Stuno1

Aye a friend asked if I had considered the isf when I was looking at m3’s. That’s how I found out and I thought I had my finger on the pulse of the car market!

The isf values will definitely prop up the rcf. The prices @Linas.P you are talking about must have been for higher than average mile cars. I bought my isf for 18k and sold it 2 years later for 18k. 

If 2010 isf’s are still being listed for 23k I can’t see the prices you are taking about for the rcf coming about in the time frames you are hoping. Depreciation at these prices really are glacial as people realise just how much car can be had for the money. You may get lucky and pick up a high mile example but that would be it.

Time will tell I guess. 

14 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

I know I am taking solely from my perspective, but getting into F... requires almost "leap of faith" or totally impulsive buy... which is a bit of big ask from the customer.

Agree with all of what you said apart from this. The f seems to be for those who research cars heavily and want the ownership package. Those who don’t necessarily don’t want normal offerings. 

23 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

I am not talking about new-for-new prices... I would pay ~£20-25k for ~2016 RC350 with fair bit of miles and right options. RC-F is not that far off, but still more like ~30-35k. So maybe in 1,5-2 years it will will get to my price range.

Can’t see the rcf being 20-25k in 2 years. The isf prices will start to keep it up I think. As they get to 30k ish good examples will have glacial depreciation. 

Sadly none of that surprises but certainly informs! 

Sad really and kind of pathetic. 

14 minutes ago, tomRCFcarbon said:

same review (basically) as the print one on the website, best quote: 

'A simple straightforward head to head between the new Lexus GS F and a BMW M5. And yes, it’s a ‘30 Jahre’ edition M5, not because it swings the power barometer even further in the M5’s favour, but because it was the only one that BMW had.'

Hahahahaha...this is BMW's press team responding to a request for an M5 for a group test against a Lexus? A car that has been designed to embarrass the m5 and surprise, surprise the £25,000 more expensive special edition was the only car they had to hand...have you ever been to BMW UK, every middle manager is driving an M car and most are driving M5's they have so many in their fleet that on any given summer day - you can go to one of about 5 different national/local country shows and there will be a full M product range on display.

So it is quite funny and a credit to Chris Harris (probably annoyed about the reality of the above), that he finds in the GSF's favour. The fact that the Top Gear website is dripping in BMW M advertising makes this doubly more surprising...but its why he never got the Editor-ship job at Evo, he just couldn't tow the line...he wrote a column in Evo about it once, how influenced and under pressure he felt from advertisers - which no one would have thanked him for.

Madness! 

@tomRCFcarbon it’s mad that hospitality and travel for reviews has that much of a impact on reviews!

I was at goodwood breakfast club and a lc was getting some good attention.

My isf got almost zero attention unless people were looking at the rear. I think a carbon rcf will get a lot more attention but time will tell. 

Let’s have some thoughts on this then.. the way I see it...

- Lexus don’t spend as much as competition on marketing and sombrand awareness isn’t there. 

- Most reviews are based on a few hours in track and on a road and do not show off the cars in all weather conditions and over an extended time. Chris Harris did a review of the m5 and gsf and due to poor weather the gsf shon.

- People are too focused on 0-60. Lap times between the f cars and rivals are usually within 1 second if each other. 

- Brand image. As above, due to lack of spend on marketing those non car folk still see Lexus as an old mans car.

stu

5 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

Not really, I just know it is not going to happen, but I am not prepared (morally) to pay for RC-F - at current prices have no justification for it, whereas I would have for RC350. So in essence I am "subconsciously" waiting until I can get RC-F for RC350 money.  

Fair old wait then chap! 

9 minutes ago, Flytvr said:

Please go buy the standard RC-F..... please just go do it. AND, do it fast while there are some original ones out there!

Is this it? He @Linas.Pwants one but is procrastinating? 

54 minutes ago, tomRCFcarbon said:

I almost couldn't be bothered to reply because I can anticipate the response before you even type it...but nevertheless you keep saying you are on here to learn, so:

The Carbon on the RCF Carbon edition is there for weight saving. Not for show. 

The TVD is heavier than the standard diff. The Carbon bonnet roof and spoiler mean that the car is no heavier than the standard car but has the better but heavier diff.

In other words, in weight terms:

Standard Car = Carbon edition

Standard Car + TVD > Carbon Edition

Also because the diff is lower down and the lighter carbon that is used on the bonnet roof and spoiler are higher up the centre of gravity vs the standard car has been lowered. All at no expense of refinement or luxury (except not being able to have a sunroof, which I understand is a deal breaker for you!).

This is all common sense though? I thought Linas was just messing about? Lexus didn’t just chuck carbon on for the sake of it. 

2 hours ago, Comedian said:

Can't boost the power due to eu 6 without extensive work.

Agree about rest which lexus UK had option on but we spoke to the head of lexus UK marketing (I think) at goodwood and it was their decision to ask Japan to tone it down for the uk. I'm paraphrasing but that was the jist of it.

Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
 

That’s daft. The f range are the cars where they can take some styling risks. They should know from their competition limited run cars can be that bit more loud styling wise and literally. That’s what makes them special and unique and desirable. It’s a missed opportunity to build upon the solid reputation the rcf and f cars in general are getting. Pitty.

For a limited run I would have expected to see small boost in power. Maybe lower ride height for improved handling, maybe lighter, maybe different exhaust to make it truly special. Just feels lazy. 

Was looking to attend the goodwood event but made other plans. Thats a shame. Have a good time. Wonderful venue. 

4 minutes ago, Comedian said:

Haven't read of any serious issues. What have I missed?

Was talking to ratty about them them the other day. Bespoke tyres and lack of servicing centres are a concern.



Sent from my STV100-4 using Tapatalk
 

Perception at this point but that’s enough. They will rank heavily in money for the first 5 years. They look, sound and appear to drive very well but people will be taking serious financial losses in them. 

6 minutes ago, Flytvr said:

I agree.

Just moved mine round the garage and then looked back 😄

 

s*x weeeeeeee! 

Serioualy though the m4 does nothing for me. 

The issue with the m cars for me is the wow factor. When I say this I mean would I look back at it walking away. If it’s a toy car it need to evoke that emotion and for me they don’t. Clearly personal but it’s key for me when buying a toy. 

8 minutes ago, mrfunex said:

I don’t think I could keep up/put up with the ferocious maintenance on a M3/M4. A mate at work had an M4 for just over a year and it was CONSTANTLY in the dealers to fix some rattle/leak/warning light or other. Then it got nicked. 

Even the M5 on long term review in last month’s Top Gear mag couldn’t be.. err.. reviewed as it keeps conking out and the dealer doesn’t appear to have a clue! Then the noise - the sports exhaust made a horrible, raspy farting noise! It actually made me laugh the first time I heard it. I hope it’s better from inside. 

I have no doubt an M car is probably a little more lithe around a racetrack than the comparible ISF/RCF/GSF, but I can’t look past all the positives from the posh Toyota unfortunately. It’s a ‘meh’ from me. 

Indeed and reviews are based on 3 laps of a circuit and a few hours on a road. Long term is where it’s at. Lexus really do have it nailed. 

27 minutes ago, FTBBCVoodoo said:

I have driven a DC2 Integra Type R across Europe.  The M4 is like a Maybach compared to that 😉

It was only twitchy when accelerating hard from a standstill or lowish speed.  Not a handful.  Just right amount of fun.

Should imagine on a long journey in comfort mode it would be a wonderful GT car.

Cheers. I keep thinking about them but don’t fancy the styling from exterior or interior perspective. Also, they are pretty common compared to the rcf and it will likely depreciate more than an equivelant rcf. Basically I consider it and then remember why I don’t like it! 

Eaxh to their own 👍

Would/could you cross countries comfortably on an M4 like you can in the rcf? Was it stiff and twitchy to the point of becoming tiresome for the gt elements of a journey? 

Major concern is depreciation compared to the rcf if buying both at 35k ish. 

Care to share what you liked and didn’t like? Be good to get your thoughts. 

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

Max(Sales Executive) at Cheltenham rang me yesterday about the car, with the numbers being so low on these I think they will be snapped up pretty quickly.

I hope so but I would be unsurprised to see unsold models in a years time. The car is already hard to sell. Many won’t like matte paint due to maintenance and the blue interior will put off many.