Lexus IS F: PH Carpool
Overlooked Japanese M and AMG rival celebrated by its proud PHer owner
Car: Lexus IS F
Owned since: March 2012
Previously owned: "Ford 105E, Ford Cortina Mk1, Vauxhall Viva, Sunbeam Alpine, Ford Capri 1.6, Ford Capri JPS 2.0, VW Derby, Talbot Horizon, Fiesta XR2, Ford Escort 1.4, Renault 21, Vauxhall Cavalier SRI, Mercedes C200, Mercedes CLK320, Mercedes E320 CDI, Lexus IS250 - see if this list gives a clue to my age and at what points I got married/had kids..."
Why I bought it?
"After several Mercs I'd fallen out of love with them for a variety of reasons and, seduced by their reputation for reliability, went for a Lexus IS250. Great car, no problems at all but not quite scratching my itch for some performance. I spent a long time looking for an AMG CLK or E-Class but after looking at a few and picking up on the problems discussed on forums I decided I might be better staying with Lexus for their bulletproof reliability and brilliant warranty, so the IS F was in my sights. After all, it doesn't matter how fast the car is - if it's in the garage being fixed it isn't much use.
AMG's loss was Lexus's gain
What I wish I'd known:
"Nothing much really, after all it's a Lexus. I'd researched as much as I could but there are no real known problems with these cars apart from the cost of the brake pads. £350+ for parts alone from Lexus so a £500 bill per axle! But equivalents are available on the 'net for about £50. The ride is very hard so our roads make for a bumpy ride. I believe the later 2010 models had the suspension modified. Oh, and the sat nav is not the friendliest to use but it always gets you there. Lastly, if you are looking to buy one of these get the financial discussion out of the way before you drive it!"
Things I love:
"The acceleration and the noise. Up to 3,500rpm it burbles along nicely. When the revs get past 3,500 the engine note takes on a NASCAR edge and things start to happen very fast, but equally it is happy to potter along in traffic with 1,000 rpm showing on the tacho.
"It is also a great Q-car. Nobody, even petrolheads, knows what it is! To most, it's just another Lexus - until the pedal gets pressed...
"The quality - this car is really well put together, nearly seven years old now and no squeaks or rattles even with the rock hard suspension and poor roads."
Fast, stealthy, reliable, Clarkson hated it - ideal!
"The ride on our poor roads. Also, the wheels are painted in a dark grey colour for which there is no known touch-up code (Toyota IE3 is the nearest I can find), and even the slightest contact with a kerb leaves an unsightly white scar. They also chip easily. Refinishing is on the cards as soon as I can find someone to match the colour.
"If it snows - take the bus. 400hp+, rear-wheel drive, fat tyres and snow are not a great combination."
Costs:
"Nowhere near as expensive as I thought it would be. OK, VED is £500-odd but insurance is cheap (I paid £350 fully comp with max NCD) and fuel consumption has averaged out at about 24-26mpg with 34mpg being seen on one run. However <10mpg is quite possible if you push it. Servicing with Lexus is dear but the local Lexus dealer (Twickenham) has been good, and not tried to rip me off. Tyres are around £200- £250 a corner (for Michelin Supersports) but they stick well and have worn quite well (fronts started at about 6mm and wore down to 2.5mm in 20K). Nothing has gone wrong in two years and 22,000 miles except for the battery in the key fob failing without warning a couple of times - always keep a spare in your wallet!"
Where I've been:
"The car has been mostly used for commuting but we've had a few enjoyable trips to the West Country, Peak District and the north. This car is effortless to drive, there is no hill or twisty road it cannot eat and despite what JC said the clever auto box always seems to be in exactly the right gear."
What next?
"I cannot imagine what I would replace this car with. Perhaps another, later model IS F or even an RC F when they come down to an affordable price?"
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
After nearly 10 months looking for one, I bought mine earlier this year. Initially only intending to own it for a year, to get the V8 lust out of my system, I just can't see myself selling it for a while yet.
Though I found the standard exhaust lacking in noise, something you really do want from a V8, so I've fitted a Borla exhaust, which was a much better purchase than I thought it would be. Not droney on a cruise, but suitably enough noise to bring a smile to your face when you want it.
Why is it a 2+2 despite being a large car and a 4 door?
Why do manufacturers take away the (admittedly small) 3rd seat in the middle and replace it with a small lump of cheap plastic - why would prefer that to an optional 3rd rear seat in times of need?
Like these but Jag XFR is surely the one to have?
I didn't know that Borla made a system for them but I suppose it makes sense as the IS range as a whole sold well in the USA.
I'd like to get one of the Jap import IS350's next. 300 bhp but looks the same as the IS250. Also you wouldn't have to pay the stupid VED that the later manuals suffer from. Pity they never sold it in the UK.
I also fitted a K&N, and though whether or not power gains can be achieved have been debated at length (in the US), I cannot stress enough how much better it sounds; it really has an evil hard edged intake noise, like a V8 version of a E46 CSL.
I have to say I preferred the grey over any of the other colours, and I also think that photos don't do these justice; much more muscular and impressive in the flesh.
Why do manufacturers take away the (admittedly small) 3rd seat in the middle and replace it with a small lump of cheap plastic - why would prefer that to an optional 3rd rear seat in times of need?
Like these but Jag XFR is surely the one to have?
I really wanted an ISF but due to rarity they seem to hold prices well,so didn't drop into my budget (yet
)And being Lexus they never go wrong, I see them getting driven pretty hard at times and the spare parts that are shipped out with them never have to be used
A friend did have one, and was kind enough to entrust me with it for a test drive though. Overall it was a great car. Lovely engine (even if it looks a mess under the bonnet - but really, who cares?) and a decent gearbox. I thought the steering was fairly numb feeling but it steered precisely enough. I couldn't drive that hard all weathers though as I do like a hint at what's going on under the tyres. I thought it was well equipped but the dashboard switch layout seemed a bit unintuitive, but you'd get used to that. It was quick
Thumbs up from me
Cheers,
Jason
I also fitted a takeda intake which makes the engine note even better at over 3.5k RPM. SO comfy, fast and imo looks fantastic. Sits low and wide and to my eye is fantastic.
Infact you can hear mine on youtube
http://youtu.be/OzvbajDrtZE
Stu
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