The days of the internal combustion engine are numbered. Most automakers have announced sunsets for V-10 and V-12 engines. And now, vehicles formerly powered by V-8s—from Ferraris - opens in new window or tab. to Land Cruisers - opens in new window or tab.—are being fitted with turbo V-6 engines.
However, one of the greatest V-8 engines ever built is available in the Lexus LC500 luxury coupe, like the one recently listed on eBay in Shakopee, Minn.
Cool and Collected
Lexus introduced the 5.0-liter V-8 in the 2007 Lexus ISF - opens in new window or tab., a high-performance luxury sports sedan that went head-to-head against the BMW M3 - opens in new window or tab. and Mercedes C63 AMG. It has since proliferated into high-performance variants like the RCF and GSF. The Lexus V-8 takes its ultimate form in the LC500.
item 1 of 18
The Lexus LC500 flagship is a stunner. Its looks were ported from the jaw-dropping LF-LC concept with only minute design changes for street legality. Eight years after its 2016 debut, the coupe still reads as futuristic. The LC500 is expensive and rare, so you won’t find similar but lesser trims tooling around town.
The 32-valve DOHC V-8 churns out 471 horsepower and 389 pound-feet of torque. Power is only part of the story. Because it’s a Lexus, it swaddles the occupants in serenity. It doesn’t add attention-grabbing crackles and pops like a brutish German muscle car. It’s pure natural aspiration. There are no turbos to spool up or blow off. It’ll roar when you put the pedal down, but while crawling through traffic or a drive-through, the silken idle is as cool and collected as an LS400.
The GOAT Grand Tourer
Lexus fit and finish are second to none. An air of quality craftsmanship permeates every switch and open-close action. The LC500 is often overlooked because it’s not as brash as a BMW and doesn’t have a Ferrari knife’s-edge handling. But it wasn’t designed for that.
The LC500 was meant to eat up the miles with grace and speed while ensconcing the passengers in comfort. That is why critics believe it’s the best grand tourer available today.
The 2018 car for sale is finished in Ultra White, a premium paint option that costs an extra $500. It’s paired with a Rioja Red interior that requires a $5,000 sport package. This particular example also has Wald carbon fiber aero installed, which the seller says is a $10,000 kit.
Considering a new and identical 2023 LC500 could cost over $100,000, the asking price of $56,000 is a deal. Don’t worry about the 45,000-mile odometer reading. That’s nothing for a Lexus.
The premium Japanese brand is one of many car companies expected to completely electrify its lineup by the decade’s end. In other words, there won’t be another car like the LC500 built again.
About the author
Share your feedback
This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.