Con of a recognizeable car like the LC
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Joined: May 2024
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Con of a recognizeable car like the LC
So to preface: I've had my moments of being an *** behind the wheel like anyone, though I've become better with age and wisdom. This was NOT one of those times.
Decided to take my LC out for a quick drive to stretch her legs on Friday 4/17. Merging onto the highway, I accidentally merged too close (about 1 car length) in front of a big pickup truck (common in TX). I thought I'd checked my blind spot but somehow missed him. I dont believe he had to hit his brakes, but if youve ever experienced the dudes with fragile egos in big pickups in TX, you know passing them often engenders road rage on their part let alone something like a close merge.
Of course he immediately closes the gap and tailgates me so close I cant see his front bumper. Fortunately the next exit was not even a quarter mile away so I got over and took it down onto the access road. For all I knew at that point the incident was over as he stayed on the highway.
I drove down the access road and merged back up onto the highway at the next opportunity about a mile ahead. Didnt see him anywhere. Merged into the left lane behind another truck who moved into the right lane shortly after. Next car in front of me is an SUV who also moves to the right lane a few miles later. And this when I see the pickup, easily recognizeable, about half a mile ahead. I'm moving with the flow of traffic but somehow catch up to him, so I can only assume he slowed down.
What solidifies this is as I approach him from behind, he begins pumping his fist out his window and pointing his finger in his side mirror. I can see he's yelling and angry, but obviously cant hear him. He moves to the right lane and takes the next exit into our town, and as he's exiting and I'm passing by in the left lane, he leans out and yells "I'm gonna kill you!" (Or at least that is what it sounded like).
Unfortunately I wasnt running a dash cam, debating installing one in the LC and this incident likely seals the deal for one huge reason: I saw what appeared to be an emergency services patch on the shoulder of his shirt. I only caught a quick glimpse because of his arm movement.
Due to the apparent threat, I called the local PD and filed an incident report. With little info to go on not having gotten video or his plate #, I explained that my concern is he may be local emergency services of some kind (police, sheriff, or EMS) and being a small town may retaliate. I merely wanted it on record and was very clear that I wasnt accusing the department as I couldnt be certain of the patch's nature.
Fast forward to exactly 8 days later and I take another drive in the LC at 1am (I have insomnia and had cut my drive on the 17th short due to having my mood fouled by his road rage). The very first local PD cruiser I pass by in downtown area immediately pulls me over. Justification? No front plate. You could argue they were just looking for stops to check for drunk driving given the time, but she gave me a written warning when a verbal would have sufficed.
Now mind you I am well aware that TX requires one and that certain areas like Dallas enforce it. But in TWENTY FIVE YEARS of having NEVER had a front plate on my sports cars, I have NEVER been pulled over for it. Not only that, even when I got speeding tickets I was never cited for the plate, not once, not even a verbal warning. I dont buy that it is simply a coincidence that the local PD just happened to pull me over for this issue in such an easily recognizeable car so soon after Mr. Truck Guy got his panties in a twist.
I was not speeding, swerving, or doing anything other than driving at night (the horror) without a front plate (historically not enforced in our area).
As I mentioned the officer (who was polite to her credit) gave me a written warning even though I showed proof the car registration is very recent, AND proof that I have a front tow mount plate bracket on its way from Amazon due to last week's issue and my suspicion this jackass was local PD or sheriff that will now be looking for me (I did not mention this suspicion). Local PD even denied any officers own a personal vehicle truck fitting the description when I filed the report, but I've seen one in their lot 3 days in a row when I investigated it last weekend into Monday.
So yeah, the LC is great and gorgeous but unfortunately it stands out like a neon sign being so uncommon and in such a striking bright blue color. It's ok though, because I'll have the plate on anytime I'm driving in this county and if I'm right and this jackass happens to be PD, he wont have the satisfaction of issuing me a citation himself or vicariously via anyone else. Drive safe and keep a low profile maties!
Decided to take my LC out for a quick drive to stretch her legs on Friday 4/17. Merging onto the highway, I accidentally merged too close (about 1 car length) in front of a big pickup truck (common in TX). I thought I'd checked my blind spot but somehow missed him. I dont believe he had to hit his brakes, but if youve ever experienced the dudes with fragile egos in big pickups in TX, you know passing them often engenders road rage on their part let alone something like a close merge.
Of course he immediately closes the gap and tailgates me so close I cant see his front bumper. Fortunately the next exit was not even a quarter mile away so I got over and took it down onto the access road. For all I knew at that point the incident was over as he stayed on the highway.
I drove down the access road and merged back up onto the highway at the next opportunity about a mile ahead. Didnt see him anywhere. Merged into the left lane behind another truck who moved into the right lane shortly after. Next car in front of me is an SUV who also moves to the right lane a few miles later. And this when I see the pickup, easily recognizeable, about half a mile ahead. I'm moving with the flow of traffic but somehow catch up to him, so I can only assume he slowed down.
What solidifies this is as I approach him from behind, he begins pumping his fist out his window and pointing his finger in his side mirror. I can see he's yelling and angry, but obviously cant hear him. He moves to the right lane and takes the next exit into our town, and as he's exiting and I'm passing by in the left lane, he leans out and yells "I'm gonna kill you!" (Or at least that is what it sounded like).
Unfortunately I wasnt running a dash cam, debating installing one in the LC and this incident likely seals the deal for one huge reason: I saw what appeared to be an emergency services patch on the shoulder of his shirt. I only caught a quick glimpse because of his arm movement.
Due to the apparent threat, I called the local PD and filed an incident report. With little info to go on not having gotten video or his plate #, I explained that my concern is he may be local emergency services of some kind (police, sheriff, or EMS) and being a small town may retaliate. I merely wanted it on record and was very clear that I wasnt accusing the department as I couldnt be certain of the patch's nature.
Fast forward to exactly 8 days later and I take another drive in the LC at 1am (I have insomnia and had cut my drive on the 17th short due to having my mood fouled by his road rage). The very first local PD cruiser I pass by in downtown area immediately pulls me over. Justification? No front plate. You could argue they were just looking for stops to check for drunk driving given the time, but she gave me a written warning when a verbal would have sufficed.
Now mind you I am well aware that TX requires one and that certain areas like Dallas enforce it. But in TWENTY FIVE YEARS of having NEVER had a front plate on my sports cars, I have NEVER been pulled over for it. Not only that, even when I got speeding tickets I was never cited for the plate, not once, not even a verbal warning. I dont buy that it is simply a coincidence that the local PD just happened to pull me over for this issue in such an easily recognizeable car so soon after Mr. Truck Guy got his panties in a twist.
I was not speeding, swerving, or doing anything other than driving at night (the horror) without a front plate (historically not enforced in our area).
As I mentioned the officer (who was polite to her credit) gave me a written warning even though I showed proof the car registration is very recent, AND proof that I have a front tow mount plate bracket on its way from Amazon due to last week's issue and my suspicion this jackass was local PD or sheriff that will now be looking for me (I did not mention this suspicion). Local PD even denied any officers own a personal vehicle truck fitting the description when I filed the report, but I've seen one in their lot 3 days in a row when I investigated it last weekend into Monday.
So yeah, the LC is great and gorgeous but unfortunately it stands out like a neon sign being so uncommon and in such a striking bright blue color. It's ok though, because I'll have the plate on anytime I'm driving in this county and if I'm right and this jackass happens to be PD, he wont have the satisfaction of issuing me a citation himself or vicariously via anyone else. Drive safe and keep a low profile maties!
Last edited by Korbek; Yesterday at 11:22 AM.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2026
Posts: 71
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From: Colorado
Glad nothing worse happened to you. The roads are full of angry people these days. It is impossible to keep a low profile when driving such a unique and exotic looking car. Most appreciate seeing one on the road...others with limited intellectual capacity immediately let their envy form a mental opinion that someone driving an expensive car they cannot afford has to be a wealthy a-hole. Therefore they feel the need to show their "superiority" with aggressive behavior.
It is a dangerous world, so taking the path of caution and avoidance is good advice.
It is a dangerous world, so taking the path of caution and avoidance is good advice.
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Joined: May 2024
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I get people assuming all the time my mercedes is an expensive car. But its almost 9 years old and was only around 80-85k brand new. Its current trade value is about 24k. And I bought it used for like 35k so it certainly doesnt make me look affluent.
People make tons of assumptions. Hell there are folks driving LCs they bought used for 55-60k. Certainly much more obtainable than a new Raptor pickup. Now that I have my LC I intend on trading out the SLC43 for something lower profile, either an RC350 that I will debadge, or a V6 powered Acura coupe perhaps.
It really is unfortunate that you have to constantly worry about road rage from these insufferable idiots with huge egos yet no true self esteem. Small peepee syndrome is far too common in TX. It's nowhere near this extreme in Kentucky. I think population density exacerbates it and my area of KY is pretty rural.
Glad nothing worse happened to you. The roads are full of angry people these days. It is impossible to keep a low profile when driving such a unique and exotic looking car. Most appreciate seeing one on the road...others with limited intellectual capacity immediately let their envy form a mental opinion that someone driving an expensive car they cannot afford has to be a wealthy a-hole. Therefore they feel the need to show their "superiority" with aggressive behavior.
It is a dangerous world, so taking the path of caution and avoidance is good advice.
It is a dangerous world, so taking the path of caution and avoidance is good advice.
And I'll only be running the front plate in our town and county. Fully intend on removing it when driving further out for longer cruises, and likely take it off again permanently in 6 months or a year. Not gonna give this guy the satisfaction of "getting me" if my suspicions are accurate.
If I'm wrong, I'm only out $20 and a little hassle. If I'm right, I hope he worries himself sick looking for a car I only drive once or twice a month tops (probably less in the hot *** TX summer since I dont go out much when the heat sets in).
Last edited by Korbek; Yesterday at 11:20 AM.
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Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 211
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From: Illinois
Im in illinois, and I have no front plate on my three cars. In the suburbs it’s a non- issue, however in Chicago the cops will ticket parked cars with no front plate, and occasionally pull over cars with no front plate. I just hang a front plate off my front grille when I park in the city. If you park at O’Hare a non front plated car will always get a ticket.
No way am I attaching a front plate in the center of any Lexus grille. Ruins the look of the car.
No way am I attaching a front plate in the center of any Lexus grille. Ruins the look of the car.
I can see that argument, but these huge highly optioned pickups with aftermarket suspension are damn near the price of a new LC and well above most used ones from pre 2024 model years.
I get people assuming all the time my mercedes is an expensive car. But its almost 9 years old and was only around 80-85k brand new. Its current trade value is about 24k. And I bought it used for like 35k so it certainly doesnt make me look affluent.
People make tons of assumptions. Hell there are folks driving LCs they bought used for 55-60k. Certainly much more obtainable than a new Raptor pickup. Now that I have my LC I intend on trading out the SLC43 for something lower profile, either an RC350 that I will debadge, or a V6 powered Acura coupe perhaps.
It really is unfortunate that you have to constantly worry about road rage from these insufferable idiots with huge egos yet no true self esteem. Small peepee syndrome is far too common in TX. It's nowhere near this extreme in Kentucky. I think population density exacerbates it and my area of KY is pretty rural.
My suspicion is that IF he's local PD or county sheriff dept, he's spread word among friends/lackies to be on the lookout for the only bright blue lexus sports car in the area (doubt he knows what an LC is specifically) and try to catch me on ANY minor infraction to "get me". That's why i went ahead and ordered the tow hook mount license plate bracket. My registration sticker is on static cling film. So I can pull both off should I happen to attend a cruise-in or show.
And I'll only be running the front plate in our town and county. Fully intend on removing it when driving further out for longer cruises, and likely take it off again permanently in 6 months or a year. Not gonna give this guy the satisfaction of "getting me" if my suspicions are accurate.
If I'm wrong, I'm only out $20 and a little hassle. If I'm right, I hope he worries himself sick looking for a car I only drive once or twice a month tops (probably less in the hot *** TX summer since I dont go out much when the heat sets in).
I get people assuming all the time my mercedes is an expensive car. But its almost 9 years old and was only around 80-85k brand new. Its current trade value is about 24k. And I bought it used for like 35k so it certainly doesnt make me look affluent.
People make tons of assumptions. Hell there are folks driving LCs they bought used for 55-60k. Certainly much more obtainable than a new Raptor pickup. Now that I have my LC I intend on trading out the SLC43 for something lower profile, either an RC350 that I will debadge, or a V6 powered Acura coupe perhaps.
It really is unfortunate that you have to constantly worry about road rage from these insufferable idiots with huge egos yet no true self esteem. Small peepee syndrome is far too common in TX. It's nowhere near this extreme in Kentucky. I think population density exacerbates it and my area of KY is pretty rural.
My suspicion is that IF he's local PD or county sheriff dept, he's spread word among friends/lackies to be on the lookout for the only bright blue lexus sports car in the area (doubt he knows what an LC is specifically) and try to catch me on ANY minor infraction to "get me". That's why i went ahead and ordered the tow hook mount license plate bracket. My registration sticker is on static cling film. So I can pull both off should I happen to attend a cruise-in or show.
And I'll only be running the front plate in our town and county. Fully intend on removing it when driving further out for longer cruises, and likely take it off again permanently in 6 months or a year. Not gonna give this guy the satisfaction of "getting me" if my suspicions are accurate.
If I'm wrong, I'm only out $20 and a little hassle. If I'm right, I hope he worries himself sick looking for a car I only drive once or twice a month tops (probably less in the hot *** TX summer since I dont go out much when the heat sets in).
Last edited by Veight; Yesterday at 01:28 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2025
Posts: 573
Likes: 341
From: TN
Where I live Challengers, Corvettes, Mustangs, and Camaros dominate the power crowd. Lifted pickups, GMC, Ford, Rams, on the scale of 18-wheelers' tractors height with $$$ mods dominate the other impressers (that's not fair; the other desires). I'm just another Lexus, generally unknown. Feel advantaged after reading your experience.
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Joined: Mar 2025
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Interesting post. Here in San Diego it is the pickup truck drivers that are the idiots for sure. Lot of rage out there on the highways and I can only assume it might get much worse if the economy craters.
This was perhaps the overriding factor that drove me to buy another new Is 500 after having the opportunity to grab a new LC. The Lc was just so high profile as opposed to the IS. Nobody knows what I'm driving, looks pretty much like any other IS. I like it this way especially living so close to Mexico. The LC IS the most beautiful car on the road. I have joy every time I drive my IS and still have 50 k left over to replace my SUV when my lease is up shortly. Just one man's opinion.
This was perhaps the overriding factor that drove me to buy another new Is 500 after having the opportunity to grab a new LC. The Lc was just so high profile as opposed to the IS. Nobody knows what I'm driving, looks pretty much like any other IS. I like it this way especially living so close to Mexico. The LC IS the most beautiful car on the road. I have joy every time I drive my IS and still have 50 k left over to replace my SUV when my lease is up shortly. Just one man's opinion.
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