You sound like me, wanting certain things for several different cars lol. Sounds like you really like the IS, just not how it drives. But finding an RC is tough... Maybe some of the guys who are lowered with bushings can chime in on the driving feel. I do recall reading they felt the car was much flatter through corners after lowering/bushing swaps.

The RC F brakes fit our cars with most wheel options.

There's even a supercharger for us now too, but it's $15,000+ just in parts since it doesn't work with stock exhaust and needs a full exhaust system.

It's possible mods will get you "there", but like others have said it is several thousand dollars to get the car where you want it.

 

Haha, I just feel like Lexus did not try their best in giving us everything they could. The LC design has been out for years and they could at least revamp the is interior to make it closer to that. Also the 10-speed is so much more responsive than the 8 speed, they could also have put that thing in the is. And the lack of a isf. Seems like they're moving away from all these performance cars. I am not even sure their new lfr would be anything different from the lfa (very limited production and unobtainable for the majority). It's sad.

 

There's a blue GSF for sale in Edmonton, AB Canada right now.

 

Yeah I agree with you 100%. The 10 speed doesn't fit in the IS. Other than that, they're moving toward electric. No need to develop all this stuff when electric won't need it. Toyota will have the gas/hybrid cars. They're doing the gas/hybrid Celica and new Supra. I'm excited for the next Supra, but it is likely a loooong way off.

And yeah, the new Lexus GT car will be very low production. My sales guy already called me about it and he said they will likely only see one, maybe two. His guess was $150-200k starting price. By comparison they sold a few to several LFAs. I personally saw 3 or 4 down there!

 

Then it sounds you've made up your mind. I wouldn't buy a car I knew I'd have to mod to make me happy, but that's me.

 

^^ I agree, with the exception of minor cosmetic changes (like wheels), mine are always as original as possible

 

this is it right here. OP already traded in an IS500 before as they were not happy with it. I know it’s a bad analogy, but it’s like taking an ex back with the hope that therapy can fix them for you.

 

^^ it is a good analogy, except you forgot to mention, that is why you date her sister instead (lmao)

 

If you are looking for that pure sports car feel and experience, sadly I don't believe there is a Lexus, short of the LFA that will deliver on that premise 100%. I am a huge Lexus fan, and have had the privilege of owning and driving every car that has had the glorious 2UR-GSE. I actually just took delivery of a 25 IS500 to pair up with my 24 LC500. For where I am in life, they are a perfect complement. While I didn't own a E92, I had and e46 and F80 M3/M4. The GSF, or my highly modded ISF were as close as I came to matching that experience in a Lexus I owned. The RCF was a great car, but it is heavy and not nearly as nimble of a sports car as your E92 will have been. The GSF, in my opinion was a far superior driving car in stock form.

I myself am interested if I can replicate my ISF experience with the new IS500. I will be heading down the route of springs and bushings for tightening up that steering response and body roll feel. Also, this car definitely needs an exhaust. The LC500 has ruined all other stock exhausts for me. Good luck with your search!

 

Nice pics!! What a combo to have in the garage!

I'm about to start heading down that route too. While I'm mostly happy with the handling, there are times it feels sloppy and too soft. I know I can improve it.

 

Nice combo man. I agree with you. I’ve owned is500/lc500 before and they’re definitely not bmw/porsches when it comes to handling. The is500 definitely needs quite a bit of work to get that feedback and body control.

lc500 is fantastic, but I found it a bit too wide and too “old man” for my age.

then there’s the rcf, based on my testing it felt very close to my e92 (of course haven’t pushed it hard enough to know 9/10 feeling). Then I’m very satisfied with its balance of sportiness and daily drivability. But I prefer the 4-door sleeper concept of isf/500, and the overall exterior of that car.

like I said, is500 with proper f suspension and that sweet f seats would be ideal for me haha.

 

I wish this upcoming "Ultimate Edition" IS 500 had significant handling upgrades and I would be tempted to get one. The upgraded brakes are nice but not enough for me.

 

yeah that would be awesome but sadly knowing Lexus I think were fortunate enough to get the brake kit lol

 

In Canada, it's even worse with shipping costs, import fees, and the conversion; and that's without the specter of tariffs. It's like taking your ex back, and then paying for therapy and expensive trips thinking that'll fix the lack of a spark. OP could easily spend $100,000+ trying to make an IS500 right for him.

 

OP already has driven the RCF. Truth is, RCF is criminally underrated and rarely gets the respect it deserves. If you mean, compliance then yes the GSF is more compliant. RCF is 1 foot shorter, much shorter wheelbase, much more stiffer and about 120 lbs lighter than your GSF. It is just a fact rooted in physics. RCF bone stock holds 0.99g on the skidpad average in C&D testing. The GSF did 0.93g on the same skidpad. That is the highest of any Lexus ever recorded other than the LFA on street tires. GSF is a big car and there is no getting around it as a trade-off for all of that added practicality. It was not offered with an LSD for that exact reason. It needed a TVD. Having driven both, GSF drives like a large family sedan while sitting higher/farther from the back, if you drive them back to back. RCF is much more nimble especially with the TVD option. You sit much lower and closer to the rear axle. Don't take my word for it. There is a video of an LC500, GSF and RCF owner who reviews all three and says, RCF is the car he takes over the GSF to the track for the reasons I mentioned above.


The OP already has owned the E92 M3 and driven an RCF. He already knows how the car drives.

Personally, I have extensive experience in E92 M3. Raced a lot of them. Not close on the race track a lot of it because of the power difference. Make no mistake. They are 300 lbs lighter and having better closer to 50/50 balance on the E92 M3 so yes they have some advantages, but RCF high level of chassis rigidity, more modern suspension. wider axles and stability makes up for the weight disadvantage. RCF is 10+ years newer with high performance parts and chassis built for it. I am not saying my RCF is a track monster, but it competes extremely well against the cars of its time/age. Just like ISF competed against the E92 M3.

On the straights, I simply walk away from E92/E90 M3s with the added power/torque. I almost bought an E90 M3 sedan with 6 speed before deciding to put in the extra cash and picking up RCF in 2017. I own an RCF CF/TVD. I also own a 2019 IS350 F-Sport series 3. RCF is night/day with the 3IS chassis in terms of stiffness and steering.

My G-meter has recorded 1.3 - 1.4g in instantaneous turns, which on street tires tells how capable the chassis is. Only a really well designed chassis/suspension combo can do that on street tires.

I have never encountered an E92 M3 that has been able to keep up with me or beat me. Mind you I never encountered those hardcore track prep'ed, stripped out etc. ones. I am sure they would be faster. On corner entry, the lighter weight of the E92 M3 gives it an advantage in the braking zone. However, once you are in the turn, out of the turn and on to the straights. I am gone.

Here is a good example of an RCF and an E92 M3 battling it out. This is how it typically looks for me as well.