What's amazing to me is that this vehicle has the soul of 1990s japanese legend when driven hard to redline and then modernized tamed when cruising. The 10 speed is AMAZING. This vehicle is a hidden gem on the used market
@@JacesOwnWorld look up Toyota's UZ engine. 32V quad cam V8 used in the Toyota Soarer(sc400), Lexus LS, Lexus GS400, and a few other japanese market variants. Yeah they are no supra or skyline but I consider these cars legends in their own right.
I too went from a tuned BMW M4 convertible to the LC 500. Would never go back. Totally 2 different cars with different purposes. Now my wife won't give up the wheel.
@@glennbaz2 haha I don’t blame her. When I bought mine in ‘19 I wanted a vert so badly but didn’t exist. Decision was: M4 and LC hard top or Trade LC for LC vert, but never did I ever consider going LC-less for the reasons you and Kirk cited
I wanted the 911 GTS but the dealers wanted 30k over msrp. I ordered this LC coupe in USB white interior, and the ride is soooooo freaking pleasant and satisfying. I have owned Mercedes and BMWs in the past, and they are fine German cars, but this LC has a different feeling. This NA V8 sound is so addicting. Just love it.
I did the same choice last year. Porsche 911 was asking markup, and then I got an LC with a bit discount. I know they are different cars, but I enjoy the LC500 so far.
@@Funexpectedif I was ever to do a 911 again it would be a 991.1 S. I’m almost 50 and the ride of the GTS was way too stiff. I also didn’t like how the turbo 6 sounded. .1 with the NA 6 sounds so much better. The LC feels like a lot more special than any 911 Carrera I’ve ever driven. It also sounds a lot better than any non modern 911 besides a GT3.
And what is missing...... quick, quiet and comfortable... with a build quality that, up until 2018 was unsurpassable. Now they are run by accountants. They have become emasculated for a profit. Less conrods and bearings, less injectors, rings and valves and two or four less bores and that E CVT and that Battery just makes it sound like excitement went away. Ask anyone who ever got excited by an LFA tail exhaust wail .. it was the perfect sound and the build of the sound to the peak. Never was a profit coincided. Lexus has become effeminate for a profit. So has Japan become emasculated... Yes, an absolute YES. Build them and we will come !
No need to explain, coming from an owner. Ive cryed in this car twice. It brings feelings when you tap into it that I've never felt with any other machine sans my motos which elicits a different emotion for sure.
Dutch carmagazine Autovisie considered this car the best build sportsconvertible around.....better build than Bentley and far, far better than current Mercedes SL.... . Autovisie is one of the eldest carmagazines in Europe and very respected, founder of Car of the Year award...
Just picked up my dream spec LC500. 2019 inspiration Series, Flare Yellow w/ bespoke white/yellow suede interior. I know I’ll keep it forever, nothing else can compare.
Was contemplating selling my first gen NSX for the lc500 but after sitting in it..was a bit underwhelmed..but down the road I will definitely revisit it..Green with tan interior..
@@DQ-su6qfto me, I find it important to make sure it has the Performance Pack. The rear wheel steering, variable ratio sport rack and pinion, and LSD help the car feel proper. Also needs to be in manual mode using the paddle shifters when spirited driving.
@@KevinHerndon-v4h Congrats bro, I'm looking here in Atlanta, as we speak. Daily drive my 2014 Maserati Granturismo, and probably going to keep it, best car I've owned so no way I'm trading it in, lol. 75k seems to be the magic number around here as well. I want the performance pkg. and haven't seen many of those. I really like that active rear wing.
I've got my Sour Patch Kids and my Coke Zero and I'm buckled in !!! Let's go !!! Kirk, I love that your joy of cars brings you to tears !!! It's the same for me too. I often cry when I'm in front of a masterpiece of automotive design, though I hide my tears in embarrassment. Human ingenuity never ceases to amaze me. For me, however, the infotainment screen in the 2024 LC 500 is a step backwards. The integrated recessed screen at 7:34 is more seamless, keeping driver focus on the road instead of yet-another-computer. But back to the tears... I distinctly remember crying in front of several cars over the years. Their designs were so perfect, I couldn't help myself, like I was standing in front of a Bernini. These cars were the BMW Z8, Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, Singer Porsche Targa, and the Peugeot 205 GTI Tolman Edition. I'm sure I'd cry in front of a BMW E9 3.0 CSI too, and in front of a perfectly restored 2002 Tii or a '65 Mustang Convertible. I've never seen an Alfaholics but I bet I'd be on my knees. I would also love to see the Gordon Murray T.33, even more than the T.50. This seems like quite a few cars to cry over but in the history of automotive design, these cars don't even scratch the surface. For instance, I didn't mention the incredibly elegant Ferrari GT cars of the 1950's and 60's. Because I live in NYC, if I could have just one of these cars I've listed, it would be the Peugeot 205 GTI Tolman Edition. It's stealthy, modest, and practical. It doesn't say, "Mug me now." For better and for worse, as of now, I can only dream of cars. The NYC subway and my kick scooter are my modes of transportation. One of the reasons I watch your channel is that there's always something new to discover around the corner. Kirk, being emotional is good! Thank you for you sharing your feelings with us. We are blessed. I love too how you end this video with, "I have a good life." ♥
I’m torn about the new screen versus the old screen. I do think the recessed older screen looked better, but certainly the new screen is easier to use. And also I miss having a CD player on my CX 50, so that would be another sad thing to losetoo.
personally, i disagree, for the convertible in particular. i feel that the new screen layout looks perfect on the convertible. the older layout is claustrophobic, while the new one reminds me more of a minimalist miata-ish open layout that goes well with the feeling of freedom that a convertible gives you
Future collectors car. Heck, already a collector’s car. Stunning masterpiece. Few cars are this perfect.🤌We’ll see with Lexus’ future models how well they keep up the standards.
This is the internal combustion motor vehicle perfected in it's final form. Admire it folks because we may never see something built like this, looking like this, and powered by a V8 ever again.
This is why I love my Jaguar XKR with a similar 5L V8 and supercharger. It sounds phenomenal, it looks incredible, it drives wonderfully. I plan to keep one for a long time. I will give the LC the advantage on the interior, but overall they're both definitely cut from a similar cloth.
@@RyneLanders Funny you say that I very nearly bought a 2011 non supercharged 5.0 XK last time i was car shopping. Interior quality wasn't quite befitting of the car as you say but genuinely one of the best drives I've ever had in a car!
When people say, "but the 911 is faster," or similar, I think to myself... THEY DON'T GET IT. The LC 500 encompasses what sets Lexus apart and makes it special. It's not for everyone to understand, and that's part of the beauty.
Yeah they don't get that a GT car is supposed to actually perform. It's a good thing Lexus came so their senses and cancelled the LC-F. I mean what were they thinking by giving this gorgeous car some actual performance. What exactly sets Lexus apart? What is there to understand? That Lexus can't do a modern performance car/GT with looks and performance in one modern package?
@@MercOnelife is give and take. Speed, mass, agility, the car is already designed for the existing chassis and engine and tuned to peak specs for it's original purpose. If they want to make another one in a few years I say retire the LC. This is a grand tourer with exceptional ability. Let sports car folks buy a sports car.
@@xtremevp12 Yet through all of that twisting and contortion, other GT cars easily outperform it. There is no way around the facts. Every other similar vehicle does the GT thing better than this car. Mercedes, Porsche, Jaguar, Bentley, Aston, BMW all build similar cars that do everything better and are better all arounders. You all seem to have forgotten that a "GT" car is mesh of a luxury vehicle and a sports car. The LC has the luxury quotient down, but the performance is lacking.
@@designvsWrong again. It’s really funny yet sad how reality isn’t accepted here. When your go to comment is an assumption instead of a factual rebuttal you’ve already lost the plot.
I completely agree with your assessment! I've owned 30+ cars over the years (including 3 Corvettes, MBZ sedans, Datsun 240-Z, '69 Camaro Z-28, '09 M3 conv't and an '92 Acura NSX) and NOTHING compares to my 2023 LC 500 convertible. It's my forever car for sure! Thanks for your video.
I tracked my 992 GT3 eight times last year at VIR, but you'd be correct concerning Carrera, Carrera S, GTS, etc owners. When I was in Germany last summer I spent three days in Nurburg in the Rhineland and ran several laps at the Ring. I can tell this much that you'll see more 911s, especially GT3s, than any other car turning laps there. The 2nd largest collection was a gaggle of BMW M4s, M3s, M2s and even older E92 and E30 M3s and even some bone stock 328s. Porsche drivers track their cars far more than any other manufacturer in my personal experience.
No better car for the money. I couldn’t have made a better review. I drove one for almost 15k miles and every mile put a smile on my face. It makes you giggle. Under 100k nothing is its equal.
When this car came out many years ago, It was the one I wanted if I had the money, I still do if I wanted a touring car. The attention to detail they put in this car put every other car to shame.
It’s such a different car. Driving the LC500 is so satisfying. It’s not slow but not super car fast it’s just right. Until you drive one and get after it…few cars can feel like it!👍🏻
Floridian here: I recently purchased an LC500 Coupe from Lexus of Clearwater. White exterior. I also have a GR Supra. The one thing I've noticed between the 2 cars are driving on the highway through Mexico. The GR Supra's steering gets REALLY twitchy at high speeds, but the LC500 is just planted to the ground. It's not twitchy at all. Keep up the videos.
Agreed the LC500 weighs over 400lbs more than the IS500 but managed to trap 112mph in the 1/4 mile which is the same as the IS and likely all down to the 10 speed
Practical, reliable, gorgeous, well built, buttons, seats 4, comfortable, fast enough, great noise Is this as close to the perfect all round coupe as we will get??😍😍
Dang, Kirk! now you’re making me wanna cry! I don’t know why I’m so emotional today either, but ever since the LC 500 came out six years ago it’s always sparked a certain amount of passion for me too! Man, I wish I could afford to buy this beautiful bad baby!
Kirk, love the fact you are testing the LC500 again. I agree, best car ever. So underrated. Went on a road trip with two other guys - with an Aston Vantage and Mustang GT. They both loved the car. Small update on the size of a guy for the car, I am 6’3” and 300 lbs. I fit well in the seat. Like a glove. Perfect car. Get a new Max 360 radar detector with the dash cam built in. May be a good cross marketing opportunity. Time for you to buy one. Before they disappear. S8ncerely Darius. 2022 red LC500 with a toasted caramel interior. Have 25,000 summer kilometres on it. 🎉
I own a '21 convertible and I agree with everything you said. It is Glorious! I am so glad I didn't buy a DB11 or a Bentley Conti. This is way better for half the price.
on a side note i notice every review of a lexus performance car always come with the "it isnt the fastest". well that moniker is kinda pointless considering you can buy production cars that make 700-1000 hp, electric cars that can kill almost any ice car, and hybrid hyper cars making 2k+hp. i mean you just sneeze at a bmw b58/s58, and you got 500-600 hp! its a different type of buyer that appreciates a lexus muscle car. i recently traded in my M4 for an RCF. i know the M4 is a better performance car in nearly every respect, but i wanted the n/a v8, the refinement, and the reliability only a lexus could provide.
Why would they hate this vehicle when they all outsell and out perform it? It's a beautiful car and it has Lexus reliability, but those aren't moving it. It's missing the performance. Every other car in the class or anything similar smokes it. The LC-F would have fixed that, but instead it's dying on the vine now and will likely be cancelled soon. Lexus is simply outdone in the RWD class and isn't even trying anymore with all the RWD based relics they're trying to sell now.
WTF is wrong with this Merc doofus? I would NEVER buy an unreliable German shitbox with sky high service costs for a few more overtuned horsepower and extreme ugliness. Little boys obsessed with numbers buy them. Grown ups know the real satisfaction comes from pure quality. And 0-60 in 4.4 is slow? In the real world a second faster means nothing unless you’re actually on a race track. Grown ups don’t race at every light.
David Chao's (Automotive Press) LC500 coupe is pretty much my dream car. 1 of 125, Inspiration Series in Polar Surge Satin matte white paint. Can't wait to see more of it!🎉 Over designed, reliable GT, with timeless looks and sounds. Great video, Kirk!
Got mine a year ago, I was waiting for the ‘24 with the new infotainment. Love the car, my only wish would be 50 or 100 more HPs. It kinda looks like LC mIght be discontinued after this 2024 model year which I wouldn’t mind. I like rare cars and living in LA I rarely see another one. 911 and Corvettes are everywhere and this is one of the many reasons I got the LC. Great video, thxs!
Kirk, thank you for always being your authentic, true self on these videos! Car reviews on RU-vid have become kinda ascetic, prescriptive- I get the algorithm. But to see someone become so emotional over a piece of art, is priceless! So glad to see you enjoy every aspect of the LC 500- this is my all time fave car too! Someone was lucky enough to order one at the Lexus dealership near me late last year, and I thought about heading over there to ask to test drive it, but chickened out. One day... 🤩 Cheers!
Lexus engineer here, I'm struggling to choose between the 2025 LC 500 coupe or convertible for my next vehicle. I'm in Michigan, so top down weather is limited. Also the sports package on the coupe seems very compelling, I like smaller cars so anything to help it feel smaller with a tighter turning radius and variable turning ratio is welcome. However I just love the sound of this vehicle with the top down.
@@VietyFI’ve always wondered that. Why does a convertible mean old man vibes. I see a convertible Porsche and sometimes that crosses my thoughts that they’re retired and finally need some air.
@@MiahV007 I’d say if you’re barely gonna drop the top a couple times a year I’d not do it. Having to upkeep a top and all its mechanisms especially if you don’t plan to use it makes it even more prone to failures. Hardtop/coupe just looks a million times better and much easier to live with/maintain
These LC500 videos have my inner child begging to get it, if only for a couple days. Guess that max enjoyment scenario probably would make me turn around to run out and buy it. Otherwise Camry LE most likely is what I'd get if my 06 Camry is a quitter
Great video... and i totally agree that no car out there sounds better. LC 500 has been my favorite car since it came out. I really don't care for convertibles, but if they made a hardtop convertible, I might have to consider it over the coupe.
To drive this car, is to love this car! It’s an emotional drive, like listening to fine music or drinking a great red wine 🍷 anyone that criticizes it just doesn’t understand great engineering with emotion.
LEXUS should build it's other cars also like this. This kind and of car will make the brand an exclusive unique luxury. this car is a masterpiece. Imagine a four doors luxury sedan of this 😍
There's no other car that I've gone back to the configurator over and over again. I'm obsessed with the LC500 Coupe, the convertible is stunning too, but the sleek sinister coupe shape. Hotchy mama.
I wanted an LC500 so bad ended up getting a Preowned F10 GS F. Just couldn’t deal with the space and it being so wide as a daily driver or else I would’ve bought an LC. I wish I had that 10 speed in the GS tho ngl lol. Such a beautiful car.
These will be highly sought after when they are discontinued. Appreciate Lexus for keeping it on sale as long as they could. Man if I had my car and mortgage paid for…..
I love the LC.. In fact I love any of the Toyotas with that V8 family. I am probably going to treat myself eventually on an ISF. Just lovely sounding!!!
The lc500 in white and tan interior is my #1 dream car that I want more than anything in the world. Why I want it is that I previously owned a 2001 GS430 and I had more memories in that car than any other car it was an emotional rollercoater and I drove it well and took care of it. I want to own the LC because I miss my GS a lot a lot and I miss the memories I had with it. Maybe I’ll get an LS or something. Toyota and Yamaha really did something right
Appreciate you Kirk! It’s been a few months since I tuned in. You keep a great channel with pleasant content. You’ve sold me on the LC. All the best! Keep it up!
IS500 and LC are masterpieces. Most beautiful cars ever created in their class. I’m not even a huge Toyota Lexus guy but recognize amazing design when I see it.
super cool. I couldn't really relate, until you said "connoisseur", then i thought about a few very special meals i've had, where each course, and the sum totality of the experience, almost brought me to tears. Then, i felt like you, thinking 'life is good'. Ironically (perhaps) one of those meals was on a Disney Cruise (?!), if you chose to eat at the restaurant Remy, but i've done some fine dining in Europe that was truly spectacular. i digress, but now I know what you mean anyway. You, and David, are going to sell some LC500s!
I took delivery of my 2024 LC500 Bespoke coupe in April of this year. I’ve owned Mercedes, BMW, Porsche & Corvettes but NOTHING holds a candle to this car. The looks, sound & craftsmanship are 2nd to none. I also love the fact that it’s so exclusive. You just don’t see many of them on the road. All the competition is a dime a dozen
I ordered a Bespoke ‘24 in Flare yellow, with black wheels and white/blue interior. Had never seen the yellow in person. I can’t believe how much flake is in the color. Most gorgeous paint I’ve ever seen.
This is one of the most beautiful cars ever made at any price point, period. Even if it was equipped with a nearly silent exhaust, I'd be satisfied based upon its beauty alone.
One day I will own one. I rented one a couple of years ago when I was flush with cash. I had it for the weekend and used up every available mile offered in the price. I couldn't stop manually downloading at every light, just to hear more wonderful noise. I love how Lexus is saying "the car is perfect" as the 2024 LC500 is essentially unchanged, at least in any fundamental way, then the debut 2018 car. That speaks volumes.
Love it. Great car. Although Lexus does build reliable cars across all models, it's unfortunate that they have a huge gap between their performance cars (IS 500, LC500, RC F) and everything else. The RX, NX, ES and all the others are also solid, reliable cars, but they're sooooo slow and soft. There is no middle ground, with the arguable exception of the IS 350, which is a fun car to drive, although still somewhat underpowered for the price.
Kirk, I really agree with you that this is the best car that you can get especially for the money. I have talked to many people I know and there's some people that don't know how special this car is. I suppose the ones who do know like us are the lucky ones. I am hoping to get mine soon enough! Cheers, I hope you get yours soon too
I’m saving my money now. I had a SC 300 back in the late 90s, it was by far one of my favorite cars and always wished they made it it a convertible. The SC430 Was not the same to me. This car has that look just more beautiful Then I thought ❤❤❤
You should drive a new G8x series BMW, m3 m4 m2, or the M package models. They have a great balance between luxury and performance, and the exhaust notes are there. Since you enjoy this Lexus I'm sure you'd be impressed.
A lot of us think that way, it’s only car reviewers and German car fans who wanted a touchscreen and Lexus stupidly caved in to them and ruined the interior of the last few thousand they’ll ever make…
