Porsche 911 or Lexus LC500?

Recently, I received this kind of inquiry on my blog.

Currently, I’m torn between purchasing a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet (992 model) and a Lexus LC500 Convertible. I’d like advice from a 911 (992 model) owner.

That was the question.

In fact, I’ve received many inquiries like “I’m struggling to decide between XX and YY when buying a car.” Cars are expensive purchases, and even if you gather information online, you might not find exactly what you want, or you might get overwhelmed by too much information, making it hard to decide.

When I got the initial question, I realized I didn’t know much about the LC500, so I checked the official site. It described the car as “a luxury coupe that pursues beauty and driving appeal.”

*Image source: LEXUS – LC

Looking at the interior photos, it’s quite luxurious and sophisticated, giving me the impression that it’s somewhat like a Mercedes-Benz SL.

Then I asked my husband, “I received a question about someone torn between the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet and the Lexus LC500 Convertible. This person has actually test-driven the 911. What do you think?” He replied like this:

I don’t think you can really compare the 911 Cabriolet and the LC500 in the first place. Visually, they’re both “luxury cars,” so some might think they’re similar, but their concepts are completely different… I think it’s better to think of them as cars from totally different categories. When you test drive a 911 at the dealer, you realize it’s “easy to drive even in the city,” but just driving on regular roads won’t really show you how incredible its performance is. When you drive it on a circuit or mountain roads, you clearly see that the 911 is a sports car seriously honed for driving performance. So, if I were to give advice, it would be that “which one you should choose depends on what you want from the car.” If you want a luxurious interior with almost all the modern conveniences, a luxury atmosphere, and to drive comfortably on the highway with the seat reclined, then the LC500 is probably better. But if you want a “super” high-performance sports car that can aggressively tackle mountain roads and circuits, then the 911 is the way to go. Of course, both can be driven sportily or luxuriously to some extent, but their core focus is totally different. One more thing I can say is that if you expect the 911 to have the luxury, Japanese-level industrial quality, quietness, smoothness, and hospitality like the LC500, you might be a bit disappointed. As I wrote recently, issues like interior rattles, tire noise in cold winters, and brake squeals show that the 911 is a more hardcore car focused on driving.

Criteria for Choosing a Car

My husband also said this:

Comparing the websites of these two cars really shows their conceptual differences. Porsche’s site puts “power,” “0-100 km/h acceleration,” and “top speed” front and center. It feels like performance and specs are the main focus. But looking at the LC500’s site, the concept of a luxury coupe jumps out more than anything else. You won’t find anything like “We completed the Nürburgring lap in X minutes!” It clearly prioritizes luxury and comfort over driving performance. For people who want that, it’s a fantastic choice. Choosing a car really varies a lot depending on the person, and ultimately, I think it’s important to clearly define “what you want from your car” when making your choice. Your preferences for looks and interior might differ from your preferences for driving feel, so it’s important not to be misled by just visual information.

Previously, when we had an AMG S63 Coupe at home, I wrote an article about “how I felt comparing the driving of the Panamera Turbo and the S63.” The ride and driving experience were completely different.

It’s not about which is better or worse, but a matter of preference. I personally prefer the Panamera because I like a car with solid driving rather than just luxurious interiors, and I prefer it a bit firmer rather than too soft a ride. But I also thought, “Most people probably prefer the S-Class.”

The idea that “it depends on what you want” applies not only to cars but also to jobs and companies. If you value benefits and a nice office, Company A is great. But if benefits and office aesthetics are secondary and you want growth and earning potential, then Company B is better. Your priorities shape your direction.

So, “Company A might be perfect for person A but not at all for person B,” and there’s probably no company or job that’s perfect for everyone.

I digressed a bit, but even so, with cars, there are many things you can’t know until you actually own one. There are individual differences, and driving feel and comfort often change over time, so it’s really difficult.

In that sense, this blog is a personal one with no need to cater to anyone, so I want to write as honestly as possible about our impressions as a couple, hoping it will help those considering buying a car even a little.