2017 Lexus RCF 500

Highlights

• Just 37,211 miles on the clock, verified

• Comprehensive Lexus service history

• 5-litre naturally aspirated V8, 8-speed paddle-shift

• Premium and Mark Levinson Packages

• Lexus warranty to January 2027

Overview

Thanks to Alan Partridge, Lexus have often been incorrectly and unfairly branded as the “Japanese Mercedes”. This is unfair for one very simple reason: they’re arguably so much better built than anything Mercedes-Benz have made in the last 30 years that you may as well be comparing the Colosseum to a 1970s 3-bed semi in Swindon.

Make no mistake about it, Lexus delivers attention to detail, material quality and high-grade construction that makes the Great Pyramid of Giza look a tad flimsy. And the RCF is no exception. It’s exquisitely screwed together and benefits from some truly sumptuous material choices. Add to that the spot-on ergonomics and very high specification and you have a car that swallows up long journeys with consummate ease. Do you want to arrive refreshed, unruffled and feeling rather smug about your life choices? You’ll be wanting the RCF then.

And we haven’t even mentioned the best bit yet: that V8. With 5-litres of naturally aspirated, high-revving, spine-tingling grunt under your right foot, it’s little wonder that the powertrain is kind of all-consuming when you first drive the RCF. Delivering a whopping 467bhp to the rear wheels, it does make rather an impression. And Lexus haven’t gone all “lots of go, no noise” either – this thing sounds absolutely fabulous. From the bass-laden warble of idle to the crackling scream of the 7,300rpm redline, this is one hell of an evocative engine. Very much the kind of thing that does not get made anymore. 

This particular model is blessed with a spot-on service record, as well as a cracking specification. The Premium and Mark Levinson Packages were specified from the factory, as well as the optional split-spoke forged alloys. These are very much the options you want, offering a cracking mix of luxury and safety, as well as one of the finest sound systems you’ll experience in a car. With 17-speakers, 835-watts and some very trick surround sound tech, it’s safe to say it’s the perfect environment to test out your new CDs (those are still a thing, right?).

We love the banzai styling too. With so many anodyne and anonymous designs on the road now, we adore the RCF’s mix of lines, creases and slashes. And that eye-catching grille and light combination at the front is definitely ageing very well.

Thunderously fast, effortlessly luxurious and comfortable, beautifully built and with a reputation for reliability that would embarrass a German train operator, it’s easy to see why we think this RCF would enhance any garage. If you have a need for a super-quick, immaculately built grand tourer, then look no further.

History and documentation

• Registered 20 January 2017

• Present owner since July 2024, 2 previous owners

• Current mileage 37,211, verified by the MOT and service records

• Current MOT expires 5 June 2026

• Stamped service book with services as follows: January 2018 @ 3,495 miles; January 2019 @ 6,108 miles; January 2020 @ 8,251 miles, February 2021 @ 10,831 miles; January 2022 @ 15,510 miles; April 2023 @ 22,283 miles; April 2024 @ 28,447 miles

• Tracker system fitted

• Full document pack

• Two standard keys, plus a card style ‘wallet’ key

• V5 present in owner’s name

• This car has a finance agreement in place which will be cleared upon a successful auction prior to collection

• HPI clear

• Cherished registration (MY66RCF) included in the sale

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• ‘Circuit Red’ leather upholstery, complemented with black leather and Alcantara

• Exclusive RCF sports seats, featuring a superbly stylish design

• All of the seats are in excellent condition, appearing to have no real wear at all – in fact the rear seats look as if they have never been used

• Front seats are heated and ventilated

• 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with 3-memory function, 8-way adjustable passenger seat

• Dual zone climate control

• Auto-dimming rear view mirror

• Reversing camera

• Electric side windows and door mirrors

• Rain-sensing wipers

• Automatic headlights

• Bluetooth and USB phone connectivity

• Multifunction steering wheel

• Blind spot monitoring system

• Intuitive parking assist system

• Cruise control

• Black carpets through the cabin with OEM Lexus floor mats, all of which look to be in good order

• The headlining looks to be taut and secure, with no damage or staining we could see

• Mark Levinson Premium Sound System (835-watt), with CD/radio and 17 speakers

• Built-in satellite navigation

• Sizeable boot space, neatly trimmed with black carpet

• All of the internal trim and switchgear looks to be in very good condition, with no wear or damage apparent

• The vendor tells us that everything in the cabin functions just as it should, with no faults or issues to note

Exterior

• Obsidian metallic paintwork, which presents in fine condition, with an excellent gloss and deep shine

• Stage 2 machine polished and ceramic coated

• There are a couple of minor blemishes and stone chips, but otherwise the paint looks to be in superb condition for its age

• All of the bodywork appears to be clean and straight, with no dents, corrosion or panel alignment issues we could discern

• Similarly, all of the external badging and trim looks to be present, correct and in fine condition, with no wear or UV damage on show

• LED headlamps and daytime-running lights

• The glass elements and light lenses are all clean and clear, appearing to be free from cracks, chips and misting

• Speed activated rear wing

• Parking sensors front and rear

• Quad exhaust tips

• The underside of the car looks nice and clean, being free from any obvious damage or corrosion

• Factory option 19-inch split 10-spoke forged alloy wheels, wearing a silver finish, which present very well being in very good order with just a couple of minor marks

• A matched set of Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres has been recently fitted (275/35 rear, 255/35 front) and look to be free from sidewall damage or notable tread wear

Mechanical

• 4,969cc naturally aspirated V8, with a 7,300rpm redline

• Rear-wheel drive

• 8-speed automatic transmission with paddleshift function

• Selectable drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, Sport+, Snow

• Factory performance figures: 467bhp, 389lb-ft, 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds, 168mph top speed

• Torsen limited-slip differential

• Double wishbone front suspension, multi-link rear, with forged aluminium components

• Brembo brakes offering 14.9-inch discs at the front with 6-piston aluminium monoblock calipers

• ABS, TCS

• All of the mechanicals look very clean and tidy, with no evidence of leaks or wear that we could see

• We love the gap in the engine cover that offers a peak of those lovely metallic blue intake plenums

• We are assured that the car runs and drives beautifully, with no known mechanical issues

• With a fine service and MOT record, as well as just over 37,000 miles on the clock, this RCF should be in rude mechanical health for many years to come – and it’s still under warranty until January 2027 for added peace of mind

Summary

This RCF is one of those cars we can imagine having in our collection forever. It would be a hugely satisfying machine to own. It’s certainly got an abundance of character and a style all of its own. 

The excellent service record, low mileage and nigh-on perfect spec of this example makes it a winner too. For a Lexus of this vintage, 37,000 miles is “just off the forecourt” mileage. We’d expect this to offer many more years of extremely comfortable and smooth driving, all accompanied by the kind of soundtrack that will make every petrolhead within a 2-mile radius stand to attention.

It’s the kind of car that gives you the impression that it could outlive the heat-death of the universe. Incredibly well engineered, ballistically fast and opulently appointed, what’s not to like?

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Ascot, Berkshire.