What will Clarkson think of the RC F? Thoughts?
#91
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it's quite funny that when the news were out that the 5 is based on the 7 (thus the weight), it's the worst possible thing. but when the rc (compact luxury) is "based" on the gs (mid-size), it's a great thing (btw, what makes the rc based on gs when technically only 1/3 of the car -- front -- is based on the 4gs?). i am not talking about the performance results, so i am not dissing rcf nor am i praising the 5. just the observation alone.
truth is, i find it quite entertaining how defensive people on either side get over reviews. i mean, they are just some darn reviews. that itself is an entertainment already, let alone top gear. i am not saying if i agree with their review or not, but it's quite insane some posts i read here (and the rcf forum which seriously i don't dare to post without hurting the feeling of some sensitive ones).
making judgments based on reviews is silly enough already, doing so without even driving both cars and have your OWN preference and conclusion is just quite mind blowing.
#92
Lexus Test Driver
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When we compare the baseline models of the RC, IS, and GS, we can truly see how porky the RC compares to its counterparts (especially when compared to the much larger GS):
RC350
184.8 IN LENGTH
72.4 IN WIDTH
54.9 IN HEIGHT
107.5 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,748 lb
4GS GS350
190.7 IN LENGTH
72.4 IN WIDTH
57.3 IN HEIGHT
112.2 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,726 lb
3IS IS350
183.7 IN LENGTH
71.3 IN WIDTH
56.3 IN HEIGHT
110.2 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,593 lb
2IS IS350
180.1 IN LENGTH
70.9 IN WIDTH
56.1 IN HEIGHT
107.5 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,527 lb
Just add an extra 200-250 lbs for the equivalent "F" model.
RC350
184.8 IN LENGTH
72.4 IN WIDTH
54.9 IN HEIGHT
107.5 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,748 lb
4GS GS350
190.7 IN LENGTH
72.4 IN WIDTH
57.3 IN HEIGHT
112.2 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,726 lb
3IS IS350
183.7 IN LENGTH
71.3 IN WIDTH
56.3 IN HEIGHT
110.2 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,593 lb
2IS IS350
180.1 IN LENGTH
70.9 IN WIDTH
56.1 IN HEIGHT
107.5 IN WHEELBASE
CURB WEIGHT 3,527 lb
Just add an extra 200-250 lbs for the equivalent "F" model.
That's a 353 Ib increase! The equivalent of having two extra adult passengers in the car!
#93
Lexus Champion
What does weight matter so much in a Luxury sport coupe? If it was a luxury sports car thatd be different. The RC F as is, is not a sports car and wasnt intended to be. They could take away some plush, some sound proofing, put an I-6 in there, some half *** back seats and itd be 3700lbs. like the M4, but then it wouldnt be a Lexus. All the 'overweight being a hinderance' talking points are garbage sportscar bias. Not a Luxury GT cruiser. This is why Lexus is what it is and not BMW or Audi.
#95
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by rominl
making judgments based on reviews is silly enough already, doing so without even driving both cars and have your OWN preference and conclusion is just quite mind blowing.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-04-15 at 03:07 PM.
#96
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That may be true for car people like us, but millions of car buyers (and potential car buyers) nationwide rely on organizations like Consumer Reports, J.D. Power, or even Edmunds for primary advice. Some even may rely (or partially rely) on what WE say.....people often ask me for advice. But, yes, no matter how good (or how lousy) that advice can be, I agree that there is no substitution for a personal test-drive. I can complain, in a car review, for example, about seats that are too sharply or narrowly-bolstered for my big tall, wide torso and rump. (VW GTI seats are a good example). But the majority (perhaps the vast majority) of car-buyers aren't going to have a torso or rump my size....they are much more likely to be comfortable in a seat like that.
#97
Lexus Fanatic
Well, I agree with you that the latest BMW products, compared to previous models, are clearly on the way down, and not the Ultimate Driving Machines they were for decades. But, as you note people continue to buy them. And one reason why they continue to buy them (though it is not the only reason) is the years and years of past good reviews and them (usually) winning the comparison tests in the enthusiast magazines. Once a vehicle (or lines of vehicles) get a reputation, with good or bad, in the marketplace, that reputation trends to stick, even after the vehicles themselves change and the old reputation still hangs on. That is why Kia and Hyundai took a long time getting accepted by the American car-buying public even after they had clearly changed and were no longer the junk of the 1980s and 90s.
Last edited by mmarshall; 03-04-15 at 06:33 PM.
#98
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What does weight matter so much in a Luxury sport coupe? If it was a luxury sports car thatd be different. The RC F as is, is not a sports car and wasnt intended to be. They could take away some plush, some sound proofing, put an I-6 in there, some half *** back seats and itd be 3700lbs. like the M4, but then it wouldnt be a Lexus. All the 'overweight being a hinderance' talking points are garbage sportscar bias. Not a Luxury GT cruiser. This is why Lexus is what it is and not BMW or Audi.
Yet it's almost 400 pounds lighter!
#99
Cars.com has the 2014 IS-F at 3780lbs. The RC-F is 3958lbs from the same source. That is under 200lbs difference.
#100
Camry reviews have always been behind competition, but sales are not affected at all.
#101
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Well, I agree with you that the latest BMW products, compared to previous models, are clearly on the way down, and not the Ultimate Driving Machines they were for decades. But, as you note people continue to buy them. And one reason why they continue to buy them (though it is not the only reason) is the years and years of past good reviews and them (usually) winning the comparison tests in the enthusiast magazines. Once a vehicle (or lines of vehicles) get a reputation, with good or bad, in the marketplace, that reputation trends to stick, even after the vehicles themselves change and the old reputation still hangs on. That is why Kia and Hyundai took a long time getting accepted by the American car-buying public even after they had clearly changed and were no longer the junk of the 1980s and 90s.
Yup exactly. We all know why Camry sells. And we also know why they don't do well in reviews.
#102
seems like RCF is for those who just want a stable drive with no tricks. Back end doesn't break loose easily from all the reviews I've seen.
It's too bad when people think of the M4, they just remember the one dude at Cars and Coffee who spun out his car and hopped over the center island and drove off in shame.
But surely there's a way to drive the m4 without it being hard to control ... for those who don't like to drift ?
It's too bad when people think of the M4, they just remember the one dude at Cars and Coffee who spun out his car and hopped over the center island and drove off in shame.
But surely there's a way to drive the m4 without it being hard to control ... for those who don't like to drift ?
#104
seems like RCF is for those who just want a stable drive with no tricks. Back end doesn't break loose easily from all the reviews I've seen.
It's too bad when people think of the M4, they just remember the one dude at Cars and Coffee who spun out his car and hopped over the center island and drove off in shame.
But surely there's a way to drive the m4 without it being hard to control ... for those who don't like to drift ?
It's too bad when people think of the M4, they just remember the one dude at Cars and Coffee who spun out his car and hopped over the center island and drove off in shame.
But surely there's a way to drive the m4 without it being hard to control ... for those who don't like to drift ?
#105
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
however, it's always one or two in reviews its intended market are likely to read like consumer reports (ugh), popular mechanics, usa today, etc. and i believe those reviews ABSOLUTELY have an impact on reinforcing people's decisions to buy.
last i checked bmw can make a complete garbage and people would still buy.
millions of people READ, yes. millions of people base their decisions largely on reviews? i highly doubt.
another example, if you don't think all the GLOWING press for the new mustang is having an influence in sales, well, i disagree. i believe some will consider a mustang now who never would have.