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I may tempted to trade my RCF on a LC500. I would not trade for a IS500. Right now I have the best of both worlds RCF (performance) RX450H F Sport(4 doors&utility) My 2 cents.
This is what I was hoping for when I purchased my RCF in 2017. A 4 door sedan with that exact same engine as the RCF. Lexus chose to bring out GSF instead and I decided to buy the RCF because I wanted the smaller size.
Having said that, the IS500 F-Sport does not have the track oriented hardware (chassis/suspension and brakes etc.) that the RCF has so RCF is still positioned higher in the product line up/pricing strategy, but would you trade in your RCF for the IS500 F-Sport to gain the two extra doors and something newer?
Having two little kids, I originally wanted a 4 door sedan and seems to be perfect practicality wise, but I have been extremely happy with my RCF so my answer is no. My RCF is here to stay and not going anywhere.
Okay, here is my take. I was part of the study team a few years ago for what we now know as the IS 500 F SPORT Performance. My first concern was was this was not going to be an F. There are many reasons why Lexus did this which will be unexplainable to most, but think of it as a great foundation for people who actually customize their cars. Yes, the IS 500 F SPORT Performance is not a true F, but it does have all the correct elements of a great performance sedan. Is Brembo really needed? No. BBS Wheels a nice touch, yes...but there's a good chance you'll change them. TVD? It's nice but I was never a fan.
I've owned both an 2009 IS F and now a 202 RC F and let's face it, you really don't need a track-tuned anything to drive on regular city streets. If you've had a chance to drive the IS 350 F SPORT Dynamic Handling Package, it has a great balance of comfort and performance. I was quite shocked on how much better it rode than my 2020 RC F. The new Lexus Driving Signature is a big part on why I think the IS 500 will be a great success. Also the latest tech and safety features make it a winner. Would I consider trading in my RC F for this? Possibly and for two reasons: 1) I miss the size and profile of my IS F and 2) the chassis balance is better than the RC F's in terms of comfort and control. I would have to say the 2022 IS 500 F SPORT Performance is what Alpina B3 is to BMW.
Cool. Thanks for the insight. Agreed. I might take it to the track this summer, but my RCF even as a weekend/summer car 99% of the time is driven on the streets in regular traffic even while joy riding. The IS500 F-Sport would do just as well as the RCF on the streets in regular driving conditions. I agree one of the reasons why I don't take my RCF in tight and small places, is because it feels wide. Like you said, the IS500 F-Sport also a narrower car so the size profile is a bit more street driving friendly.
Originally Posted by flipside909
Okay, here is my take. I was part of the study team a few years ago for what we now know as the IS 500 F SPORT Performance. My first concern was was this was not going to be an F. There are many reasons why Lexus did this which will be unexplainable to most, but think of it as a great foundation for people who actually customize their cars. Yes, the IS 500 F SPORT Performance is not a true F, but it does have all the correct elements of a great performance sedan. Is Brembo really needed? No. BBS Wheels a nice touch, yes...but there's a good chance you'll change them. TVD? It's nice but I was never a fan.
I've owned both an 2009 IS F and now a 202 RC F and let's face it, you really don't need a track-tuned anything to drive on regular city streets. If you've had a chance to drive the IS 350 F SPORT Dynamic Handling Package, it has a great balance of comfort and performance. I was quite shocked on how much better it rode than my 2020 RC F. The new Lexus Driving Signature is a big part on why I think the IS 500 will be a great success. Also the latest tech and safety features make it a winner. Would I consider trading in my RC F for this? Possibly and for two reasons: 1) I miss the size and profile of my IS F and 2) the chassis balance is better than the RC F's in terms of comfort and control. I would have to say the 2022 IS 500 F SPORT Performance is what Alpina B3 is to BMW.
I have the same combo as you. An RX450h that gets driven everywhere and the RCF is my pet project. I also have my first car, which is my Corolla XRS.
Originally Posted by RCFJM
... I would not trade for a IS500. Right now I have the best of both worlds RCF (performance) RX450H F Sport(4 doors&utility) My 2 cents.
Maybe a better word is articles, my bad. Lexus did not announce anything yet except for the IS 500. The article mentioned an ISF, but it came out as an IS 500; therefore, maybe the LCF and LSF will be out with the mentioned configuration, but Lexus might brand them differently. Lexus LS F And LC F Coming With Twin-Turbo V8 Rated At 660 Horsepower? (motor1.com)
Having said that, the IS500 F-Sport does not have the track oriented hardware (chassis/suspension and brakes etc.) that the RCF has so RCF is still positioned higher in the product line up/pricing strategy, but would you trade in your RCF for the IS500 F-Sport to gain the two extra doors and something newer?
..., but I have been extremely happy with my RCF so my answer is no. My RCF is here to stay and not going anywhere.
Agree with you Rolla, my RCF is not going anywhere! These cars are just too special. I plan to have mine for many years. I am very happy with this new announcement from Lexus, because it is good to see them using this engine in yet another model. The more of these engines being produced, the better, for long-term support from Lexus and also possibly more 3rd party support. The IS500 may not be a true successor to the prior ISF in all ways, but I think a welcome addition. If I was in the market for a new 4 door performance sedan, this would be at the top of my list for sure.
Agreed. You also track your RCF so the bells and whistles get used a lot that the RCF comes with that the IS500 F-Sport does not for continuous 10/10 laps.
Originally Posted by RCFspeed
Agree with you Rolla, my RCF is not going anywhere! These cars are just too special. I plan to have mine for many years. I am very happy with this new announcement from Lexus, because it is good to see them using this engine in yet another model. The more of these engines being produced, the better, for long-term support from Lexus and also possibly more 3rd party support. The IS500 may not be a true successor to the prior ISF in all ways, but I think a welcome addition. If I was in the market for a new 4 door performance sedan, this would be at the top of my list for sure.
I'm in the market for a RC F right now and the IS 500 is giving me pause for sure. Realistically, I'm never gonna take it to the track, and neither is 90+% of the people who buy the RC F. Having 4 doors will be a much bigger deal for me. Like others, we have a RX 450h as well, so a coupe is acceptable, but it's a lot more convenient if the sedan is more versatile as well.
Can't go wrong either way. The engine/transmission are the same in both cars.
Originally Posted by dingyibvs
I'm in the market for a RC F right now and the IS 500 is giving me pause for sure. Realistically, I'm never gonna take it to the track, and neither is 90+% of the people who buy the RC F. Having 4 doors will be a much bigger deal for me. Like others, we have a RX 450h as well, so a coupe is acceptable, but it's a lot more convenient if the sedan is more versatile as well.
This is a dumb question that I wanted to ask. Why doesn't our dash do the sliding motion that normal RC's and previous model F's did?
I get it's kind of gimmicky but it seems weird that a normal RC or IS has the gauge cluster that slides back and forth and a RCF that is much more expensive doesn't have that.
Correct, the IS 500 F SPORT Performance (no hyphen, all caps) does not have "F" seats. And for good reason.
People can now swap out the seats for more aggressive seating like Recaros and not have to worry about wasting a perfectly good seat of seats. As for the "F" seats, I actually dislike them because lack of adjustment. The best seats Lexus ever put in a car are the 16- way adjustable GS 350 F SPORT seats.
The siliding one was the first version Lexus did based on how the LFA one looked. The one we have with the multi info screen on the left hand side, tach in the middle and the speedo on the right, was the 2nd gen Lexus gauge cluster.
Originally Posted by nigel821
This is a dumb question that I wanted to ask. Why doesn't our dash do the sliding motion that normal RC's and previous model F's did?
I get it's kind of gimmicky but it seems weird that a normal RC or IS has the gauge cluster that slides back and forth and a RCF that is much more expensive doesn't have that.
02-22-21, 04:32 PM
