[rwdftw]

If the new IS350 used the BMW 3 series as a benchmark there is no doubt the RC350 will use the 335i coupe as a benchmark. Or maybe another BMW coupe.

Will be interesting to see.

 

[phm14]

The current base 335i MSRPs at ~$43.5K with a 300 hp, 32mpg hwy 3 liter turbo in-line 6. Base pricing on German cars is generally deceptively low, as they tend to make even floor mats a costly option. Nonetheless, $43.5K is $5K less than the $48.5K IS350 F Sport I priced yesterday. Most of the car mags seem to acknowledge the BMW 3 (& now 4) series as benchmarks in this segment, but Audi and others are presenting stiff competition as well. That's all good for us. I'm hawking for accurate pricing on the RC350, as it is currently at the top of my list. I'm hoping the pricing will keep it there. I prefer the quality/reliability, warranty performance and customer service of Lexus/Toyota compared to German makers, but price, performance and even manual trans availability are also factors for me.I know manuals are on the decline, but I believe that presents a market opportunity for makers that choose to offer them. I did recently test drive a '11 IS F, and didn't miss the 3rd pedal as much as I thought I would. For now, the RC350 with the 8 speed auto has a spot reserved in my garage, barring any ugly pricing surprises. If it does price too high, BMW is next in line.
Edit: Let's hoping Lexus specs a torsen diff in the RC series, as they finally did with the IS F starting in MY 2011. Otherwise, I think many driving enthusiasts will look elsewhere.

 

[rwdftw]

I agree with you. A torsen diff is a must and a 6 speed MT would be the icing on the cake.

But for some reason I have my doubts.

 

[phm14]

For me, a drivers car must have some type of effective limited slip diff. Open diffs are for posers. I can live with the auto tranny (although one of my car buddys is already giving me s***), but an open diff on a ~$50K "sports" car is a deal killer. If I had to guess, the car will get the torsen, or something similar, but it's far less likely to get a MT. Even my $25K FRS came with a torsen, and its a 200 hp car.

 

[rwdftw]

yep. its embarrassing when sports cars dont get some kind of lsd.

the shame is that for some reason manufacturers think LSDs only belong to manual transmission cars. they like to omit them from automatic transmissions.

 

[RickHansen]

Owned a 07 335i and now own a '15 RC350...335 os better in every way

 

[DCRH]

Owned a 07 335i and now own a '15 RC350...335 os better in every way

I can imagine, BMW has been in the game for how long now? They've been known as the leader in the segment and still till this day continue to do it right. I love the RC but the BMW M4 is still on my goal list. RC is more of my filler.

 

[soarer]

Some guys even like buying those over the M3, just because its cheaper and the ability to tune it more to their liking. Good for that kind of person since some people must have an M car, nothing else.

 

[RickHansen]

I went from an E46 M3 to a E92 335i....an M is still an M!