Newbie From Leeds - Researching The Isf

[GibletPH]

Greetings folks. As the title says I'm a newbie and here to research the ISF. I'm looking to replace my current leftfield Japanese saloon (1999 Mitsubishi Galant VR4) in a few months and the ISF is on the shortlist of possible replacements.

I've been longing for another V8 ever since the day I sold my 1998 Jaguar XJR. Granted that was only a 4.0 but the supercharger gave it a bit more poke. I looked at an Evo X initially as a logical upgrade from the VR4 but the boot is too small for my requirements and I would only regret not buying a V8 engined car!

The ISF seems like a lot of car for the money, earlier examples seem to be advertised from £15-19k depending on mileage and condition. Are the running and servicing costs quite steep? With the VR4 I'm used to 6 month oil changes (using premium grade stuff). It does 16-18mpg on V Power but I had it converted to LPG last year so the price per mile has dropped to half that of petrol. Would probably look into having the ISF converted later down the line if I do buy one.

Other cars on the shortlist are the E90 M3 saloon and the C63 AMG. Both are more common than the ISF and a fair few grand more so I would be stretching my budget to the max if I went for either. The C63 has a cracking exhaust note but it seems to be driven mainly by idiots. The ISF is way more discreet/stealth than the other two as well which is a bonus. The only downside for me is the lack of a middle seat in the back but I could live with that.

Are there any known issues or weakpoints on the ISF? I'm hoping they live up to the usual Lexus reliability stereotype. I've read that the facelift models have a mechanical rear diff amongst other upgrades. Have any owners driven both the pre facelift and the facelift and if so is the difference noticeable in every day driving?

[Bluesman]

Hi Gib and welcome to the LOC, we are a
friendly bunch and some of us even know how to pull them to bits and
put them back together again, with of course the one bolt and washer
left over.

We recommend you spend a couple of mins
looking over the rules of the LOC, we will be asking questions later

I cant help with your present queries
but I'm sure someone will be along ASAP.

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/terms-conditions/

Regards Mike.

[Stuno1]

Hi, that's the same shopping list as every isf owner. The reliability of the isf is epic. Very few issues at all with them and none that are common and needs to be addressed on every car. The wheels and callipers can peal on older models but this is not always the case. That's it! Make sure the recent recalls have been done. Brakes am an be expensive if done at a dealer at around 1500 all around for pads and discs but can be done for half that if you source the parts and get a Indy to fit.

Try can get an exhaust that make the car sound not to different to the c63. That's what I did with mine. It was done by Hayward and Scott and now a lot of owner have the same system on their cars. It is a lot more rare than the others you mention and a lot more repairable and better looking imo. Loads of info on the site so get stuck in and have a nose.

Stu

[GibletPH]

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. I've been reading through the old threads in the ISF section over the past few days. Part of me is still tempted to stick a bid in for the ex humberside one on eBay despite the potential niggles. Clearly I'm not right in't head :outforcount:

[Stuno1]

If you get it for a good price you can tart up what needs to be done. Just bare in mind it won't be easy to sell on.

[GibletPH]

Common sense has prevailed, going to give the ex plod car a wide berth.

Are there any concrete figures on the number of ISFs sold? Any breakdown on number per colour? I rather like the blue and the dark grey cars. I recall seeing your old car advertised on Pistonheads a month or so ago and it looked great.

[Stuno1]

Common sense has prevailed, going to give the ex plod car a wide berth.

Are there any concrete figures on the number of ISFs sold? Any breakdown on number per colour? I rather like the blue and the dark grey cars. I recall seeing your old car advertised on Pistonheads a month or so ago and it looked great.

There is a thread on this but I don't remember the exact figures other than it was about 220 in total. I personally don't think another like mine will come up. I had a lot of work done to it to get it the condition it was in when I sold it. I spent about 4K on it. Due to the rcf there has been a lot more interest in isf's recently. My advert got over 1500 views in 3 weeks! If you remain active in the forum and someone wants to move on maybe you can find out before it gets listed??

[GibletPH]

I'll be sticking around the forum, don't plan on switching cars until Feb/March so will keep an eye out for any forum members who are looking to sell around then.

[Stuno1]

Are you test driving any of them?

[GibletPH]

I will be, weather isn't great at the moment but there is one for sale at Lexus Sheffield which isn't too far away from me. Will try to go view it and see if they will give me a test drive soon.

[Stuno1]

Be interesting to hear your views on the different cars.