Jgtcracer

Cream Talbot Solara for me, I remember my brother and I sitting in it as small kids without any form of booster seat or safety devices….

 After that a series of Peugeot 405s and 406s.  Consequently, I’ve always been a Japanese fan!!

7 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

Having RC-F you should be relatively relaxed, my main pet peeve from RC is resolved, because on RC-F you get real carbon fibre inlays instead of "fake carbon fibre effect" cheap plastic inlays. So you good!

Ironically the real carbon fibre in most RCFs is actually ‘fake’ texalium.

3 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

I found RC interior quality very disappointing as well, better than UX, but had no shortage of cheap plastic pieces... my particular pet peeve was "carbon fibre effect" surrounds for windows switches, as well relatively cheap switch gear for wipers/lights and some other areas. 

"What criteria/specification are you using" - anything that is not nice to touch or makes annoying sound, hard or slippery materials... so basically definition of "plasticky and light" vs. "padded, covered in leather, soft-touch, having feeling of heft and quality". For example if we compare switch-gear in LC500 to that in RC... it is immediately clear how LC500 is superior, just by using it, the stalks are made from heavier material which is could to touch (some sort of alloy) vs. very light feeling plastic in RC. The action in LC500 precise, has tactile feel to it on, you never need to double-guess if you enabled or turned something off, whereas on RC it is mush... like you not very sure if it clicked, or if it didn't... I know to large part is to do with stupid fashion of indicators that don't stay engaged, BMW and few other makes tried it and went back to using normal indicators, Lexus was kind of late to that party and RC was one car that got it (IS of certain years got it as well). It is hard to describe feeling, but it does not mean it is subjective. We can go to next step - comparing old IS to RC... sure old IS had loads of parts there were cheaper, but let's continue focusing on the switch gear - yes it was plastic, but it was high quality plastic, sort of matte finish, the clicks were pronounced and precise, the pieces felt hard, solid and kind of heavy, the action of switchgear was reassuring. So it is not necessary for something to be made out of titanium (although preferable) to still be good quality. That is the difference between something that is solidly made vs. cheaply made. And as result that is how I put cars on the ladder, I am not saying it is 100% objective, but at least I have rational system of values (or system that could be rationally explained)... not "UX is better than CH-R, therefore it is good alternative to GS". 

Perceived quality is feeling, and feeling is difficult to describe, I would describe it as follows - imagine mechanism with plastic gears in it, they are little bit sloppy, when you turn the handle  you feel some sloppiness, some bending, some rattling, not very confidence inspiring, plasticky vs. imagine mechanism with precise cut metal gears, there is no sloppiness, there is no wobbliness, you turn the handle and you can feel those gears matching and engaging precisely. So the first example is "cheap feeling", the second example is "premium feeling", now extrapolate that to every touch point in the car.. door handle, action of closing door, is door heavy and closes more like a safe, or is it light and you feel like you need to be delicate with it, same story for all the buttons, covers, touch points etc. When you press on the surround next to the button - does it feel like wood, metal, solid material in general or does it feel like a plastic... what sound does it make - does it absorbs the sound like it is solid or amplify the sound like it is hollow... 

Look - I am picky on quality aspect and I pay a lot of attention to perceived quality, I appreciate that not all people understand or even care... but when somebody comes and argues that "I don't know anything about what makes quality to be quality" and their argument is "but my car has better MPG"... it just insults my intelligence... because I don't mind discussing very minute detail and we can go down to individual button and decide which car has nicest bonnet latch actuation, but it is hard to have meaningful discussion when people don't even conceptually understand the definition of "quality".

Linus, keep us RC owners out of this!! We’ve been lurking in the background, last thing you need are more debaters in this thread! 
 

🍿 (waits for incoming fire….)

1 hour ago, Lmafudd said:

One inch makes a huge difference Hugh! 

Wife keeps telling me a few more would be better but keep telling her the RC is big enough!

On 9/20/2023 at 8:43 AM, Malc1 said:

depends on the era of course  .....  Press Button A  .......... or B to retrieve your tuppence or so

999 was of course always free

Malc

I struggle to remember a time before internet!!

6 hours ago, Malc1 said:

It’s absolutely bonkers that anyone’s prepared to buy a car with such ludicrous inbuilt probable on-going costs 

Wot on earth is in peoples mindsets to think any of that is sensible ? 

how dopey !   Wot possesses people to buy brand new cars 

Malc 

Seems a tad unfair!  It’s a risk assessment at the end of the day and with a Lexus although the consequence is high, the likelihood is far lower than others.  Can’t expect to have the pros without dealing with some of the cons.

 I’m glad someone bought my car new, means I could buy it used!!

10 hours ago, Linas.P said:

Indeed when I got RC200t my existing insurance on IS250 declined to cover me, which is just most ridiculous thing ever... one insurance adviser even told me "you an young guy in powerful sports car what do you expect"... and I was like "are you out of your mind... what do you define as 'young' I am over 30 already... and what is powerful car? It is 2L engine in it, does 2 doors makes it sports car...", but it is what it is. Lexus insurance categories, especially RC are ridiculously high. I believe RC F-Sport is like 42 and base model Luxury is 38, compare that to BMW 420i and their insurance category is 26, what other cars have 42... things like Jaguar XKR (XKRS is 46), or Aston Martin Vantage V8... RC-F is 44 if I remember right... I mean again - insurance is retarded in UK. They put RC300h F-Sport 2 categories below as 5L V8 RC-F... how does that make sense?! Although to be fair many things goes into category of the car and perhaps it is not that much cheaper to to repair RC300h in their eyes than it is to repair RC-F.

Damage to the car (i.e. existing category) usually reduces the premium, because it has lower value. If you come to claim on salvage car then they will give you the valuation and will take 20% off for D/N or 40% of C/S usually. So that shouldn't affect it. 

As well I am working on presumption that Andrey previously had insurance and it wasn't £3000, so perhaps something has changed compared to last year?

Other things to consider are stuff like model history and number of incidents.  I can’t imagine there have been loads of insurance claims on RCF cars so they may actually be perceived as low risk!  I can certainly imagine that the equivalent Audi/BMW will be dearer!

19 hours ago, Littorio said:

As Linas, plus your age can have an effect and the area, also all car insurance has over the last year gone up, mine went up £300 even with no change to my situation. The RC is seen as a performance car so some insurers will not insure, my old company would not insure me when I brought mine. The cars valve can have an effect on the premium and the insurer can check if the car has any accident history and what category that will also have an effect.

As an indicator, a work colleague in his early 20's brought an old Astra VXR and his insurance was £5000 on a car worth £3000! He recently brought a BMW 135 after only driving the Astra for a year and his insurance has gone down to £2500.  

I find it mental that someone thinks the average person in their early 20s can afford to spend that much on insurance for a car!  If I was in the market for a £3k car I wouldnt be able to spend £5k insuring it!

I moan about my £400 premium this year!

5 hours ago, DamianLEX said:

£500 for one shock absorber made by Toyota. Isn’t it a joke? 
 

Relax warranty = sit comfortably and dig deep in your pockets!

It’s an AVS shock and if it’s installed by Lexus then Labour won’t be cheap!

 Having had my shocks on and off a few times, I wouldn’t expect it to take long with a 2 poster lift and impact gun mind you!

1 hour ago, B1RMA said:

Looking at it from a different perspective Relax is a bit like Public Liability Insurance it's there for the really big things that can happen, or at least you hope it is. As you get it as part of servicing your car with Lexus I suppose ultimately compared to other marques it is a good deal.

My thinking behind getting a Lexus with AVS and TVD has taken a bit of a battering though, as the car isn't used on track with me having other cars to do that I'm very dissapoited with Lexus and did expect better.

I do enjoy the compliant ride that AVS gives mind you!  Shock absorber is always going to cost a bit more because of it….

3 hours ago, B1RMA said:

Looks like I've just got to suck this up then.

It’s amazing once you really start reading it how much isn’t covered by the warranty. I’m certainly not relaxed whenever I visit the dealer for a service. Still worth sending an email even if it’s just to make you feel better!!

 I’m in for a service in a few weeks and will be mentioning my drivers seat bolster, the foam seems to have collapsed but the leather is still mint so I’m expecting a battle with them when they undoubtedly claim it’s my arse causing it!!

On 9/9/2023 at 5:18 PM, Boomer54 said:

"What's the best way to get a good deal on a new car?"

Buy a used one of course !

Hope that isn't too subtle.

I bought my car with 9,000 miles on the clock at a few years old and saved £25-30k on the new price…

Financed through my bank online to be by far the most competitive, mileage isn’t the end of the world if you plan on keeping the car too.  

2 hours ago, MNMJ said:

Very much this.

A crazy 3 litre twin turbo like the Guilia QF would be acceptable though, maybe with mild hybrid to sneak past the regulators.

That particular engine seems quite special, being Italian and Ferrari derived.  Not sure I would feel quite the same about a German 3 litre twin turbo, whether it’s straight/V6. Even the newer Nissan ones don’t get me going.

 I’m a little snobby/picky about engines and so struggle with BMW turbo straight 6 engines.  They are undeniably brilliant but so common that it puts me even off the new supra.  

For me, my perfect engine choices are as below

 In-line 4- B16/B18 Honda

5 cylinder - Audi RS3/TTRS

Straight 6 - Toyota 2JZ or Nissan RB26DETT

V6 - Alfa Busso

V8 - Ferrari/Maserati

V10 - Porsche Carrera GT or Lexus LFA

V12 - Any Aston Martin/Ferrari

 The engine and noise in particular is probably the single most important part of a car purchase to me so something I feel quite strongly about.

On 9/6/2023 at 10:06 PM, Juicedrinker said:

Thank you @rayaans, I assumed there would be adjustments under the bonnet but as it has only been MOT’d a few months ago assumed they would have checked however saying that as long as they are not too high or in wrong direction they may have left as was.  My fiancé was shocked the first time I needed to sue them a few weeks ago she couldn’t understand how limited the distance lit was and said she would never drive it in the dark.  I then drove her Yaris on the same route and couldn’t believe the difference with that car.  Having said all this I actually haven’t looked at the lights when they are on myself thinking about it, as only recently serviced and MOT’d by Lexus never thought to.  I will check them tomorrow as maybe one of the LED’s isn’t working!

My main and dipped beams are both really good, surprised you aren’t happy with them.  Could be an alignment issue or something such as a fuse.  The daylight running lights actually chuck a bit of light out at night, it’s not something daft like them not coming on is it??

 If you can’t drive at 60mph as there isn’t enough light then something is wrong, they should be good.

3 hours ago, Brian R said:

As per the title. I'm saying nothing other than, let the critique begin......

https://www.carvibz.com/jdm/new-lexus-lc-coupe-coming-in-fall-2025-will-replace-v8-with-hybrid-v6-making-375-hp/

Going to be a tough designing a replacement for the LC, particularly when you consider that so much of it’s selling points are tied into styling and aesthetic.  I’ll be amazed if it’s received as well as the original….

 As for a hybrid, wonder how well they sell internationally?  Can’t do a car at that price point without having a fast, powerful engine.

One of the reasons I got my RCF was to own another F car whilst the V8 still exists, not sure a V6 will be received quite the same.

The Supra in the article sounds mental though!!!! Bet it costs a fortune….

12 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

Found it…

Having seen a few reviews now, it’s actually supposed to be quite good!

Certainly better than the Tesla yoke!

10 hours ago, Littorio said:

Unfortunately as I understand it we are not getting this here in the UK, such a shame.

 

I agree, seems to be a good car and as we all know, the engine is a gem!  I get it from a business perspective, can’t imagine it would sell well here.

Does make me wonder what the plans are for the F brand.  Lexus must have made a conscious decision not to turn this into an ISF and tone down the chassis a bit.  

I wonder if they don’t really have a power train ready for an F car as the next one is going to have to be turbo/hybrid.  There’s a bit of me hopes it’s not a V8 just to selfishly help us current owners.  Not aware of any F cars currently in development since they stopped the LCF….

1 hour ago, Jon Dee said:

Big thanks to you sir 🙂

Lexus isf stock ride height is :
front 26.750(679.45mm) and rear 26.000(660.40mm)
measuring from the ground up through the center of the wheel to the fender 

I had followed a link that took me to the complicated (but technically correct) method of checking ride height, but did not scroll backwards from that post, so missed the above gem. I'm 96.748% certain that I will go Bilsteins and 18" wheels to improve the ride quality. Also considering if I need the Swift lowering springs (similar rate to OEM) for looks. 

Cheers...

I run Swift springs with no appreciable reduction in the ride as a result.  Would certainly recommend them….

1 hour ago, Rob RCF said:

So some of you probably saw my RCF up for sale recently, well I drove it to Lexus Reading this morning and handed over the keys.

I've replaced it with something lightweight and mid-engined. A very different car, but I was just hooked from the moment I first drove one...

Alpine A110 GT

Always liked your RCF, the white does look good!  Hope it’s everything you are after.  Did look at them when getting my car but wanted the V8 and think I would miss it….

3 hours ago, FishShapedCar said:

Hi there, new to this so bear with me please.

I have a 2011 IS-F and iv’e owned the car for 2 years.

My car has seemed to develop a skipping or rubbing sensation from the N/S rear tire in the past month or so. I have taken it into several Lexus dealerships but they have failed to find an issue with the car. One of the dealerships told me it was the tracking but after having that done it still didn’t solve the problem.

Has anyone else had an issue like this or know how to help me resolve mine? 

I only get the rubbing/skipping on low speed manoeuvres and seems to get worse the slower I go and the more lock I put on the steering wheel. 
 

Any help would be massively appreciated! 
 

Could possibly be as a result of the LSD at the rear? Didn’t the facelift cars get the LSD (possibly as an option)?  If so, you may get this slow speed dragging.

Could it have always been like that any you’re just noticing now?

On 8/20/2023 at 5:57 PM, First_Lexus said:

One thing is for sure. In terms of the condition of your paintwork you’re far better leaving it dirty than washing it badly, either yourself or somebody else, as long as bird poo etc. is removed promptly. It’s poor washing technique(s) that puts swirls into paintwork.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement.  You may find the best thing you have done for the paint is leave it alone!

 My car is ceramic coated and cleans up extremely well with a pressure wash with snow foam, in the summer I probably contact clean every 4th/5th time with a top up ceramic shampoo.  In the winter I’m not sure I will clean with a sponge once, and the car thanks me for it every year!

5 hours ago, Mr Vlad said:

To answer you Marcus. Having had 4 Lexus cars the once driven forever smitten scenario comes to the fore.

It's unfortunate some members above have had bad luck with Lexus. Me? None at all. Yes last year the alternator packed up unexpectedly but on a 15 year old car it's to be expected. 

I'd never have a beemer or merc. I've had those owners come up to me when I had my is250 and ask what's it like. I believe they bought one because their German cars cost a ruddy fortune in repairs. 

Reliability has always been a major part of my purchase decision so have been lucky so far.  Both my Lexus cars have been faultless, most unreliable was an Alfa Brera but still has a soft spot in my heart!

Wife drives an Evoque that’s 4yr old and has been fine too, though starting to do daft stuff like reversing camera playing up intermittently and brake wear indicators go off sometimes!

On 8/16/2023 at 7:33 PM, Mr Vlad said:

Well I'm an Ex Lexus owner due to my superb is250 being written off. I'm back in a Ford. 

Oh who said it. From caviar to baked beans? Absolutely NOT. My current Ford Focus drives every bit as good as the is250 I had.Nearly half the cubic capacity but ruddy hell quicker thanks to the turbo and more frugal with the go go juice too. Its also just as comfortable to drive. If only the is250 was a hatchback then ruck my tin hat it'd be the best of the best because that V6 is oh so wonderful. Would be the dogs dangle bits if it was turbo'd.

So basically from Lexus to Ford yet again. And hopefully back in a Lexus in about a year.

With the focus being so good, what’s drawing you back to Lexus? Is it the engine?

3 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Ideally needs good protection like a ceramic coating to prevent any damage. 

It's unlikely to happen anyway as it's fairly well protected by the clear coat 

I would imagine that Lexus QC wouldn’t allow rubbish carbon fibre to get through.  A good ceramic coat is worthwhile for damage but also UV protection. Can apply yourself nowadays too!

5 hours ago, Littorio said:

Not a fan of the colour

 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202302043933384?sort=relevance&make=Lexus&model=GS F&postcode=EN6 4HX&advertising-location=at_cars&fromsra

Clearly a man of little taste!!

Must say, does work a little better on the RCF but Solar flare looks much better in the flesh!  Not sure it works on the GSF.