Hi all,

I’ve been a member on the RC-F forum as I wanted one for the past two years. After some soul searching, I realized I wanted something more raw as my summer toy so I picked up a mint low mileage 2013 Camaro ZL1 instead - which is a nasty and very fun car.

That said, I’m now thinking of trading in my Acura RLX Sport Hybrid for a Lexus RC350 AWD. The Acura had been a great car and very fast & rare, but it’s a big four door sedan and I could count the number of times I’ve had people in the back seat on one hand. I’ve grown through the Acura lineup and now want to try Lexus.

Would you all recommend the RC350 AWD and if so, what do you like/dislike about it? I have yet to test drive one but will try and get out in the new year. Any thoughts and things I should look out for would be appreciated.

 

yes.....great car....i have used mine as a daily for 3 years....be aware though....your acura has alot more hp.....and better mpg

 

I recommend the Lexus, I have an RC300 AWD.
My other car is a highly modded '96 GrandSport Corvette (very raw).
I like the RC because it is a smooth, comfortable highway and city cruiser. The interior is nice and after over three years of ownership there is still not a squeak or rattle. It feels like an older Mercedes E class, built like a vault.
As far as handling and speed well it is a bit weak. Handling is okay in F sport configuration and in the Sport + mode. The chassis gets a bit light over triple digits. Merging into traffic on the highway requires a small thought process because of the lack of power.
Also the gas mileage for my modded Vette is quite a bit better than the RC.
Your mileage may vary but I get about 19 MPG mostly highway for the RC300 vs 26 MPG (if I keep my foot out of it) for the Vette.
The Lexus RC is a very heavy car over 4000 lbs in AWD configuration. Your ZL1 is no lightweight either (close to 4000lbs) but the ZL1 has the horsepower and chassis to overcome all that weight. The RC300 or RC350 AWD does not.
But the AWD is great in the rain, ice and snow. I have previously owned two Jeeps and one Acura RDX that were not this good in slippery weather! That RDX was the first year of the turbo 4 cylinder (2007 model).
It had a pretty good chassis for handling, considering it's weight and ground clearance (lots of turbo lag and embarrassingly poor gas mileage around town).
The RC300 AWD is my every day driver, a smooth driver and it is a nice get away from the raw visceral feel of the Vette.
Test drive one on the highway and around town I think you will like it.

 

For the most part the Lexus RC350 Fsport is a luxury coupe more than sports car. Mine is my daily driver as well, and that's
one reason I got mine. I hate sports cars or pony cars for daily drivers. Fast, good handling, all that good stuff, but ****
for a daily. Also noisy, resale value is poop and everybody has one. The RC is really in a special class by itself but always
gets compared to sports cars. Mine is an Fsport AWD and is pretty much optioned out, it has also got a great reliable
reputation. Has been for me. Not a statement you hear a lot from pony/sports car daily drivers. Quiet and comfort is
not a statement you hear much either.

 

Thanks for the replies. I love the RC350/RC-F and would like to try Lexus quality and customer service. I’ve been spoiled with the reliability and performance of all my Acuras but definitely felt the dealer service experience has always been lacking.

I also enjoy driving rare cars - I see it as an expression of my personality. My RLX Sport Hybrid is one of a few hundred in North America each model year - basically never see another one. I see lots of Camaros but not many ZL1’s. The RC is also a unicorn which catches your eye when you see one. I like that.

I do worry about missing the power of an almost 400HP daily and instant torque of the 3 electric motors. The comment above about having to pick your spots and plan ahead when merging does bother me - as I create my own spots in both my current vehicles. Fuel consumption is less of a concern as my work pays for my gas.

I’ll keep my eyes peeled for ideally a low mileage red RC350 F-Sport or second choice blue. I don’t think I could go into an RC300 with a 4 cylinder as it just wouldn’t meet my basic performance needs. In my head anyway I equate the performance of the RC350 to my 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD which had 306HP and was plenty quick - and also a bit of a pig on gas. But it was one of the most fun cars I’ve ever driven.

Happy holidays to all!

 

I would skip the 4 cylinder turbo RC300. In 2016 my RC300 F sport was the detuned 255 hp N/A V6 not a turbo 4 cylinder.
There was not that much difference from the 305 hp N/A RC350 F sport. But at the time the RC350 was several thousand dollars more than my RC300. To me 50 hp wasn't worth the extra money.
If I was going to buy one present day I would get the V6 not the four.

 

If your all about horsepower , as keeps being stated, you're looking at the wrong car.
But as far as lane changing "from the lack of horsepower" requiring a thought process,
sounds like driver error to me. 300 HP in this car, in traffic will, and does, just fine.
We are talking about the real world here, not writing a review for Road & Track.

 

Don't take offense to my comment on thinking ahead before pulling in traffic.
I have driven many fast cars in my lifetime. I also own a fairly quick Corvette.
The OP has a ZL1 Camaro which you obviously never have been in or driven ( I have driven one). It is a very quick car that handles extremely well for it's size and weight!
I am not putting down the RC at all (hell I own one) but I want to be honest with the OP. Especially since he mentions owning a ZL1 Camaro.
I don't want him to expect the RC is in the same league as his ZL1 Camaro.
The RC300 or RC350 cannot touch the performance envelope of his ZL1, period!
It is a totally different automobile. The RCF gets closer in the power department but even it still is not quite there.
If you think the RC350 F sport 305 horsepower is a lot of power in a car that weighs over 4000 pounds then I would say you are wrong, period.
It is just adequate for the every day driver. It is certainly not a performance or muscle car
More honesty; the Lexus RC will be more reliable then the GM Camaro ZL1 (except for maybe brake pad wear).

 

I don't take any offense to your remarks. You seem like one of those that just likes to
throw around numbers on forums to look impressive. As far as what I have driven or owned
well, I've been around horsepower for almost 50 years, have personally owned over 100
cars, trucks, and motorcycles in my life. My nephew is on the design team at GM (on the Vette)
last 2 generations anyway. My best friend was a driving instructor for Porsche at a local track
here. So, I know a little bit about driving high horsepower and have driven some fast ones.
2 wheel and 4. I thought the mans questions could have been answered a bit better than
someone just throwing statements about their cars.

 

I only wanted to be honest with him in what to expect with an RC.
No disrespect to you in any way. I have also been driving for 55 years. Drag racing amateur for ten years. I have autocross events under my belt as well as two road course race tracks.
But none of this matters as we both kind of got off topic.
I wish you and all of the forum members a Merry Christmas!

 

None taken or given. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you as well.
I wish I was riding some horsepower today, but it's raining here.

 

Thank you for everyone’s replies. I certainly wasn’t looking to incite conflict with my post and I do take some responsibility for bringing up horsepower when discussing the RC350 in the first place. I agree, if that was the primary consideration in my new vehicle, I’d look at the RC-F. I also fully understand that the ZL1 or the RLX Sport Hybrid are not comparators to the RC350 in any way, shape or form.

My point was simply that power/performance has some bearing in my decision as I currently own two higher HP vehicles. I guess what I was trying to get across was that with the ZL1 as my summer toy, it satisfies my need for higher HP performance. Therefore I’m thinking I could probably give up the Acura RLX Sport Hybrid as my daily - but I wouldn’t be happy going to a 4 cylinder anymore. I’ve had my share of those over the years and don’t think I could go back now.

By all accounts, the RC350 F Sport appears to be a fun, rare, sexy and well built reliable vehicle. It’s not going to win many drag races (which isn’t important to me in a daily anyway) but it has a capable V6 which is plenty quick. It’s definitely on my list of vehicles to consider.

Happy Holidays!

 

Rc350 equal to TL-AWD 306HP look at the zero 60 numbers. I'm also looking for car to replace my older Acura CL, now driving 06 TL and was hell bent on buying a RC350 F-Sport AWD only.

After test driving both RC300 and RC350 i got feel of it even driven the RC F. Comparing it to Acura 06 TL it has big shoes to fill with reliability and luxury styling engine power. After doing deliberate research i found purchasing any Lexus at this time useless. Do not enjoy four door sedan which the TL i'm driving now. Only because of the exterior style and B pillar blind spot i stress out about. The TL is just as quick 0-60 5.8 secs if not faster then RC350 AWD at 6.2 seconds also the styling interior is top notch for its day with the TL holds up well if not exact same seats with the two cars. While Lexus is no slouch do see many similarities to the TL. So i ask myself what advantage do i get buying Lexus RC350 AWD versus keeping the 06 TL, i see only the exterior appearance is attractive on RC.

Now the reason i'm holding off buying the RC350 is cost of maintenance. On the TL owning it over 12 years it cost me less than $4000 in summer tires, two winter set of tires, and Enkei Wheels, brake job which costed little more because wheel spacers were impossible to remove. Otherwise the best reliable car i ever owned, engine runs smooth and transmission like silk easy oil changes do it myself unlike RC bit of hassle.
As for RC350 AWD i researched that if you lose front headlight beam. LED don't burn out as often Halogen bulbs but replacement if they ever do go out costs $1400 per side yes the entire headlight housing needs to be replaced, Ouch! Tires are bigger 19" vs my 17" on TL i just bought Conti Vikings for winter at $900 for entire 4 tires, doubt i can get that price for summer or winters on RC350 probably double the cost. Michelin Pilots cost $500 each on the RC350. Have to mention RC350 Mark Levinson system is incredible you may lose the deck video screen at whopping $2000. Don't count out the alternator or belts need replacing same as in TL.
Overall RC350 brings not as much fun driving factor then old 06 TL so no rush to purchase one today. Let alone the depreciation on the RC350 aren't that attractive to purchase maybe being an owner but surely not a buyer.

So i know sooner or later need to get out of the 06 TL and get me another model with better performance and torque. Yes, strong believer in 0-60 times when on a highway getting up to speed means getting honked at embarrassed or near collision with someone . Just enjoy when i press the pedal hearing the vacuum lines exhaust blow while passing slower HP cars watching people surprised at the power i unleashed in my TL.

So to conclude are there better cars then RC350 AWD out there yes and no. Power performance wise definitely other automotive brands even more fun to drive yet lack interior exterior styling. It's trade off have reliability or performance can't have it both. Well not true there is one model i have my eyes on yet they stop depreciating and prices start to go up. Older cars then RC350 but much more fun to drive and yes the appearance lot better, lots turned heads. Only problem in used car market competition to snag one is fierce. Good luck snagging car you want sometimes its best to keep what you own sometimes the grass ain't greener on the other side. More money more problems.

RC350AWD isn't bad car if i were coming strictly out of my CL to Lexus it would be heavier upgrade and better performance to be sure. Maybe because i'm driving my 06 TL being spoiled or jaded at looking for other cars to beat it, price wise or reliability all be it impossible. it's Best case buying RC350 be a lateral move from TL in my mind why pay for minimal upgrade at best. RC350 won't be faster, won't be better styled interior, reliability can't be surpassed matched maybe. Styling cues yes, RC350 does look nice but enough for me to part with my money not yet. TL isn't falling apart just yet after 12 years of mild driving, plus i got high end spark plugs i bought years never installed.

As for gas mileage getting even 13L/100km or 18 MPG city, 9 L/hwy or 26 MPG on 3.2 Liter earth dreams engine. RC350 3.5L gets 25 MPG, driving in sport mode heavy foot 20.3 MPG little better then TL.

 

By the sounds of it, you really like your 06 TL and that into itself is awesome. Only you can decide if there is value for your dollar when getting a new car. If the value proposition isn’t there because you love your TL, then there is your answer.

But as someone who has grown through the Acura brand to now owning their top of the line rare RLX Sport Hybrid sedan, I personally don’t feel I’d be losing much going into an RC350 F Sport. Yes it would be slower and have worse fuel economy, but most of the luxury features would be in the RC.

Again, I get you love your 06 TL, but with all due respect, the RC would be a huge upgrade to your TL. It would be like comparing an apple to an orange. Not only are they not even remotely comparables, but the RC has much newer tech, far better fit and finish and way more modern styling. What you’d lose in tenths of a second speed, you’d gain in leaps and bounds in the Lexus - and I’ve been a lifelong Acura guy.

 

It's not that i like the TL its adequate transportation i just don't enjoy the sedan style. If Acura made a sport coupe version like the RC350 then we can compare the two models. Acura only has there Halo NSX super sports car which is out of budget maybe in 20 years after depreciation it can be purchased yet i doubt prices will ever go down being collector super car. In the same vain i'm frustrated with acura limited lineup as you wrote, "grown out of the the acura lineup" what they have to offer. While this Spring TLX A-spec turbo V6 with new styling is coming out while frustrated with there lack of sport coupe availability i need to look elsewhere to get what i want.

Rc350 is natural choice since they really never updated there tech styling since 2015. With technology interiors often are outdated in 3-5 years in many cars and RC350 is still continuing the same direction with the newer models. Yet i see much more attractive German counterparts that make interior infotainment, out class any Lexus models.

Sacrificing few tenths of a second isn't a big deal in many ways it is. Driving experience, i need to feel the engine power, handling in Rc350 it tries but i see limitations because its size. While its big brother RCF is more comparable to German driving machines of today. RCF doesn't have that low end torque German turbo cars have that are exactly budgeted to compete with smaller V6 3.5L RC350.
I can pick up German driving model in 2017-2018 pay similar $$$ compared to RC350 at 2015 -2016 model years. Plus German cars get better tech such as front side cameras, HUD, easier infotainment system larger trunk space. Or have optio with more nimble handling powerful German with less tech but drive it with more fun and vigour, performance mods are plentiful.

That is why i stick to Acura TL and maybe changing into even older analog coupe in the near future to get away from the needless tech. Which i find cool toy at first but useless even annoying, distracts and deadens drivers experience like lane keep assist or blind spot monitoring mirrors etc... O6 TL gives me, not entirely a plain car but enough tech that is convenient. Heated side mirrors, automatic moving down when in reverse, cold AC, one touch power windows, heated seats, sunroof, non frameless door windows keeps longer life window regulator to replace witn ownership for long time. Who needs cool seats if they actually do work as intended RC350 nice option, doubt ever need.

Believe lots car manufacturers gone overboard with the silly tech features that is nice spec out gimmick, but do drivers really need it? Not to sound strange but when i drive a car want to feel in control, use the power the car has, the handling all the engineers worked hard to develop for best enjoyable ride pushing, sending it. Only cars past dream to perform like it. When i step into the RC350 yes the exterior is timeless in fact my first gen CL i owned had similar front grill as base RC300 or IS250 had generation past.
Yet the engine Rc350 is pleasant and adequate but far from competitive on the street alpha dogs like so many other cars today that brings wry smile to drivers faces when let out on open road.
Don't want to have the same mistake before being swayed by others with my decision to buy 1st gen CL rather the Lexus SC400 or Toyota Solara. Only cons was owning the Lexus was purchasing dealer parts are going to rape $$$ with regards of SC400 glad i made the decision to CL3.0 although the 0-60 over 7 seconds annoyed me as well the handling. See similarities to the RC350 supposed to be sports coupe yet without the performance in the engine or handling like a boat as with my Acura CL.Do know Rc350 is far cry different then CL i owned like you said apples to oranges. Do feel i'm in same predicament as decades ago looking at my CL decision like now the rc350 while the German competition is much better in performance and driving ability. Do know the sensible decision is to go with the RC350 like so many people told me to go with the CL years ago. Only this time i got lot more tech to fix when things go wrong then back in the day with virtually analog car.

Tough decisions but one i know not to make rash moves. Like the fact to find and drive rare cars not the best but unique. So predictable, boring watching the road various compact Toyota models Corollas, Honda Civics, find i want something much more unique Rc350 is exact model unlike IS sedans i see driving around. While the German counterparts are headache, stressful machine to own the performance needs to be brought to the table. Otherwise might as well take the turbo diesel bus as transportation which has more torque than many compact sedan cars on the road. Decisions decisions.

Looked at the sales figures RC sold in months years. Wouldn't be surprised the model will be discontinued with slumping sales figures which makes it doubly tough to purchase used with specs i want.
https://www.goodcarbadcar.net/lexus-...es-usa-canada/