5 Reasons the LC 500 is BETTER Than the LFA (5 Reasons NOT)

Intro

The Lexus LFA was a money no object engineering exercise that Lexus took on to prove what was possible. The result was one of the greatest supercars built this century. The LC 500 took some inspiration from the LFA but is nowhere near the same class. However, in some ways, the LC 500 is even BETTER than the LFA. No, really it is. And we have put together a list of the top five reasons why we would take an LC 500 over an LFA. But to be fair there are just as many reasons as to why the LFA reigns supreme over the LC 500. So, we listed those reasons as well. The following is what we have come up with. Let us know what your reasons to pick either would be. 

5. LFA Over LC 500 – Bragging Rights

If you have a Lexus LFA in your garage, you own the greatest Lexus ever made. Period. Lexus has made plenty of other great cars. But any ranking of the greatest Lexus models ever will always start with the LFA and go from there. If you want to own the undisputed best of the best, then it must be the LFA.

5. LC 500 Over LFA – Convertible Option

A Lexus LFA Convertible concept car was teased but never built. All 500 LFA examples are coupes. On the other hand, you can get yourself an LC 500 coupe or a convertible. And for some people nothing can beat the open top experience. Imagine a warm summer night. You just got out of the office after a long and difficult day at work. You walk out to the parking garage, and you see your LC 500 Convertible waiting for you. You climb inside, start the car and drop the top. As you drive home the stress melts away as the warm air swirls around you. A beautiful sky is overhead. The sound of the glorious V8 bellows in your ears. You pass a garden and the aroma of honeysuckle drifts inside the cabin. There are some experiences that only a convertible can offer.

4. LFA Over LC 500 – Rarity/Collectability

The LC 500 is somewhat rare. Lexus sells fewer than 2,000 examples per year. However, only 500 LFAs were ever built. Many people have never even seen one in public before. But rarity alone does not guarantee collectability. However, with the LFA being regarded as one of the best supercars made in the last 25 years collectors drool over it. The LC 500 may one day be collectible as well, but it will never reach the heights of the LFA.

4. LC 500 Over LFA – It’s New

In 2024 you can still buy a new LC 500. That means you can spec it exactly as you like, and even customize it further with a bespoke build. You get all the latest technology, and everything is covered by a warranty. You even get that coveted new car smell

3. LFA Over LC 500 – Exotic Materials

The Lexus LC 500 is built mostly from high strength steel and aluminum. The LFA is built from carbon fiber and other exotic materials. That is one of the reasons why the LFA is more than 1,000 pounds lighter than the LC 500. When you look at the raw materials that make up each car, the LFA is comprised of more exotic items.

3. LC 500 Over LFA – Everyday Performance

The LC 500 may be heavier than the LFA and down on power, but it is no slouch in the performance department. The LC 500 can get to 60 mph in about 4.5 seconds and tops out at 168 mph. On the street that is really all the performance you need. And with that level of performance, you get a more compliant ride, and a car that is better suited overall for daily driving duty.  

2. LFA Over LC 500 – Track Performance

The LC 500 performs well on the street, but if you put it against an LFA on a road course or a drag strip the LC 500 will get creamed. The LFA was built to take on the track. The LFA is nearly a full second quicker to 60 mph and tops out at 202 mph. A Lexus LFA Nurburgring Package car can lap the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7 minutes and 14 seconds. In 2018 a fully race prepped LC 500 ran a qualifying lap in 8 minutes and 34 seconds. The LFA is the faster track car without question.

2. LC 500 Over LFA – Design

The LFA has a distinctive look but not what most would call a beautiful design. The LC 500 is drop dead gorgeous. LC 500 was inspired by the LFA. The LC 500 was meant to be a styling evolution of the LFA. Lexus took the LFA design and improved upon it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and neither car is bad to look at by any means. But most will agree that the LC 500 would win a beauty contest between it and the LFA.

1. LFA Over LC 500 – V10 Engine

The LFA is an astounding machine, and a big reason why is the racing derived V10 engine under the hood. Not only does it rev to the moon, but it revs so quickly that a traditional analog tach could not keep up, hence the electronic version. It pumps out 553 horsepower and could quite possibly be the best sounding engine ever installed in a production car.

1. LC 500 Over LFA – Price/Attainability

You could practically buy an LC 500 for every day of the week for the amount of money you would need for a single LFA. And you can order an LC 500 today in any configuration you want. You want one with a blue interior? No problem. In the case of the LFA, there are typically only one or two in the world on the market at any given time. And you can’t pick and choose the color you want. And if you do manage to buy an LFA you probably would be afraid to put any miles on it. What if it got a scratch or in a wreck? What will putting miles on it do to the future value? The LC 500 you can buy today and drive and enjoy without stress.

Images: Lexus