RE: Lexus IS F: Spotted

RE: Lexus IS F: Spotted

Author
Discussion

Heaveho

5,279 posts

173 months

Thursday 17th August 2017
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We had an early one. It replaced a V10 M5, and it was a much better ownership prospect than the BMW. As said, the sat nav is tragic. They're thirsty if you're anything like me. I seem to remember front pads were £330 from the dealers, but this was possibly the fitted price. Still! Pricey.

I couldn't give a toss about any of the above. It's in my list of all time greats, and we've had a fair few cars now. The earlier cars have what I would call rock hard suspension ( and I've got an Evo, ffs ). Company called Fensport sorted that with 16 way adjustables, a mod they still do, supplied for £600 last time I asked, handling unimpaired, ride a quantum leap better.

If there was one other thing I could do that I'd regard as an improvement, it would be to see if the 2 seat only rear bench is a gimmick, and if so, change it for an IS250 rear bench.

Last time I checked, you can't see the exhaust tips when you're busy enjoying yourself behind the wheel...........

big_rob_sydney

3,394 posts

193 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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I've owned LS's fpr many years, and will say that they're not a car that you easily come to love. Its something that can take a long time to really "get", but once you do, you really appreciate.

I would expect the ISF to be no different in that regard.

So, whats to love? Hmm, engineering quality to die for, for starters. Reliability that you can trust.

I liken it a little to a beauty contest; other cars certainly do look flashy, but its whats on the inside that counts, which is where the Lexus scores a knockout punch, and the others are just plastic, expensive, cars. Try using almost any of the Lexus features, and you'll find the car feels like its hewn from solid granite, such is its weight and feel. Rock solid.

I dont really care about other cars that have the latest gadgets. They'll be broken down at the side of the road soon enough. Look at the JD Powers surveys, and you'll find real owners providing feedback on their cars after actually having them for months, as opposed to the very short-term test drive most journalists get. Any car that takes awhile to get under your skin like the big Lexus does, will never fare well in a short test.

But if you speak to the owners themselves, I think you'll get a very positive response.

zestyfesty

252 posts

98 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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A close friend has had an ISF for 6 years. I know the car well. Initially I queried his decision against aforementioned German alternatives, but whereas the AMGs and Ms are almost ubiquitous in our city, the ISF is a truly rare sight, and a 'sleeper' too.

The engine is the dominant experience; lopes along effortlessly, creamy gearbox, although gearing too long for speed limited public roads. Some naff interior design elements date it, but the seats are fabulous, once inside you feel very cocooned and the car exudes build quality. He's had zero mechanical issues, just tyres and brakes, over 6 years.

The ride is too stiff and slightly out of character with the rest of the car. It's as stiff as my Evo, and would be far better with 10-20% softer springs. That said, it does really honk on a big open circuit or fast flowing back road of good surface quality. Engine is effortless for commuting, but when pressing on suffers a slight weak spot mid-range (compared with wave of turbo torque I'm used to) but is very eager and sonorous in the upper range. Engine feels completely under stressed even having it's socks blown off.

A cracker of an all-rounder really.

Roger Woods

643 posts

210 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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Cable

239 posts

182 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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People need to get past this whole exhaust trim problem they've got, It's very much become the norm; Even the the infallible Ferrari use them


I'm not a fan of it myself, but it doesn't put me off a buying a car. What would put me off is pumping exhaust noise into the cabin, via the speakers; guess who does that? Oh wait... BMW

Edited by Cable on Friday 18th August 08:22

killysprint

193 posts

165 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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I posted this a couple of weeks back in the jap chat forum......

I've ran an 11 plate facelift (LSD, revised suspension and dash, dab) ISF as a daily for the past year or so and it's been brilliantly uneventful. Car is understated (very few know what it is) quick, handles and rides ok, build quality is fantastic and the nearest it's been to the main dealers apart from routine servicing is the Sainsbury's next door. And Does nearly 30mpg on a run.

Probably the best overall package in a car that I've had. Like a previous post it replaced a v10 M5 e61 which was an epic car, but I'm still on first name terms with the service advisor at the local dealer as it spent so much time there. I always had a worry that something big, that the warranty would baulk at would go wrong, and that was ultimately the reason why it had to go. Completely the opposite here, it's been flawless. Ok performance isn't up to the m5, but it's as quick as an e92 m3 which is acceptable enough.

I looked at the usual suspects before deciding on the isf - rs6, rs4, m3, m5, c63, e63, xfr, f type, but the exclusivity, relative lack of depreciation, and most importantly the reliability reputation made it an easy choice. Even though in some cases I'd have to pay x4 the price of what I paid for the isf.

I can understand some of the comments around the gearbox when left to its own devices, normally it is super smooth and offers seamless changes, but when kicking down though it is a bit dim witted and has to sometimes think twice and go down another gear. But when used in manual with the paddles is lightning fast.

12 months in, I'd normally be looking for a change, but honestly apart from a gsf, which still is depreciating like a brick falling off a cliff, I don't know what to change to, that will offer such a pain free ownership experience along with decent performance.



Owlwood

251 posts

155 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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Wow, surprised at the outpouring of love for the IS F here. Usually threads on this car are much more mixed.

Its a car I enjoy seeing around and I respect the people who go for these over these over an M3 or C63 (even if it wouldnt be my choice)

griffsomething

234 posts

160 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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big_rob_sydney said:
I've owned LS's fpr many years, and will say that they're not a car that you easily come to love. Its something that can take a long time to really "get", but once you do, you really appreciate.

I would expect the ISF to be no different in that regard.

So, whats to love? Hmm, engineering quality to die for, for starters. Reliability that you can trust.

I liken it a little to a beauty contest; other cars certainly do look flashy, but its whats on the inside that counts, which is where the Lexus scores a knockout punch, and the others are just plastic, expensive, cars. Try using almost any of the Lexus features, and you'll find the car feels like its hewn from solid granite, such is its weight and feel. Rock solid.

I dont really care about other cars that have the latest gadgets. They'll be broken down at the side of the road soon enough. Look at the JD Powers surveys, and you'll find real owners providing feedback on their cars after actually having them for months, as opposed to the very short-term test drive most journalists get. Any car that takes awhile to get under your skin like the big Lexus does, will never fare well in a short test.

But if you speak to the owners themselves, I think you'll get a very positive response.
This. I bought a fully loaded 2001 IS300 as a daily driver last year with 100k on the clock and its taken a while to really appreciate it, but now its a loved car in our household.

Its been totally dependable in the year and a bit I've had it and, despite being a relatively old design now, it feels so solid and safe. Often finish a long motorway trip not wanting to get out of the amazingly comfy seats! I love the deep burble from the 3.0 but would happily trade it for the V8 in the IS-F!

Didn’t Yamaha have some input into this engine too? Either way, what a nice V8 Super Saloon to rumble about in, 16k is a good buy cool

dufunk

182 posts

122 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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Love the look of these even over the new GSF. With the right body kit they look really mean.

Dr_Rick

1,592 posts

247 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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July last year my 2009 Audi S4 decided it's gearbox wasn't wanting to play, so I offloaded that and took on a friends 2010 ISF with 50k miles. Change of circumstances meant that July this year it was moved on and is currently rumbling around NE Kent.

Quite frankly it was / is an awesome car. Yes it costs £500+ in tax, yes it's a bit more hungry than a Golf, but as others have said: you either get it, or you don't.

Mine was 2010 and had the Bluetooth, the voice control and the LSD. It didn't have the updated suspension. There are apparently two update periods; the one I had and another one in about 2011 where you get the revised suspension and a slight change to the dashboard. It's all noted somewhere either Wikipedia or an owners forum.

Mine also had a few tweaks: pained grill surround, rear tints, LED DRL / sidelights, and most importantly a custom cat-back valved exhaust. Lovely.

I used mine as a daily (with winter tyres, obvs) and it was perfect. Servicing from Lexus wasn't painful, I didn't run a warranty but didn't feel it was worth it. Nothing failed. Lexus did try to charge me £1000 for 4 pads and 2 discs for the front, but EuroCarParts supplied and I fitted on the drive in about 1.5hrs. No problem - £700 in my pocket.

On some local car owner runs, it would more than easily keep up with more well known exotica.

Simple things really: if you have an opportunity to own one, and 'get it' - do it, you won't regret it.

As a p.s. I'm now running a Lotus Evora, and while much more engaging to drive (which is what I like), I do miss the rumble and the torque. And that is despite the ISF not being a torque monster.

bigmuzzie

89 posts

101 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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Having a big V8 already I was really interested in this article, then I saw the dash shot!

Who paid +£50k for an interior like that?

The engine and dynamics may be fantastic but between the "quad" exhausts and the interior I couldn't face spending my cash on one.

(I'm currently in and XFR, Alfa Mito cloverleaf and a Coupe Fiat Turbo, all three of these put that interior to shame)

FN2TypeR

7,091 posts

92 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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giblet said:
FN2TypeR said:
article said:
You can now get an IS F for £15K - fancy it?
I do, yes! yes

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 hehe )
Apologies for the Instagram link but it's all I have to hand -

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!
Bloody marvellous cool

swisstoni

16,850 posts

278 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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bigmuzzie said:
Having a big V8 already I was really interested in this article, then I saw the dash shot!

Who paid +£50k for an interior like that?

The engine and dynamics may be fantastic but between the "quad" exhausts and the interior I couldn't face spending my cash on one.

(I'm currently in and XFR, Alfa Mito cloverleaf and a Coupe Fiat Turbo, all three of these put that interior to shame)
The dash may look a bit drab but the materials used are v high quality if our Lexus (not one of these) is anything to go by.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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Owlwood said:
Wow, surprised at the outpouring of love for the IS F here. Usually threads on this car are much more mixed.

Its a car I enjoy seeing around and I respect the people who go for these over these over an M3 or C63 (even if it wouldnt be my choice)
Well all the things journalists bleat about cease to matter so much when it comes to owning and running one. Constant reliability headaches and huge bills can tarnish the experience far more than a slightly naff dash, and so as an actual ownership experience the compromises of an ISF are probably better for most people than an M5.

Also why is it that BMW and Audi absolutely cannot make one of these cars that isn't hilariously needy and fragile, but Lexus and even Jaguar have a better stab at it.

giblet

8,824 posts

176 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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swisstoni said:
bigmuzzie said:
Having a big V8 already I was really interested in this article, then I saw the dash shot!

Who paid +£50k for an interior like that?

The engine and dynamics may be fantastic but between the "quad" exhausts and the interior I couldn't face spending my cash on one.

(I'm currently in and XFR, Alfa Mito cloverleaf and a Coupe Fiat Turbo, all three of these put that interior to shame)
The dash may look a bit drab but the materials used are v high quality if our Lexus (not one of these) is anything to go by.
Brother owns a XFR and I drove both that and my ISF back to back plenty of times. Yes the XFR has a nicer dash with leather etc but it cost over 10k more in comparison to my ISF (used prices). More bits to go wrong in the XFR like the interior lights and he's already had a replacement engine under warranty. I liked the ISF interior, everything was well put together and solid.

Heaveho

5,279 posts

173 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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bigmuzzie said:
(I'm currently in and XFR, Alfa Mito cloverleaf and a Coupe Fiat Turbo, all three of these put that interior to shame)
You'd rather have a nice dashboard and put up with the fragilty of this lot? I wouldn't set off on any kind of distance related trip in any of them and assume I'd actually get there. Something I'm inclined not to worry about too much in any Lexus. I've probably had the easiest job in the world thanks to Lexus, processing their warranty claims for a main dealer. Didn't involve doing much!

sas782b

41 posts

89 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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Slurms said:
I had one of these a few years ago and they're brilliant.

Actually looks like Lexus Bristol have my old one for sale.

Shame that the RC-F that replaced it lost much of the character.
Hi Kevin 😀 I traded it in and it's ended up at Lexus Bristol. Zero issues whilst I owned it like a lot of owners report.

I only changed because I needed something a little more practical whilst doing my best to avoid buying a SUV type vehicle so now I have a C63 estate.

Although the C63 has an awesome engine (6.2 not the 4.0 turbo) I miss the IS-F and will definitely consider a GS-F when they drop in value a little more.

In summary - highly recommended!

JLC_321

1 posts

79 months

Friday 18th August 2017
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I worked for Lexus for over 5 years and while it was rare, I always loved when we had one of these in stock - So much so, that I treated myself to one when I left - A beautiful 1 owner car in Arctic Pearl with FLSH! I have had the car over 2 years now, and in that time she has done only around 4000 miles, mostly from track days and spirited drives (I have another car I use daily!). She has never missed a beat, and with a few choice modifications (Suspension for a more track appropriate ride, competition brakes, wheels for a better contact patch, plus exhaust and intake for power along with some other modifications for reliability) she is even more amazing now than the day I bought her!

Other toys may come and go, but I will never sell this car - It is understated, Reliable, brutally quick, balanced, comfortable, full of spec, and with the V8 roar and rarity it is full of character!

For anyone thinking about it, just do it! You will not regret it! If anyone does have any questions on the car or ownership then feel free to reach out to me directly! You can see some pics of mine at https://www.instagram.com/JLC_321/

Happy ISF hunting!

Edited by JLC_321 on Friday 18th August 20:27

700BHP

456 posts

79 months

Saturday 19th August 2017
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Love the white pearl paint on these.

I know you said you don't want to sell it but I insist you do. To me. Now.

stuart_83

1,002 posts

100 months

Saturday 19th August 2017
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Started looking at these a few months back and noticed they were well priced ... What a car for the money!

Think I'll add this to the potential next car list - I'd really like something a bit special next. M3s don't do it for me, C63s have eye-watering parts bills, RS4s seem to be incredibly expensive, and I doubt Giulia QFs will be in a suitable price range in 2 years time.

This seems to tick all the boxes, plus "reasonable" fuel economy for the size of the engine.

Now just to find a job closer to home so I'm not doing 15k/yr! ... Or get a diesel snotter for work and use this at weekends and the summer. Hmm.