Lexus RC F | Spotted
Remember when Lexus made a Mustang?
We’re long overdue a silly Lexus. While such cars are probably harder than ever to get across the line, the history and reputation of Lexus surely demand it. Here’s a company that launched with one of the greatest saloons of the 20th century, spent inordinate amounts of cash making one of the greatest supercars of the 21st century, and offered one of the best looking two-door super GTs ever (the LC) until very recently.
Maybe there’s some hope to glean from the recent ‘LFA’ concept, and with Toyota as the parent company, but there’s not very much to get excited by in the current lineup. There’s a story to follow soon on some time spent in the electric ES, but safe to say that’s not breaking any new ground. Or spectacularly resurrecting former glories. The LM MPV is weird and potentially wonderful, but then it is also £100k.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be such an issue is previous racy Lexuses weren't so damn good. There was a worry that the ‘F’ badge - for Fuji Speedway - would be a marketing move rather than a seriously sporty one, but then came the IS F, and that was brilliant. Imperfect, yes, but still seriously good. It was indirectly replaced by the two-door RC F in 2014, keeping the same 5.0 V8 as before (that now appeals so much), but looked a bit of a misstep in-period, lacking the instant lowdown torque of newly turbocharged rivals. Not helped, of course, by being a bit podgy. Although imagine the demand for a 1.8-tonne, naturally aspirated V8 coupe these days…
Then the Mustang came to the UK in 2015, making the case for the RC F even tougher. The Ford also offered rear-drive, 5.0-litre fun and frolics, for a lot less money and with a standard manual. Many more Mustangs sold than flagships RCs. But the F’s appeal, despite appearing to rival quite a few cars, was unique: nothing was so well built, so stylish, so charming when the stopwatch went away and it actually came to living with a fast car.
Great news for those after a secondhand one, especially given the RC F tended to be bought by a more considerate kind of customer. The ones that occasionally come up for sale tend to be a lot like this one: low mileage, low owners, a lovely service record and not a modification in sight. Additional tints, silly wheels and remaps aren’t really the F way.
The interior will frustrate those familiar with CarPlay, but then the solidity will come as a lovely surprise to those who’ve driven pretty much anything else from the past few years. With the used market keen on combustion engines right now, few RC Fs sold and the future of fun Lexuses in doubt, values are strong: this one’s for sale at £33,995, which seems impressive for a car that cost £60k new 11 years ago. You’d have to imagine an example as nice as this one would be in demand to those who get it for a while yet - especially if the F badge makes a long-anticipated return…
SPECIFICATION | LEXUS RC F
Engine: 4,969cc V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 473@7,100rpm
Torque (lb ft): 391@4,800rpm-5,600rpm
MPG: 26.2
CO2: 251g/km
Year registered: 2015
Recorded mileage: 35,000
Price new: £60,995
Yours for: £33,995
ISF is an older, more dated car. Never mind the fact that it is a saloon. Not a couple, completely different styling etc. You're comparing two different things. Yes both have 5.0 lexus v8. That's about it.
ISF is an older, more dated car. Never mind the fact that it is a saloon. Not a couple, completely different styling etc. You're comparing two different things. Yes both have 5.0 lexus v8. That's about it.
These are very high quality cars and I think worth the money, especially compared to the path new cars have taken, which are generally sadly over nannied tech fest s
te. Through no fault of the manufacturers I’ll add.ISF is an older, more dated car. Never mind the fact that it is a saloon. Not a couple, completely different styling etc. You're comparing two different things. Yes both have 5.0 lexus v8. That's about it.
I wouldn't say they sounded that good though, very muted for a V8.
Beautiful interior though, and got lots of attention as people don't know what they are.
Interesting as I sold mine to a dealer back in 2018 for £30,500... Had I kept it until today I guess it'd still be worth almost that now.
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