End of the road for the Lexus LC and RC-F
Discussion
Lexus letter posted on Lexus owners club thread said:
Thank you for your contact to Lexus UK and for your interest in the LC 500.
I am delighted that you are looking to replace this superb car and representation of all things Lexus.
However, I do have some disappointing news to share with you. I can advise that production of the LC range and RC-F will cease from early next year. This has meant that no new orders can be placed for these models. I can also confirm that these models will be removed from our New Cars section of our website this week.
I can only apologise that I cannot be the bearer of positive news but since 2016 we have sold nearly 600 LC but we have informed our Lexus Centre partners that legislation and homologation changes mean that these models can no longer be sold in Europe.
That suggests it’s not meeting EU regs. It’ll still be produced for the rest of the world, but not supplied to this hotbed of carbon emissions we inhabit.I am delighted that you are looking to replace this superb car and representation of all things Lexus.
However, I do have some disappointing news to share with you. I can advise that production of the LC range and RC-F will cease from early next year. This has meant that no new orders can be placed for these models. I can also confirm that these models will be removed from our New Cars section of our website this week.
I can only apologise that I cannot be the bearer of positive news but since 2016 we have sold nearly 600 LC but we have informed our Lexus Centre partners that legislation and homologation changes mean that these models can no longer be sold in Europe.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Does that mean that those of us with one are now sitting on an appreciating classic?
There's a long, frankly boring, but detailed thread on LOUK where people have been tracking the prices for a few years... as it stands the early cars are hitting pre-covd second hand prices now - but only where the owner is desperate to sell. It seems like neither Toyota/Lexus or any other dealer is keen to take them back into stock at the moment. I guess global financial pressures, plus time of year have knobbled the market a bit.Now is not the time to sell for certain, I'm unsure as to what they will do value-wise. I can't see them plummeting like the Soarers & SC430's did, outside of the limited edition Structural Blue convertibles I don't see them climbing significantly either. (I lost a few K on my black inspiration, and that was mint, documented as UK car No.1 and had less than 2k on it)
BrettMRC said:
There's a long, frankly boring, but detailed thread on LOUK where people have been tracking the prices for a few years... as it stands the early cars are hitting pre-covd second hand prices now - but only where the owner is desperate to sell. It seems like neither Toyota/Lexus or any other dealer is keen to take them back into stock at the moment. I guess global financial pressures, plus time of year have knobbled the market a bit.
Now is not the time to sell for certain, I'm unsure as to what they will do value-wise. I can't see them plummeting like the Soarers & SC430's did, outside of the limited edition Structural Blue convertibles I don't see them climbing significantly either. (I lost a few K on my black inspiration, and that was mint, documented as UK car No.1 and had less than 2k on it)
I agree with you, although I was being facetious really. I only got mine this summer and anticipate keeping it for a long time. Buying without VAT gives me a significant buffer against whatever reality prices enforce anyway, but it's a long-termer for me I hope. Now is not the time to sell for certain, I'm unsure as to what they will do value-wise. I can't see them plummeting like the Soarers & SC430's did, outside of the limited edition Structural Blue convertibles I don't see them climbing significantly either. (I lost a few K on my black inspiration, and that was mint, documented as UK car No.1 and had less than 2k on it)
No surprise really I guess it's been on the cards for a while now. I blow hot and cold whether to sell or keep my 2017 RCF but with me only paying £165 road tax for it this year I'll probably not put it up for sale again for a while. Where else can you buy a decent 5 litre V8 coupe that's as cheap to run as these cars.
So they're dropping the whole thing including the hybrid ? That seems odd; I understand the EU pressures on the V8 but the hybrid is the same unit they use across the range, no ? And it was only ever intended as a low volume halo car so the sales numbers shouldn't be an issue by themselves, especially as they seem to be continuing in ROW including RHD countries.
Newc said:
So they're dropping the whole thing including the hybrid ? That seems odd; I understand the EU pressures on the V8 but the hybrid is the same unit they use across the range, no ? And it was only ever intended as a low volume halo car so the sales numbers shouldn't be an issue by themselves, especially as they seem to be continuing in ROW including RHD countries.
Good point there, they might carry on supplying the hybrid as it’s probably brussels compliant with a similar drivetrain to the saloons. A hybrid would be a shadow of a former halo car though..
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Does that mean that those of us with one are now sitting on an appreciating classic?
Difficult question to answer. In its favour 1. Apart from the LFA, it is the only Lexus performance car to be recognised by those other than Lexus fans.
2. It attracts a great deal of attention
3. Relatively rare. It seems to me that those cars that are rapidly depreciating right now are those that are available in big numbers
4. One of the last of the V8s and arguably one of the most exotic sounding with no compromise (from stock)
The LC500 is the bargain of the century. Ask yourself this. How much money would you have to spend to get a GT that looks as good, sounds as good and is as rare. You've got to be looking at some serious money.
Against it - badge snobbery. In this country (at least), people are obsessed with Porsche, BMW, Audi, Mercedes etc. Look at the first generation Honda NSX. Ignored because... it was a Honda.
Odd one this as there are a few interesting GT cars available in this price point!
Around 60k second hand you have astons, maserati's, bently's and jags (xkr-s).
Imo of all the options the lexus is the worst looking. Amazing side profile but the rear is ugly!
The lexus offers little variation in specs compared to the other cars, and from what I can see there is 1 special edition which will set you back (90k+).
The engine is no doubt amazing, but so is the Aston v12, Maserati V8 and the Jag 5.0 is a brute (not special but effective).
As for new pricing £100k buys plenty of special cars.
Around 60k second hand you have astons, maserati's, bently's and jags (xkr-s).
Imo of all the options the lexus is the worst looking. Amazing side profile but the rear is ugly!
The lexus offers little variation in specs compared to the other cars, and from what I can see there is 1 special edition which will set you back (90k+).
The engine is no doubt amazing, but so is the Aston v12, Maserati V8 and the Jag 5.0 is a brute (not special but effective).
As for new pricing £100k buys plenty of special cars.
joshcowin said:
Odd one this as there are a few interesting GT cars available in this price point!
Around 60k second hand you have astons, maserati's, bently's and jags (xkr-s).
Imo of all the options the lexus is the worst looking. Amazing side profile but the rear is ugly!
The lexus offers little variation in specs compared to the other cars, and from what I can see there is 1 special edition which will set you back (90k+).
The engine is no doubt amazing, but so is the Aston v12, Maserati V8 and the Jag 5.0 is a brute (not special but effective).
As for new pricing £100k buys plenty of special cars.
As always, looks are subjective - I respect that.Around 60k second hand you have astons, maserati's, bently's and jags (xkr-s).
Imo of all the options the lexus is the worst looking. Amazing side profile but the rear is ugly!
The lexus offers little variation in specs compared to the other cars, and from what I can see there is 1 special edition which will set you back (90k+).
The engine is no doubt amazing, but so is the Aston v12, Maserati V8 and the Jag 5.0 is a brute (not special but effective).
As for new pricing £100k buys plenty of special cars.
I think running a Bentley, a Maserati or Jaguar is a much more financially risky option. An annual service with Lexus will get you a warranty. Also, the LC is much less common and that’s important to some owners.
Gassing Station | Toyota | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff