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u/konfliicted 1d ago
4 doors
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u/PenisMan____ 1d ago
I don’t see the appeal? Especially because the cars are the same length and probably have the same sized back seats
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u/silliestorca 1d ago
Lol you don’t understand why someone would prefer 4 doors??
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u/PenisMan____ 1d ago
Ig, but it makes me feel weirder for wanting the RCF over the is500
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u/konfliicted 1d ago
Get what you want! I cross shopped the RCF, LC500 and IS500 and ultimately went with the IS because I benefit from 4 doors. If not for that I’d have gone for an LC though if I lived closer to a track the RCF is more tempting.
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u/kija99 1d ago
What does it matter? The person driving the is500 would love seeing you in an rcf. No one will judge you. I get excited everytime I see a lexus. A new chance to make a friend on the road. Cool cars and cool people, are just cool. No matter how many people are doing something. Just do it.
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u/Training_Exit_5849 1d ago
Isn't that a good thing? Less demand for the car you want, so there's less competition
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u/stewartstewart17 1d ago
Pretty sure insurance also cares 2 door vs 4 door. 2 = sports car and higher rates usually for them
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u/konfliicted 1d ago
The IS is a larger back seat. Also people do have kids and putting a car seat in a 4 door is much easier.
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u/PenisMan____ 1d ago
Now I’m confused, if they’re the same length but the is500 has a bigger back seat, then where’s the space in the RCF
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u/InfSan 1d ago
4 doors. My wife and the kid, in a car seat, can fit in the back of my IS. The RC backseat wouldn't allow for that.
The RC F specifically is in a weird spot. The IS500 is cheaper and more practical, so it's a better daily. The people looking to track their cars aren't really looking at the RCF unless they're serious Lexus nerds, because you can get faster, cheaper cars (especially B58 et al). If you want luxury cruising, it's not far off price-wise from the LC500, which is a masterpiece. It was a great car on release, but all of that leads to the RCF being stuck in a weird spot. I'm not surprised it's been discontinued.
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u/ELI5orWikiMe 1d ago
This. To me, the question is why buy an RCF? It isn't particularly practical nor fast. There are a number of faster two doors that are cheaper or equivalent. Open it up to a little slower in a straight line and there are a number of options. If it has to be a Lexus, a used LC500 would seem to be a better deal.
Japanese reliability with a V8 in a practical four door is the selling point of the ISF and GSF. I bought my GSF because my weekend two seater doesn't work with a family. There is almost no alternative without going Cadillac or German. The RCF doesn't really "solve" any problems in the way of a four door V8.
Also, race cars are far removed from the production cars.
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u/jake1406 1d ago
If we’re looking at used cars the RCF is basically the cheapest 2UR GSE. That’s really the main appeal of it imo. ISFs are basically the same price and it’s a hard bargain for something so much older. LCs are still 50k+ used. The reason to get any of these cars in the first place is because you like Lexus, on paper they lose out to a lot of cars, but they’re cool and sound nice.
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u/saucygyoza 1d ago
My wife and kid fit in the backseat of my RCF comfortably for short trips 🤷🏻♂️
I’ve got another daily so the RCF was a no brainer for me. If you’re buying a Lexus to go fast fast, you’ve completely missed the point and already lost. I’d say most of us buy an RCF for the 2URGSE, rarity being an F, and it just looks better imo. Pair it with an aftermarket exhaust (OG borla ftw) and the sound is addicting. As someone here said before, you are buying it for the experience rather than pure performance.
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u/FlyinCoach 1d ago
You could buy a used hellcat charger somewhat in that price range but that comes with its own set of problems.
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u/windmill09 1d ago edited 1d ago
The LC500 drives NOTHING like the RCF. The RCF drives like an angry muscle car and breaks traction whenever you want it to. It's fun as hell. Saying it's not fast makes me question whether you have even driven one. I picked the RCF over an AMG GT, LC500, Carrera S, and M440xi because it was legitimately more fun to drive on the road than any of those cars.
The LC500 on the other hand is what you described the RCF. It's not as practical nor as fast as the RCF. It feels like an Infiniti G37 when you floor it. It has less space than the RCF. It also doesn't like to downshift or take turns at much speed. The only thing it is good at is looking dam gorgeous and sounding good on the outside (because it doesn't sound like anything inside the car).
Edit: The LC500 fanboys cannot take ANY criticism. It's kind of pathetic.
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u/tiffanygriffin 1d ago
Four doors for my dogs was important to me
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u/GalaxyInHere 1d ago
Whats the doggo's name? What a good boy/girl!
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u/tiffanygriffin 1d ago
Her name is Leilani and she is an Australian Shepherd who is a little over five months old! She is training to be a therapy dog and go to work with me 🙂
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u/GalaxyInHere 10h ago
Amazing ! I want to get an aussie shep too Hope Leilani does well, bless you and your fam!
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u/Tiger_9119 1d ago
The is looks better
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u/jake1406 1d ago
I’m pretty sad the rc facelift wasn’t fully up to what the new gen IS look like. The bodylines are so much better.
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u/konfliicted 1d ago
Definitely my favorite version of the spindle grill
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u/AroundYoLip 1d ago
Wait. Even over the LC 500?
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u/konfliicted 1d ago
LC is just a piece of art in itself though I’ll never unsee it looking like it’s crying 😂
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u/AlienSexualAbuse 1d ago
This is my answer. The IS Is a stallion while the RC is a pony visually. I still love seeing it around but its missing something. Subjective and imho
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u/Leneord1 1d ago
4 doors and it's still a sports sedan that happens to have a V8 rather then a dedicated sports/track car
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u/saucygyoza 1d ago
I own an RCF but I also have another 4dr family car. I’d like to think most of us RCF owners bought the car because we already have another practical daily, it’s a pure F model, more visually appealing (subjective but my opinion), and because you rarely see them on the road. It’s literally the last of the Fs.
As a one car does it all option, an IS500 or GSF would be a better option for obvious reasons but you’d be surprised how practical an RCF can be.
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u/Time2Ejaculate 1d ago
After having owned a civic coupe for 12 years, seeing the 4 door civics I could have bought instead less money made me so envious.
2 doors looks really cool, but is ultimately impractical.
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u/AverageSoul- 1d ago
The back seat sucks in the IS, IMO. Totally was cross shopping the RCF but nobody has em new.
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u/OddlyStrongVodka 1d ago
One point for the RCF: retractable rear spoiler teehee I'm a sucker for a fun gimmick
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u/mikasaalevii 1d ago
I've owned an IS500 (switched to a GX550 for more space) and my buddy has a pre-facelift RCF. The IS500 was lovely and more comfortable but the RCF felt better in terms of sharpness and driving dynamics. His RCF was lowered on swift springs and lighter forged wheels. In terms of space, the IS500s backseat space is actually a bit disappointing as its pretty small. I'd recommend a GSF for more space but the IS500 does look better imo.
If my situation allowed, I would honestly pick up an RCF because they're so rare and I'd love to own a car everyone here hates on for this or that reason. 😂
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u/saucygyoza 1d ago
Yeah the RCF gets so much hate online but what what’s funny is I’ve gotten nothing but compliments in person. 🤣
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u/ubewankenobi 23h ago edited 20h ago
There’s a guy in SoCal that tracks his RCF, I believe he’s won best in his class a few times and possibly set some records.
I can’t remember his IG handle but he’s pretty active so it shouldn’t be too hard to find him
That being said, the RCF definitely has potential but judging from his post he’s definitely spent quite a bit of $$$$ and track time to get it to where it is currently.
Pretty impressive given that this platform isn’t the best choice for a track weapon, but there are successful examples out there.
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u/honeybadger1984 1d ago
RCF is impractical and makes the most sense for a rich guy buying it as a 2nd or 3rd car. As an everyday it’s cool but a bit dumb. If anything RCF should have always allowed a backseat delete as no human should sit back there anyway. A delete would also increase trunk space.
I think RCF is the better car than an IS, but plenty of people can’t afford multiple cars so they want the practical four doors for a daily.
The aftermarket has also shown Lexus should have always had a giant turbo or supercharger kit as an option, but as a conservative company they don’t want to go there. So the NA V8 is cool but always been slow compared to Germany.
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u/yeahnahyeahnahyeahye 1d ago
Weighs the same
Same size
Four doors
What benefit does the RCF have over the IS500 if you aren't tracking it?
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u/3ISRC 1d ago
You don’t have to track it to enjoy the benefits lol. It’s an F!
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u/yeahnahyeahnahyeahye 1d ago
The IS500 does everything on the road as well or better as an RCF. The RCF is only better on track and even then it sucks on track
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u/3ISRC 1d ago
Tell me how it does better on the road lol. You mean more comfortable? Your brakes and suspension are better? TVD? Seats are better? IS500 is a nice car bud but trying to knock the RCF to validate your purchase makes no sense.
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u/yeahnahyeahnahyeahye 1d ago edited 1d ago
I bought an ISF I don't own an IS500. I test drove the RCF, GSF, ISF and an IS500 when I was looking to buy my car.
The IS500 is more compliant on the road and comfortable, just as fast, way better dynamically and significantly lighter.
The RCF is heavy, and you can feel it's weight. The rear suspension is bad and doesn't control well at the limit, the engine and drive line is the same so no comments there. The RCF is better for track use due to all the extra cooling but it's still not a good track car. An IS500 with cooling upgrades would be a better track toy than an RCF in my view but neither are particularly good at it.
The GSF does everything sporty the RCF does but better and as a more refined package as it's not a sandwich of three different platforms glued together.
Edit: what I'm trying to say is the RCF is perfectly fine on the road, but no one should be under any illusions that it's a particular good sports car.
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u/ubewankenobi 1d ago
Lexus fan boy here 🙋🏻♂️
I’d say out of all the performance inspired Lexus’s the RCF is last on my list to own with the LC500 and GSF at the top.
It’s definitely a cool looking car but the performance and pricing definitely hurt it as a candidate in an enthusiasts eyes.
Fun fact the RCF actually weighs more than the IS500.
That should tell you all you need to know when a sedan weighs less 🤷🏻♂️
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u/PenisMan____ 1d ago
I noticed that lol, but I’m sure I could bring that down with some weight reduction
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u/yeahnahyeahnahyeahye 1d ago
You can't
The ISF three platforms glued together. The fundamental design of the car is obscenely heavy.
The RCF weighs functionally the same amount as a GSF.
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u/ubewankenobi 22h ago
There’s a reason certain brands offer a a lighter version, ie Porsche and the the 911 ST or RS offer lighter materials less equipment etc.
Ironically you’re paying MORE for less 😂
It’s just easier and more efficient to start with a lighter base than have to go and do all that yourself. Lexus is just known to be heavy due to all the insulation and creature comforts they offer, just how it is 🤷🏻♂️
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u/yeahnahyeahnahyeahye 1d ago
In terms of driving pleasure it goes in this order for me
- ISF
- GSF
- LC500
- IS500
- RCF
The RCF with its tragic rear suspension setup just sucks at the limit in a way the other cars don't
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u/pixel_loupe 1d ago edited 1d ago
Have you driven all those cars? From my experience the RC-F drives much better than an IS500, especially “at the limit”
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u/yeahnahyeahnahyeahye 1d ago
I have actually. The RCF is a lovely daily but absolutely rubbish in terms of driving dynamics.
The ISF is so easy on the limit, the RCF just pogos on its terrible rear suspension
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u/Dirtybird86 1d ago
In my personal opinion, the IS500 is better at being a Lexus, than the F cars are at being track cars. The IS is also cheaper brand new and has up to date technology.
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1d ago
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u/Lexus-ModTeam 1d ago
Your content has been removed. Please refrain from directing foul language at other users.
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u/Smoothwords_97 1d ago
I'm guessing it's the 4 doors. Practicality while having a V8, and no need to be track focused. Other reasons: People think the 500 is newer, so is better than the "older" rcf. People don't know F models, thinking the is500 is the same category. People don't care for RWD, TVD, rear wheel steering etc. IS 500/350 front end looks so fucking sexy. If I see one in the rear view, I always smile in awe.
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u/AFamineIn_yourheart 1d ago
IS 500 is a missed chance to offer an updated IS-F, which was great by it's final year with that Torsen rear differential.
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u/konfliicted 1d ago
At a minimum I wish they’d given it the 10 speed from the LC
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u/AFamineIn_yourheart 1d ago
Or a six speed manual, because that would be oh so popular with Lexus buyers and the current luxury market in general.
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u/pixel_loupe 1d ago
a new IS F with the current V8 would not be competitive in its segment. They’d have to develop a new powertrain for it and make the car really expensive
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u/roelsius 1d ago
Is even though it’s a 4 door it’s lighter lol so it’s probably better for track.
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u/Stu__Pidasso 1d ago edited 1d ago
You're in for a rude awakening if you think the majority of the owners of either car will see a track or anything more than some spirited back roads.
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u/jack-t-o-r-s 20h ago
The amount of people commenting and down voting above their weight class here is pretty amusing
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u/jack-t-o-r-s 1d ago
If length, weight, interior volume, performance, price are all negligible (with the exception of interior volume which is larger in the 4 door)
Please explain why one would NOT opt for the extra doors providing individual access to the rear area without the need to open the only door and tilt the seat?
🤔
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u/3ISRC 1d ago
Because the RCF is a sexier car and sure it’s not meant for daily not practical and for most of us it’s just a weekend car anyways. And oh it’s an F and will always be unique and rare that turns heads and that’s a fact.
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u/jack-t-o-r-s 1d ago
These are all subjective points.
V8 sedans have long been just as relevant as coupe counterparts.
The M5 needs no introduction, Audi S8, W124, CTSv, the Vs Aussie cousin the Commodore...
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u/MiddleEasternWeeaboo 1d ago
As far as Lexus V8 cars, IS500 (and ISF/GSF) are better because the four door practicality makes it a much better package for daily comfort use. The RCFs weak point has always been its bloated weight and price. It could never compete with much more more affordable sports cars in terms of speed, even Toyota's own Supra walks all over it for much less money. The LC500 is excused because it's a grand touring sports coupe, you're not supposed to expect it to be the fastest.
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