Looking to buy an IS-F

[Tom24]

Hi all, New member on here as I'm looking to buy an IS-F over the next week or 2 and could do with some advice. 

What shall i look for in terms of service history and work done to the car at certain service intervals? Any big jobs that need doing at certain mileages?

Any weak points or known problems I should look for and any information on what I can expect with running costs? 

My budget is around £23-24k and have seen a couple of low mileage examples from 2008-2011 that are affordable. 

Hopefully can find the perfect one for me with help from you guys on here. 

[rayaans]

In terms of service history make sure they have ALL been done - i.e at every 10k. Some cars seem to have service histories which are hit or miss with once car I recently saw having done 16k miles between its services.

Not really any big jobs to do as they are as reliable as you can get. Of course, the 60k and 100k mileages are the most expensive ones so if you're buying one with mileages around that figure, make sure you factor in the cost if its not been done.

Running costs aren't too bad for what it is, 30mpg on the motorway and about 15-18 in town dependent on driving.

[Tom24]

Thanks. The ones I'm looking at are a 2011 with 29k on the clock, and a 2009 with 44k on the clock. 

The 2011 is about £3500 more expensive but the 2009 is from a main dealer. 

[rayaans]

14 minutes ago, Tom24 said:

Thanks. The ones I'm looking at are a 2011 with 29k on the clock, and a 2009 with 44k on the clock. 

The 2011 is about £3500 more expensive but the 2009 is from a main dealer. 

I believe the 2011 is the one you want to go for as it seems to be a facelift model with LSD (blue portion on steering wheel) and it will have the better suspension too.

Dont be worried about getting it as long as it has a FLSH, just get a Lexus extended warranty put on it and you should be fine.

[Peter P18]

Welcome. 

I'd agree the extra spec on the 2011 model is worth the extra cost. Service history is important, but I'd personally be just fine seeing independent specialists over main dealer stamps. Not convinced Lexus are worth the extra cost to be completely honest. Most dealerships aren't that familiar with the IS-F due to its rarity.

Warranty offers peace of mind, but I don't have one as the cars are very well built and durable compared to others.

Servicing needs to be every 10k or annually. So I'd expect at least 5 services on the 2011, if not 6.

There were a couple of recalls, but you can ask them about that, or check the VIN with your nearest Lexus dealership.

Running costs are very fair considering what you get for your money. Check the condition of the brake rotors and pads, and the tires. These are quite expensive to replace, but factor that in with your negotiations. If you do need work like brakes doing, buy the parts yourself. No reason Lexus should kick off about that if you provide them with the parts to install. 

Best of luck with your search. Any questions, fire away. Happy to help. 

[Tom24]

Thanks, the 2011 one is a dark grey one at a place called Hendys in Torquay/Exeter and is up for around £23-24k on Autotrader, the 2009 is in silver from Lexus Bristol and they also have a 2008 one in silver at Lexus Manchester.

There is a 2011 one for £26k at Lexus Bristol but that is £2k outside my budget.

The grey one has a Lexus extended warranty but Hendys done know if its transerable?

[DT_Racing]

Depending on mileage you should be able to knock a fair bit off the price off the 2011 from Bristol. I paid about your budget for my 2011 at the start of this year and she had 32k on the clock. Might be worth a punt if thats the one you want. Always worth a try...

[Tom24]

I've already tried and they won't budge....the one in Torquay / Exeter is a couple of grand cheaper tho. 

[rayaans]

1 hour ago, Tom24 said:

I've already tried and they won't budge....the one in Torquay / Exeter is a couple of grand cheaper tho. 

And arguably a better colour IMO!

If the Grey one has a Lexus Extended Warranty on it, it costs £25 to transfer to the new owner. You will also get roadside assistance for the remainder of the warranty as well. And of course, it definitely has a full Lexus Service History if it has the warranty on it.

 

[Tom24]

I've enquired about the warranty and it expires in August. How much are they to extend usually? 

[Tom24]

Happy to say i put a deposit down on a 2008 Cadoxton Slate example today from Lexus Coventry. 42k, fsh and just had the major 60k service done costing £1800 with new discs, pads etc. 

Can't wait to collect it! 

[rayaans]

4 minutes ago, Tom24 said:

Happy to say i put a deposit down on a 2008 Cadoxton Slate example today from Lexus Coventry. 42k, fsh and just had the major 60k service done costing £1800 with new discs, pads etc. 

Can't wait to collect it! 

Warranty is £895 for 2 years I believe.

What stopped you from going for the newer model?

[Peter P18]

30 minutes ago, Tom24 said:

Happy to say i put a deposit down on a 2008 Cadoxton Slate example today from Lexus Coventry. 42k, fsh and just had the major 60k service done costing £1800 with new discs, pads etc. 

Can't wait to collect it! 

Congrats! 

Best colour too! 

I'm sure you'll be pleased with it. Great cars for the money. 

Get some pictures up once you've settled in together! 

[Tom24]

44 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Warranty is £895 for 2 years I believe.

What stopped you from going for the newer model?

My missus wants to recarpet the stairs/landing and bedrooms so we settled on the cheaper Lexus lol!! 

[Tom24]

This is the one 👌

[Peter P18]

Looks clean!

Nice choice.

All been there in terms of keeping the other half happy mate! Lol.

You'll love it I'm sure.

[DAW]

Welcome to the club,  Nice car - looks very shiny!!

I'm sure you will a lot of fun on your way home from picking it up!!

[Tom24]

Thinking of putting a personalised ISF plate on it as have enough left in my budget for one. 

Only thing is with the plate I've seen I would need to alter the spacing. 

Its a 5 digit one and would want to space them #  ###  # 

Think I'd get pulled for it? 

[Arqum]

Depends on the copper. I got a producer this morning even though my plate is not incorrectly spaced or the wrong font.

This guy was a jobs worth from City Of London Police and said my plate doesn't look right etc. Held me for an hour before giving me a producer and sending me on my way.

[finchy40]

Tom. Probably best if you ring me (07711 450302). Cheers. Gary

[Womble72]

Hi Tom,

bought mine from Lexus Coventry last year, if your dealing with Richard, give him my regards, was an expensive weekend away at the Motofest that weekend. 

I'm sure you'll love the car 

 

all the best Paul

[Womble72]

On 21 May 2016 at 1:15 PM, Tom24 said:

Thinking of putting a personalised ISF plate on it as have enough left in my budget for one. 

Only thing is with the plate I've seen I would need to alter the spacing. 

Its a 5 digit one and would want to space them #  ###  # 

Think I'd get pulled for it? 

I've had my plate 17 years, spacing is and has always been offset, I've never been pulled once for it, was told as long as it's the required height, not distorted by bolts, italic letters and its readable by the ANPR then it should be fine, obviously there is the odd moron out there, thankfully I've not met him yet,

paul

[Tom24]

Yep it's Richard who I I've been dealing with. Will mention it to him on Wednesday when I collect the ISF. 

[Tom24]

Was in the phone last night sorting the 3 day drive away insurance with Lexus and they wanted to give me a quote for the full year......£1900 fully comp!!!

It's costing me £58 to change my current policy which runs out in August and can get a full 12 month policy for £604 using the comparison websites. 

Think that's pretty reasonable for a 33yr old with only 2yrs no claims. 

[Peter P18]

15 hours ago, Tom24 said:

Was in the phone last night sorting the 3 day drive away insurance with Lexus and they wanted to give me a quote for the full year......£1900 fully comp!!!

It's costing me £58 to change my current policy which runs out in August and can get a full 12 month policy for £604 using the comparison websites. 

Think that's pretty reasonable for a 33yr old with only 2yrs no claims. 

That's a good price mate. 

I pay the same but am 36 with full NCB.

All my mods are declared though, and covered on a like for like replacement basis though should the worst happen! 

For me, that's worth its weight in gold!