Who's got or ordered a Convertible

[twolexii]

Hello all, fun reading this thread. Congratulations, Kevin and Steve, on your new V8 convertibles.

My local dealer is Hedge End, they expect a demonstrator LC500 convertible in Spring, but unclear if it’s theirs or a Lexus press / pool car. They tell me that the UK launch specials have all been sold, in Blue & White Leather, the colours of my ‘03 SC430, with Bird’s Eye Maple. I drive it whenever possible at down to 8 degrees, metal folding top down, with the heater at up to 30d maximum and the seat heater on, windows up once at 70mph.

I’m very lucky that my wife enjoys fresh air and isn’t fussed about her hair, but then she was an Ariel Leader biker in the 60’s. And I was a Mod, with a humungous Maicoletta large-wheeled 250cc two-stroke scooter with the then very rare oscillating 6v electric starter. Now a £5k collectible.

At 8 degrees, I don’t miss the airscarf I had - and needed - on an ‘05 M-B SLK280 for 5 years and 30k miles. The SLK was more a sports car than the grand touring SC but the latter’s V8 very quiet steam-engine is like nothing I’ve driven before (bought the SC Jan2018 at 69k, now 81k, for a silly £6k given a full service history and an OCD owner).

The only major repair since then: a frozen front calliper & so also had both new front discs & pads, 2020, all-in £1000, Lexus-supplied parts, fitted by my local engineer; else a replacement n/s door bass speaker (Huets in Shoreham) and a single TPMS sensor; only addition: a Nextbase dashcam; I have the original saucepan wheels though the car’s fitted with modern classic alloys and new-in-2018 very quiet Goodyears; all MoT’s with no advisories.

Only fault: top up, clicking noises behind and above my right shoulder. I shall get that tintop issue dealt with when I find the right independent specialist. Until then, all the more reason to drive, silently, top-down, a modern classic.

As I also care for my wife’s VW ‘13 245bhp diesel auto Touareg, a VW ‘09 Scirocco 158bhp 6speed GTi-clone, my ‘07 GS450h 5.9secs to 60 Q-car, I shall, unless that BIG Premium Bond prize arrives, wait, all else being equal, for a ‘21 pre-owned Blue/White LC500 Sport+ V8 soft-top. Though I could be convinced to buy a Sport+ soft-top demonstrator sooner if a Dark Blue / White appears.

When normal times return later this year, how about an SC / LC convertibles meet-up somewhere in SE UK?

[malcolmw]

Interesting you note 8degC as the limit for comfortable roof down use. I used to have an SL500 and I experimented at different temperatures coming to the same conclusion as you - roof down over 8degC.

[Kevin Williams]

On 2/7/2021 at 5:41 AM, twolexii said:

Hello all, fun reading this thread. Congratulations, Kevin and Steve, on your new V8 convertibles.

My local dealer is Hedge End, they expect a demonstrator LC500 convertible in Spring, but unclear if it’s theirs or a Lexus press / pool car. They tell me that the UK launch specials have all been sold, in Blue & White Leather, the colours of my ‘03 SC430, with Bird’s Eye Maple. I drive it whenever possible at down to 8 degrees, metal folding top down, with the heater at up to 30d maximum and the seat heater on, windows up once at 70mph.

I’m very lucky that my wife enjoys fresh air and isn’t fussed about her hair, but then she was an Ariel Leader biker in the 60’s. And I was a Mod, with a humungous Maicoletta large-wheeled 250cc two-stroke scooter with the then very rare oscillating 6v electric starter. Now a £5k collectible.

At 8 degrees, I don’t miss the airscarf I had - and needed - on an ‘05 M-B SLK280 for 5 years and 30k miles. The SLK was more a sports car than the grand touring SC but the latter’s V8 very quiet steam-engine is like nothing I’ve driven before (bought the SC Jan2018 at 69k, now 81k, for a silly £6k given a full service history and an OCD owner).

The only major repair since then: a frozen front calliper & so also had both new front discs & pads, 2020, all-in £1000, Lexus-supplied parts, fitted by my local engineer; else a replacement n/s door bass speaker (Huets in Shoreham) and a single TPMS sensor; only addition: a Nextbase dashcam; I have the original saucepan wheels though the car’s fitted with modern classic alloys and new-in-2018 very quiet Goodyears; all MoT’s with no advisories.

Only fault: top up, clicking noises behind and above my right shoulder. I shall get that tintop issue dealt with when I find the right independent specialist. Until then, all the more reason to drive, silently, top-down, a modern classic.

As I also care for my wife’s VW ‘13 245bhp diesel auto Touareg, a VW ‘09 Scirocco 158bhp 6speed GTi-clone, my ‘07 GS450h 5.9secs to 60 Q-car, I shall, unless that BIG Premium Bond prize arrives, wait, all else being equal, for a ‘21 pre-owned Blue/White LC500 Sport+ V8 soft-top. Though I could be convinced to buy a Sport+ soft-top demonstrator sooner if a Dark Blue / White appears.

When normal times return later this year, how about an SC / LC convertibles meet-up somewhere in SE UK?

I remember my SC430, although it was 18 years ago... nice car...!

My LC500 Convertible is due to land in the UK on 23rd Feb. I am advised it should be delivered to me 7 to 10 working days later... So, not that long to wait...! I have gone for Terrane Khaki with Ochre and a Beige roof...

This video is interesting. It's -6C, and he's enjoying driving it...! The video definitely looks like it was exactly as it happened...?  The Concierge was obviously working well...!

 

 

[Fatts]

Well done Kevin, so just a couple of days for your lovely convertible to arrive, would you still be hanging on to the SC430 ? (Your driveway might get crowded 🤣🤣

[Kevin Williams]

19 hours ago, Fatts said:

Well done Kevin, so just a couple of days for your lovely convertible to arrive, would you still be hanging on to the SC430 ? (Your driveway might get crowded 🤣🤣

Probably about 3 weeks Banji. Looking forward to it...! The SC430 was only on my driveway for about a year... I don't keep cars for very long, but I think the LC 500 Convertible might be one of my cars for a longish time...!

[Kevin Williams]

On 1/13/2021 at 3:32 PM, Captain sly said:

Are the any pics of it? (Love a good pic) 

Hello Chris,

I hope you and your family are all safe and well. 

I have been watching several you tubes from Drift Games, of their boys in Ireland, restoring an SC400 Soarer…

I would imagine whoever bought it, paid top money, and is very pleased… They made a brilliant job of it... 

Can you put a photo of yours on the Forum…? 

My LC500 Convertible, ordered in early November last year, has arrived from Japan. Its due to arrive in Edinburgh on March 3rd… It's going from Portbury to Edinburgh, and then to Carlyon Bay in Cornwall…!

They have to PDI it. When it arrives they will send me a video of it. I will post it on the Forum.

The video below is interesting. 

It's -6C, and he's enjoying driving it...! The video definitely looks like it was exactly as it happened...?  The Concierge was obviously working well...!

Hopefully I can drive it with the roof down when it arrives...!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvKoUF1MAis

Cheers Kevin

PS My LS 400's, I had two, were one of the best cars that I have owned...

[Captain sly]

I will see if I have any pics on phone as car is sorn at my other home at the moment 

[AJ500]

Kevin,

I assume the pictures on Lexus Scotlands Facebook of an LC500 convertible in their showroom is your new car.

Looks beautiful.

Await your delivery news.

A J.

[Kevin Williams]

34 minutes ago, AJ500 said:

Kevin,

I assume the pictures on Lexus Scotlands Facebook of an LC500 convertible in their showroom is your new car.

Looks beautiful.

Await your delivery news.

A J.

Hello A J, I haven't noticed you viewing on the Forum for a couple of weeks, I hope you have been ok...?

Yes, the car is at Edinburgh at long last...! I don't know if you have read the comments on their Facebook site, apart from one, that I will ignore, all the others are good...! 

[AJ500]

Kevin,

Yes,the comments are good with the one exception.Hopefully it is on its way to you.

I follow the forum all the time but have not had anything to add recently.Been busy buying our new BMW M135i ,which replaced the lovely 6 cylinder M140.With demo drives off limit,we decided to stick with what we know and like,albeit the latest model which is now a 4 cylinder but gains X Drive.I negotiated the best deal with a dealer I havent used for a few years but who had a factory order arriving mid January.Seems the dealers have been very busy with click and collect.

Cheers,

A J.

[Kevin Williams]

On 3/2/2021 at 10:19 AM, AJ500 said:

Kevin,

I assume the pictures on Lexus Scotlands Facebook of an LC500 convertible in their showroom is your new car.

Looks beautiful.

Await your delivery news.

A J.

Speaking to Sean at Lexus Edinburgh this afternoon, and he said it was 18C at Edinburgh...! I said we should turn the country upside down, as Cornwall was showing half that...! Sean is driving the Convertible down on Sat 27th...

I haven't asked for it to come down any quicker, because I am not driving at the moment, because of side effects of having the vaccine... I am not complaining...! Any pills I take etc, that can cause side effects, I usually get most of them because of my head injury... 

[AJ500]

Hi Kevin,

Hope you get over any side effects quickly.You must be excited at the arrival of the new car.It will certainly have a few miles on if its being driven down!

See you have your plate from the coupe on it.Have you px’d it?

Look forward to pics etc when it arrives.

Take care,

A J.

[Kevin Williams]

19 hours ago, AJ500 said:

Hi Kevin,

Hope you get over any side effects quickly.You must be excited at the arrival of the new car.It will certainly have a few miles on if its being driven down!

See you have your plate from the coupe on it.Have you px’d it?

Look forward to pics etc when it arrives.

Take care,

A J.

Hello A J, Yes, looking forward to the Convertible coming down. Sean is driving the Coupe back up. Hopefully the side effects clear up quickly, and then I can get out on my Gocycle GXi, electric bike... I don't know if any other Forum members have one, but its a great electric bike for the money...!

Stay safe...

Kevin

[Fatts]

2 minutes ago, Kevin Williams said:

Hello A J, Yes, looking forward to the Convertible coming down. Sean is driving the Coupe back up. Hopefully the side effects clear up quickly, and then I can get out on my Gocycle GXi, electric bike... I don't know if any other Forum members have one, but its a great electric bike for the money...!

Stay safe...

Kevin

We’re all looking forward to Kevin getting his hands on that convertible. If it were mine I would have died of the excitement and the thought of someone else having the luxury of putting the first few miles on the car before the real owner is hard to phantom. But given all the circumstances you have shared Kevin, I think we all agree our health comes first above all things. A car is only just a Car, wishing good recovery and many years of happy motoring; when the convertible finally arrives😄

[Kevin Williams]

1 hour ago, Fatts said:

We’re all looking forward to Kevin getting his hands on that convertible. If it were mine I would have died of the excitement and the thought of someone else having the luxury of putting the first few miles on the car before the real owner is hard to phantom. But given all the circumstances you have shared Kevin, I think we all agree our health comes first above all things. A car is only just a Car, wishing good recovery and many years of happy motoring; when the convertible finally arrives😄

Thanks for your very nice comments in your post Banji. Prior to my accident I was a keep fit freak, and used to run 10 to 12 half marathons every year... My PB is 1hr 29 mins at Bath, at the age of 48...!

Now I have to decide, when the weather is nice... Do I take the Convertible out for a few miles... or go out on my Gocycle GXi...

Thats a difficult decision to have to make...!!!

[Fatts]

Talking about e-bikes; I have not personally researched them much as I have a standard bicycle I use occasionally but the one mentioned by Kevin appear to be top end spec https://gocycle.com/models/gocycle-gx-gxi/

I can see it is highly specked and should hopefully fit into the booth of the LC convertible. Regards Banji 

[Kevin Williams]

1 hour ago, Fatts said:

Talking about e-bikes; I have not personally researched them much as I have a standard bicycle I use occasionally but the one mentioned by Kevin appear to be top end spec https://gocycle.com/models/gocycle-gx-gxi/

I can see it is highly specked and should hopefully fit into the booth of the LC convertible. Regards Banji 

Hello Banji… I have spent thousands of pounds on Specialized Battery bikes, and other makes… Yes, the Gocycle GXi, is very good value for the money, it’s a third of the price of many other Battery bikes, and it’s an ex McLaren guy that founded the company that makes them…

I still have a difficult decision…! Do I put it in the boot of the lovely LC 500 Convertible, or my Electric Honda e…??? I supposed it depends on where I might park…! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjlC6us6zww

[Fatts]

The Honda looks quirky, not seen one on the road yet but I sat in one last year October when we were collecting my wife’s CRV. 

[Kevin Williams]

27 minutes ago, Fatts said:

The Honda looks quirky, not seen one on the road yet but I sat in one last year October when we were collecting my wife’s CRV. 

The Honda e is a great car, if you only need, no more than 100 miles from the Battery. I have a home charger outside, so I can charge it quickly and easily. I have had two Accords and a Legend, before my LS 400. My wife has had several Honda's. She liked the 4WS that turned both ways in the Prelude... 

[Lakeside]

Hi All

just had rear windbreaker installed, easy to use, looks good, now for some good weather and the English countryside, when the bistros are open.

cheers

Steve

[Fatts]

3 hours ago, Lakeside said:

Hi All

just had rear windbreaker installed, easy to use, looks good, now for some good weather and the English countryside, when the bistros are open.

cheers

Steve

Nice ride just add the sunshine ☀️ 

[Kevin Williams]

On 3/19/2021 at 4:23 PM, Fatts said:

Talking about e-bikes; I have not personally researched them much as I have a standard bicycle I use occasionally but the one mentioned by Kevin appear to be top end spec https://gocycle.com/models/gocycle-gx-gxi/

I can see it is highly specked and should hopefully fit into the booth of the LC convertible. Regards Banji 

Hello Banji, I don't know if you have read about the latest Gocycle G4...? I deal with the Fully Charged Bike shop in London... I have ordered one... it will make me feel younger...! Like the LC Convertible does...!

 

[Fatts]

Am sure forum members are longing for an update on the LC convertible 

[Kevin Williams]

15 hours ago, Fatts said:

Am sure forum members are longing for an update on the LC convertible 

Hello Banji,

I have been reading some of your previous posts, and this one made me smile…!

 

I remember my wife's comment to my son when I bought a brand new Lexus NX and had gone to Derby to pick it up. Upon arrival at home she called my son and said

"come and look your daddy has bought a new Qashqai" after that I didn't talk to her for one day. 

Just spent over £42k on a car only for the other half to call it a Qashqai !

 

The LC 500 Convertible is definitely a great, unique car…! 

I have lost count how many ‘nice’ cars that I have owned. 

But thinking back, the Convertible is better than my McLaren 540C, my new NSX, my Taycan 4S, my MB’s and my 911’s…

It’s a great ride, in all of the driving modes… It’s engine and 10 speed auto/manual box is brilliant… and it definitely turns heads, when I am out and about…

It was 5C, when I was out in it a few days ago. I had the roof down and the Concierge System worked so good, the roof stayed down...! Regards Kevin

 

[bvhout]

Hi,

Just responding to the phrase "the convertible is better than". To some extent my definition of my "best" car depends on my mood. For relaxed driving over wide roads nothing beats the Rolls. For a summer blast over twisty roads I have a ferrari mondial T and a lotus esprit, For a purposeful open top drive I have a mercedes SL500. And then I have my LC500 in structural blue. To me it doesn't really win (but quite often it shares the no 1 spot) in any department except that I think it's the prettiest one. But most notably it fits all my moods. Is "omni-great" a word?

PS. And the LC500 would be the car of choice If I would plan to talk to complete strangers at gas stations or supermarket car parks. No, any car park for that matter. Always men though.