Newbie With Sights On An F

RossISF · May 16, 2015

Hi all, A quick message firstly say hi as this is my first post.

I have been a Toyota fan for years and after my fair share of them I am now set on buying an F.

I've started with a starlet as my first car and had everything else in between. I am currently in the process of selling a facelift TT6 Supra with the view of picking up an F next year.

Where better to learn about you next potential car than a forum.

Just from reading on here they seem to be a pretty bulletproof car, which to be honest has made my mind up as as I was considering an RS4. Side by side they are similar but the RS4 has a few costly inevitable issues (engine carbon build up and leaky shocks- both costing £££s) so I am now set on the F.

From what I gather on here there are no major issue with the ISF, which is great so no real items except the basics to check for when I finally get to look for one.

I look forward to reading and learning as much as I can here over the next few months before I make the purchase.

Here a pic of my supra which has no room for 2 kids!

stevet · May 17, 2015

Welcome! And that is one nice Supra.

Keith_W · May 17, 2015

Welcome - lovely Supra by the way, I've always had a soft spot for them.

As you rightly point out, the F is absolutely bullet proof with no real issues reported - even across the American forum (and they have loads of them over there).

If your Supra is tuned, you might not notice much of a difference in power but I promise that you will much prefer the noise the F makes! You won't go wrong as long as you budget for consumables such as tyres and brakes. That said, I have found that mine aren't wearing out quickly at all; after almost two years of ownership, my disks and pads are still nowhere near close to being worn and the rear tyres (that I was forced to change prematurely) still look new!

Let us know how you get on.

Stuno1 · May 17, 2015

Welcome. I am sure Pete will be along soon as a long time supra owner and now an f owner. As merntuond above and as you have stated they are bullet proof. I won't drivel on as I usually do but this is the car for people who really do their research and like something different and rare.

Let me know when you are looking as I'll be selling mine next year. You never know, may be around the same time.

Stu

RossISF · May 17, 2015

Hi all, cheers for the welcome. After all my research its even more assuring to hear form owners how reliable they are. My best mate is a totota master tech he too said they are highly reliable and a very exciting car. I am so glad that they have come on my radar as i was up against a brick wall as to where to go after the supra looking for reliable power, as well as having enough room for two kids.
I know all about consumables with the supra with 295's on the rear! I jus wish i was getting it now like a child waiting for xmas now waiting to get my hands on one.

Cheers stu , u never know we jus might be talking next year! Any details on yours?
Im hoping for an early pre june 08 model as they are on a cheaper tax band in ireland.

All the best,

Ross

Stuno1 · May 17, 2015

Hi all, cheers for the welcome. After all my research its even more assuring to hear form owners how reliable they are. My best mate is a totota master tech he too said they are highly reliable and a very exciting car. I am so glad that they have come on my radar as i was up against a brick wall as to where to go after the supra looking for reliable power, as well as having enough room for two kids.

I know all about consumables with the supra with 295's on the rear! I jus wish i was getting it now like a child waiting for xmas now waiting to get my hands on one.

Cheers stu , u never know we jus might be talking next year! Any details on yours?

Im hoping for an early pre june 08 model as they are on a cheaper tax band in ireland.

All the best,

Ross

Mine is a late 08 registered in October (I think) standard apart from stripped and painted callipers done properly not masked off. Hayward and Scott cat back exhaust, takeda intake, apexi throttle controller, light tint on rear windows, referbished all the wheels, had a number of panels sprayed to make the car more tidy. It's also going in for a paint correction detail, interior and engine bay detail next month :)

Oh and it's always had Lexus warranty and will have approximately one year left with the possibility to extend for one additional year.

Stu

RossISF · May 17, 2015

Hi all, cheers for the welcome. After all my research its even more assuring to hear form owners how reliable they are. My best mate is a totota master tech he too said they are highly reliable and a very exciting car. I am so glad that they have come on my radar as i was up against a brick wall as to where to go after the supra looking for reliable power, as well as having enough room for two kids.

I know all about consumables with the supra with 295's on the rear! I jus wish i was getting it now like a child waiting for xmas now waiting to get my hands on one.

Cheers stu , u never know we jus might be talking next year! Any details on yours?

Im hoping for an early pre june 08 model as they are on a cheaper tax band in ireland.

All the best,

Ross

Mine is a late 08 registered in October (I think) standard apart from stripped and painted callipers done properly not masked off. Hayward and Scott cat back exhaust, takeda intake, apexi throttle controller, light tint on rear windows, referbished all the wheels, had a number of panels sprayed to make the car more tidy. It's also going in for a paint correction detail, interior and engine bay detail next month :)

Oh and it's always had Lexus warranty and will have approximately one year left with the possibility to extend for one additional year.

Stu

Sounds nice, and well cared for. Point me in the direction of any pics? where will it be pricewise? Mileage?

Stuno1 · May 17, 2015

Hi, no idea on price. Will see what the market is like next year. It will be on roughly 60-65k. Also had the seats restored but they wear quickly! Loads of info about my car on here. Few clips below. Also have others showing cabin sound pre and post more and it's shows almost no difference when crushing but great sound under load.

https://youtu.be/OzvbajDrtZE

https://youtu.be/S3k2LoGd76Y

Stu

Stuno1 · May 17, 2015

Few pics ...

RossISF · May 17, 2015

Absolutely amazing. Im so sold on these, love is a strong word.

Beautiful example looks v well cared for.

Stuno1 · May 18, 2015

Which ever one you end up you won't be disappointed. They are incredible cars. PM me when you are looking and we can see if we can work something out.

Stu

Ace8800 · May 19, 2015

Welcome to the forum buddy.. and may i say you made the right choice picking a ISF.

i did a lot of research b4 buying mine, had allsorts of debates against C63s RS4s and M3s.. but at the end just like you loving toyota, i been bought up by my dad who is a retired Toyota loving Mechanic.

also the guys on here were very helpful with their 1st hand experiences.

but apart from that, i wanted something that's not common, smoother than the competitors with Luxury and Power.. the ISF ticked all the boxes. ive had mine for 2 weeks and love it.. i know its still a new toy, and the excitement might ware off, but atleast i wont wake up one day dreading a common problem like the other German cars.

just make sure all the service is there when you get one.

apart from that i honestly cant knock the car. make sure you do post some pics when it arrives.

btw very nice Supra.

Ace8800 · May 19, 2015

Stu.. love the calipers.. i want blue on mine.. you do them yourself?

what was the process?

are they after market lexus stickers after the paint job?

Stuno1 · May 19, 2015

Stu.. love the calipers.. i want blue on mine.. you do them yourself?

what was the process?

are they after market lexus stickers after the paint job?

Hi, I didn do them. I took the to a body shop I use in maldon in Essex. They took them off and stripped them down to component parts. Stripped off the paint back to the metal and the re-painted them in heat resistant paint.

The decals are from eBay and again are heat resistant.

Stu

Ace8800 · May 19, 2015

price? if you don't me asking

lotusdave · May 19, 2015

welcome. I've a supercharger Elise and isf. The isf is a great stealth car as it isn't flash to look at for most folks but the petrol heads amongst us will know what it is. Mine is bog standard (other than winters fitted in, er, winter) and is a work horse doing 10,000 miles a year mainly on motorways for work. Its perfect. M25 proof automatic and will see off a hot hatch from the lights when needed. as an early ish model, 58 plate, its a bit harsh ride wise and when I get back in the lotus I really notice the steering feel. The lotus is noisy and tiny so its not a like for like comparison. I love my isf, so don't faff about get yourself one. Choice is limited as you no doubt know...

Stuno1 · May 19, 2015

price? if you don't me asking

Can't remember exactly but roughly 300-400 pounds.

Stu

Corrado · May 19, 2015

Welcome Ross. Nice Supra :)

Cargav · May 22, 2015

Welcome along Ross. I bought mine a few months ago after research on here as well and it was really invaluable.

I'm in Ireland as well so the tax was a consideration but I ended up buying an 09 as it was the best I could find. There have been a number of updates to the cars over the years so bear that in mind when looking. The tax is painful - but better to get the right car.

good luck with the search.

Gavan

RossISF · May 22, 2015

Welcome along Ross. I bought mine a few months ago after research on here as well and it was really invaluable.

I'm in Ireland as well so the tax was a consideration but I ended up buying an 09 as it was the best I could find. There have been a number of updates to the cars over the years so bear that in mind when looking. The tax is painful - but better to get the right car.

good luck with the search.

Gavan

I appreciate all the welcomes & advice folks.

An Irish ISF owner thats rare! I actually met an ISf owner the other day and he said as far as he knows there are only 4 in the country!

People in the Uk prob dont realise how bad the tax is here. wait for it guys 2200 euro a year, not a misprint, absolute robbery!

the supra will hit Piston heads now tonight so depending on how much I fetch for that will determine how long I have to wait for the F.

After sitting in one last week it better be soon when I get my hands on one!

Ross

Ace8800 · May 22, 2015

Welcome along Ross. I bought mine a few months ago after research on here as well and it was really invaluable.

I'm in Ireland as well so the tax was a consideration but I ended up buying an 09 as it was the best I could find. There have been a number of updates to the cars over the years so bear that in mind when looking. The tax is painful - but better to get the right car.

good luck with the search.

Gavan

I appreciate all the welcomes & advice folks.

An Irish ISF owner thats rare! I actually met an ISf owner the other day and he said as far as he knows there are only 4 in the country!

People in the Uk prob dont realise how bad the tax is here. wait for it guys 2200 euro a year, not a misprint, absolute robbery!

the supra will hit Piston heads now tonight so depending on how much I fetch for that will determine how long I have to wait for the F.

After sitting in one last week it better be soon when I get my hands on one!

Ross

WHAT!!! NO F€$#ING WAY!!

Stuno1 · May 22, 2015

Welcome along Ross. I bought mine a few months ago after research on here as well and it was really invaluable.

I'm in Ireland as well so the tax was a consideration but I ended up buying an 09 as it was the best I could find. There have been a number of updates to the cars over the years so bear that in mind when looking. The tax is painful - but better to get the right car.

good luck with the search.

Gavan

I appreciate all the welcomes & advice folks.

An Irish ISF owner thats rare! I actually met an ISf owner the other day and he said as far as he knows there are only 4 in the country!

People in the Uk prob dont realise how bad the tax is here. wait for it guys 2200 euro a year, not a misprint, absolute robbery!

the supra will hit Piston heads now tonight so depending on how much I fetch for that will determine how long I have to wait for the F.

After sitting in one last week it better be soon when I get my hands on one!

Ross

Heard similar silly prices when I used to own a Mazda 3 MPS and there was a chap looking to bring one across. Fingers crossed for you dude.

Stu

Ace8800 · May 22, 2015

forget the ISF lol

buy a Aygo 1.0

Cargav · May 22, 2015

My hope is that low depreciation will even out the horrendous tax costs - bit of a stretch but anything to avoid an Aygo !

Stu - it is worse than you think. The €2,200 is an annual tax bill - the tax to register the car in the country on day one is at least double that. It takes real commitment to buy anything sporty over here.....

Worth it though !

Gavan

Stuno1 · May 22, 2015

Madness. Hopefully you find the car you want. Make sure you take your time and find a loved example. I don't think these will lose much of any value from where they are now for some time. There is a lot of appreciation out there for these cars and well loved models will hold value well.

Stu