This Used Lexus Coupe Undercuts And Out-Muscles The GR86 By 78HP
Almost every enthusiast eventually wants to have a sports coupe. They’re one of the purest types of sports cars around. They can also embody different sports car philosophies, ranging from lightweight out-and-out track day monsters to more refined grand tourers. The car we’re going to talk about today definitely falls more on the grand tourer end. It has also proven to be one of the best bargains on the used market.
The Toyota GR86 Is Often Thought To Be One Of The Best Affordable Sports Cars
When it comes to Sports Cars that ordinary enthusiasts can afford, one of the best has to be the Toyota GR86. This car has become beloved for a reason. It provides the kind of cut-price sports car fun that a lot of enthusiasts thought could end up going extinct. That looks set to continue for the foreseeable future, too. Toyota has absolutely no plans to stop offering a small, affordable sports car in its model lineup.
A Lot Of Great Cut-Price Alternatives To A New GR86 Can Be Found On The Used Market
The Toyota GR86 has a base MSRP of $31,400 in the USA. That makes it fantastic value for money for a brand-new sports car. But if you’re willing to check out the used market, there are plenty of other sports cars you can buy for the same price or less. Perhaps one of the best of those cut-price alternatives is one that comes from another branch of the same mega-manufacturer. It was built to a different philosophy than the GR86, is much more understated, and was sold at a significantly higher price. Now that it’s discontinued, and still an underrated underdog choice, its value has dropped enough to make it seriously worth considering.
The Lexus RC Is An Underrated Compact Sports Coupe That Out-Muscles The GR86
If you ask people about premium or luxury sports cars, there’s a fair chance the Lexus RC won’t even get a mention. You may even struggle to find people who have heard of it. That’s a shame, as this car is quietly one of the best options if you’re willing to go to the used market for a sports car. It may look incredibly understated, but it packs a serious punch. Even the least powerful models with the 2-liter turbocharged inline-4 produce 241 hp, more than the Toyota GR86’s 228. Meanwhile, the fire-breathing RC F produces as much as 475 hp. That’s thanks to using the same 5-liter V8 that’s found in the LC500 grand tourer and the GS F and IS 500 F Sport Performance super sedans.
It Has More Mature Driving Dynamics Than The Toyota GR86
The Toyota GR86 is a traditional, out-and-out sports car. That’s not what the Lexus RC is. This car is set up more like a miniature grand tourer, with a heavy yet ultra-stiff platform. This means it’s not as outwardly exciting to drive as a Toyota GR86. But that more mature feel comes with the advantage of a plusher and better-quality interior. That extra size, space, comfort, and luxury also makes the Lexus RC more usable as a daily driver than the Toyota GR86. Plus, of course, both of them share that near-bulletproof Japanese reliability.
The 2016 Model Year Is Thought Of As Being The Sweet Spot
The Lexus RC is generally great throughout its entire production run. But, a lot of people consider the 2016 model year to be the sweet spot. This is the year when the RC 200t was introduced, as well as the all-wheel drive version of the RC 350. It’s also a model year where the RC was given a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. That makes the RC more than just a fun sports car. It’s also a wise choice if you value safety in a crash.
Lexus RC Owners Absolutely Love Their Cars
Perhaps one of the best reasons to consider a Lexus RC, though, is that their owners love them. CarGurus gives it a rating of 4.8/5 based on customer reviews. Owners specifically mention its design, interior, and driving experience as being fantastic. Some, though, have noted that the interior can feel a bit tight for taller individuals. That might be worth taking into account if you’re potentially in the market for one.
It’s Now Significantly Cheaper Than A Toyota GR86
The Lexus RC was discontinued in 2025, after a decade-long production run. Since then, it’s suffered the effects of depreciation like almost every other car. It’s also stayed pretty far under the radar, with only the RC F getting any significant enthusiast mention. Put all those factors together, and it’s not that surprising that the Lexus RC can now be had for significantly less money than a Toyota GR86. A 2018 RC300 with 56,000 miles on the clock sold for $23,250 in October 2025. Look at other RCs that are currently on sale, too, and the vast majority of them are listed for less than the Toyota GR86’s base MSRP.
One Variant Of The Lexus RC Is Still An Expensive Choice
The only Lexus RC variant that you definitely can’t get for a lower price than a new Toyota GR86 is the RC F. One of those recently sold for $47,000. While that’s still incredible value for money for the kind of performance it has, it’s definitely not a car that most regular enthusiasts can afford just yet.
While the Lexus RC is shaping up to be a brilliant used buy, you need to make sure one particular thing is OK with it before you put money down. According to CarGurus, around 37.9% of its Lexus RC listings show a history of accidents. That rate is higher in cars from older model years, too. While that shouldn’t put you off looking at examples of the RC, you should make sure you take extra care to check their histories.
Source: Bring A Trailer, CarGurus, Lexus, Toyota
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