Lexus IS F: Spotted
You can now get an IS F for £15K - fancy it?
That defiant spirit was alive and true with the RC F's predecessor too, the IS F. If you were to create your company's first performance model, the temptation would probably be to enter a less busy sector, or certainly one that contains a few duff cars. Not Lexus. It went straight for the M3 - in then-new V8 form - and the fantastic C63 AMG, formidable rivals for any car. The Audi RS4 was only recently off sale in 2008 too, a reminder that even Audi could do a sterling sports saloon. Tough gig.
Yet the Lexus was competitive. It didn't come romping home to crushing group test victories but it was, to use an overused phrase, in the mix; perhaps lower down the order, but not disgraced. The ride was tough and the gearbox a bit lethargic (the latter of which became more problematic when the dual-clutch M3 arrived), though the engine in particular came in for praise.
It was rare, too, which made it more interesting. Funnily enough it still is rare, in fact, arguably giving it more kudos as a secondhand purchase. When was the last time you saw one? Perhaps you can't remember, given the makeover to this Japanese saloon was a relatively subtle one, but it was likely to be a while ago. The British public doesn't like to divert from the German brand even where diesel saloon are concerned, so it probably shouldn't be surprising to see that attitude unchanged when it comes to V8s.
The rarity hasn't stopped the IS F from depreciating though, this black car the cheapest on PH at the moment at £15,995. £15K! 87,000 miles will put off some people, but it has been at a main dealer for all bar one of its services and looks to be in tip top condition. The spec is safe (can those tints be removed?) and it's worth noting that very few options could be added to the IS F so you don't need to worry much there. It does, pleasingly, have the optional sunroof.
However, what about those rivals? Nearly a decade on they still make a compelling case against the Lexus, even at a little more money. M3 saloons are difficult to come by, this E90 £3K more than the IS and the most affordable on PH. Doesn't it look cool? E92 coupes are around at £15K, though seemingly not many nice ones at the moment... Like the BMW the C63 is between the IS F and £20K for now, this silver saloon appearing to all intents and purposes really rather nice. And if you're willing to take an older design, plenty of those B7 RS4 saloons are within budget. Spoilt for choice...
So what'll it be? Dare you think differently? Can the Lexus's curio value win you over? Perhaps it has and you're enjoying life with an IS - as always, comments and thoughts are welcomed!
LEXUS IS F
Engine: 4,969cc, V8
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 423@6,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 373@5,200rpm
MPG: 24.4
CO2: 270g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 87,000
Price new: £51,000
Yours for: £15,995
See the original advert here.
Obviously, it may soon require a complete suspension refresh, which i gather won't be cheap. I think the standard exhausts can have an early life too but i may be wrong there. Whichever way you look at it, it will be a much cheaper ownership proposition to an E92 M3!
Something different aswell. I like it! One to watch for in the future for sure
I love it. Interior (centre console) lets it down a tad as it's still based on a car from the early 00's and the seats aren't as good as the winged Recaro items in an RS4.
I was attracted to the rarity as there are only 200 or so in the UK so it's pretty rare when you take into account that there are 365 E9x M3's for sale on AT at time of typing this aged between MY2008 - MY2013 when the ISF's were sold in UK.
The reliability was also a factor. I had come from a nosebleed of an E90 335i (N54 - Turbos, Fuel Pump, Injectors as per usual) so was turned off BMWs.
Serviceable items are cheap as well. Brembo discs from Euro Car Parts come in at under £200 for the pair when using their frequent discount codes and front and rear Brembo pads are £80 for the lot :-)
It sounds great over 4000rpm when the 2nd intake flap opens. Reminds me of my old Intergra & S2K days when VTEC kicked in but this time with added torque.
8 speed gearbox changes are very smooth in full auto and great fun in manual (I believe it changes quicker than an Enzo in manual mode but I may be wrong). The blips on the downshift are pretty addictive.
35mpg on the motorway is nice for a V8 as well :-)
She goes quite well around the Nurburgring as well without moaning at all.... please excuse my language :-)
https://youtu.be/zRotG1juVbo
I'd imagine that would sound t'riffic indeed with a good quality aftermarket exhaust
Are these things liable to destroy your wallet and soul with a large bill or two? (I don't mean the fuel )
https://instagram.com/p/BQtiRQhjVcR/
That was mine with a custom exhaust. I still regret selling it! Bills wise the only real issue is the waterpump which was solved on later revisions. Sadly mine went before I had purchased a warranty and the radiator also needed replacing so thick end of £1000 at a main dealer. Aside from that it was perfectly fine!
https://instagram.com/p/BQtiRQhjVcR/
That was mine with a custom exhaust. I still regret selling it! Bills wise the only real issue is the waterpump which was solved on later revisions. Sadly mine went before I had purchased a warranty and the radiator also needed replacing so thick end of £1000 at a main dealer. Aside from that it was perfectly fine!
If that was unlucky, it sounds as cheap to run as a normal car! When I had a WRX and an STI it was pushing that on a normal service each time.
I too like everyone else on here, am drawn to these. they are cramped in the back and the boot is tiny, but you can't have it all.
Lexus seem to engineer things very well for long life, not just 3 years, that probably means you loose a little of the savage perfomance of some othger cars, but could mean a better ownership proposition.
Good spot
Reliability wise, no need to worry. You can still buy the 2 year extended warranty on most of them for £900. There's one for sale in the US with 330,000 miles on the clock!!
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