Top 10 Lexus V8 Bargains in 2024

Intro

It pains us to write this, but the V8 engine is going away. Toyota and Lexus have been slower to move towards EVs as they focus more on hybrids. And there are still several V8-powered Lexus vehicles in the lineup today. But make no mistake, the V8 days are numbered. That is enough of the bad news. Now, let’s look on the bright side. There are many excellent Lexus vehicles on the used market that have a V8 under the hood. And some of these vehicles represent what we feel are terrific bargains. We looked at every V8-powered Lexus in history and came up with a list of the ten best bargains you can buy in 2024 (at a variety of different pricepoints and ages). We tried to include a good mix of sporty cars as well as luxury rides and SUVs. We ranked them from oldest to newest. Are there any that you would add to the list?

1. LS 400 (1990 – 1994)

The first-generation Lexus LS is getting tougher to find nowadays. But if you are diligent in your search, you can find a nice example for less than $15,000. The 250-horsepower engine is silky smooth. Who can forget the famous champagne glass TV commercial? These are iconic cars that made Lexus what it is today. Considering their performance and place in Lexus history, it is astounding to think that they can be purchased for so little money.

2. LS 400 (1996)

The LS continued to improve over the years. And many believe that from a reliability perspective, the 1996 LS 400 was the greatest LS model ever made. One example, owned by automotive journalist Matt Farah was driven over one million miles. Granted it took some maintenance to get it to reach that lofty goal. But still, a million miles is incredibly impressive. And Farah only paid $1,500 for the car. Today, examples with merely one to two hundred thousand miles can easily be had for less than $10,000.

3. SC 430 (2002 – 2010)

When it was new, the Lexus SC 430 never really garnered glowing reviews. That is mainly because people expected it to be a sports car that could compete with a Porsche 911 Convertible. But the Lexus was more of a laidback cruiser. If you know that going in, and that is what you are after, then the SC 430 is going to be an amazing V8 value for you. Powered by a 4.3L V8 with 288 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, the SC 430 makes for a fine boulevard cruiser. Put the top down and cruise the streets in your stylish and powerful convertible. Spending $20,000 will get you a very nice example.    

4. GX 470 (2003 – 2005)

If you are looking for a mid-size SUV with V8 power on a budget, the early J120 generation GX models can be an excellent choice. For about $15K to $20K you can land a GX 470 that will have roughly 150,000 miles on it. That milage might scare some people off, but a well-maintained GX 470 could easily cross 300K miles. They are not the quickest or most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world, but they are extremely capable off-road, and have plenty of space for a family to take on road trips to remote locations.

5. LX 570 (2008 – 2011)

Is the GX just not big enough for you? Will you not settle for anything less than the best? Then you need to take a close look at the third generation LX, the LX 570. In short, it is a swankier version of the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser. Despite its large size and legendary off-road prowess, the 383-horsepower V8 can shove this three-ton plus SUV to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. Parking a nice example in your driveway should cost you no more than $30,000. That is about one third of what a new LX will set you back.

6. IS F (2008 – 2014)

We are more than halfway through this list, and we haven’t really discussed any sporty models yet. That all changes with the first-generation IS F. The IS F was a bit of a shock when Lexus released it in 2008. Lexus makes soft luxury cars, right? Are they really trying to take on the BMW M3? Yes, to both. The early IS F models had the power to match the M3 thanks to the 416-horsepower, 5.0L V8. The Lexus can scoot to 60 mph in less than four and a half seconds. The only thing to keep in mind is the ride on the early cars is a bit harsh. Lexus figured it out as the years went on. $40,000 will give you the nicest examples in the world. But for $30,000 you can snag a very nice driver.

7. RC F (2015 – 2020)

The RC F got a reworked version of the IS F 5.0L V8. In RC F trim it pumps out 467 horsepower. Despite the power increase, the performance of the RC F is roughly the same as the IS F thanks to the extra weight the RC F lugs around. Still, no one would call the RC F slow. And the V8 engine is a peach with a 7,300 rpm redline that provides plenty of aural pleasure. You can get yourself a high mileage example for a touch over $30,000. But if you stretch the budget to $50,000 you can find a mint one with less than 30K miles on it.

8. GS F (2016 – 2020)

The GS F has only been out of production for a few years, but it might be the most forgotten and overlooked Lexus performance car. If the IS F was designed to take on the BMW M3, the GS F was after the BMW M5. The engine in the GS F is basically the same unit you find under the hood of the IS F and RC F. But here it is in a medium-sized sedan. It doesn’t have enough grunt to threaten the more powerful competitors, such as the M5 or Cadillac CTS-V. But you get Lexus reliability and build quality. And how often do you really need to go faster than 168 mph? Expect to spend between $45K - $55K for a well-cared-for GS F.

9. LC 500 (2018 – 2020)

Hands down the LC 500 is the best-looking vehicle on this list. The GX and LX are old school rugged looking. The SC is unique and unusual. The IS F, GS F and RC F are sporty looking. And the LS models are clean and luxurious designs. The LC is jaw-dropping, supermodel walking along the beach beautiful. And the 5.0L V8 under the hood sounds amazing. It has performance numbers that are inline with the other Lexus models that use this V8. But this car just feels more special. And prices are dropping...for now. Higher mileage examples can be had in the $55K range. But you should plan on spending $65K to $70K or so for a nearly new LC 500. That isn’t cheap, but when you consider the looks, the sound, and the performance you start to realize what a bargain it is. And we keep repeating the fact that someday, these will be highly sought-after cars.

10. IS 500 F Sport Performance (2022 – 2024)

Here is the newest Lexus V8 on our list. Examples with fewer than 5,000 miles on them can easily be found for less than $70,000. For what is essentially a brand-new Lexus with that familiar 5.0L V8 beating under the hood. In the acceleration department this car can equal the other 5.0L V8 models on this list. Although this is not a full boat F model (nor is it as nice inside as the LC, LS, GS, SC, or LX) so it does not have quite the same level of handling chops as those cars. But if you drive this car on the street more than on a race circuit you will be rewarded with a more comfortable ride. Not a bad trade.

Images: Lexus