rc 350 vs 435i?

[1chanc3]

Anyone drive the lexus rc350 yet? How does it compare to the 435i?

I'm planning on going to a couple dealerships this weekend to test drive but I wanted to get peoples initial opinion on these cars.

Looking to dump my bad luck 335i to pick up something new with a fresh start.

If no one has done it, i guess I will be first and will update this thread (assuming the local lexus dealership has the rc in stock).


UPDATE:

Test drove the 2015 RC 350, 2015 S4, and 2015 435i. Surprisingly all the cars tested were +/- $1000 of $55k. Here are my thoughts:

RC 350
Power: Feels very sluggish and did not impress me. Low end torque was terrible when compared to my 335i. Throttle was not very responsive. For a sports car, the RC is very quiet. No grunt or burble.
Interior/Room: My gf sat in the back while I test drove with the sales man. There is no back space! She barely had room for her legs when I was driving, and I'm fairly short at 5'7". Anything taller than 6' and the front seats are literally touching the rear seats. BUT the front bucket seats are sooo comfortable and they really envelope the driver/passenger.
Looks: Car looks way better in person. Personally, I love the aggressiveness of the new spindle grill and applaud lexus for doing something different.

S4
Power: Very impressive. Throttle is very responsive and is very quick to get off the line, probably because of the all wheel drive. Manual mode was very fun to drive as the salesman let me go at it.
Interior/Room: The seats are a bit stiff but everything looks nice. Lots of plastic bits. The back has plenty of room.
Looks: The only thing I don't like about the s-line is that it looks just like the regular a-line. Aside from "S" badges, not much different in terms of looks. But I love the LED Audi headlights.

435i
Power: Power is pretty nice, similar to my car, but a little more responsive. However, I still hate how the steering feels so "artificial" and light.
Interior/Room: Besides the shift knob and the heads up display, pretty much looks like my car. The rear space is about the same as e92 according to my gf.
Looks: When the salesman brought me to the lot, it was parked right next to a new f10 3 series and honestly, from the front, looked very similar. As always, love the LED AEs.


Overall, I was impressed with S4, disappointed with the RC350, and indifferent about the 435i. If I were to buy a car now it would be in this order: S4, 435i, then RC.

[1chanc3]

Originally Posted by FC4

Picked up an RC F for my girlfriend as a daily driver 3 weeks ago. Although I've never driven or even seen an RC 350, I'd say get a 435i M Sport unless you can swing an RC F.

Good car overall. The interior is several orders of magnitude better than the F3x's in terms of quality, feel, design, and cabin noise...but that's about it. Even though the bar is not set high to beat a 435i, I can't imagine an RC 350 would be better to drive.

The dealerships around here sell the RC-F for around $74-75k. That's in the same price range as the M4 (ranges from $70k-80k), and honestly, I would rather get the M4.

And not sure how I would feel about daily driving the M4 or even the RC-F 60 miles everyday haha.

[SocalBM]

Mega IS-F fan. Love the M3. Really disappointed in the RC-F and wouldn't ever get one. Funny enough, the RC-350 is a much better looking car and at about 50-52, a cool coupe. Wife really wants one and between it and the 435i, the BMW would never even be considered (though I'm building a M3 for myself).

[davis449]

Not going to lie. I've always been a fan of the IS, since it's first production as the Altezza (IS 300 here in the US). I have driven 300's and 350's, but just made other purchases instead in favor performance potential for my money. Bottom line for me is that, although I really like them, until Lexus goes turbo 6 I won't buy one.

[DevJ]

Honestly, I don't care for either one of them. It's funny because I had an E92 M3 and an IS350. It depends on what you're looking for. If you want a comfortable, nicely finished cabin, go for the RC-F. The 435i will probably be marginally faster and is more 'mod-friendly'.

I would definitely drive both. It wouldn't hurt to check out the S5/S4, E92 M3, or IS-F.

[DocWeatherington]

435i

[fecurtis]

435i. Never driven the RC but I hate how they look and I hate the infotainment system Lexus uses.

Maybe they've improved since I last gave them a shot.

[secretsquirrel]

The RC (Really Chubby) is more interesting to me. I think its exterior and interior is better looking. BMW is starting to bore me. Of course this brief assessment is based only on cosmetics.

[EmPower]

Originally Posted by DocWeatherington

435i

The 4 series is SO UGLY!!! Every time I see one on the road, I can taste bile in my mouth. The M4, though marginally better is still ugly. The 4GC on the other hand is a better proportioned car IMHO and looks decently good.

[1chanc3]

I agree that the new RC look, especially the grill and front end, is love or hate.

Personally, I think it looks great. Very aggressive and different. Compared to newer F series in BMW, they practically all look the same from the front and back.

What really does it for me on the RC is the view from the rear quarter. I like those rear fins.


But i'll update this thread once and if I get a chance to get into either!

[Cloud9blue]

435i looks so much better in M-sport package. However, the non-M F30 chassis is significantly softer than non-m e9x. So driving experience wise, it is kind of a downgrade.

The old IS is a fine looking car. The newer ones and RC...

[TheAcAvenger]

I was just looking into the RC350 and the RC-F the other day. And then I found out the RC350 was slower than an Accord V6 and an RC-F goes for the price of a loaded M4. It's going to come down to C450 coupe and vs B58 440 I think. Which is a shame because I was really trying to go japanese for my DD.

[wisesoul]

I drove an RC350 F Sport at the LA Auto show and I really wanted to like the car. The car has absolutely ZERO low end torque, it's frustrating. The induction noise sounds very synthesized, almost V8 like. Hated it. The steering is vague, the blind spot in the C Pillar is hilarious, and feels heavy for its size. The brakes were actually pretty good though, and the ride was supple. The seats felt amazing and overall the interior design is well executed. But it was ultimately a let down. 435i for me.

[1chanc3]

Updated thread with my test drive results!

[FC4]

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

For a sports car, the RC is very quiet. No grunt or burble.

Who told you a Lexus RC is a sports car?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

Test drove the 2015 RC 350, 2015 S4, and 2015 435i. Surprisingly all the cars tested were +/- $1000 of $55k.

If that $55k is the selling price, and you are financing or paying cash, I think the best answer is none of the above. Euro delivery a stripped down F80 for around $60k instead.

For leasing, I've found BMWs to be the consistently the best deal with high residuals and big discounts off MSRP resulting in low lease payments

[Lexura]

I am on the same boat as you. I test drove all 3 and found the S5 to be the most impressive. My S5 is coming from another dealership soon.

[jkrig]

RC For me and my money, at this stage of my life, I'd be willing to give of some performance for more dependability/reliability..(though I'm sure I'd miss it at times)...between work, wife, toddler I just don't have the time to tinker and deal with issues myself like I used to prefer to do so that means I have to pay someone more often than not to repair my 335i.....Lexus wont sell a ton of these so you wont see a ton on the road....interior is attractive and at or near the top of the class easy to live with on the daily.....just my thoughts.

[1chanc3]

Originally Posted by jkrig

RC For me and my money, at this stage of my life, I'd be willing to give of some performance for more dependability/reliability..(though I'm sure I'd miss it at times)...between work, wife, toddler I just don't have the time to tinker and deal with issues myself like I used to prefer to do so that means I have to pay someone more often than not to repair my 335i.....Lexus wont sell a ton of these so you wont see a ton on the road....interior is attractive and at or near the top of the class easy to live with on the daily.....just my thoughts.

If you're planning on transporting the baby or drive the baby around, it will be very difficult and frustrating. The door barely opens enough for the driver/passenger seats so it'll be very difficult to squeeze behind to get access to the rear seats and such. Not to mention there is hardly any room in the back. The salesman was 5'10" and his passenger seat was literally touching the rear seats.

A GS would make a better family car for the same price.

[jkrig]

Originally Posted by 1chanc3

If you're planning on transporting the baby or drive the baby around, it will be very difficult and frustrating. The door barely opens enough for the driver/passenger seats so it'll be very difficult to squeeze behind to get access to the rear seats and such. Not to mention there is hardly any room in the back. The salesman was 5'10" and his passenger seat was literally touching the rear seats.

A GS would make a better family car for the same price.

Yes of course... I'd only get coupe if I had some sedan parked next to it .....off topic but the GS is at the top of my next car car list ....more than likely buy a CPOed F-Sport.....or keep the 335i and Lease a new one.......

[hgtran21]

rather get a CPO is-f , around the same price too. IS-F > RC-F imho