DRIVING THE LAST "F" V-8 SPORTS COUPE IN JAPAN! LIFESTYLE LEXUS RC F REVIEW IN KYOTO

Did you know that there is only one true Lexus "F" model left in the lineup? The Lexus RC F is the only remaining F model because we no longer have the IS F or the GS F, and the IS 500 and LC 500 are both non-F models (even if called something similar). So David decided it's time to take out this last truly special RC F for a drive in Japan - specifically around the beautiful ancient capital city of Kyoto. Watch the entire video as David not only talk about the RC F but also shows the beautiful scenery and ancient temples of Kyoto.
Automotive Press is owned and managed by David Koichi Chao, a global expert in the field of automotive evaluation, engineering, and strategy. With over 35 years of engineering experience, David is able to review vehicles from unique perspectives utilizing technical and specialized methods. David is a board member and a director at AJAC (Automobile Journalist Association of Canada).
David is known around the world as an authentic specialist of Lean/Agile Thinking, and travels all around the world to review vehicles and teach latest engineering methods. Born and raised in Japan, David has an engineering degree from University of British Columbia and post-graduate education from MIT and Harvard Business School in Boston.

[@andydufresne8034]

People call it outdated but I see 10 years of kaizen making it arguably the most refined car on the road. I'm obsessed with getting an RC-F new before they're discontinued and keeping it for the rest of my life. I've been working so hard on amassing the wealth to afford it and keep suffering stressful setbacks, but the most stressful part is the anxiety that I won't make the deadline when Lexus cancels it and will be limited to getting a used one. I'm also keeping a list of places I want to visit when I can afford to travel and am adding this video to the list. My dad was a U.S. Marine who spent a lot of time in Okinawa and had an affinity for Japanese culture and products that he passed on to me. I'm looking forward to driving all over Japan.

[@salimrandall]

Engine and transmission are descendants of the 1989 LS400. 35 years of Kaizen.

[@ABasedSammich]

Even if you have to get used then do it bro. Get one you can afford and love it just the same, she will treat you well. Its a Lexus after all!! I just picked up a 2016 RCF for 36k. She has 85k miles but runs like new.

[@astizzo]

The 2URGSE is one of the greatest V8's of all time! Awesome video David!

[@RandenMontalvo]

The the RCF especially the TE the car that brought me to the brand. Such a raw car that plays duel roles on the track. I have never driven a LFA but driven nearly every other type of Lexus and the RCF TE in the RCF in general is just a gem!! Best Lexus performance car to date sans LFA.

[@KLRGT500KR]

So true

[@blu_is500]

I may be in the minority, but I think this was your best video to date. I love seeing Japan through your eyes and the RC-F's windshield, well done. I also love how Lexus understands its buyers and the slight differences we have. Underneath, we want the beautiful sound of the V8, but have different requirements for the car its in. The RC-F is great and I've driven it multiple times, but I find the ride to be too harsh. I've driven the LC500 on surface streets and the track (Lexus Performance Driving School), it is freaking awesome, but not practical at all for my lifestyle. So for me, the IS500 is absolute perfection. I'll never track my car, so the bigger brakes and extra cooling from the F cars is not needed. I think FSport Performance is brilliant, because I get 95% of the F feel without the overall stiffness. In other words, I'm a ES owner at the core, but who likes to go fast. 😀 Thanks for posting!

[@lostalx]

IS 500 is not perfect. The bumper sag kills the car. Also the chassis flexes a lot when you drive in Sport S+. The vehicle lacks a lot of F goods - Brakes, Trans and Oil coolers to go bananas on the Road / Track / Canyons etc. I recently test drove an RC F 2018, the chassis is very very different, the RC F feels way more planted and confident over IS 500, the trans tuning is also not the same. Plus in the F there's real leather over Nuluxe and the seats are much better too. Tach is also better its old but it's more useful. The only downsides of RC F over IS 500 - No Lexus Memory (removed from 2021MY), No 1800W ML audio the Amp is 835W only, No rear seats. Also the trunk hatch is better on RC F, the wheels are also bigger and factory Pilot Sport 4S. Top speed is way too limited on IS 500 vs RC F. RC F lost TVD (good and bad), Engine 4 point strut tower bracing. Also if you see RC F bumper its screwed down unlike 3IS held by clips. I really want to swap my IS 500 for an RC F. A last true F car, and 2025 will be probably last of RC F as GT3 LFR is coming in 2026.

[@blu_is500]

@@lostalx I’m not exactly sure what you’re saying. I said the IS500 was perfect for me and my lifestyle, so your reply is a bit…odd. The bumper separation sucks, but it doesn’t affect everyone, thankfully I’m one of them. However…a ClubLexus member fabricated a fix and has it for sale on Etsy for $50, go check it out. I go to the mountains/canyons all the time with a group of Beemers, Porsches, Vettes, and Golf R’s, and the engine and my PS4S tires keeps me deep in the mix. After 2 hours of ripping up our Mini Tail of the Dragon, I’m still fresh and my muscles aren’t aching. (Unlike the other dudes.) 😜 If you’re unhappy with the IS500, then sell it for something else. I’m keeping mine forever because it’s bad ass and it works for me. 😎

[@blu_is500]

@@lostalx Pretty sure I said the IS 500 is perfect...for me. 🙂 I've taken mine to the mountains many times with several car groups. Whether it's all Lexus or mixed with Bimmers, Porsches, Golf R's, etc., the IS 500 performs quite well and I had no problems keeping up with anyone. (I did upgrade the tires to Michelin's PS4S.) The bumper separation sucks, but a dude fabricated a fix and it's available on Etsy. Several IS500 owners have installed it with awesome results.

[@KLRGT500KR]

While it is a great value for money and also compared to other cars liked the 340i or the C43 and measures well against them, but my gripe it does not feel sporty in terms of chassis and suspension. Feels like a commuter car. I am not expecting it to have full F treatment, but at least make the suspension and chassis feels somewhat more sporty than a regular IS350 F-Sport. It does not feel much different to me from my drives since I have owned a 3IS in the past. Driven a IS500 a few times. The engine is obviously amazing with lots of power and sound, but rest of the car is like any other IS. Tends to feel very soft, squishy with a lot of roll and floaty steering at speeds that feels quite vague due to the soft bushings. Some people like a soft and comfortable suspension, but many others wanting a sporting experience want the car to feel tight and stiff with sharp responses. The LC500 also feels soft the same way, but it is a full-on GT luxury cruiser so it is not a surprise. The bumper sag is also reportedly due to the weak chassis of 3IS that was never intended to handle this much power and a V8 where the front overhang was extended 2 inches without the required chassis strength to handle the added weight in front of the front axle.

[@blu_is500]

@@KLRGT500KR You're right, the car feels exactly like the IS350 with the DHP (Dynamic Handling Package), just faster and that was the point. The Kaizen method is all about incrementalism, not bold changes. I'm sure the new generation of IS will be leaps and bounds ahead in performance over the current generation. I've owned a '06 and a '16 IS350 for many years prior and the difference in chassis feel from the 2nd Gen to the 3rd Gen was huge. The IS500 is still technically a 3rd Gen vehicle...so of course it's going to feel the same. I have to push back on the causes of the bumper separation though. I don't think anyone knows what's causing it. 1. It does not happen on all cars. 2. Some say it's heat related. 3. Some say it's the chassis not being able to handle the V8. I'm at 27K miles (hit it yesterday!), have had mine for 2 years at this point, and have taken it up to the mountains multiple times a month....and I do not have the bumper separation. Lastly....this is my 5th Lexus...I had 2 ES' and now 3 IS'...and as your typical Lexus owner...I have no desire to feel the road or to not have a compliant ride. I just want fast and direct steering and Lexus has provided that in spades. 🙂 (It's why I felt comfortable upgrading from my '16 IS350 FSport to the IS500.)

[@daviddupree1155]

Very nice trip David. I’ve never been to Japan but it looks incredible.

[@allenzillmer1917]

I love my RCF - not one complaint. Great Video!

[@christopher9626]

What a beautiful car! Thank you for the fun vid, David. Really enjoyed seeing you walk around Kyoto

[@PeacefulPAPA]

Was just there with my family a couple of months ago. Go early morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the crowds. Walking in the bamboo as the sun is about to set completely without anyone around really gives you peace and serenity that Lexus is trying to give you. Thank you for the great review.

[@davidlowe4093]

I follow Kirk Kreifels blog. I like when you guys work together. He shows how many Lexus RC's, IS and LC's that are made and sold. My biggest joy is to see RC F's race against all its competitors with their crazy yellow livery!

[@is4life862]

Thanks for sharing beautiful Japan. Personally I love the LC500 ❤

[@kevinherndon4509]

Great video Sir! Thank you for taking us along on such a unique experience. ISF and LC500 owner here. RCF Track is next 🙏🏼

[@kevinmehok7228]

Beautiful car, a joy to drive.

[@KLRGT500KR]

Good review. RCF and RCF TE are the highest performing car built since the LFA if you look at it objectively. 7:48 Nurburgring lap time was achieved by a non-pro owner with traffic and almost in stock form. It can circle the skidpad at nearly 1.00 g consistently and still maintain mechanical grip. I agree the stock exhaust is very disappointing, but easily fixable as RCFs sound amazing with aftermarket exhausts. All have swapped out aftermarket exhausts. It does not have stock the loud exhaust noise of the dual mode exhaust in the LC500 like you said, but being an M car competitor, from a chassis, suspension, transmission cooling systems and the sheer fact that it is 500+ lbs lighter than the LC500 with a RCF having a more aggressive track suspension setup, makes it the most ideal car for people who want this V8 engine like myself as a street luxury car with practicality that can be taken to the race track.

[@jasonalpha]

great video, thanks for taking the time

[@riazhaq3523]

David, I took my GX for a service and walked into the showroom whilst waiting and saw this car. I fell in love immediately. I watched all your videos on the GX before I got the 2023 model. What you reckon? Swap the GX for the RC F?

[@frankwaynefrank4081]

I understand what you are saying this carbon model is such a car! Thank for sharing. I do have an ISF 2011 in gunmetal grey and just love it.

[@user-un3xe8pd8l]

Great video! I love how you incorporated the car review with the beauty of Japan!

[@Shep-dq6fw]

Thank you for your videos. I'm looking to get my RCF before they're gone. We're heading to Japan next summer to visit the city of Kyoto.

[@garyclark6747]

Spectacular vehicle and scenery. Thanks for the tour David‼️ #enjoy 16:41

[@nadirtoumi4821]

Hello David, first of all, I thank you for the efforts you make to inform us about the technical aspects of the automobile industry and more particularly the Japanese automobile industry. I really appreciate your videos and I wish you great success. now regarding the Lexus brand which for me is a real institution in the premium automobile industry I find it a shame that they were not able to offer a real F Performances range as is the case of the three competing brands (BMW , Mercedes and Audi) knowing that the brand has the technical and financial means to do so. I hope that Lexus engineers will review their commercial strategy so that they offer us real sports and high performance cars. Have a nice day 😊

[@matthewjames4268]

Thx for showing Japan.. been twice...had a great time there.

[@CeeJay591]

Thank you David for this amazing tour of an incredibly special place like Japan and also your insights into the RC-F - very much appreciated and really excellent work. After watching this I have to pick up my LC or RC F and get to visit Japan ASAP :)

[@wallochdm1]

I have an SC430 and will probably eventually get an LC500. David is correct about the Lexus "experience" because the cars they make really are different, but in the best possible way. Whenever I drive my Lexus, I actually turn off the sound system and just enjoy the car. Smooth, solid, and serene, as in you move to a different dimension....if you are into cars as a work of art in terms of engineering accomplishment(s). Don't buy a Lexus if you view cars as appliances because you will never appreciate them as intended. I've yet to drive an LC, but I intend to do so when I get to Vancouver in the next week or so.

[@CeeJay591]

Thanks!

[@rightlanehog3151]

David, What is the octane rating of gasoline in Japan? 🤔

[@alanlovins1887]

Great glimpse into the Kyoto area. I loved my RCF and now I’m missing it even more. Might have to get another one 😎

[@johndiaz7240]

Thank you loved the video , beautiful country beautiful vehicle.

[@Kevin-si1es]

David love your videos looking forward to more keep up the good work kev from the United Kingdom

[@jpdoc5722]

nice 👍 thank you for sharing this fun ( I’m hungry now as well 🤦‍♂️ )

[@alaingarcia4756]

Wow, Japan is beautiful I hope to visit Japan one day🙏

[@Kjhgr01]

That package is available in the US, as the "track package" for $105K usd 😒 . Very interesting trip, thanks for sharing.

[@frankroselli7963]

I am a huge Lexus Toyota fan I have owned 4 and still have two my 08 ls460 which I cherish and in Dec I got a2015 rc f I adore that car it’s my fav ik the lc500 is better but the rc f is my fav I keep falling in love with this car it’s stunningly gorgeous in every color

[@AutomotivePress]

That is awesome!

[@hphillips7425]

Nice car but your LC 500 is also a nice car and looks better

[@bobb.7899]

Awesome driving video and tour of Japan. Owning the LC500 and driving the RCF which would you choose if you could only have 1? Leaning towards getting an LC500 Bespoke.

[@user-mr7fu9tk3d]

Beautiful car. But I love my LC500.

[@jd2plus2]

Beautiful visuals , would love a few seconds of that engine sound as I’ll never get to drive one

[@dtna]

I am surprised that TMC product planners have never come up with the concept of making a Lexus "reimagined" Porsche 911 styled 2 dr. sports coupe. Similar in size to the Porsche 993 or 997. Not larger like the 991 and 992 But less expensive. Just like the orginal Lexus LS 400 did to the MB SEL market. With excellent QDR and made at the Tahara plant. As in the past, the sales plan for 2 door sports coupes continues to decline after two years. With the exception of the Porsche 911 body style.

[@MR3DDev]

Why did lexus decided to get rid of F cars is beyond me. I will never get to try one new. I tried one used and its what got me into saving for an IS350

[@chriss8417]

I love my lc500 convertible over rcf

[@bjsimon802]

David do you know anything about the next generation Rav4?

[@CeeJay591]

One additional comment/question David - now that you've driven both the LC500 and the RC-F what would you recommend from both a performance and practical viewpoint?

[@rajsteint6487]

Did you ask my question to Koji??? When is the Hybrid coming out for the GX 550? I need to know so I can snag the V6 Twin Turbo before its too late. I want to hold off as long as I can so need to know how much time I have

[@jesseb5985]

I have to know if they’re still making this model and is500 for 2025!! Might pick one up then.

[@joeyp1927]

"I wish more people would appreciate this car." This has been the perennial problem with public perceptions of Japanese sports and performance cars: the mass media creates the perception that they're somehow not as good as European ones, as if all that Japan can do is build efficient everyday cars or cushy luxury cars. Of course, true auto enthusiasts will know that NSX, LC, RC, LFA are as good or better than Ferrari, Audi, etc. But most buyers are not enthusiasts: they are people with money who care about how they 'look', i.e., they are focused on PERCEPTIONS. And so they buy the perceptions created by mass media, which puts European sports and performance cars above all else. TLDR, there are only so many auto enthusiasts who will ignore mass media and go ahead and buy the RC or NSX; you cannot sustain a model on such low sales numbers. By contrast, there are many, many more rich people who care little about cars but want bragging rights, and those bragging rights are based on perception. That's why the Audi R series can go on while the Lexus RC and LC are going away.

[@HuntingKing922]

LC500 still wins everything

[@EvaSlash]

Will there's be a 2025 RC-F in USA?

[@davedave4232]

I wanna buy a V8 before they go extinct 😮

[@dattape2828]

Turbo4 sucks.

[@jimmyamico4713]

Hi David, Beautiful VEHICLE I really like it, but I truly am in love with the LC 500 and always will be …🇯🇵🤍❤️ I wish they would make an LC 500 convertible with a hardtop convertible… Just a particular want or dream in my opinion…🇮🇹💚🤍❤️