New LEXUS LC500 CONVERTIBLE ULTIMATE EDITION 002/165

[Philip Stone]

Roll on 30th March I will take delivery of a new Lexus LC500 Convertible ULTIMATE EDITION at Lexus Swindon attended by Lexus CEO Chris Hayes. There are a total of 165 cars worldwide and only 4 Convertibles for the UK market.

This will be my third LÇC

My question for the forum is "Do you think this will prove to be a good Investment?" Similar to the LFA.

[BrettMRC]

It's only going to be a potential investment if you don't drive and put it directly into storage for 5-10 years.

Even then, unless you own the storage space you will be unlikely to see a profit vs storage cost.

[eightk]

Investment potential depends on whether you ever leave it unattended or not. Tracker and immobiliser will help.

As an existing owner you already know they’re awesome, but it’d be interesting to hear your views on the upgrades they’ve done - I’m very jealous of the 360 cameras.

Oh, and do me a huge favour, one LC convertible owner to another - ask their CEO about canbus thefts and what they’re proposing to do about it. Cheers.

[Jgtcracer]

19 hours ago, Philip Stone said:

My question for the forum is "Do you think this will prove to be a good Investment?" Similar to the LFA

The LFA has appreciated to a £1M car now, I’d be surprised if it managed to replicate that….

It may be a controversial opinion but whether you like him or not, the Clarkson effect is real!  He has stated numerous times that it’s his favourite car of all time and to the general punter, that will mean something.  Combined with the V10 noise that it creates I think it’s a bit of a unicorn car for Lexus….. not to be repeated.

LC500 Convertible is top of my list for replacements for the RC-F but the LFA is mythical in these parts so the LC doesn’t stand a chance!😁

 

[Sadz]

Congratulations @Philip Stone! 
 

I'm collecting the coupe in couple of days, #38/165.

So, we are 2 of 5 in the UK. Would love to know about your thoughts once you get it.

[eightk]

When they arrive - PICS!! (pretty please with cream on top). I'd imagine the last of the line (in Europe at least) will be collectable one day. Congrats!

 

[Sadz]

@eightk here are some pics of mine (not the best pics out there). Took delivery on Friday and loving the car!

[eightk]

I do like that 'Ultimate Edition' plaque. More pics!

[Sadz]

3 hours ago, eightk said:

I do like that 'Ultimate Edition' plaque. More pics!

Thank you. I've left the car at a detailer's place to clean, install PPF and ceramic coating. Once I get it back, I will be able to take some pictures 😄

[NemesisUK]

2 hours ago, Sadz said:

Thank you. I've left the car at a detailer's place to clean, install PPF and ceramic coating. Once I get it back, I will be able to take some pictures 😄

How were your insurers regarding the PPF install? 

[Sadz]

1 hour ago, NemesisUK said:

How were your insurers regarding the PPF install? 

Didn't ask insurers about getting paint protection film (PPF). Does it matter to them? 

[NemesisUK]

To some, yes. The inclusion of PPF can increase the costs of any repairs. 

[eightk]

15 hours ago, NemesisUK said:

To some, yes. The inclusion of PPF can increase the costs of any repairs. 

Good point - mine were ok with PPF but I did tell them about every 'modification' - PPF, tracker, immobilser etc.

@Sadz definitely 110% check with Lexus, your dealer etc, that you're canbus theft proof - the '24 model should be ok but I'd definitely make sure.

[Sadz]

1 hour ago, eightk said:

Good point - mine were ok with PPF but I did tell them about every 'modification' - PPF, tracker, immobilser etc.

@Sadz definitely 110% check with Lexus, your dealer etc, that you're canbus theft proof - the '24 model should be ok but I'd definitely make sure.

Thanks @eightk@NemesisUK!
I've told my insurance about tracker.
 

On the day of collection, the dealership told me that my model is not canbus theft proof. I'll email them to enquire about it. I've read the public statement that Lexus did couple of days ago. Also, need to get immobiliser fitted.

[eightk]

On 3/19/2024 at 12:58 PM, Sadz said:

Thanks @eightk@NemesisUK!
I've told my insurance about tracker.
 

On the day of collection, the dealership told me that my model is not canbus theft proof. I'll email them to enquire about it. I've read the public statement that Lexus did couple of days ago. Also, need to get immobiliser fitted.

I have a cat S5 tracker that my insurers required and upgraded to include an immobiliser on that for another £100. Well worth doing. Ghost etc also works but all these solutions are invisible - I've also added a sticker off eBay in the hope the peasants will leave my bumper alone.

[Philip Stone]

On 3/13/2024 at 12:31 PM, Sadz said:

Congratulations @Philip Stone! 
 

I'm collecting the coupe in couple of days, #38/165.

So, we are 2 of 5 in the UK. Would love to know about your thoughts once you get it.

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC previously i had an orange LC500 Sport Plus with an annoying touch screen.  This ULTIMATE EDITION is better than a Bentley.  GOOD LUCK and SAFE ENJOYABLE DRIVING. you are the s

 

On 3/13/2024 at 12:31 PM, Sadz said:

Congratulations @Philip Stone! 
 

I'm collecting the coupe in couple of days, #38/165.

So, we are 2 of 5 in the UK. Would love to know about your thoughts once you get it.

ole UK ULTIMATE EDITION coupe owner congratulations 

[genneth]

👋

[Sadz]

On 4/7/2024 at 5:33 PM, Philip Stone said:

ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC previously i had an orange LC500 Sport Plus with an annoying touch screen.  This ULTIMATE EDITION is better than a Bentley.  GOOD LUCK and SAFE ENJOYABLE DRIVING. you are the s

 

ole UK ULTIMATE EDITION coupe owner congratulations 

Actually, Lexus kinda lied about the numbers. They guaranteed exclusivity with 4 convertibles and 1 coupe. But, they brought in 7 convertibles and 3 coupe. So, 10 in total instead of 5. At the bottom of this post they guaranteed this https://mag.lexus.co.uk/2024-lexus-lc/

I found another coupe that was sold as used by dealership which was also listed in Lexus' website as approved used after being pointed out by a member of Caffeine and Machine Facebook group that mine isn't the only coupe. What an awkward situation!

I spoke to the dealership who sold to me a big bubble of dream as 1 of 1 coupe and reality being different. Waiting to hear back once they had a talk with Lexus GB.

[BrettMRC]

That's annoying!

Not quite as exclusive as you were lead to believe then, but not sure what they can do about that now as hard to quantify it.

Have you outlined any expectations to them vis a resolution?  

[Sadz]

On 6/11/2024 at 8:45 AM, BrettMRC said:

That's annoying!

Not quite as exclusive as you were lead to believe then, but not sure what they can do about that now as hard to quantify it.

Have you outlined any expectations to them vis a resolution?  

Yes, it is annoying!

I have spoken to the manager of the dealership recently. He told me that he will look into this and try to get back to me after he hears back from Lexus GB. 

Just waiting to hear back from him/dealership.

Not sure what I can do. But, I expect to get a few free services from them as a resolution 😅

[Philip Stone]

My Lexus LC500 Convertible ULTIMATE EDITION registered late March 2024 with only 300 miles and unique plaque 002/165 is garaged and on a trickle charger up for a none negotiable price of £138,888 it is a real supercar and I believe a bargain.  More details on Auto Trader. 

[Linas.P]

On 1/16/2024 at 3:19 AM, Philip Stone said:

Roll on 30th March I will take delivery of a new Lexus LC500 Convertible ULTIMATE EDITION at Lexus Swindon attended by Lexus CEO Chris Hayes. There are a total of 165 cars worldwide and only 4 Convertibles for the UK market.

This will be my third LÇC

My question for the forum is "Do you think this will prove to be a good Investment?" Similar to the LFA.

My opinion... obviously.

No - it will be horrible investment and you would save more money by burning it. 

It is amazing car, something to be driven and enjoyed to the biggest possible extent, but this car is not an investment, it will depreciate A LOT.

Not sure what you paid for it, but you will lose at least 50% of the value in the first 5 years. 

LFA was not good investment either, many people lost money on them, only after 5 years they became somewhat of missed opportunity out of nowhere. Back in 2015 Lexus sold their last standard LFA (non-Nürburgring) in US, which they could not shift for many years and it was bought for $122k with 82 miles on the clock, that just goes to show that 10 years ago Lexus could not even sell them for MSRP. So people who bought them new for $375k on special lease deal (at first it was not possible to own the car outright) for 2 years lost a lot of money on them.

But here is why LFA is what it is, and why LC500 will never be LFA - LFA was all carbon, hands built car sold in very limited numbers, it had one of the kind V10 engine not sold with any other car, production numbers were very low with only 500 made... and even then their prices are kind of irrational. LC500 has bog standard V8 that was around for ages, you can get car with the same engine for under £20k, production numbers on LC500 are quite high (~15,000), the rest of the car is standard production car, it is honestly amazing quality inside and out, but it is just a production line Lexus GT car, it is not a super car or close to one. If Lexus would have made LC-F maybe using the same engine, then perhaps that car could have been worth half of what LFA costs, but they didn't do that perhaps for the reason that it would reduce LFA values and would kind of hurt their owners. 

I am sorry to say, but the "ultimate edition" placard and it being convertible means literally nothing, it is a marketing trick. On LFA with only 500 examples, the 50 Nürburgring editions are more notable, but even then there is no data to suggest that Nürburgring edition is more valuable than standard LFA (if one can be called standard). But for car that sold 15,000 units... "editions" really means nothing, it is still LC500 and you can buy one for £40k... your one having placard on it saying it is "ultimate something something" doesn't make it different car, you will still compete with all other LC500s on the market when it goes on sale... maybe you get £5k more for it, but it doesn't make it different model that is appreciating. 

Again - enjoy the car, it is amazing car, but please do no have any hopes that it will make your richer than you already are, increase in value it will not. 

[Flytvr]

I'll go against the majority here, but I think every tweak they've made to the LC (after its initial release) has made it look worse. Why stick that horrible static wing on the back of it? It's a Luxury Coupe not a Porsche Cayman GT4!

As for the Ultimate thing, I see it as an RC-F Track Edition equivalent. An unnecessary attempt by Lexus to sell more cars.

Each to their own, and don't mean to offend - just my opinion.

[Linas.P]

17 minutes ago, Flytvr said:

I'll go against the majority here, but I think every tweak they've made to the LC (after its initial release) has made it look worse. Why stick that horrible static wing on the back of it? It's a Luxury Coupe not a Porsche Cayman GT4!

As for the Ultimate thing, I see it as an RC-F Track Edition equivalent. An unnecessary attempt by Lexus to sell more cars.

Each to their own, and don't mean to offend - just my opinion.

wow... missed that wind altogether. It really doesn't belong on the car. 

Also, Lexus either makes wheels that looks gaudy (say original LC 21") or so bland, that one may confuse them for spare tyre - facelift RC-F standard wheels were one such example, also LC 20" and these "ultimate edition" wheels are also kind of too simple and not worthy otherwise classy and exquisite appearance of the car. 

I did like convertible concept wheels... sadly those were never available for production cars: 

[BrettMRC]

14 hours ago, Philip Stone said:

My Lexus LC500 Convertible ULTIMATE EDITION registered late March 2024 with only 300 miles and unique plaque 002/165 is garaged and on a trickle charger up for a none negotiable price of £138,888 it is a real supercar and I believe a bargain.  More details on Auto Trader. 

Sorry to say, but that is neither supercar nor bargain.

It's lovely, but there is no way you will get that for it.