Lexus IS F | Spotted
V8 power, beefy looks and no major reliability concerns sound almost too good to be true. It isn't
The odds were stacked against Lexus when it introduced the IS F to the UK in 2008. Not only did the Japanese brand have zero performance car credentials, but it also had the stones to charge more than the likes of the E90 BMW M3 and W204 Mercedes C 63 AMG. Despite adding to its performance portfolio with the LFA a couple of years later and the M5-rivalling GS F, Lexus struggled to win over buyers and only managed to sell a few hundred examples in the UK. Hardly a runaway success, then.
Naturally, this has made the IS F a bit of a cult classic because, aside from its initial premium, the Japanese sports saloon had a huge amount going for it. The obvious draw was the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8, developed in partnership with Yamaha and sending 423hp to the rear wheels. That may have only been a smidgen more than what the M3 delivered from a smaller capacity V8, but the IS F’s 371lb ft of torque monstered the BMW's 295lb ft. Granted, the C 63 trumped both of them, but the IS F could at least hold its own in a straight fight against the German old guard.
Lexus engineers (or were they Toyota?) didn’t muck about with the IS F’s chassis, either. The suspension, for example, retained the same layout as the base IS saloon, only with components constructed from lighter materials to reduce unsprung mass. The spring and damper rates were considerably stiffer (perhaps a little too stiff, depending on who you ask), while beefier anti-roll bars were installed to keep the 1,700-odd kilo weight in check. In true Lexus fashion, the IS F was far better suited to a brisk cruise than being hustled around Cadwell Park on a busy track day, yet for early morning blasts along your preferred bit of tarmac, the IS F was more than up for the task.
Granted, there’s an argument to be had that it didn’t feel as plush as its German competitors, and while its cabin was solid there’s not a huge amount inside to separate it from a regular IS aside from some F badges and sportier seats. There’s no denying it looked the part on the outside, though, with pumped-up arches that were further enhanced by a blade-like vent behind the front wheels. And let’s not forget the double-stacked exhausts, which were a real curveball given that Lexus was well-known for very conservative designs (read: dull) up to that point.
Obviously, it wasn’t sufficiently stimulating to steal swarms of would-be M3 and C 63 buyers, but it was one heck of a statement of intent. It’s looked on far more favourably these days too because it was built to the same standards as every other Lexus or Toyota is, meaning it’s tough enough to survive a nuclear strike and won’t cost a fortune to service. Well, apart from fuel and tax, which, er, you might want to set aside a bit of your budget for.
Good thing you won’t have to fork out major money initially, then, and given their rarity you seldom see examples with dodgy body kits on and questionable engine mods. The car we have here is one of the early 2008 cars and, by the looks of it, is as stock as the day it was first registered. Only 81,300 miles have been covered, too, which by Lexus standards means it’s only just run-in. Probably. How does £19,950 sound? It’s the only one up for sale on PH at the time of writing (told you they were rare), but most pre-facelift IS Fs are hovering around the £20k mark, while a post-facelift (which softened the ride) will cost between £5k and £10k more. Yes, you’ll find a used C 63 and M3 for less, but there’s a good chance you’ll save more in the long run - just not on tax or fuel.
SPECIFICATION | LEXUS IS F
Engine: 4,968cc V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 423@6,600rpm
Torque (lb ft): 372@5,200rpm
MPG: 24.8
CO2: 283g/km
Year registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 81,300
Price new: £51,105
Yours for: £19,950
An intriguing car, but I think I would struggle to buy one over an M3 in reality. I don't understand why the article complains that the interior is dull to be honest. Is the interior of an M3 that thrilling? Just like this, it's basically the same as the bog standard models, just with different seats. That's the same with virtually every other performance variant of a normal car.
They are worth every penny btw
£5k/£6k don't be silly.
£5k/£6k don't be silly.
£5k/£6k don't be silly.
£5k/£6k don't be silly.
People like cars that work.
The market sets the price. Lexus values, as the models get older, strengthen in comparison to its competitors, because Lexus are superbly reliable.
Maybe it should be nearer £15k but £5k is nonsense.
It should be far nearer 5/6k than the delusional 20k
Wasn't special new, has never been acclaimed as a great of it's era. Comical pricing and defence of the price here.
For similar money (plus £3k) you can get a 10 year newer M3 with lower mileage...... no brainer.
Granted, £5/6k lower maybe stretching it a little bit, but considering there's one on AT for £12.5 (granted, with ASTRONOMICAL mileage.... but it's a Lexus isn't it - aren't they supposed to be good for a million?), and two on another well known auction site with mileage in the 50's asking £16k, his assertion isn't too 'silly' at all in my opinion.
It should be far nearer 5/6k than the delusional 20k
Wasn't special new, has never been acclaimed as a great of it's era. Comical pricing and defence of the price here.
For similar money (plus £3k) you can get a 10 year newer M3 with lower mileage...... no brainer.
I had one for a while, essentially triple black with no chrome, smoked wheels and black interior / exterior. It was a complete sleeper. Previous (friend) owner had a local guy put a switched valved exhaust on it, and when bypassing the rear silencers it sounded epic. It would hold it's own on a blast with much more exotic machinery (that cost a country mile more than your £6k).
Yes, the engine was fairly locked down without spending a fortune on something like a supercharger. You could change the coil overs for something better to improve the handling, but on an open road, not a track, it wasn't really necessary.
I agree that the price is a little toppy, but looking across the 11 on AT, there's one there that's gone completely off the reservation with an imported car (Japan, still in km) with a reported 107,400 miles on a 63plate for £27.5k.
However, these cars are very good and worth the money of you 'get it'.
But they're not £6k.
£5k/£6k don't be silly.
People like cars that work.
The market sets the price. Lexus values, as the models get older, strengthen in comparison to its competitors, because Lexus are superbly reliable.
Maybe it should be nearer £15k but £5k is nonsense.
Being as there were only around 200 imported, I don't suppose many have seen one, let alone driven one.
In the time I had mine, I never saw another on the road, and still haven't seen one since I sold it.
Name another brand of high performance car, where you get it serviced once a year, and nothing goes wrong.
The only expenses, fuel, tyres and brakes. Admittedly the tax is expensive, but the reliability counters that.
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