Which one would you guys get? I currently have the IS250 and love the drive, I wish it was a bit faster but it's ok for me now. I am interested in upgrading my car in a few years and these are the cars I'm in between. I heard the LC500 is a 'grand touring' car and not a sports car (looks the best out of the 3 IMO) so if anyone's driven that or has an idea I would love your thoughts. My thing about the RCF is that the RC has super light steering and I would definitely consider that a GT car so I'm wondering what the RCF is like, is it a true sports car? I feel like the IS500 would be the most similar to the IS but it's missing the "F" features that make those cars special, it's also the least priced with the same engine spec which seems very enticing. It's tough to get a test drive in any of these cars right now because of the current market state. Anybody have thoughts?

 

No, the RC-F isn’t a true sports car. It’s the extreme version of a 2 door coupe made from various parts based on the IS. Doesn’t mean it’s not a lot of fun to drive. If it were me I’d go with an LC500. None of the cars mentioned are the fastest, handles the best or the most luxurious in their class, at least the LC excels in being a GT that looks like a concept car and sounds properly mean. To me the IS500 and RC-F are “compromise” cars while the LC was designed from the ground up to be what it’s supposed to be. Still love the IS500 and RC-F though,

 

I've only driven the RC F of those three, but I have sat in an LC and let me tell you - if you like your interiors nicely appointed, you have to go LC. It was exquisite. The RC F, on the other hand, feels mostly the same as the IS, just more "fitted". I really enjoyed the RC F though. What surprised me was how comfortably it rode while also feeling very flat in corners. Seems like a great daily. I really need to get behind the wheel of a 500 to give you my comparison there, but if it handles like a 350, it'll still be a lot of fun if not as sharp as the RC F. I would recommend the F if you are going to go bananas on the back roads but maybe the IS 500 if you need four doors and/or are not planning to drive too terribly spiritedly, as the F will have better brakes and tires for really keeping a good pace on twisty roads. Though, I will say my IS 350's brakes held up great in all the mountain runs I've done, at least two of which have been with unquestionably quicker cars like the IS F for example.

 

I had both an IS350 and an LC. The LC looks great and has quality interior materials, but where it’s appeal ended for me. The IS had more interior and trunk room, and just felt more nimble (LC is a bulky vehicle). Honestly, I regret trading the IS for the LC. I did so only because my IS was getting on (still flawless, but 12 years old), and sadly Lexus stopped making the IS-F. The LC rear seats are useless for anything (kids, pets, storage), and the trunk is TINY. The LC is full of compromises. I did look at getting an RC-F in 2015, but after sitting in one, it didn’t appeal to me (cheap interior). Of the three, get the IS500, you won’t regret it.

 

Okay. This will be complicated.
The RCF is the most "sportscarry" one. He has trans and brake cooling and is definitely a true F. He has a good trunk and you can use his rear seats. For me, his major downpoint comes from his weight, the absence of geometry setup capability and his inability to lower his backseats, what limits the use of his fairly large trunk.
The LC500 is a rare car, it is superb, the kind of car that turns head when you roll out at the theater at night, but it offers much less interior room than the two others. Meaning, it's basically a pure two seaters. His headspace is compromised and the trunk is ridiculously small. You will need another car when buying a LC500. But it's a fantastic car, especially the fact Lexus worked on the sound and emotional connection again.
The IS500 is not distributed to europe. It's obviously not a true F, he doesn't have the brake and trans cooling system the RCF has, but he has a lower weight and requires smaller brake for the same performance. Also, he has foldable rear seats and the new is's dynamics, what is a good plus point. He also don't offer a complete geometry setup ability, what is sad though.

So it is not a "better" question, it's "what type of practicality do you need in your car and where do you place styling over practicality".... depending of the response, you will choose different options.

 

I agree with this statement 100%!! The answer to your question will depend truly on what are important to you. Do you want an exclusive car? Are you after the closest to being track ready? do you fancy more space even it means losing a bit of performance goodies?

This is just my opinion, and I never test drove the LC nor the RC F but I did have an RC 350. Right out of the gate, one advantage that the IS 500 has is the fact that it is the only one at the moment that doesn't rely solely on the track pad and has a touch screen which you can't take for granted The LC is the most unique and really the biggest head turner out of the three but if you prefer the sleeper look, the IS 500 would be the way to go The LC has the most intoxicating exhaust note out of the three but with both the RC F and LC, you lose the practicality of a sedan and both are quite heavy.

I know I am biased as I now own an IS 500 but the reason I do is because it hits all the right points for me. It has a striking design (but all 3 are nice), somewhat of a sleeper, has the advance of the V8 drivetrain, has more functionality, is not too harsh and is also the most affordable so when you look at the best bang for the buck, it made sense to me. Again, we are all different and I am not 30 anymore (51 actually) so I am not keen on the big wing spoilers and such that the RC F has, and I don't drive in a way that I need carbon brakes etc.

If you tell us a bit more what truly is the most important feature you seek in a car, then we might be able to help narrow it down a bit more Hope this helps

 

Oh easily easily EASILY EASILY LC500. that's not even CLOSE. not even a question. not even the same planet.

 

Spoken like someone that’s probably not owned one, let alone even driven one. LOL.

 

I've owned a 3IS already... why would I want essentially the same 10 year old entry level car with an old V8 vs a new (newer) premium high end design with same said 10 year old V8?

This is very basically RWD corolla vs LS, architecture/size/profile wise.

Yeah... no.

The LC is leaps and BOUNDS way ahead of any 3IS V8.

different. galaxy. entirely.

 

Not sure what point you are trying to make @TimboIS . Most people on this forum probably have only driven their own cars or loaner vehicles. Yet, they are allowed to have opinions. Let's avoid a flame war, please.

@E46CT Saying it's a RWD Corolla is baiting and you know it. I disagree with your assessment here because the LC is practically a useless car compared to the IS. The IS can actually carry people and things, whereas the LC is pretty much just a toy, Sure, it's more usable than a Miata, but that's a low bar to clear. Besides that, again, you know better than to use the words "Corolla" and "IS" in the same post.

Again, I am shutting down any flame war here. If you want to respond to each others' posts instead of contribute to the discussion, I'd suggest you didn't do that.

 

When people have ZERO firsthand knowledge and spout hyperbole, that needs to be called out. That’s my point!

 

I feel like they are completely different cars. You are looking at two coupes and a 4 door.

I have a 2020 RCF. I love it. VERY VERY comfortable car. You put your foot down and it goes, and goes quite fast.. (still don't understand why people say they aren't fast, EASILY get into triple digit speeds). Almost no back seats that a real person can sit in. Kids, sure, someone like me that is 6'2"... nope. Trunk is large. I can easily fit whatever in the trunk. Looks good and has performance stuff. Brembo brakes, trans/oil cooler, F seats...etc. You can take it to the track.

LC500, is a beautiful car. Same engine but with a different intake. More gears in the transmission, but also slower and heavier than the RCF. To me these are two completely different vehicles. They can not be compared at all. I would never think of taking an LC500 to the track. It's too pretty of a car... you ride with the top down (hopefully you got the convertible...lol), enjoy the power, the fit and finish of the interior and enjoy life... you've made it in life and should enjoy it. Hands down the LC interior is superior to the others. It's just a wonderful place to be. Everything you touch is nice, everything you look at is pretty nice (still some quirks, but that's all lexus).

IS500 to me reminds me of the E550 for Mercedes... it's got a nice 8 cylinder engine (same as the above two), but you aren't paying a TON for features you probably aren't going to be using since you aren't tracking the car... but you have an extremely comfortable, powerful vehicle that can easily fit 4 people, and room in the trunk. A fantastic daily driver/only have one car to use scenario.

Again, I think all three are completely different. If I was going to have a DD and I needed 4 doors it would be the IS500 no problem.. If I am cruising with my wife and about 10 years older I'd be in the LC500. Right now, I'm 40 and have other toys to have fun with, but I enjoy the RCF, it has a Japanese muscle type of look that is way more mature looking than when I am in my STi.

I wouldn't say one is necessary better than another because it really depends on what you are going to use the car for. You got kids and a ton of baby ****... well, the LC500 PROBABLY isn't a good buy for ya...etc., where as the IS500 seems to be a better fit. Figure out what you want the car for and or what your lifestyle is. We are going to give you opinions but ultimately it has to fit your needs/lifestyle. That's the beauty of these wonderful options for cars. We live in a time where if you want a 700+ HP STOCK mustang from the factory, it's available! If you told me we'd have options like this when I was a kid, I wouldn't believe it.

-Nigel

 

I have an IS500, and if I had the money, LC500.

 

I've driven all of them:

Sound/Exhaust: LC500 > RC F > GS F > IS500
Comfort/Suspension: GS F > IS500 > RC F = LC500 (with the exception of 2018 LC500 which is dead last)
Handling: GS F > RC F > IS500 > LC500
Exterior Looks: LC500 > IS500 > GS F > RC F
Interior Looks: LC500 > GS F > RC F > IS500
Technology/Infotainment: LC500 = IS500 (tie due to HUD vs touch screen) > RC F > GS F

 

If you have another car, the LC hands down I hear so much about the experience from people who have them and they don't sell them after.. enough said.