There aren’t many modern cars like the Lexus LC 500. Even when it debuted nearly a decade ago, the LC looked like something you’d find on a concept-car stand, not a showroom.
Somehow, Lexus put the LC into production and dropped a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 under the hood for good measure. The result was a 471-horsepower grand tourer with rear-wheel drive, a 10-speed automatic, a beautifully finished interior, and one of the best exhaust notes available for nearly six figures.
Sure, it was pricey when new; the 2018 LC 500 started at $92,000 before destination, and a well-optioned example easily pushed past $100,000. Today, though, if you know where to look, you might be able to find one for closer to $60,000.
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Why Buy The Lexus LC 500?
There’s no doubt about it. That engine is sublime.
The LC 500 uses Lexus’s 5.0-liter naturally aspirated V8, producing 471 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. It revs to 7,300 rpm, drives the rear wheels through a 10-speed automatic, and launches the coupe to 60 miles per hour in about 4.4 seconds.
Those numbers aren’t outrageous by modern standards; plenty of newer performance cars make significantly more power. But outright speed misses the point here when we’re talking about Japan’s own version of the Chevrolet Corvette.
The LC’s V8 delivers power progressively rather than dumping a huge wave of torque into the rear tires. You have to rev it, and you’re rewarded with one of the best-sounding engines Lexus has ever built. This one is only outclassed by the near-mythical LFA.
When we reviewed the LC in 2018, we said it “bridges the gap somewhere between everyday supercar and capable touring car.”
‘Even in the most crowded parking lot, your eyes will be immediately drawn to the LC’s dramatic concept car-like styling.’
‘The seats are big and comfortable, and the cabin, while tight, doesn’t have the same cockpit-style feel as some of its rivals, making it considerably more comfortable to drive daily. ‘
‘With a strong V8 and gorgeous interior, the LC is as comfortable as it is capable.’
How Much Is A Used Lexus LC 500?
Kelley Blue Book currently lists a 2018 Lexus LC 500 at approximately $61,350 for a typical dealer purchase. KBB puts the same car’s private-party value at roughly $57,640 in good condition. Since this is more of an enthusiast car, prices will vary.
Remember, this was a car with an original base price of $92,000, and Motor1‘s 2018 test car stickered at $104,380 after options. Prices don’t rise dramatically as you move through the first few model years, either.
2018 LC 500: $61,350
2019 LC 500: $63,100
2020 LC 500: $66,900
2021 LC 500: $75,900
That makes the early LC 500 especially interesting. You’re getting something that still looks like a six-figure exotic for roughly the price of a well-equipped new luxury crossover.
Which Lexus LC 500 Should You Buy?
For maximum value, the 2018 LC 500 is the one I’d buy.
The fundamentals barely changed throughout the LC’s production run. The 2018 car already came with the 471-hp V8, 10-speed automatic, adaptive suspension, rear-wheel drive, and essentially the same dramatic styling that carried the LC through its final model year.
And at around $60,000, according to KBB, it’s among the cheapest ways to get into a V8 LC.
But there are reasons to spend more. For 2021, Lexus removed roughly 22 pounds of unsprung weight using lighter suspension components, revised the suspension tuning for a smoother stroke and sharper turn-in, altered the transmission programming, and added Active Cornering Assist and Android Auto as standard features.
In 2024, Lexus finally ditched the LC’s frustrating touchpad-based infotainment interface in favor of its newer Lexus Interface system and a standard 12.3-inch touchscreen. It’s a substantial usability improvement, but you’ll pay considerably more for one.
For pure value, stick with 2018 through 2020.
What Could Go Wrong?
This is where the LC 500 has a major advantage over many similarly priced European grand tourers. It’s a Lexus. Still, there are a few things worth checking.
Early LC 500s were included in multiple fuel-pump recalls. One involved the high-pressure fuel pumps, which could develop a damaged cover, potentially causing fuel leaks. The remedy involved replacing the pumps with improved components. Early cars were also included in Toyota’s much broader low-pressure fuel-pump recall.
Owners have also reported failures involving the LC’s trick pop-out exterior door handles. The actuator can fail, leaving a handle unable to extend or retract correctly. It’s frequently discussed among LC owners, particularly on early cars.
The usual performance-car checks apply, too. Twenty- or 21-inch tires are expensive, carbon-fiber body components won’t be cheap to replace, and large brakes can turn an otherwise routine service into a four-figure bill.
What Are The Alternatives?
There are plenty of used performance cars for $60,000. Finding another one that does exactly what the LC does, though, is considerably harder. Here are some options:
Chevrolet Corvette
Jaguar F-Type / R
The Jaguar F-Type R might be its closest philosophical rival. It’s beautiful, dramatic, and powered by a supercharged V8 with even more horsepower. It also delivers more outright aggression than the Lexus. The tradeoff is considerably more anxiety about long-term running costs.
Even a C8 Chevrolet Corvette enters the conversation at this price. It’s quicker and far more capable on a track, but it doesn’t deliver the same combination of luxury, craftsmanship, and grand-touring refinement.
Why The Lexus LC 500 Makes Sense
Buying a used LC 500 requires accepting one important fact: You’re probably never going to exploit everything this car can do on a track. That’s fine. Lexus didn’t build it for that.
The LC 500 is about making an ordinary drive feel special. You sit low behind one of Lexus’s best interiors, stare out over that absurdly long hood, fire up a naturally aspirated V8, and listen to it wind past 7,000 rpm.
And you can now get that experience for around $60,000.
| 2025 Lexus LC | |
| Engine | 5.0-Liter V8 |
| Transmission | 10-Speed Automatic |
| Output | 471 Horsepower / 398 Pound-Feet |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Speed 0-60 MPH | 4.4 Seconds |
| Maximum speed | 168 Miles Per Hour |
| Seating Capacity | Four |
| Base Price | $92,000 (2018) |
