Rob RCF

I'm confused because everywhere I look, including from Lexus themselves, I read that the LFA has a front-mid engine layout, meaning the engine block is entirely behind the front axle, right?

I've had no reason to doubt this, except that it always looks like a normal front-engine layout in pictures, with the engine easily straddling the front axle.

This isn't always obvious, as it can be hard to judge from a picture due to the angle etc, but this view from the side shows it pretty clearly:

The very definition of mid-engine placement is that the engine is somewhere between the front and rear axles. So rear-mid means it's in front of the rear axle but behind the cabin, front-mid means it's behind the front axle but in front of the cabin. Cars which are front-mid engined include the AMG GT (first generation only), AC Cobra, some Jaguars, Aston Martins, Dodge Viper, Honda S2000. They tend to have long noses with the front wheels pushed far forward, with the strut towers clearly ahead of the engine when looking into the engine bay.

Honda S2000 is a great example of front-mid engine layout with the engine completely behind the front axle:

AMG GT is another clear example:

And I'm not picking on the LFA here, I'd like to point out that the Nissan GT-R is also claimed to be front-mid engine even though the engine clearly straddles the front axle:

I don't think I'm being pedantic, this is pretty fundamental stuff! The only conclusion I can draw is that the LFA is not mid-engined at all, it is in fact a front-engine layout.

So, can someone smarter than me please explain what I'm missing here or why I might be wrong? Looking for honest discussion.

Get a 2017 if you can for the cheaper road tax.

When you test drive it they can feel a bit sluggish on first impression. Make sure you go into the full Sport S+ (turn mode dial right twice), knock the shifter into manual mode and use the paddles.

Check it has a full service history, if it's a Lexus Approved Used it should.

On 3/17/2024 at 8:15 PM, TomLC500h said:

My LC has a noisy blower fan too 

I got mine fixed in the end and it was apparently just a leaf stuck in the fan housing. Lexus Guildford didn't even charge labour so I can't imagine it was too much work for them to get out.

Every time you remove the filter there's a chance debris sitting on top of it will fall down into the fan housing. I've heard that you can slot a piece of paper or card underneath before withdrawing the filter which should block stuff from falling in.

If you want a quick sale it's either selling direct to a dealer or one of the many car buying websites. When I sold my 2016 RCF last year I phoned round the nearest Lexus dealers, they all gave me very similar offers.

If you want to get more then private would be the way to go as you're selling somewhere between book price and dealer price. The problem is, not everyone is happy to buy a £30k+ car privately, and the cars are niche, so it might not happen quickly.

If you do want to sell privately a good ad goes a long way imo - nice pictures showing the car at its best, details of the servicing and maintenance you've done during your ownership, etc.

Okay, I had no idea there was an LBX/Yaris Cross until just now. And Morizo editions of other cars already exist, so clearly I don't know what I'm talking about. 😄

So it's a CUV. I guess it will still feel pretty peppy as long as the weight isn't out of control.

My views are mixed. On one hand this looks cool and I'm so happy Lexus are talking about "driver engagement", which hopefully isn't just a buzzword but has real substance behind it. Is Morizo just the name of the concept, or could it be new branding for cars which are focused more on fun than outright performance (separating them from F cars).

The cynical side of me is just expecting a heavier, automatic-only GR Corolla (it does seem to be based on the Corolla platform). Hopefully they can inject the right character into it, they need to look at what Acura did to separate the Integra Type S from the Civic Type R.

I also have a soft spot for Honda, I had a CRX 1.6i and it was a blast. Loved the car, but eventually succumbed to rust. Then later on I got an Accord Type R with the H22A VTEC engine, incredible driver's car, didn't keep it long for various reasons, miss the sound though. The old NSX is my favourite car, I just think they look so cool. Would love to own one one day, maybe when I have some more garage space. My A110 is basically a baby NSX though 😁

On 1/9/2024 at 3:03 PM, hockeyedwards said:

Yeah the rare and unique factor (much like why I chose a GS F) is pulling me in, plus its Japanese, always had good fortune with them! Just wish it had a V8 😞

Might be a bit of a stretch to call it Japanese, it was co-developed with Honda North America and built in their Ohio plant. I agree it looks great, the main problem for UK owners apparently is servicing as you can't just take them to any Honda dealership, I think it's 2 specific dealerships (one's in London and the other might be Manchester iirc).

A V8 would be great, I often have fantasies about a 2UR-GSE in a mid-engined car.

12 hours ago, Jgtcracer said:

I must admit, I struggle with the carbon bonnet on all the pre-facelift cars, irrespective of colour.  Strangely enough however, facelift cars seem to suit it much better…. Can’t explain it!!

Same! First RCF I drove was actually a white with carbon pack. It felt too boy racer which was weird for a Lexus. And I certainly couldn't feel the difference, in fact the non-carbon I drove after felt faster if anything (which I ended up buying). Realistically they shouldn't have bothered with carbon at all, they should have done weight savings in other places first. It's a lot of money for a 20 KGs saving on an 1800KG car. The funny thing is the standard bonnet is already quite light being aluminium.

You should do a "drain and fill" which is basically a standard change and not a flush. You want some of the clutch material to remain in the oil. Anyway I'm sure you know all this if you've been watching The Car Care Nut.

Some or all of the extended fluid change intervals come with caveats, for example the 10k mile oil change assumes you drive the car a certain way, with certain things like towing or performance driving excluded, meaning you should revert back to 5k/6mo oil changes. I can imagine a similar idea with the transmission, since spirited driving will have more frequent shifts and high rpm hard shifts, etc.

Also iirc the push for extended intervals was mostly driven by certain government and environmental agencies, rather than the manufacturers trying to make it better for the customer. You might be fine either way, but if you care about the car and want it to last a long time I think it's still better to do more frequent changes. Ironically it may actually be better for the environment as the car will last longer and probably burn less oil etc.

When I had my RCF done it was in most of the day and the service advisor explained that the car had to be left to cool down, then put on the lift and brought up to a certain temperature during the process, so I believe they did it properly. The most annoying part is that they usually try to talk you out of it and you basically have to insist you've done your own research and want it done anyway.

Coolant should be changed more frequently as well, since it becomes acidic over time. The one thing that's still a bit of a mystery to me is rear differential oil changes.

18 hours ago, DamianLEX said:

I cannot see any RCF sold in last 2 months and some of them dropped even £5k already:/ 

My former car appears to have sold. No longer on AT and showing as taxed. It was up for £36k iirc.

Scratch that! It's back on AT, but the price has been reduced by £2.5k in 2 months. Quite a sudden change!

7 hours ago, PRT68 said:

Sadly, I think the tax rate of £675 is the main stumbling block to this age of vehicle. 

This was one of the main things that put me off honestly, and the fact that it seems to increase every year. Meanwhile if I had bought a 1 year newer (2017) car I would only be paying £180!

They can be difficult to sell privately, so you might need a bit of patience, especially considering the time of year.

Since it's a modified car you'll have to factor that into the price a bit. You'll probably get more money returning the car to stock and then selling the mods separately, but up to you.

The valuation is a bit tricky to say because there aren't many private sales. But you definitely want to be somewhere between the wholesale price and the retail price. The wholesale price is what a dealer would pay to buy your car off you - to find this out you can phone them up and ask if they would like to buy it. The retail price is what it would sell for, so basically the price shown on autotrader for similar dealership cars. The WBAC/motorway type valuation is also a "wholesale" price, although it will likely be lower than what a dealer would give you. Hope that makes sense somewhat.

Good luck with the sale. I sold mine a couple of months ago. Tried to sell privately at first, but ended up going to a dealer as I wanted to shift the car and frankly, it was just way more convenient.

On 11/3/2023 at 12:33 PM, DamianLEX said:

It is going to be daily car as I had RCF for 2 years. Issue with RCF was that 12&7 years old kids don’t fit in the back. My boy was kicking me and daughter could not touch floor because RCF seats are so deep. It was annoying after a while + 2 doors I promised myself to get in next 5-10 years when this issue is gone. Also I don’t need a flashy car and didn’t like that all the people around looks at RCF, a proper head turner. 

Just because the ISF has 4 doors doesn't necessarily mean it will be more roomy. I think I've heard the floor pan in RC and IS is the exact same length (though not 100% sure about this) - but my point is many people have complained about lack of interior space in the ISF so you might want to get someone sat behind you and figure out if it's going to work for you.

For what it's worth, now mine is gone I can't say a particularly miss it - I miss the engine, but not the weight.

For similar money there are other good cars out there to experience. How about a 911 or Guilia QV?

I had the PS4S on mine, as much as they are great on dry warm days, I was never too convinced in the wet and they can be downright awful in the cold. They also "crabbed" a lot when manoeuvring.

For summer they are a great choice, for year-round driving I think I'd try to get something else - not necessarily an all-season, but just something less extreme than the PS4S with less of the downsides.

Some pictures will help.

I think you might have better luck taking the modifications off and selling as a standard car, especially if you still have the original parts. And then sell the mods separately.

Good luck with the sale.

I hear they are awesome fun to drive. Certainly wouldn't have guessed it though, big change! Dual clutch?

Private seller chancing it, the price looks optimistic even for a dealership "approved used" car don't you think? It doesn't quite sit right with me, especially considering it's modified.

No interior pictures? And no mention of service history, but I suppose "full warranty" implies it has FSH + Lexus Relax.

Even if it were up for £5k less I think we'd still be commenting on the "high price".

11 hours ago, Malc1 said:

on my 2 X Ls400s they are of course simply glass and I'd imagine only available from a breaker tbh .  the bulbs, well the last pack from Halfords incl fitting was about £15, 3 ? years ago ..  I've still one of those bulbs spare ........  they actually light up the road quite well in the dark 

The Ls400 Mk4 ( and later Lss' ) plastic headlamp might be available on-line from somewhere, probably a Breaker I'd have thought .  and bulbs can be individually replaced ....  so I'm thinking maybe a couple of hundred squid for a replacement unit !

£3000 would have bought me one whole Ls400 in fine fettle I'm thinking 🤣  ..... and with a robust brilliant V8 4 ltr engine that's as quiet as a mouse 😇

 

Malc

In fact £3000 would have bought me 2 and a bit of my recently acquired Mk1 Ls400 👍

You can still buy certain LS 400 parts, I found one example on megazip for an early model. $706 per side:

https://www.megazip.net/zapchasti-dlya-avtomobilej/toyota/lexus-ls-42404/ucf10-55847/ucf10l-aepgkw-926197/headlamp-17919805#/il-414850157-6491966-6491966

22 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Can any headlamp cost a staggering £3000 ? 
Is that a “ body part “ if smashed and not just a duff bulb ? 

Malc 

RCF headlamps cost nearly £2k just for the LED unit itself, so the whole unit might be closer to 3k as well.

Worth mentioning though that these are optional extras (but come fitted as standard to the F cars) so normal headlamps on the GS/RC should be slightly more sane prices, they might even use normal HID bulbs.

Out of interest how much are the headlamps on an LS400? They can't be cheap either.

For what it's worth this seems pretty standard across manufacturers and not just a Lexus thing as far as I know - springs and dampers are classed as a wear item and so not covered under warranty.

However the flip side to this is that you could replace them with aftermarket springs/dampers and not have to worry about it affecting the warranty (disclaimer - don't take my word for this, just a thought!).

The problems I've had with my car were always covered by the Relax warranty, so it does have value. That being said I did have problems, so the cars aren't perhaps as unwaveringly reliable as they are made out to be.

@B1RMA Was it front passenger side, by any chance?

2 hours ago, HallifordMan said:

Enjoy the car, Rob. Considering the migration to the Alpine myself. Aways liked the thought of a small sports car, its a pity the Emera is much bigger. Also being a Lotus fanboy, recently visited Hethel and it did not feel like the car for me. Even the Exige has grown in size, I think its only the Elise that is a competitor to the A110, size and perfomance wise, but very different cars to drive. When we had a chat, I remembered your comments on the A110 GT, being a balance between performance and ride. With the extra power, that seems the sweet-spot.

But, its competitor is the original A110. When I moved to London I shared a flat with a French guy. His friend had the original A110 and wow, what a car / go-cart! I see there are a few for sale presently!

You mean one of these? It happened to park next to me at a classic car meet yesterday evening.

Tiny narrow thing, no wonder it was so dominant in rally.

If you're interested in an A110, my advice would be to try all the different versions you can. Although I loved the GT, some people swear by the "Pure" (base car), some people prefer the S, etc.

Could be the tyres "crabbing" which when I first experienced it I thought it was coming from the rear, but it actually comes from the front tyres. Exactly like you described though, happens on low speed manoeuvres near full lock, usually in colder weather. Feels a bit like something seizing up causing the tyres to skip. Can be quite jarring and makes you think something's wrong with the car. Crabbing is usually associated with wide performance tyres and run flats due to their stiffness.

If you've had your ISF for 2 years I'm surprised it's only just started happening though. It was a bit cooler last month, but hardly winter temps. Had new tyres recently?

2 hours ago, Grey One said:

I hope you enjoy it, I drove one on track and was quite underwhelmed, I think if they did a manual option it would be better, and it lacks the charisma and charm of a V8, but if it floats your boat, enjoy, it is certainly a handsome looking thing...

Which one did you drive on track? The base model was underwhelming to me (on the road at least).

Thanks though, I am really enjoying my GT.

51 minutes ago, Killysprint said:

Cracking bit of kit.  Hope you keep enjoying it!

My brother had one of the first in the UK, shipped it straight to Lichfield for a re-map, was an incredible light and nimble car, with amazing performance from just 1.8L.  A proper thing.

Thanks Tim. I am enjoying it very much. It's a special car and I can't get over how much fun it is to drive around in. I haven't even gone full throttle yet (still running-in).

A couple more pictures: