RX F-Sport Owners: Are you pleased with your choice?
#17
I just wanted to say thanks to everyone that replied. The informative comments, actual owner opinions and the links to other magazine articles were very helpful. I am still on the fence as to what to buy, but the F-Sport is still on my short list. I am not in any rush so I have plenty of time to sort out my decision.
#18
Lots of good responses. I was not aware no F Hybrid in USA, interesting....
It makes sense to remove rear dampener, to allow a Lexus hitch installation. I doubt the factory will do this, so you gotta get a dealer to go along. Or, maybe a 3rd party hitch maker would provide such.... my other deal breaker was the radar cruise, not avail. on F....but is avail on F sport appearance package as it has the top horix grill, which Lexus calls spindles, why?
Interesting X5 and Cayne comparison. Obviously the needs of the driver varies so greatly, specially when you have other vehicles in the garage. Some like a sporty ride, others prefer plush. Now with F Sport, the RX offers a nice range. And the dampeners installed after the sale offer a nice mid feel.
Glad others noticed what I did with the F Sport trannie. I thought maybe the few I test drove were lemons. My 2WD is incredibly responsive and peppy..very impressed with the acceleration and trannie reaction, it's very finely tuned. Could be the simplicity of 2WD, who knows. I also really enjoy the parchment interior, it looks n feels more like a Lexus IMO. Glad I held out to get exactly the options I really wanted. Overall, very happy with the RX.
It makes sense to remove rear dampener, to allow a Lexus hitch installation. I doubt the factory will do this, so you gotta get a dealer to go along. Or, maybe a 3rd party hitch maker would provide such.... my other deal breaker was the radar cruise, not avail. on F....but is avail on F sport appearance package as it has the top horix grill, which Lexus calls spindles, why?
Interesting X5 and Cayne comparison. Obviously the needs of the driver varies so greatly, specially when you have other vehicles in the garage. Some like a sporty ride, others prefer plush. Now with F Sport, the RX offers a nice range. And the dampeners installed after the sale offer a nice mid feel.
Glad others noticed what I did with the F Sport trannie. I thought maybe the few I test drove were lemons. My 2WD is incredibly responsive and peppy..very impressed with the acceleration and trannie reaction, it's very finely tuned. Could be the simplicity of 2WD, who knows. I also really enjoy the parchment interior, it looks n feels more like a Lexus IMO. Glad I held out to get exactly the options I really wanted. Overall, very happy with the RX.
#19
...BTW, I agree with you, and love PCS on my RX450h.
#20
Hi Bert, thx for all your informative posts and off list help in the past, you have helped me a lot....
As per the Lexus West Coast Rep, the reason Radar Cruise not avail on F Sport is due to the top Horiz grill....they can not fit the radar system behind the honeycomb grille (yet).... the radar sits behind the big "L".... my guess is, the honeycomb grill is not yet rigid enough, or the cables would be seen, or unprotected, vs. the horiz. grille, where the grille is more stable and can easily conceal and protect the cabling. As you suggest, I am sure in future years, this will be solved.... I agree, Lexus did not want to delay the release of the F for these minor issue.
Radar cruise, HUD and ML is NEVER offered on the "dealer choices" ..... I was surprised to learn how this process works. Lexus determines the RX production run, based on how they think the cars sell best. So it's a pre determine production run. Dealers have no say...they simply choose from the offering Lexus puts out....and these production RX's will NEVER will have the above 3 options, hence the "custom order" if you want these options. Lexus rep claims most RX buyers do NOT want to pay for these options. The process of a building a custom order is quite cumbersome to the factory, something I recently learned. It made perfect sense, as the RX relatively competitive pricing is a result of high volume manufacturing (for prem. car). Considering there is no up-charge for custom orders, it's actually impressive The RX is Lexus's high volume production vehicle, representing 50% of all Lexus N.A units sold. So base pricing is a result of high volume assembly line production.
As per the Lexus West Coast Rep, the reason Radar Cruise not avail on F Sport is due to the top Horiz grill....they can not fit the radar system behind the honeycomb grille (yet).... the radar sits behind the big "L".... my guess is, the honeycomb grill is not yet rigid enough, or the cables would be seen, or unprotected, vs. the horiz. grille, where the grille is more stable and can easily conceal and protect the cabling. As you suggest, I am sure in future years, this will be solved.... I agree, Lexus did not want to delay the release of the F for these minor issue.
Radar cruise, HUD and ML is NEVER offered on the "dealer choices" ..... I was surprised to learn how this process works. Lexus determines the RX production run, based on how they think the cars sell best. So it's a pre determine production run. Dealers have no say...they simply choose from the offering Lexus puts out....and these production RX's will NEVER will have the above 3 options, hence the "custom order" if you want these options. Lexus rep claims most RX buyers do NOT want to pay for these options. The process of a building a custom order is quite cumbersome to the factory, something I recently learned. It made perfect sense, as the RX relatively competitive pricing is a result of high volume manufacturing (for prem. car). Considering there is no up-charge for custom orders, it's actually impressive The RX is Lexus's high volume production vehicle, representing 50% of all Lexus N.A units sold. So base pricing is a result of high volume assembly line production.
#21
There's nothing bad about having a hitch. I pull a mini trailer with mine whenever I need to haul something big. Have come in really handy. Anything from gardening soil to Christmas trees (ball) has no business inside of the vehicle, especially something as nice as the RX.
Bike rack also plugs into the hitch. Again very convenient and not bad by any means.
It is also nice to know if I need to move something really big, I can always stop by a local U-Haul and rent their trailer.
Bike rack also plugs into the hitch. Again very convenient and not bad by any means.
It is also nice to know if I need to move something really big, I can always stop by a local U-Haul and rent their trailer.
#22
I have enjoyed my reliable 1999 RX 300 for over 188k miles, but it is time for a new one. All three RX models seem to be good choices for their unique features and prices. I had the opportunity recently to test drive an F-Sport model and was generally very pleased (except for the limited interior and exterior color choices).
I thought I would inquire of the F-Sport owners if you are still pleased with your choice to go with the F-Sport now that you have owned it for a while. Does the F-Sport package really make that much difference? The reason I ask is that according to Edmunds: “We don't recommend the RX 350 F Sport, as it suffers from an overly firm and poorly damped ride, with no appreciable increase in driving feedback or involvement. Worse still, its handling and braking numbers at our track were actually worse than the regular RX 350.” http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx-350/2013/
I find such a report disturbing. Any regrets that you didn’t select the RX350 or the 450? I am performance oriented and am leaning to the performance oriented RX F-Sport model, but need your opinions. For the price is it worth it?
I thought I would inquire of the F-Sport owners if you are still pleased with your choice to go with the F-Sport now that you have owned it for a while. Does the F-Sport package really make that much difference? The reason I ask is that according to Edmunds: “We don't recommend the RX 350 F Sport, as it suffers from an overly firm and poorly damped ride, with no appreciable increase in driving feedback or involvement. Worse still, its handling and braking numbers at our track were actually worse than the regular RX 350.” http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/rx-350/2013/
I find such a report disturbing. Any regrets that you didn’t select the RX350 or the 450? I am performance oriented and am leaning to the performance oriented RX F-Sport model, but need your opinions. For the price is it worth it?
#23
really like ours , my only small issue is the roof racks, they stay silver. the rims are smoked, car is black and has ugly silver racks. they match the rims on lower models so ok. found a post and got kit to remove, might have them painted black and put on. other than that wife loves it.
#24
Interesting how the Canadian F-Sport seems to be the only one globally I've seen so far that DOESN't have the roof racks. I personally like it this way as it gives off a sportier sleeker look. Don't blame you for wanting them off on the F-Sport model, but agree, it suits the non F-Sport RX well.
#25
Ah yes, missed yours.
To be clear, the ones sold in Canada (built in Canada), don't have. The ones sold in the US have the the roof rails (which to my knowledge are still built in Canada) - go figure! Someone from the marketing dept in Lexus figured there's a need in the US and not in Canada for the F-Sport only since the regular RX has it in both markets!
To be clear, the ones sold in Canada (built in Canada), don't have. The ones sold in the US have the the roof rails (which to my knowledge are still built in Canada) - go figure! Someone from the marketing dept in Lexus figured there's a need in the US and not in Canada for the F-Sport only since the regular RX has it in both markets!
Last edited by corradoMR2; 03-10-13 at 06:13 AM.
#26
Harsh ride rx 350 fsport??
While on the market for a rx 350 fsport I have been reading reviews on all the car review sites, and they all have the same consensus. The rx 350 f sport ride is just too harsh, and not recommended.
So to everyone who actually owns a fsport, how has the ride been for you?
So to everyone who actually owns a fsport, how has the ride been for you?
#27
Nothing wrong with the ride IMHO. Its not harsh at all, its just "harsher" compared to the other RX's. Obviously, the reviews compare the RX F SPORT to a normal RX350. In that case, there is a big step up in terms of a harsh ride but you also get better steering and less body roll around the corners.
The true comparison would be to compare an RX F SPORT to an Audi Q5 S LINE, OR BMW X5 M SPORT or even a Porsche Cayenne. Those vehicles have a much much stiffer ride compared to the RX F SPORT and the Audi WILL definitely knock your teeth out. Obviously, the best thing would be to take an extended test drive and go on all types of roads, especially back roads to get a true feel of the ride.
These are very accurate reviews in my opinion:
http://www.carprousa.com/2013-lexus-...car-pro-review
http://www.leftlanenews.com/lexus-rx...rt-review.html
The true comparison would be to compare an RX F SPORT to an Audi Q5 S LINE, OR BMW X5 M SPORT or even a Porsche Cayenne. Those vehicles have a much much stiffer ride compared to the RX F SPORT and the Audi WILL definitely knock your teeth out. Obviously, the best thing would be to take an extended test drive and go on all types of roads, especially back roads to get a true feel of the ride.
These are very accurate reviews in my opinion:
http://www.carprousa.com/2013-lexus-...car-pro-review
http://www.leftlanenews.com/lexus-rx...rt-review.html
Last edited by rayaans; 03-24-13 at 06:39 AM.
#28
Just like rayaans said, it's fine. I had a Tiguan with lowering springs the dealer already put on before we looked at the car and found it very stiff and sporty. The VW Audi products are bad. The Lexus F sport doesn't roll like the German cars that need super stiff suspension. Now, the regular RX to me drove like a pillow floating on a cloud and I didn't care for the handling or styling. Test drive and get your own take. No amount of reading will satisfy your curiosity on certain things like this. I find it a happy medium with nice body roll control.
#29
I tend not to believe everything I read from the so called car gurus. The RXF was a bit stiff,but not harsh. Those same skeptics wrote that the RX with the 19" wheels,tires gave it a bumpy ride. I disagreed with that so much that I own an RX with the 19" tires and wheels. I do have the Michelins though.
#30
Fred, I agree with you on the Michelin's. Tires and proper pressure can make all the difference in the world from handling, to grip, to miles of tread wear, to gas mileage, and the quite ride of the Michelin's.
I tend not to believe everything I read from the so called car gurus. The RXF was a bit stiff,but not harsh. Those same skeptics wrote that the RX with the 19" wheels,tires gave it a bumpy ride. I disagreed with that so much that I own an RX with the 19" tires and wheels. I do have the Michelins though.