS. But it was supposed to….Folks complained about the ride quality because it didn’t feel like a Lexus. Those folks probably shud have never been in this car in the first place. BUT to appease that audience, Lexus softened up the suspension to give it a gentler, cushier ride. You already have the more manly version of the car , why spend more just to get the more feminine. (just joking…no sexism intended.....not trying to be politically incorrect…entertainment purposes only.)
I appreciate these responses. And you’re right, the 2018 is Lexus original interpretation. I think the better jump would be to the vert. Much to think about. Thank you!
100….The ‘2018’ was Lexus’ original recreation of the LF-LC. It was a mastercraft design. The car does in fact ride a lil harsh compared to my LS or GS. But it was supposed to….Folks complained about the ride quality because it didn’t feel like a Lexus. Those folks probably shud have never been in this car in the first place. BUT to appease that audience, Lexus softened up the suspension to give it a gentler, cushier ride. You already have the more manly version of the car , why spend more just to get the more feminine. (just joking…no sexism intended.....not trying to be politically incorrect…entertainment purposes only.)
I appreciate these responses. And you’re right, the 2018 is Lexus original interpretation. I think the better jump would be to the vert. Much to think about. Thank you!
things do improve though, things that are often not mentioned by a manufacturer.
the 2018 LC is indeed a fabulous car.
savagegeese on youtube noted though that the improvements after were significant, and indeed were improvements, and not for making it more feminine (really?). they lightened suspension components and the wheels too.
they also added android auto support in 2021 if that matters to you (it did for me) which they could support apple carplay on 2018 and up (via update).
as for the dynamic handling package (rws/vgrs), i have it but have not experienced driving an LC without it (and it's not available on the convertible). to me it's obvious what the rws and vgrs are doing, makes it more go kart like in steering and i love it.
i also love the carbon fiber roof for the look and weight saving and other items.
having said all that, if i had an '18, would i spend 30k+ to upgrade to a new one? hard to say.
I drove quite a few versions of the car before I bought mine and I can quickly sum up my opinions on each. I'll preface this by saying that I value the handling and fun factor in a car a little more than I do overall comfort.
Coupe V8:
Touring Package- Underwhelming, not incredibly sporty, but comfortable and most GT oriented.
Sport Package- Much more fun, muscle car-like
(Current) Performance Package- Like sport package but more nimble & playful, less predictable
Coupe Hybrid:
Touring Package- Cool because of the futuristic drivetrain, but also underwhelming in terms of overall feel
Performance Package- Fun, nimble but heavy. Extremely tempted to get this over the V8 because of the ability to cruise in EV mode & the futuristic vibe, however the engine sound was polarizing. Revving it felt wrong.
This reminds me of the changes they did to the ISF, in which they came out with a non-comfort (read NOT an ES /LS feel) performance car and started to add back in some comfort / better handling by way of suspension and dialing in the platform.
You can do it yourself, aftermarket, or trade in (sell) and buy new to get the latest and greatest. Your call, but I say why not go for it?
Test drove a 2018 (demo car was from first production year) before I bought my 2022.
The ride on the 2018 is slightly crashier, the damping feels a little less refined. The difference is noticable but would not have swayed my purchase decision (i did, after all, purchase based on my driving impression of the 2018). I would not consider an upgrade worthwhile for this reason
IMO the real game changer was apple carplay support. I can't imagine life without it now. But YMMV
Touring Package- Underwhelming, not incredibly sporty, but comfortable and most GT oriented.
Sport Package- Much more fun, muscle car-like
The Touring package and the Sport both have the same suspension, engine, Wheels and tires. Maybe you drove a Touring with the 20" wheels and a Sport with the optional 21" wheels Anyway I have a Touring, prefer leather seats (not alcantara), and I have aftermarket 21s with non RFTs. I have also driven a more recent model LC and prefer the handling and transmission settings of the original. I drive in Customs mode with Suspension set to Sport and Drivetrain to Normal.
The Touring package and the Sport both have the same suspension, engine, Wheels and tires. Maybe you drove a Touring with the 20" wheels and a Sport with the optional 21" wheels Anyway I have a Touring, prefer leather seats (not alcantara), and I have aftermarket 21s with non RFTs. I have also driven a more recent model LC and prefer the handling and transmission settings of the original. I drive in Customs mode with Suspension set to Sport and Drivetrain to Normal.
I probably should've specified that all the versions I drove were '18 models so the Tourings had 20" wheels and open diffs. The sport had 21" wheels and the torsen diff.
Speaking of CarPlay. My dealer tried to install it on my 2018 LC, and was unsuccessful. My question: if you have an iPhone and a dash mount for it, how is CarPlay better — other than offering a larger screen?
2018 to a 2022
, why spend more just to get the more feminine. 
(just joking…no sexism intended.....not trying to be politically incorrect…entertainment purposes only.)
Anyway I have a Touring, prefer leather seats (not alcantara), and I have aftermarket 21s with non RFTs. I have also driven a more recent model LC and prefer the handling and transmission settings of the original. I drive in Customs mode with Suspension set to Sport and Drivetrain to Normal.
