Lexus LC vs Mercedes-Benz SL
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 54% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| LC | SL | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 542 800 | R 3 870 128 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 44 444/m | R 67 644/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 75% |
| Retained after 3 years | 54% | 52% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 373 531 | R 2 015 667 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 169 269 | R 1 854 461 |
| Value after 5 years | R 952 620 | R 1 368 590 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
Lexus LC →
Lexus SA's halo coupe launched in 2017 with a 5.0-litre V8, took a brief local hiatus, then returned in 2024 as the hybrid-only LC 500h at around R2.5 million. Sales are a handful of units a year. The V8 cars in particular are collectible, but new-price depreciation is heavy.
Known for: halo grand tourer, v8 then hybrid
Mercedes-Benz SL →
Mercedes' halo roadster has been on the SA price list continuously since the 1990s and is now sold as a Mercedes-AMG model near R4 million. Volumes are tiny and buyers are collectors and enthusiasts. Older R129 examples have a classic following while 2000s cars depreciated hard.
Known for: long-running flagship roadster
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Lexus LC or the Mercedes-Benz SL?
They are close to inseparable: 54% vs 52% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Lexus LC loses about R 1 169 269 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz SL loses about R 1 854 461. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Lexus LC runs about R 44 444 per month and the Mercedes-Benz SL about R 67 644, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.