The 2021 Lexus LC 500 5.0L V/8 Convertible
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: Who is Lexus? Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. The Lexus brand is marketed in more than 70 countries and territories worldwide, and is Japan’s largest seller of premium cars. Lexus is headquartered in Japan, and it is ranked among the 10 largest Japanese global brands in market value.
In 1983, Toyota chairman Eiji Toyoda determined that the time was right for Toyota to produce a luxury automobile. He decided that this new vehicle would be the finest luxury car in the world, offering speed, safety, comfort, elegance, dignity and beauty.
Toyota kept Lexus dealerships separate and did not dilute the brand with lower priced, or less luxurious vehicles, to attract buyers. And thanks to Toyota’s deep pockets, Lexus could respond quickly to changing tastes by offering new models. Fast forward to 2021 and Lexus ranks as the fourth largest luxury brand behind Mercedes, Audi and BMW.
And what is the most expensive Lexus? That would be the LC 500 Series. Stateside, the special edition Inspiration model wears a base window sticker price of $106,210. The V-8 powered LC 500 starts at $93,050, while the hybrid Lexus LC 500h will set you back $97,610, and the new LC 500 Convertible has a starting price of $101,000.
This week Lexus sent me a 2021 LC 500 Convertible with a base window sticker price of $101,000 to test drive and review. The options on the test car are: a set of polished 21” forged alloy wheels with gloss black accents for $2,650, a HUD heads up display for $900, the Torsen limited slip differential with a Yamaha performance damper for $460, premium paint for $595, the carbon fiber scuff plates for $600, the touring package for $5,290, the 3M paint protection film application for $430, the 3M door edge protection film for $90 and the trunk cargo net, wheel locks and leather key gloves for $280.
The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,025 destination charge, came to: $113,320. After adding in the state and local sales tax, plus the DMV and dealer fees, the total out the door purchase price came to: $127,485. This is the flagship model car for Lexus, and their top of the line premium level convertible.
The competition in this GT grand touring category is fierce, and the contenders are from the manufactures that you already know. Here is the short list: We start with the Audi R8, then the Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type, Acura NSX, BMW 8 Series, and the Mercedes Benz SL’s. These are all performance GT cars from the best car companies in the world.
All have high horsepower, top of the line technology, fantastic interiors and special features. This exclusive car club will cost you over $100 Grand to be a card carrying member, and you will be driving one of the most exclusive GT cars for sale on the planet.
When you pick the new Lexus LC 500 convertible as your chariot of choice, you do get the best of the best in a Grand Touring car. Up front is a special 5.0L liter V/8 engine with 471 HP horsepower with a 4.4 second 0 to 60 time, bolted to a 10 speed Sport Direct Shift automatic transmission, with magnesium paddle shifters and manual shift modes.
Power passes through this driveline to a RWD rear wheel drive axle with performance brakes and aluminum calipers, controlled by an active adaptable variable suspension system. This gives you the power, braking, traction and stability control to make this a sporty GT grand touring car, with the road manners of a true luxury convertible.
This 2021 Lexus LC 500 is the first ever LC convertible. For those who dare to seek the extraordinary, the LC Convertible is crafted to capture your attention while stirring your senses. Featuring a meticulously designed, lightweight soft top, it maintains the same sleek silhouette as its coupe counterpart. With it’s super quick operating power soft top and active roll bars, the convertible model now has more trunk room for those weekend road trips to the golf course, the wine country, or Home Depot.
When you’re ready to buy a new luxury convertible, the 2021 Lexus 500 should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best luxury GT convertibles for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Lexus dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on the all new 2021 Lexus LC 500. And note that the base window sticker starting price for a Lexus LC 500 is only $93,050.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit AutoWire.Net at www.autowire.net