Lexus RC-F - Any owners?

[K14A]

Really quite tempted. Had a go in an M4 and hated it, brief experience with RCF was much the opposite. Any owners who can share their experience thus far?

Thanks!

Edited by K14A on Friday 28th August 07:58

[Heaveho]

Yep, we've had one for a while, it's ok, but I wouldn't miss it.

In all honesty, the modified IS-F we had a while ago was a better car, and I wish it was still here.

[Wilmslowboy]

Late reply....had mine just over a week and done 600 miles.


Attracts lots of attention
Lots of beeps and warnings (need to work out how to turn them all off)
Beautiful and comfortable interior (visibility is really bad)
Small rear seats
Cool dash (LCD that changes when you go in sport and sport + mode)
Nice noise
Fast (bit faster than a RS4 – I think)
On the road it feels like it handles as well as the RS4...although on a damp bit of road...I experienced wheel spin...not felt that for a while :-)
It was dim witted/ slow to rev however it has only done 600 miles (starting to loosen up now)
I find it responds to man handling (rather than a gentle touch)
Small fuel tank (55 litres) combined with early 20s Mpg results in limited range

Summary.. not a sharp edged/handling sports car..but instead a beautifully crafted (and powerful) muscle car, (front engine rear wheel drive is a bit of a revelation to me, the only rear wheel drive cars I’ve had by and large have been mid or rear engine).
I find I drive it in sport + (when I want to play) this is unusual for me a I normally drive my cars in bogo std..


Its nice to have a bespoke a body/chassis no danger of a 1.6d equivalent pulling up alongside.
The interior is beautiful, steering wheel and the aluminium paddles are simply stunning, and the noise is epic.

I feel it will be a grower……

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Sunday 20th September 19:03

[dufunk]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUuIzt9lcNM

Listen to this! 2UR-GSE is an epic engine and the advances made to this engine were worth it. This engine needs to be swapped into some lighter chassis'.

[K14A]

Seen that video, sounds fantastic. If i can get that engine, would be perfect for a GT86.

Wilmslowboy said:

... I feel it will be a grower……

Thank you for sharing. I did try one a while back and the engine felt quite eager to rev, perhaps it just needs to loosen up a little? Would be great if you could report on it after a few more miles, maybe a Reader's cars

Really tempted to get one myself in blue like yours, with the light interior. Think I'll have a look at one again and perhaps get one towards the end of winter.

[Wilmslowboy]

Over 1000 miles now

Sport + makes a big difference,
Can be a safe bit of fun in the wet (exiting a fast roundabout, across a camber change - results in a fun predictable side step)
As I've said before the paddles are beautiful, however some times it feels like the change has not registered (or the car decides to ignore my request)

Rear seats are large and comfortable - easily takes my 5' 5" daughter to school (30 minutes)
The changing graphical dashboard is great (to a geek like me)

It's fast (very fast from rolling to super sonic)
It's very low geared which can be a bit strange on the motorway (80 mph is 2k revs) added to it adopting Eco mode automatically when cruising, means it's easy for it to feel lazy. It has 8 gears, red line at 7k - means it has a theoretical top speed of 280 mph


I just can not fathom the sat nav, it seems to take 4 more clicks than necessary to start (as an example when you select destination entry - the post code option is page 2 of 2 - I would have thought this would be the first default).

I have to say every time I come across a M4 - I feel a little pang of envy.

Saying all that the youths (especially the ladies) at work think it's epic - which is something as it parked next to a number of brand new Range Rovers (and RR sports)

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Saturday 3rd October 21:27

[Wilmslowboy]

some better photos

[Pommygranite]

Wilmslowboy said:

some better photos

Stunning.

How's it going now a good few months in?

[Wilmslowboy]

Done over 4k miles


Still a big comfy, fast muscle car - think more M6, Merc SL, F- type than 991, Bmw M4 etc (there is no hiding it's 1800 kilos)

Nothing broke, alarmed or failed to operate - everything inside and out still like new.

Managed 18mpg avg (some use of ECO mode on motorways)

Unfortunately didn't get chance to venture on track - in the dry I think it would be great (match for a C63 etc) in damp conditions a huge handful.

On a dual carriageway (in the right mode) it very capable.
On B road, blind bends, potential tractors, mud round the corner - it's best enjoyed via its comfort capabilities.


Best summed up ....

Wife loves drving it and thinks it one of the best cars weve ever had...she generally disliked my 911s, loved the sold nature of my R32, the comfort of the Audi A8 and the low key capabilities of the RS4s.
(The Lexus is a mix of all the best bits)

Mine is for sale via Lexus Hatfield.

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Tuesday 22 December 12:45

[Stig]

So why sell after 4k miles? What's the replacement?

[Wilmslowboy]

Stig said:

So why sell after 4k miles? What's the replacement?

It a long complicated story/ process - in essence its my 'company car' - and I have to limit the loss/depreciation as much as possible....so sell within 6 months/6k miles (and must buy new)....it's sold as an 'ex managers car'

Not sure what next - perhaps a ghibli or Range Rover Sport

I'd have another RCF - however the £8k loss (from list price) in 4-5 months means it no longer viable.

[Pommygranite]

Wilmslowboy said:

Done over 4k miles


Still a big comfy, fast muscle car - think more M6, Merc SL, F- type than 991, Bmw M4 etc (there is no hiding it's 1800 kilos)

Nothing broke, alarmed or failed to operate - everything inside and out still like new.

Managed 18mpg avg (some use of ECO mode on motorways)

Unfortunately didn't get chance to venture on track - in the dry I think it would be great (match for a C63 etc) in damp conditions a huge handful.

On a dual carriageway (in the right mode) it very capable.
On B road, blind bends, potential tractors, mud round the corner - it's best enjoyed via its comfort capabilities.


Best summed up ....

Wife loves drving it and thinks it one of the best cars weve ever had...she generally disliked my 911s, loved the sold nature of my R32, the comfort of the Audi A8 and the low key capabilities of the RS4s.
(The Lexus is a mix of all the best bits)

Mine is for sale via Lexus Hatfield.

Edited by Wilmslowboy on Tuesday 22 December 12:45

Thanks for the update that's great. Good to know.

Here in Australia you can get an RC350 that has a 3.5 6 rather than the 5.0 8. It runs a about 300bhp 0-60 in 6.1 - difference in price is big $80k for an rc350 v $140k for an F - same kit, nearly same looks. Would the F be a big disappointment if it had a smaller engine in your opinion?

I've seen a lot of reviews and I think they've completely misjudged them. I keep seeing track tests and figure hardly anyone will ever go near a track but on the road where everyone will stay just cruising to and from work I wonder if it'll be magnificent as a daily driver when you're just up and down motorways.

[Heaveho]

The one for sale in our family is in the process of being sold.........circa 3k miles, about a year old, currently looking at something approaching a near 20k loss. Poor return.

[liner33]

Heaveho said:

The one for sale in our family is in the process of being sold.........circa 3k miles, about a year old, currently looking at something approaching a near 20k loss. Poor return.

Ouch! I considered one as they do appear used bargains, unfortunately the wife hated it and wasn't at all impressed

[jonah35]

The Rc300 f sport hybrid is now available to order.

[Heaveho]

liner33 said:

Ouch! I considered one as they do appear used bargains, unfortunately the wife hated it and wasn't at all impressed

Don't blame her, sensible lady. She's done you a favour! We had an IS-F with adjustable suspension, for a car that on paper is similar, other than a door count deficit and a minor horsepower dicrepancy, they couldn't have been more different. The IS-F was a much better car. Letting it go is one of my big car-related regrets.

[Pommygranite]

Heaveho said:

liner33 said:

Ouch! I considered one as they do appear used bargains, unfortunately the wife hated it and wasn't at all impressed

Don't blame her, sensible lady. She's done you a favour! We had an IS-F with adjustable suspension, for a car that on paper is similar, other than a door count deficit and a minor horsepower dicrepancy, they couldn't have been more different. The IS-F was a much better car. Letting it go is one of my big car-related regrets.

Love to hear more about the IS-F and why it was better.

[stuno1]

Not driven an rcf but I let my 08 Isf go in favour of a lotus Evora. The styling of the rcf was not to my taste and the weight really did put me off as I wanted a good fun twisty road car. The Isf was fantastic but you would be better off getting the later (2011 onwards) model as the earlier suspension is very stiff. The Isf is bullet proof engine wise, has every option ticked apart from sun roof is is fully loaded. It was a very reliable car and there are no 'known/standard' issues. The bag unit is dated.... That and stuff suspension are my only negative comments. It is a special car.

[liner33]

Pommygranite said:

Heaveho said:

liner33 said:

Ouch! I considered one as they do appear used bargains, unfortunately the wife hated it and wasn't at all impressed

Don't blame her, sensible lady. She's done you a favour! We had an IS-F with adjustable suspension, for a car that on paper is similar, other than a door count deficit and a minor horsepower dicrepancy, they couldn't have been more different. The IS-F was a much better car. Letting it go is one of my big car-related regrets.

Love to hear more about the IS-F and why it was better.

No I think you are right, I was a little disappointed and even more so this week when she also slated the 580hp Vauxhall VXR8 GTS as being "dull" but she is often right.

[Heaveho]

Pommygranite said:

Love to hear more about the IS-F and why it was better.

Hi, I'll qualify that earlier comment by saying that the suspension mods on the IS-F transformed it for me, however, for someone that generally prefers 4 wheel drive, I found the IS-F reminded me very much of my Evo in some respects, just sort of one size bigger. I loved the way it steered, it just seemed to dive in to corners in the same way as the Evo, it was a manageable size, 4 doors, easy to see out of and place on the road.

Even my other half, who is notoriously sniffy about cars and will only get in the Evo when she's wearing a sports bra and a neckbrace, has fond memories of that particular Lexus. It was my Father-in laws car, but it lived at my house most of the year. I did most of the miles in it, and really I should have bought it from him when I had the chance, but at the time the similarities I felt it had with the Evo meant it didn't seem to make too much sense, but that's hindsight.

I couldn't feel the same about punting the RC-F down the same roads at the same pace as the earlier car, it just didn't feel up for it.