*** Before we get started on this car, I just want to let everyone know my 2010 Mercedes S600 luxo-rocket is still available, although I have begun the process to auction it on MB Market next week. Dropped the price to $25,900 OBO! Still has 28,000 miles / 19 months of MaxCare warranty! Here’s the link once again.
“The fourth Inspiration Series vehicle from Lexus, the LS 500 is the first sedan to get this exclusive treatment. It starts with a unique new exterior color, Deep Garnet. Garnet, a deep, metallic shade of red that shimmers in direct sun yet has a deep, lustrous tone in the shade. The vibrant color is complimented by standard 20-inch wheels finished in Black Vapor Chrome. Like the Deep Garnet paint, these wheels glimmer in the sun yet retain a polished, subdued look in the shade that accentuates the LS 500’s elegant proportions.”
That was the Lexus press release from 2019 introducing the limited run 2020 Lexus LS500 Inspiration Series. Always intrigued when CarMax offers an exclusive run unicorn even if it’s mostly a trick paint job and some exotic interior trim. I’m going to have to take their word for the changing hue Deep Garnet red – it looks kind of brown in the pictures. The release says it’s the fourth Inspiration Series vehicle and I can only find the earlier 2019 LC500 Inspiration Series and the later 2021 LX570 Inspiration Series. Shouldn’t be this hard!
CarBuzz described the interior as “white semi-aniline leather …. offset by Kiriko glass trim and ornamentation, black instrumentation and carpeting, and a blue LED Kiriko-design display panel on the passenger side. It’s not all style and no substance, as the Inspiration Series equips a 2,400-watt Mark Levinson surround sound system with 23 speakers, strong enough to inspire even Beethoven.” Hmmm – what’s this Kiriko glass, you ask?
If I remember right, Kiriko, a unique Japanese tradition of hand-cutting delicate patterns into glass, produces stunning reflections of light, depending on the angle of both the light and the viewer’s gaze. Examples can be appreciated in vases, sake glasses and traditional glass ornaments. Totally bluffing. I plagiarized that from the Lexus Enthusiast website, and they actually have a great description of how Kiriko glass came to be in the Lexus LS500 – here’s the link if you’re interested.
While the Inspiration Series is a limited edition run of 300 cars with some high end trim enhancements, like all LS500’s it’s still a very strong car. It’s powered by a 3.5 liter twin turbo, 416 hp six cylinder connected to a ten-speed transmission, and will hit 60 mph in the mid-four second range. Damned quick for a 4,700 lb car. It’s fully loaded, and even has seat massagers. The car sold new for about $100,000 just two years ago, and has depreciated almost a quarter in value. I like depreciation. I doubt that I would even spring for MaxCare – although CarMax indicates this car’s manufacturer warranty has expired I’m skeptical – my understanding is Lexus provides a 4 yr/50,000 mi basic, and 6 yr/70,000 mi powertrain warranty. This car is two years old and has 9,000 miles. If you want an exclusive run car and dig the Lexus LS500, you can find this single owner, accident free one in Duarte, California here.
Stock # 23154987 VIN # JTHG5LFF5L5010946
