Hello,

Current owner of a 2014 IS350 F-sport lowered on RSRs half downs and am intrigued by the relatively low prices for used RC-Fs. I test drove a '15 with 16K miles the other day and came to the conclusion that I'm too old to drive it daily! Of course, this is not a problem if I convince my wife to let me keep the IS and let the RC be the garage queen that I drive on nice days! Anyway, during the test drive I noticed that the rear suspension was significantly "stiffer" on normal roads than my IS, even when the RC was in normal or eco mode. I put my Iowered IS in sport or sport + and I never get the same sensation of stiffness. My question is, does the adaptive variable suspension of the '17 and newer models make the RC more compliant in eco or normal modes? I have a bad back and am concerned that the stiffness will cause problems after extended drives. Overall I loved the car and the price vs performance vs reliability factor is very very compelling!

 

Short answer is, yes the AVS will allow that.

It is a high performance sports car so it will definitely be significantly stiffer than an IS or a standard RC without the AVS in 2015 and 2016 models. I have driven an IS350 F-sport and RCF always feels substantially more rigid and stiff. It is a combination of both suspension and chassis rigidity. It uses the middle section from the ISC for reinforcements and other chassis bracings. On smooth freeways, it is sublime, but on crappy freeways, it is quite a punishing ride without the AVS.

With AVS, from what I have heard, it softens it up significantly in non-sport/sport+ mode. If you want to drive in sport+ mode, I believe it goes into the stiffest suspension setting.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I guess I need to test drive a '17 to see if I can feel the difference. I drove the RC on a relatively smooth highway and if felt fine and not too unlike the IS.

 

I'll give another vote for AVS, I had a '15 for a while, and on the local streets often felt my brain rattling. I justified it 'cause of how much fun the rest of the car was. When I got a newer one, I felt the AVS took enough of the edge off and made the car much more compliant in normal mode. Its definitely stiffer in Sport S+, but may still be better since its adapting to the road conditions....but its hard to compare to my memories of the '15.

I've got an '18 now, which brings with it the 'custom' mode, and I've got it set to Sport (engine/tranny) and firm for the suspension, and tend to switch between that and regular Sport S+ depending on road conditions.

I've done plenty of long road trips and definitely recommend AVS. I had a 2014 IS FSport, and the RCF is definitely stiffer. Also, I'm not sure I agree with Rolla about there being a big difference between the settings, normal vs. stiff is noticeable, but normal certainly isn't soft.

Drive a 2017 or 2018, aim for some rough roads.

 

I can relate to the bad back. I had to sell my Focus RS and Mustang GT because the clutch work, stiff suspensions and hard Recaro seats were killing me. (3 herniated discs in my lower back)

I have a 17 with the AVS. Between the excellent seats and plush ride in normal, I drive mine everyday and it is a vast improvement. My back is pretty jacked, so I still have pain, but it's not the RCF's fault. By the way, sport and sport + are not too bad either. Especially compared to an M3 or Mustang GT with sport suspension.

Of course, one man's plush is another man's harsh, You should check it out for yourself.

 

I was under the impression that the non AVS system was firm, but pretty forgiving. Is that not right? This may sway my choice to a 17.

 

I appreciate everyone's responses! Very good feedback.

 

Depends on how bad the road conditions, speed and also, how you inflate your tires. If you keep around 33 - 34 psi or so, the ride on bad roads is not too bad, but tires will feel a little "cushy" at low speeds as the VGRS tend to ease up at lower road speeds/rpm. Since Lexus chose to put soft touring version of MPSS on the RCF (non-XL versions), if you want sidewall stiffness and raise the pressure to around 36 - 38 psi, it will give you a very firm ride, but on patched, cracked and grooved asphalt, it will feel rather bumpy.

Also, the non-AVS RCF from what I can see, has progressive rate dampers. They seem to be very forgiving at parking lot speeds as you go over bumps. You can feel the rebound is softer even in sport+ mode when you are coasting at 10 - 15 mph. However, as the speed goes up, the rebound rate also increases.

Definltey, if you have a lot bad roads in your city and have to drive regularly over them, you might want to consider the AVS version of the RCF.

 

Welcome & Congrats Crazy!

May I inquire where in VA you reside? Zip code, Area, PM me?

Im up in Fairfax County where we have a few others here from too.
Don't see a RCF in your signature, or are you in the "Deliberation Stage" on one?

If ya need Local hookups when it comes to anything at all - I'm just a few keystrokes away!

Semper Fidelis !

 

I found it fine on decent roads with the occasional problem, but on fairly bad roads at a decent speed it got annoying... AVS was a welcome improvement.

 

Sorry I missed your post!

I'm down in SEVA (Williamsburg) and am definitely in the deliberation stage. I'm actually going back in forth with the GSF right now. I'd like to keep my IS as a daily driver and get an RCF for the garage, but I'm not sure that's practical. The GSF is the best of both worlds and gives me more room. I'm not in a rush to decide and it may come down to the right car at the right time. I've definitely decided on a '17 (or newer) for either car as the AVS is worth it. I'll definitely keep you in mind, especially if there is a car up that way that's of interest. We purchased my wife's CPO RX from Lindsey Lexus as there's a much bigger selection and better prices up there.

 

There are trade-offs in GSF vs RCF. RCF is more nimbler, smaller and about 100 lbs lighter. Also the exterior is like a proper sports car. GSF looks like a GS based sports sedan and about 7 inches longer so you get better interior space and more amenities. From what I heard, the GSF ride is a bit more compliant than the RCF.

 

Yes! Absolutely there are trade offs. I haven't driven a GSF yet so I can't comment on ride quality b/w the two. I definitely life the exterior looks of the RCF better. However, the front of the cabin is almost exactly the same as my '14 IS350. My wife actually made the comment when we were driving the RCF that it was like the same exact car (at least until I got on it). The GSF is more spacious and has more amenities like you said, but to the avg person doesn't look any different than a GS350. I'm an enthusiast and know my cars... however I hate to admit I actually saw one on the road and thought "that's a nice F-sport", until I saw the "F" badge on the back and the quad exhaust.... Oh the decisions...

 

I recently test drove a 2016 GSF with my missus in the back and she complained of being car sick which never happened in my current 2015 is350 with AVS, so that really drives home the effectiveness of AVS!

 

If it's any help here in the UK I drove a pre AVS RCF then drove the AVS model. In standard mode the AVS car was far more comfortable/smoother and it's only when you switch to sport+ you can tell that the car has stiffened up significantly and feels like the non AVS model.So it's nice to be able to choose.
I paid the extra to get a 2017 AVS car and don't regret it. If Tein ever do an active EDFC unit for the earlier RCF's I'd get it straight away.