Cheap IS-F

[Linas.P]

Spotted this one on Autotrader...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201711181375129?model=IS F&sort=price-asc&advertising-location=at_cars&make=LEXUS&radius=1500&postcode=wf177rs&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

In some parallel reality where I have no issue finding where to dispose my IS250 I would be quite tempted to consider it as a Christmas gift to myself and as a "minimum viable upgrade" (bear in mind as replacement for 175k miles IS250). However, MOT history is patchy at best for VRM J77HMR - vehicle had several other plates and just to name a few.. nothing comes up for DK58NJE, IS250 for DF08VDY, RC(F?) for RD07TES, BMW M5 for C16RWF... share number of different and seemingly random plates for single owner looks bit suspicious for me. Strange gap between 2014 - 2016.. it seems DK58NJE and 77HMR were switched back and forward, only 10k miles over 2 years.. yet nearly 20k miles between 2011 and 2012...

Good thing he kept (and includes) original IS-F rear lights ... otherwise this should have been dismissed as"rice destroyer" example. Car seems nice in pictures (bear in mind it looked like that few year back wearing VRM DK58NJE).

Maybe somebody knows this one better or have viewed it?

[emjay82]

The price is attractive but as we've said in the past, if you're going to sell a rare beast like the ISF privately,  it needs to be A1. The little mods would put me off and I personally don't like the added V8 and 5.0 badges 🤔 but.... everyone to their own. 

[Flytvr]

Agree on the chav up bits. That would need to be returned to original.

Having said that, looks good - providing it all checks out.

 

[Bluethunder]

Linus,  pay an extra 1K and get the silver one on AT.

[Ace8800]

Just make sure it all checks out.. when i bought mine i did a thorough check, called the the specialists who looked after thr car for almost 6 yrs, with email confirmation to make sure the work was done.. condition is key mechanically and visually. Its little things like this that give the new owner a piece of mind and make your very rare car appealing to buy. .  low owners who have had it a long time and a tidy car make a good buy.

When you start and drive it you will know if the car for you or not.

When i bought my current one it drove better then my last white one (which was bought from dealers).

£13k for ISF in good nick and no issues is a no brainer.

Good luck.

[Ace8800]

20 minutes ago, Bluethunder said:

Linus,  pay an extra 1K and get the silver one on AT.

Join the silver club.. tell him ratty @Big Rat

[Big Rat]

@Ace8800 No I can't be seen favouring one colour over another but if I was forced to have an opinion..............

Bug Rat

[Ace8800]

Oh go on then... @Big Rat

[Shahpor]

The number plate thing is a strange one.

From the paperwork that is visible, it seems to have been on DK58NJE at the beginning of 2013, but then on C16RWF at the beginning of 2017.  However, the middle invoice says 'car sold Mr T', so it is possible it was on DK58NJE and was then changed to C16RWF when he bought it (considering his name is Crawford it would make sense).  If the person who sold it also had it on a private plate, that would explain why it has no MOT history on that plate since it was never have been MOT'd while it was on.

Also, even though it looks like it wasn't MOT'd for 2 years between 2014 and 2016, it is actually only 13 months, so it looks like it was late by a month, probably because someone forgot.

Perhaps not the best move putting them on the internet, but it seems that Mr Crawford's name, address, telephone number and e-mail address are visible on the invoice, so you could always call or e-mail him to see what the story is (although it seems he has upgraded to a 2011 M5 since).

And I do agree that the badges would have to go and the lights returned to standard.

[Flytvr]

5 hours ago, Big Rat said:

@Ace8800 No I can't be seen favouring one colour over another but if I was forced to have an opinion..............

Bug Rat

I’ve had the utter pleasure of driving in convoys of ISFs. I’ve spent hours looking at all of the available colours (apart from the strange pinky red). The one colour that looks most aggressive in the rear view mirror, without a shadow of a doubt is silver. The wheel arches stand out and the whole car looks meaty.

DON’T UNDERESTIMATE SILVER 😀

[Flytvr]

I’ll also add that silver looks so much better in the flesh.

[-nick-]

and it has different plates in the pictures...?

[Ace8800]

14 hours ago, Flytvr said:

I’ll also add that silver looks so much better in the flesh.

Ive always said light colours show the lines and groves of each panel better than dark colours. I wasnt a fan of silver till i actually saw it.. i also hated grey.. now i have both GS in grey and IS in silver lol.

[Linas.P]

22 hours ago, Bluethunder said:

Linus,  pay an extra 1K and get the silver one on AT.

But then I would need to spend extra £3k to paint it black, so in total £4k.... Just joking, but as mentioned in the colour poll silver is least favourite of mine. If anything I would go for the one next-up Black, 48k miles for £16k.. right colour and genuine low miles without surprises.

I agree that car seems to be riced a bit (which in itself slightly worrying) , good thing is that he includes original lights and removing "5.0 and v8" would be seconds job. I guess we will never know the story of the car, but what I would do... I would take it to the dealers straight away, do minor service (130k) and at the same time make enquirers about car history and ask dealer to shake it properly (because after all anything broken is extra money for them). I would be as well honest with owner - if it comes all green obviously I would keep it, if something small wrong maybe coming back for discount, but if much wrong I will be returning the car.

Anyway, I am not planning to buy it... just speculating that in dream world that seems to be good deal (almost too good to be true... and we know where that can lead to).

Edit:

actually on the other had even if something serious is wrong with the car and it would end-up costing £3k , one would still break even, because £16k is quite normal price for IS-F.

[Flytvr]

1 hour ago, Linas.P said:

But then I would need to spend extra £3k to paint it black, so in total £4k.... Just joking, but as mentioned in the colour poll silver is least favourite of mine. If anything I would go for the one next-up Black, 48k miles for £16k.. right colour and genuine low miles without surprises.

I agree that car seems to be riced a bit (which in itself slightly worrying) , good thing is that he includes original lights and removing "5.0 and v8" would be seconds job. I guess we will never know the story of the car, but what I would do... I would take it to the dealers straight away, do minor service (130k) and at the same time make enquirers about car history and ask dealer to shake it properly (because after all anything broken is extra money for them). I would be as well honest with owner - if it comes all green obviously I would keep it, if something small wrong maybe coming back for discount, but if much wrong I will be returning the car.

Anyway, I am not planning to buy it... just speculating that in dream world that seems to be good deal (almost too good to be true... and we know where that can lead to).

Edit:

actually on the other had even if something serious is wrong with the car and it would end-up costing £3k , one would still break even, because £16k is quite normal price for IS-F.

Sounds to me that you are teetering on purchase. Dangerous place to be 😀 You live once and you seem to  had an obvious interest in F’s for a while

[65mike]

Hi all.

Just to throw my two pence worth into the ring.

The car looks good with service done recently but and i use but this does not mean it is any good my previous car to the Lexus was the Jaguar XK full history serviced but still had problems and it was becoming a money pit and that had a 6 month warranty the car you are looking at is a private seller no warranty.

Don't get me wrong it could be a superb car with nothing wrong with it but there is a chance it could have a problems nobody sells a car which has nothing at all wrong with it otherwise why would you get rid off it.

My new Lexus is250 well new to me has had a problem it has had to had the VSC fixed costing £1000.00 pounds lucky fixed under the warranty which had been there for 15 months i gave the service department a piece of my mind telling them it should have been sorted before i purchased it.

I have also for piece off mind extended the warranty on the car to 3 years good deal at the moment 2 years for the price off 1 so iam sure this will be perfect for the car and will continue to make me a happy Lexus owner for the forceible future.

I don't mean to be hard just saying as i have had the problems and need to be aware off what you may be letting yourself in for.

65mike

[Flytvr]

22 minutes ago, 65mike said:

Hi all.

Just to throw my two pence worth into the ring.

The car looks good with service done recently but and i use but this does not mean it is any good my previous car to the Lexus was the Jaguar XK full history serviced but still had problems and it was becoming a money pit and that had a 6 month warranty the car you are looking at is a private seller no warranty.

Don't get me wrong it could be a superb car with nothing wrong with it but there is a chance it could have a problems nobody sells a car which has nothing at all wrong with it otherwise why would you get rid off it.

My new Lexus is250 well new to me has had a problem it has had to had the VSC fixed costing £1000.00 pounds lucky fixed under the warranty which had been there for 15 months i gave the service department a piece of my mind telling them it should have been sorted before i purchased it.

I have also for piece off mind extended the warranty on the car to 3 years good deal at the moment 2 years for the price off 1 so iam sure this will be perfect for the car and will continue to make me a happy Lexus owner for the forceible future.

I don't mean to be hard just saying as i have had the problems and need to be aware off what you may be letting yourself in for.

65mike

 

18 months of ownership cost me £75 in repairs outside of warranty, If I hadn't had a warranty that would would have been £3575! 

Yep, to run one out of warranty, you are either -

1.Loaded

2. Very confident from a technical perspective

3. Have a s strong sense of faith

4. Mad

[65mike]

Hi all.

Flytvr tell me about it the XK cost me £1400 pounds in 10 months and still was not wright it was a money pit it had a few problems which needed money thrown at it if not then in the future so it had to go and good riddance to the thing.

65mike

[Flytvr]

2 minutes ago, 65mike said:

Hi all.

Flytvr tell me about it the XK cost me £1400 pounds in 10 months and still was not wright it was a money pit it had a few problems which needed money thrown at it if not then in the future so it had to go and good riddance to the thing.

65mike

That's performance cars for you. Don't get me wrong,  on a reliability basis I'd pick an IS-F over any of its competitors. However, anyone thinking of getting into ownership has to remember that the IS-F (like many cars) was a very expensive car to buy from new, so if something does go wrong........

[65mike]

Hi all.

Flytvr i agree but the XK i never stopped opening my wallet the  thing was eating money like no tomorrow.

I had 2 previous Jaguars and they were not like that still had one once would not have one again have now turned to the oriental side

65mike.

 

[Big Rat]

All pails into significance to the cost of my E61 M5 14months ownership full Bmw service history sub 30k mikes £13.5 in repairs, you've gotta love a warranty 😇

Big Rat

[Linas.P]

That one above would definitely get Lexus extended warranty if would get it. Whereas it probably makes no sense for say IS250 or better IS-F (e.g. extended warranty for one at £16k and 48k miles it is kind of waste of money), but for this one with little bit suspicious service history it seems like no brainer £895 for 2 year piece of mind and it just about makes it 10year/140000miles limit, so it is literally at the best time to be covered with extended cover.

1 minute ago, Flytvr said:

Fair point Ratty { @Big Rat), but on the BMW's side, at least there are plenty of spares and loads of indies to do the work. How many garages would want to work on an IS-F engine or gearbox.....?

I think... many would want to... but how many you would trust not make it worse is another question...

[Flytvr]

2 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

All pails into significance to the cost of my E61 M5 14months ownership full Bmw service history sub 30k mikes £13.5 in repairs, you've gotta love a warranty 😇

Big Rat

Fair point Ratty { @Big Rat), but on the BMW's side, at least there are plenty of spares and loads of indies to do the work. How many garages would want to work on an IS-F engine or gearbox.....?

[Flytvr]

Just now, Linas.P said:

That one above would definitely get Lexus extended warranty if would get. Whereas it probably makes no sense for say IS250 or better IS-F (e.g. that for £16k and 48k miles it is kind of waste of money), but for this one with little bit suspicious service history it seems like no brainer £895 for 2 year piece of mind and it just about makes it 10year/140000miles limit, so it is literally at the best time to be covered with extended cover.

You just don't know if a car is going to wrong. I've seen several IS-Fs that have had a hard life. Mine on the other hand had perfect service history and not a mark on it. I was still unlucky. £900 for two years warranty is a no brainer on any car.  I've slapped 3 years warranty on my RC-F and it only has 4,500 miles on the clock!

[Flytvr]

3 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

That one above would definitely get Lexus extended warranty if would get it. Whereas it probably makes no sense for say IS250 or better IS-F (e.g. extended warranty for one at £16k and 48k miles it is kind of waste of money), but for this one with little bit suspicious service history it seems like no brainer £895 for 2 year piece of mind and it just about makes it 10year/140000miles limit, so it is literally at the best time to be covered with extended cover.

I think... many would want to... but how many you would trust not make it worse is another question...

Yes, fair point.

Interestingly, how many Lexus main dealers have had experience working on an IS-F engine or gearbox?