Lexus RC F/Mustang GT - what else should I consider for 35k?

[couragebest88]

Hi all.

I've got a 35k budget to get myself a car in the new year. Currently driving a 2010 S5. Previous car was 5.0 SC Range Rover Sport, and the less said about that the better. I've been chopping and changing a lot over the years, but this is the first time I've had a really good budget and I'm after something a bit different to keep me entertained for a few years.

I'm after a car that commands a bit of respect from my right foot, too. My S5 is fast and sticks like glue, but it's so well behaved I never feel particularly engaged by it. I don't really want a BMW/Audi/Merc, and I've no interest in tracking the car.

Must-haves:

2015 or newer
Petrol
Sub 5 seconds 0-60
RWD
At least a 2+2 (small rear seats is fine)

I've narrowed my list down to:

2017-2018 Mustang GT (pre face-lift)

Looks stunning from the outside. Good engine. Cheap but comfortable interior. Rare on UK roads. Could afford a nearly-new one with very low mileage, maybe even an ex-demo. Seems like a pretty exhilarating drive from what I've seen/read. I'd get the manual.

2015-2016 Lexus RC F

Incredible interior IMO. Beats the Mustang on tech and luxury. Exterior styling is marmite. Good sound. Also rare on UK roads. Seems like a quick car, but I've seen some fairly disheartening PH posts from RC F owners. Constantly compared to the M4 - does this make the RC F sound worse than it is?

Maserati Ghibli V6 S

I'm almost certainly not going to get one of these, because it's not quite as quick as the other two and it's a smaller displacement. I'm still looking to test drive one, though, because I think they look fantastic and maybe it'll be a dark horse.

Are there any other cars I've overlooked? Am I cheating myself by avoiding the big 3?

Edited by couragebest88 on Thursday 27th December 15:18

[lewisf182]

Think without the German's in there options are fairly limited at that price & what with needing a 2+2.

One that's often forgot which I think look ace and are extremely rare is the Infiniti Q60 (it may be rare for a reason though!)

£35k has long been my theoretical budget as it buys so much and is my inner sensibleness ceiling! Often you'll need to look older for fun stuff at that price though tbh....

Lotus Evora 2+2
Porsche 997.2 (not really a 2+2 unless kids)

And then there's the proper 2 seater things like Caymans and the like.

[PistonTim]

Panamera?

[couragebest88]

Forgot about the Q60 - good point. Never liked the interiors but might be worth a test drive. I know two people with Infnitis and they both love their cars.

Jag XFR-S was also on the cards, but for the top end of my budget I'd end up with a 2014 car and that's hard to justify. I also had a few bad experiences with that engine in my RRS SC so I've negatively biased there.

[LeoSayer]

Jag F-Type should be in budget, not the V8 though.

Edit: Dammit, that's only a 2 seater.

It's hard to look past the Germans unfortunately. An M2/3/4 seems to meet all your requirements bar one.

[couragebest88]

PistonTim said:

Panamera?

Great looking cars, but newest I could get is a 2010. Maybe that sounds unreasonable, but 35k will be my biggest spend on a car by quite a way, and I want to go fairly new if possible. Not sure it'll fit on the drive either

[couragebest88]

LeoSayer said:

Jag F-Type should be in budget, not the V8 though.

Indeed - only a 2 seater though. Maybe one day I'll be able to get the V8 - there's one near where I live and it sounds glorious.

Just seen your edit

[PistonTim]

couragebest88 said:

PistonTim said:

Panamera?

Great looking cars, but newest I could get is a 2010. Maybe that sounds unreasonable, but 35k will be my biggest spend on a car by quite a way, and I want to go fairly new if possible. Not sure it'll fit on the drive either

2015 V6 D for £34k here:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not quite 5 secs 0-60 though.

[couragebest88]

PistonTim said:

2015 V6 D for £34k here:- https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Not quite 5 secs 0-60 though.

Oh damn - forgot to put petrol on my list of must haves

My colleague had one just like that - lovely cars. Proper battleship.

[ZX10R NIN]

When it comes to a 2+2 coupes the Lexus is a very good car & would be at the top of my list of non German alternatives & up there even if you include the Germans, you have to work the engine a bit but that just adds to the character of the car:

RC F

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Q60 is another good option (this may be the AWD taking away a layer of involvement) but it doesn't have the character or feel of the RC-F but I'd put it ahead of the S5 in this sense & these really get a move on when you plant the throttle.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

If you can live with a 2014 then the XKR is a very hard car to look past:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

The Mustang is a very good option but I'd budget for some upgrades as they really do add to the overall package, look out for one with some upgrades already added.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[couragebest88]

XKR is stunning. Completely forgot about that one. Should include it in my top 3 really. That engine scares me though. Cost over 5k in a year to look after the one in my RRS. Although I think I got an absolute pig - the wounds haven’t healed yet suede roof lining in the XKR though... I’ve got a soft spot for that.

The more I look at the RC F the more it appeals to me. Wife and I holiday in the UK a lot involving lots of long drives, so a GT suits me fine and it looks like a nicer place to sit than the Mustang. Quite like the Jekyll and Hyde appeal the RC F appears to have.

Perhaps those are the 3 I’ll test drive, then. All 5 litre V8 too, with no burping turbos

[interstellar]

Before you buy one at least drive an M4 just to be sure. You might be swayed.

[flatso]

The Stang would be my choice as its the only one offering a manual box.
That Jag xkr is gorgeous though.

[ZX10R NIN]

couragebest88 said:

XKR is stunning. Completely forgot about that one. Should include it in my top 3 really. That engine scares me though. Cost over 5k in a year to look after the one in my RRS. Although I think I got an absolute pig - the wounds haven’t healed yet suede roof lining in the XKR though... I’ve got a soft spot for that.

The more I look at the RC F the more it appeals to me. Wife and I holiday in the UK a lot involving lots of long drives, so a GT suits me fine and it looks like a nicer place to sit than the Mustang. Quite like the Jekyll and Hyde appeal the RC F appears to have.

Perhaps those are the 3 I’ll test drive, then. All 5 litre V8 too, with no burping turbos

The 5.0 is proving a reliable unit, you may well have been a bad one.

I'd say make sure you test drive those three & if you have time take the Infiniti for a spin.

[Trevor555]

couragebest88 said:

2015-2016 Lexus RC F

Incredible interior IMO. Beats the Mustang on tech and luxury. Exterior styling is marmite. Good sound. Also rare on UK roads. Seems like a quick car, but I've seen some fairly disheartening PH posts from RC F owners. Constantly compared to the M4 - does this make the RC F sound worse than it is?

Edited by couragebest88 on Thursday 27th December 15:18

I've just sold my RCF.

I went to buy a Mustang, the RCF happened to be in the showroom, it won hands down due to the quality feel of the car.

Good points.

Knowing your motor is going to be reliable.
You can extend the warranty for £1000 2 years which includes comp AA cover for you and spouse.
Lovely noise on start up.
The interior as you say, very very nice, beautiful leather.
It's very, very rare. You will get people asking what it is at petrol stations.
It is a quick car, once you're over 4.5 revs.
Makes a lovely noise once over 4.5 revs, think it's artificial in the cabin though.
Good standard equipment over anything german.
People at car meets like it a lot.
Now they're down to 30k I reckon they're great value.


Not so good points.

Engine very flat under 4.5 revs, also a bit quiet for a V8
The car is very slow to react in normal mode, for overtaking you need to drop the gears yourself or put into sport plus mode before going for the overtake. Cruising at 50mph and you hit the gas it's a long time before it actually goes.
After initial start up noise it drops into a quiet sound, maybe consider a quicksilver exhaust.
The infotainment system is nothing like any other car, if it's your first Lexus it'll frustrate you. Ok after you've learnt it.
The paint is soft, suffers from stone chips easily.
The wheels on my car were showing early signs of corrosion at 2 years 14k miles.
Minor service about 350 major every other year 600
The steering wheel could be sportier, just like other Lexus's

That's all I can think of at the moment, feel free to PM me if you want a chat.

As said above I'd recommend testing the M4 if you want a serious performance car, I'd describe the RCF as more of a lovely GT car.

If you like to drive hard the wait for the power will annoy you.

[eldar]

The mustang is indeed fast, almost brutally so above 4000 rpm. Traction is interesting when damp...

A marmite car, certainly worth a decent test drive, but check you can live with its foibles.

[downthepub]

One comment on the Mustang, there really is naff all space in the back. It's not really limited by leg room, but the rake of the rear window limits the height of those in the back to about 5" 7'.

[couragebest88]

Trevor555 said:

I've just sold my RCF...

Thanks for the info, that’s really useful. I don’t really like to drive hard to be honest, I just like having power on tap if I need it. There are a couple of spots on my commute where I can have a decent blast of acceleration, with overtaking points, but other than that I like a comfortable GT experience.

I’m scared of test driving an m4 because, quite frankly, I think they look completely dull inside and out. I don’t want to be swayed by a test drive and get bored 2 months later when the honeymoon is over seems rude not to though, because it’s clearly an incredible car. Long term reliability scares me a bit too, most of the ones in my budget have done 30,000 miles and are 3 years old. Assume ex lease? Probably been caned around and potential money pits outside of warranty? I’ve spent many hours looking at owners reviews of the m4 and it seems you can be lucky or get an absolute pig. That’s why I gave up on Range Rovers.

[couragebest88]

eldar said:

The mustang is indeed fast, almost brutally so above 4000 rpm. Traction is interesting when damp...

A marmite car, certainly worth a decent test drive, but check you can live with its foibles.

Thanks for the info it’ll be interesting to compare the RC F with the Stang given the similar power figures.

[akadk]

XK Dynamic R