I'm sorry if I wasn't clear in my post but I wanted something track ready essentially. I am pretty satisfied with the interior that we have in the IS so I'm sure anything in regards to that would be a plus. I was wondering if an LC500 would be able to have good handling characteristics if the suspension was upgraded, it is quite expensive though.

 

Sounds like a RCF or a GSF would be the closest to what your looking for then. The LC is more of a "GT" car in the same way a DB9 is. The 'F' cars are supposed to be the 'track ready' according to Lexus. As well the RCF and GSF have support from RR-Racing.

 

I've driven LC500 and RCF but not the IS500, here's my take:
Sound/Exhaust: LC500 > RC F = GS F > IS F > 3IS
Comfort/Suspension: GS F > RC F > LC500 > 3IS > IS F
Handling overall: GS F > RC F TVD > RCF LSD > LC500 > 3IS > IS F
Handling (turn in only): LC500 > GS F > RC F > 3IS > IS F
Exterior Looks: LC500 > IS500 > GS F = RC F > 3IS
Interior Looks: LC500 > GS F = RC F > IS500 = 3IS > IS F
Technology/Infotainment: LC500 = IS500 > RC F = GS F = 3IS > IS F

You also have to remember the LC500 is a long and wide car with the least amount of practical space, mods are more expensive and less available than a RC F and IS 500. The IS 500 could probably share some exterior parts (maybe chassis parts?) with the IS 350 version too.

Overall if it was me personally and money wasn't an issue, the LC500 would be my first choice, I loved how stiff the chassis was, and would immediately swap the heavy wheels and grab coilovers since I feel it handles amazing on turn on, but then immediately the hefty weight swings around with the suspension not keeping up.

The RC F is great for looks too I guess but I prefer the GS F far more in driving dynamics. I have yet to drive the RC F Track (hopefully soon, I have "test" ran one with an FBO IS F and it was pulling on me to 80, and it definitely left me in the corners in the canyons) but that's in the price range of the LC500.

I see the IS500 as an IS F refreshed with newer tech, looks, "updated" engine, Yes you don't get the "F" brakes or trans cooler, but depending on how you use it, you may not need it. I was considering an IS500 but I saw when I saw the launch edition in person, I realized the interior was basically a 3IS and ended up buying an IS F.

But as people have said previously, how do you want to use it and what can you sacrifice or not need? I have no need for rear seats and it would be a second car for me so I would choose the LC500, I never would track it and it performs well enough for the occasional spirited driving. I've done some hard driving in the canyons with my 2IS350 on stock brakes and never had overheating issues with the car so the extra cooling / brakes in the RC F/ GS F would be extra to have but not needed for how I use it. It really comes down to how it suites you.

 

Ok, so I’ve never driven any of the three. But I see the IS500 as a step up from my IS350, but I wish there was an AWD version, as the IS350 is my winter car.
When I first saw the ads for the LC500 convertible, the lines reminded me so much of my Jaguar XK, and I see the LC500 filling a void left in the GT market when Jaguar ended production of the XK and XKR in 2014. If I ever need to replace my XK with a newer car, the LC500 will be on the top of my list.

 

I went from a corolla to an IS. I simply don't get how people say the IS is just a corolla or camry with a lexus badge. Maybe you can say that with the 2IS, but the 3IS is a whole new level, especially interior wise. It surpasses even a '18 C300 I drove for a week

 

Came from a Corolla too.. Never let me down but definitely not the same car lmao.. I think it's nuts when people say that.. if that's the case, why not buy the Corolla? More than 50% off

 

It probably depends on how much of a daily driver do you want the car to be. The IS500 is, hands down, the most practical daily driver of the three because it has folding rear seats, it has real rear seats and not parcel shelf sized things, and the trunk is bigger as well.

I know it's heresy to suggest it on a Lexus forum, but what about the CT4-V Blackwing 6MT? I watched a video where TheTopher drove one, and it's just sublime the way it delivers power, and the 6MT looks like an excellent unit too. I mean, if it weren't for the 6 speed manual, I wouldn't even be discussing it compared to a Lexus IS500, let alone the LC500.

 

It's not heresy. We are Lexus owners, but we are also car people. I think the CT4-V BW is a really nice package. Competitively priced, too, if you consider it as an M3 alternative.

For me the 500 is by far the best value. I know for my personal situation it would make more sense than an RC F, since the back seats would be far easier to use. Thankfully the CT4 also has okayish back seats.

 

I’ve driven all four and agree with the assessment. Well stated!. There are advantages and trade-offs. It all depends on the
need or desire you wish to satisfy. Best news is they are all Lexus.

 

Great information in this thread. I think I remember reading that you wanted something closer to track ready so I think that really narrows it down to the RC F being the best option of the three in question (for what you want). As Lexus markets their F cars as track ready. The LC is a GT car and the IS500 is a great daily driver with spunk/character, and if it was your only car it would be the best to live with.

 

How quicker do you want it? Maybe buying RR racing tune for $550 would be enough? It is +30hp (+22whp) or 13% more power, to what you already have for just 550 bucks. Otherwise, you already have the same chassis as in is350 (with the exception of the adaptive suspension if you wanna get is350 f sport). I drive 2015 is350 rwd fsport daily, and test-drove a 2014 is250 awd once. Is the is250 more lukewarm in acceleration compared to is350? yes.
Does is250 sound almost as good (minus the sound tube) than the is350? yes, almost. It is still a v6 sound!
Is it worth going from is250 to 350 just because of it? Hard to say.
I would be 80% happy even with is250, but possibly would add a sound tube. It does add a lot more to the experience, than its price would suggest.. Personally, would I go from is250 to is350 and spend 6-8k to get 2 seconds quicker to 0-60? No!

 

LC500 - Buy this if you want a car you can have fun with in comfort. It's a head turner inside and out, it sounds glorious, it can act mean if it wants to and it can act a gentleman if it wants to. However, don't buy it if you want to use it for anything other than a fun car. The trunk is borderline unusable, the backseats are completely useless even if you're short, and there's only one (1!!!) cupholder.

RCF - Buy this if you want the sportiest (still not a pure sports car) that you can still daily with. Trunk is of usable size, and backseats are usable if you and your passengers are short. Still a head turner from the outside, though not as much as the outside, but the interior is not nearly as luxurious as the LC. It's track capable, but not a true track car, though in exchange it's also pretty comfortable as a daily especially if you get a 2017+ with the variable suspension.

IS500 - Buy this if you want a daily that can also be sporty. Its backseats fold, which makes it a LOT more useful as a daily than the other two, but it does lack the details in the chassis, suspension, cooling, and brakes that make it a real track capable car.

 

hahaha……..

 

How many corollas do you know of with a front double wish bone, rear multilink setup?
That's like saying that since a Boeing 747 has at least 18 wheels, it is essentially an 18-wheel semi-trailer.
While in some perspective it is a correct statement, such analysis would completely miss what the IS and a corolla actually are, and what they are designed for.

 

Interesting video for all, I guess..