Giblet's Lexus ISF
Discussion
Welcome to thread for my Lexus ISF. I'm carrying on from my previous threads for my Galant VR4, my sheddy MX5, the 9-3 Aero and my XJR
I originally set out at buying an Evo X to replace the VR4 but the boot was just too small for my needs so I went back to the drawing board and decided that my next car should be a (relatively) small saloon with a V8. Ever since I sold the XJR I have wanted another V8 again. I started looking at the C63, the E90 M3 and the ISF. After months of research, a thread over in GG, a few viewings and a test drive I decided the ISF was the car for me. It was the leftfield choice but given my love of Japanese cars it made sense.
I made contact with a ISF owner on the Lexus Owners Club forums (also a fellow PHer) who was thinking about selling up, after getting some more info on the car (2008 MY, 33k, full main dealer history etc) we agreed on a price. I went down to Oxford to view the car, left a deposit and then collected it a week or so later.
Some of the sellers pics -
I love how refined and effortless the car is and the noise it makes above 3600rpm when the secondary air inlet on the airbox opens up. The styling helps it to stand out whilst still being relatively discreet, well aside from those quad rear finishers/diffusers. I've not had the chance to drive it in anger yet due to the crap weather but I'm waiting for the first warm dry weekend so I can go out for a proper drive. Averaging 19.1mpg so far which isn't bad, my commute is 3 miles each way and the engine is barely warm by the time I park up so I try to take the long way round instead. Managed 33mpg on the drive home but I was being rather sensible.
A few post wash pics alongside the other V8 in the family fleet, my brothers XFR
A quick phone pic earlier tonight in it's natural habitat
After spending way too much money on mods and repairs on the VR4 I'm hoping to spend a lot less on the ISF. The only mod I really want is an exhaust especially after hearing the aftermarket back boxes that were fitted to the XFR this weekend. Waiting to find out if I can get a further discount on the 3 year service pack from the local dealer, might also go for the 2 year warranty despite the bulletproof reputation these things have. Hoping to stick some miles on it this year, should be fun!
I originally set out at buying an Evo X to replace the VR4 but the boot was just too small for my needs so I went back to the drawing board and decided that my next car should be a (relatively) small saloon with a V8. Ever since I sold the XJR I have wanted another V8 again. I started looking at the C63, the E90 M3 and the ISF. After months of research, a thread over in GG, a few viewings and a test drive I decided the ISF was the car for me. It was the leftfield choice but given my love of Japanese cars it made sense.
I made contact with a ISF owner on the Lexus Owners Club forums (also a fellow PHer) who was thinking about selling up, after getting some more info on the car (2008 MY, 33k, full main dealer history etc) we agreed on a price. I went down to Oxford to view the car, left a deposit and then collected it a week or so later.
Some of the sellers pics -
I love how refined and effortless the car is and the noise it makes above 3600rpm when the secondary air inlet on the airbox opens up. The styling helps it to stand out whilst still being relatively discreet, well aside from those quad rear finishers/diffusers. I've not had the chance to drive it in anger yet due to the crap weather but I'm waiting for the first warm dry weekend so I can go out for a proper drive. Averaging 19.1mpg so far which isn't bad, my commute is 3 miles each way and the engine is barely warm by the time I park up so I try to take the long way round instead. Managed 33mpg on the drive home but I was being rather sensible.
A few post wash pics alongside the other V8 in the family fleet, my brothers XFR
A quick phone pic earlier tonight in it's natural habitat
After spending way too much money on mods and repairs on the VR4 I'm hoping to spend a lot less on the ISF. The only mod I really want is an exhaust especially after hearing the aftermarket back boxes that were fitted to the XFR this weekend. Waiting to find out if I can get a further discount on the 3 year service pack from the local dealer, might also go for the 2 year warranty despite the bulletproof reputation these things have. Hoping to stick some miles on it this year, should be fun!
Edited by giblet on Sunday 28th February 23:45
I do enjoy his videos, I watched the ISF one quite a few times before I purchased mine. I'm still surprised at the price difference between a clean low mileage ISF and a M3 saloon or a C63 of similar age, mileage and conditon. The potential bills from the other two were worrying and I'm not a huge fan of the interiors in both. Given the amount of tosspots driving C63s (Disclaimer: not all C63 owners are idiots) I figured it made sense to stay away. That said I have lusted after a C63 since I first saw one and I love the sound they make. If I could replicate that properly with my ISF then I would be very happy!
Dr_Rick said:
Damn you and your awesome car!!
I was considering this type of vehicle when I needed to make a move from a small, light 2-seat sports car (Lotus Elise S) to something more family friendly. I looked at the E91 M3, the C63, the ISF and the S4. In the end I justified the S4 due to fuel economy and folding rear seats. So far, I've had need to fold the rear seats down a grand total of zero times. Which means I should have gone with my heart instead of my head and got the ISF. Given I do about 15k a year, I couldn't stretch to the running costs of the C63 no matter what it sounded like and the M3 didn't really appeal to me once I was in it. I'm sure it is capable, but something didn't quite hit the target.
Oh well, one day...
Cheers. I had a look at a whole load of other cars before I got to the shortlist of 3, the S4 was one of them. I did factor fuel economy into my thinking. I average 10,000 miles a year so it isn't a huge issue. However it was a tad annoying to be told by my manager recently that we are moving offices soon. That means my commute will increase by 14 miles a day which means anywhere between 1.5-2 tanks of fuel extra per month.I was considering this type of vehicle when I needed to make a move from a small, light 2-seat sports car (Lotus Elise S) to something more family friendly. I looked at the E91 M3, the C63, the ISF and the S4. In the end I justified the S4 due to fuel economy and folding rear seats. So far, I've had need to fold the rear seats down a grand total of zero times. Which means I should have gone with my heart instead of my head and got the ISF. Given I do about 15k a year, I couldn't stretch to the running costs of the C63 no matter what it sounded like and the M3 didn't really appeal to me once I was in it. I'm sure it is capable, but something didn't quite hit the target.
Oh well, one day...
8bit said:
Lovely, always liked these, yours looks great. I have an XKR just now, which I love and would hate to part with, but with one child already and another due soon the pull of more doors/seats is strong. IS-F would be top of the list if I do decide to change.
A chap on one of the Jaguar forums I frequent had one for a while, he put some sort of upgraded exhaust on it, which sounds like this:
http://s271.photobucket.com/user/stuno1/media/lexu...
Do it
Cheers. I do like the XKR, would the XFR not make it on your shortlist as a practical alternative?A chap on one of the Jaguar forums I frequent had one for a while, he put some sort of upgraded exhaust on it, which sounds like this:
http://s271.photobucket.com/user/stuno1/media/lexu...
Do it
Stu's exhaust is lovely, made by Hayward & Scott. I'm trying to source a system with built in butterfly valves for mine but all the stockists are abroad and are useless at getting back to me.
8bit said:
XFR maybe an option but to me the Lexus sounds better Has yours got the variable intake flaps that open about 3.5krpm and make it much louder?
Yup, tis a standard feature that makes me giggle. Has yours got the variable intake flaps that open about 3.5krpm and make it much louder?dibblecorse said:
really really like that and my own search keeps coming back to them, hmmmmmmmmm
Have a test drive and you will want one even more. You know you want to!CobraChris said:
A nice example this one, I sold it to the last owner, and the owner before him.
Enjoy.
Small world! Your name is still in the paperwork as the sales contact. The history was one of the main selling points for me. I'll be buying a service pack from Lexus Leeds. Enjoy.
A10 said:
One of my favourites, simply for the front wing styling and it being a left field choice.
I love the vented front wings. I'm waiting to see how long it is before I spot another on the road. stuno1 said:
thanks for your helpful posts over on LOC when I was researching the cars. Funnily enough I commented on your thread when you posted that clip on here nearly 2 years ago. The sound must have stuck with me. had ham said:
Lovely, I miss mine tremendously. They really are superb cars.
I don't think I've had any former owner say that they don't miss theirs. I'm hoping to keep hold of this one for a long time. SlowMoped said:
Looks great, I think I may have seen this outside a property along a "long road" on the way out of the city centre last week.
Cheers. My office is on that long road, well for the next few days at least until we move to lovely Beeston!AM7 said:
Must have been out nearly 10 years now, yet they still look so refreshing in design!
I've always loved C63s and wanted one since I first saw/heard one, but as you said earlier they seem to have attracted the wrong sort of crowd and there are so many with questionable histories on the used market. I think the ISF was overshadowed by the German boys on release, but as times gone on I've grown to appreciate it, it holds a level a class that the others don't and as we all know the build quality/reliability is "Lexus standards" shall we say. Lovely car!
Thanks. I've seen a few C63s being driven in a idiotic manner recently, helped to reassure me that I had made the right choice with the ISF. I've always loved C63s and wanted one since I first saw/heard one, but as you said earlier they seem to have attracted the wrong sort of crowd and there are so many with questionable histories on the used market. I think the ISF was overshadowed by the German boys on release, but as times gone on I've grown to appreciate it, it holds a level a class that the others don't and as we all know the build quality/reliability is "Lexus standards" shall we say. Lovely car!
cosworth330 said:
Nice car.
My brother in law bought a new one back in 2008, same colour as yours on a 58 plate. Traded in his Audi RS4 avant V8 for it. He said it felt slightly quicker than the RS4 and I know he preferred the IS-F. I drove it in the cold winter months when it was wet on the roads and and it liked to light up the rears quite easily. At the time (2009) I had an E39 M5 but I will say the IS-F sounded better and throttle response was better, slightly quicker I would say.
Nice car and I like that they are quite a rare sight.
Thanks. I find that throttle can be a little lazy in regular mode but it is fine for daily driving. Sports mode sharpens it up for spirited driving. The GY F1s on the rear seem to behave a lot better in mild dry weather but I have had them light up in the wet a few times. I'm still waiting to spot another ISF in the wild. My brother in law bought a new one back in 2008, same colour as yours on a 58 plate. Traded in his Audi RS4 avant V8 for it. He said it felt slightly quicker than the RS4 and I know he preferred the IS-F. I drove it in the cold winter months when it was wet on the roads and and it liked to light up the rears quite easily. At the time (2009) I had an E39 M5 but I will say the IS-F sounded better and throttle response was better, slightly quicker I would say.
Nice car and I like that they are quite a rare sight.
SuperVM said:
A lovely car! I'm hoping to replace my E39 M5 with one, but I'll definitely be looking in the sub £20k range, where there appears to be a lot less choice.
The values seem to be all over the place at the moment. There are only ever a handful for sale at any one time. I got lucky with mine as I'm sure it's worth more than I paid for it. You should be able to find a well cared for example in that price bracket though. They wear the miles well as lomg they have been serviced regularly. Mini update. I'm now 3 months and 2000 miles into the ownership. I'm still enjoying it, it makes the daily commute more fun especially the rare moments where I can apply some throttle. Comfy place to be (despite the stock suspension) when sitting in traffic too which is handy as we had a move of offices recently which means I'm doing an extra 70 miles a week. Not really done much with it apart from drive it and clean it.
I bought a 3 year service pack from Lexus Leeds for £1296.45, this covers the major service this summer, intermediate next year and the major + (10 year) service in 2015 along with an MOT each year and an air con service. It's a saving of nearly £600 compared to the list price, allows me to keep up the existing FLSH and payment is split across 27 months which is handy.
A shot alongside another ISF at a local meet up organised via PH -
A quick snap outside the new office -
It's booked in for a full exhaust system with added cutout valves in mid June, can't wait to release some more of that V8 growl! After that I'll be looking into some slightly wider tyres as the stock ones seem far too small at 225/40/19 on the front and 255/35/19 on the rear. A common upgrade is 245/35/19 front and 275/30/19 on the rear with Pilot Supersports being the tyre of choice. I don't think I will bother with the Lexus warranty, this then opens up the possibility of a remap. Waiting to see some dyno results from a few stock and slightly modified cars across the pond first.
Oh and I'm averaging 19.07mpg since purchase which isn't bad for a 5.0 V8 that sees mainly urban driving.
I bought a 3 year service pack from Lexus Leeds for £1296.45, this covers the major service this summer, intermediate next year and the major + (10 year) service in 2015 along with an MOT each year and an air con service. It's a saving of nearly £600 compared to the list price, allows me to keep up the existing FLSH and payment is split across 27 months which is handy.
A shot alongside another ISF at a local meet up organised via PH -
A quick snap outside the new office -
It's booked in for a full exhaust system with added cutout valves in mid June, can't wait to release some more of that V8 growl! After that I'll be looking into some slightly wider tyres as the stock ones seem far too small at 225/40/19 on the front and 255/35/19 on the rear. A common upgrade is 245/35/19 front and 275/30/19 on the rear with Pilot Supersports being the tyre of choice. I don't think I will bother with the Lexus warranty, this then opens up the possibility of a remap. Waiting to see some dyno results from a few stock and slightly modified cars across the pond first.
Oh and I'm averaging 19.07mpg since purchase which isn't bad for a 5.0 V8 that sees mainly urban driving.
Edited by giblet on Sunday 1st May 00:01
It's been almost 7 months since my last post, time for an update.
The car went in for a new exhaust system. I asked the fabricator to emulate the tried and tested Joe Z design from across the pond which consists of two straight pipes in place of the secondary cats and then an X pipe in the middle. Decided to stick with the stock tips and go with smaller back boxes to keep it looking subtle.
This is what it ended up looking like
The result is a much improved burble with a nice growl when you apply the throttle. It went back in a few weeks later to have a valve fitted which lets me keep it closed for those early starts and open it up when I'm out and about for an even nicer V8 rumble. I know this is all useless without a video clip, planning on taking some in the next few days.
It went into Lexus Leeds for a major service in August along with an MOT which it passed without any emissions issues despite the secondary cats no longer being present. The service highlighted that my front discs and pads were due a change. The dealers wanted a silly amount for this but I managed to source OEM Brembo discs and uprated Hawk ceramic pads but less than half that. The pads dust a lot less than the OEM ones which are awful.
I took it to the PHSS at Silverstone recently where I had a novice track taster session. After that it went in to my local detail for a full wheel refurb and a correction detail.
Despite being happy with the ISF I still found myself visiting the MLR forum and seeing what was for sale. I had purchased the ISF after viewing an Evo X but discovering that the boot was too small for my dads wheelchair. After spotting a well specced X up for sale I did some research and found a suitable compact wheelchair. I went to view the Evo, a deal was done and as a result the ISF is now for sale.
I'll miss the car a lot, especially the exhaust note and the reaction it gets from people when they ask what it is. Lost count of the amount of open jawed reactions when I told someone the engine size. Seems the ISF really is a discreet and unassuming super saloon. It's the polar opposite of the Evo which attracts the wrong kind of attention. Planning on getting into track days but two cars isn't an option for me so the Evo makes more sense.
So if anyone wants a low mileage Lexus ISF that's had all the required work done including a recent water pump (and radiator) from Lexus Leeds then check out my ad on the classifieds here - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
The car went in for a new exhaust system. I asked the fabricator to emulate the tried and tested Joe Z design from across the pond which consists of two straight pipes in place of the secondary cats and then an X pipe in the middle. Decided to stick with the stock tips and go with smaller back boxes to keep it looking subtle.
This is what it ended up looking like
The result is a much improved burble with a nice growl when you apply the throttle. It went back in a few weeks later to have a valve fitted which lets me keep it closed for those early starts and open it up when I'm out and about for an even nicer V8 rumble. I know this is all useless without a video clip, planning on taking some in the next few days.
It went into Lexus Leeds for a major service in August along with an MOT which it passed without any emissions issues despite the secondary cats no longer being present. The service highlighted that my front discs and pads were due a change. The dealers wanted a silly amount for this but I managed to source OEM Brembo discs and uprated Hawk ceramic pads but less than half that. The pads dust a lot less than the OEM ones which are awful.
I took it to the PHSS at Silverstone recently where I had a novice track taster session. After that it went in to my local detail for a full wheel refurb and a correction detail.
Despite being happy with the ISF I still found myself visiting the MLR forum and seeing what was for sale. I had purchased the ISF after viewing an Evo X but discovering that the boot was too small for my dads wheelchair. After spotting a well specced X up for sale I did some research and found a suitable compact wheelchair. I went to view the Evo, a deal was done and as a result the ISF is now for sale.
I'll miss the car a lot, especially the exhaust note and the reaction it gets from people when they ask what it is. Lost count of the amount of open jawed reactions when I told someone the engine size. Seems the ISF really is a discreet and unassuming super saloon. It's the polar opposite of the Evo which attracts the wrong kind of attention. Planning on getting into track days but two cars isn't an option for me so the Evo makes more sense.
So if anyone wants a low mileage Lexus ISF that's had all the required work done including a recent water pump (and radiator) from Lexus Leeds then check out my ad on the classifieds here - http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/l...
Now up for sale on eBay - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272506372305
Took it for a spin recently and I know I'll regret it. It's such a brilliant car but the X is way sillier.
Took it for a spin recently and I know I'll regret it. It's such a brilliant car but the X is way sillier.
richatnort said:
Giblet, who did you use to do the detailing in Leeds if you don't mind me asking?
The detailer I used is slightly further afield in Saddleworth. Obsidian Detailing, bloke is called Matt and does by the username Stangalang over on Detailing World.
stuno1 said:
Excellent value at that mileage. Good luck with the sale chap.
Cheers. I'm hoping it goes to a good home, I'm going to miss it! Had a lot of timewasters so far, starting to get annoying. killysprint said:
Giblet - who did the exhaust for you, looks like a cracking job!
Any droning at motorway speeds?
STG Performance in Wakefield. There is a slight bit of droning if you are sat at 2,000 rpm but it's fine on motorways. Any droning at motorway speeds?
Back in an ISF!
Bit of a journey since my last one, thought I’d carry on with this thread instead of starting a new one.
The Evo was fun and rather antisocial. I took it to the Nurburgring in April last year as part of a European roadtrip with some mates
Sadly I managed to cooked the head gasket whilst I was away, ended up costing £3.5k to rebuild the head with new valves etc.
I moved it one once repaired as I’d found a reasonably priced lease deal on a 4C Spider. I used that as a daily for 6 months which was fun
It had a real sense of occasion, despite having half the power of the Evo it was way more fun to drive. Sadly it was proving to be too impractical and I was racking the miles up quickly so moved it on. I then lost the plot and replaced with a Renault Zoe.
At sub £5k it was a cheap introduction to EV motoring and served me well over winter. I’d planned to get an E46 M3 and spent ages researching them but the market seems to be overhyped at the moment. Every other ad mentions investment opportunity. Whilst perusing the classifieds I spotted an ISF for sale, a week later I went down to Gloucester and bought it.
It’s essentially the same spec as my last one but with more miles. At 91k it’s still low mileage for a Lexus (I had an LS400 earlier this year with 180 odd thousand miles). This one has a H&S exhaust fitted (with real tips) and sounds a tad louder than the custom one on my last one.
Cosmetically it’s a little rougher around the edges with a few marks here and there but those can be sorted with a detail. It’s got a year or so worth of Lexus warranty but hopefully I won’t need it.
The real question now is how long will I keep this one for?
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