possible purchase

Ceramicolive · November 19, 2018

Does anybody know anything about this car?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-IS-5-0-V8-IS-F-4dr-Auto/283245433231?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649

Seems cheap and the mot history is not amazing but I am seriously tempted at that price......

PCM · November 19, 2018

No MOT and a recall?

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/

FTBBCVoodoo · November 19, 2018

Looks like a bargain at that price.

If it's not MOT'd then get them to MOT beforehand.

As far as recall goes. I will put my house on it being the airbag replacement that most ISF's are liable for. Mine has been done under recall.

8 service stamps in line with its age as well.

Ceramicolive · November 19, 2018

I'm going to have a look around it tomorrow. Is there anything special I should be looking out for aside from normal car stuff?

FTBBCVoodoo · November 19, 2018

1 hour ago, Ceramicolive said:

I'm going to have a look around it tomorrow. Is there anything special I should be looking out for aside from normal car stuff?

Things to look for...

Service History - Look for Plus 60 (60k/6 year service) to check if that has been completed (including Spark Plugs) as that is the biggest service it needs (about £900 from Lexus).

Check invoices (if available) to see if water pump has been replaced as that is the only real weakness on the ISF that I am aware of.

If you get a chance to drive it, try both normal and sport mode. Normal mode the throttle has a dead zone for just cruising whereas Sport mode is instant throttle response. Snow mode.... I believe it has the E-Diff rather than mechanical LSD (you can tell from steering wheel. If it has blue section at bottom it has mechanical LSD).

Other thing that's fairly common is the aux belt slipping a bit under hard acceleration. Mine has done this since the day I bought it 3 years ago and doesn't bother me. Quite a lot of them do it if you look on youtube at ISF's being launched.

Squeaky front seats are a quick tighten with a 10mm spanner.

The safety recall will more than likely be the passenger airbag recall. Day job completed by Lexus so no cost to yourself.

Don't be surprised if front tyres are worn on inside. Common with most of them although mine wear evenly for some reason since I have had alignment completed by Wheel Alignment Specialist in Southampton. From the pics it looks like it has Conti Sport 6's all round so a good sign that previous or current owner has put decent rubber on it.

If brake discs/pads look like they need replacing then a relatively cheap consumable if you get some brembo or Pagid discs/pads from Euro Car Parts in one of their numerous 50% off all brake sales.

The MOT history is a bit random... the parking brake efficiency is a common one. Mine is being adjusted before it's MOT next week when it has a 10 year service as well. My main concern is the unreadable mileage and the 45k mile jump in MOT between 2010 and 2012. Also with it being a 2009 then why would it need an MOT in 2010 (assuming new cars are still exempt from MOT's for 3 years). That kind of mileage and the gap for 2 years... Could have been a track day car for a company maybe? Would it need an MOT if it lived at a race track?

If the Service History lines up and you can get it for 10k then you have got yourself a potential bargain.

Also... Just notice the tailpipes don't look standard. They look like these are fitted...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/p/for-Lexus-Is250-Is350-GS-LS-Is-f-ISF-Style-Custom-Muffler-Tips-Twin-Dual-Oval/1342371713?iid=152232848229&chn=ps

So possible that an aftermarket exhaust has been installed. The standard tailpipes are over £400 a side from Lexus so you can understand why replicas would be fitted instead if previous tailpipes were discarded.

HTH

Ceramicolive · November 19, 2018

Thanks for the detailed pointers, very much appreciated

FTBBCVoodoo · November 19, 2018

9 minutes ago, Ceramicolive said:

Thanks for the detailed pointers, very much appreciated

Np. Just thought that if it's on a private plate the MOT history may not pick up on the change in vehicle hence the random dates and mileage of it. So the 2010 MOT may well be on a different motor at that point in time.

That ISF's first MOT should be in 2012. My 2008 ISF had its 1st in 2011.

Ceramicolive · November 19, 2018

4 minutes ago, FTBBCVoodoo said:

Np. Just thought that if it's on a private plate the MOT history may not pick up on the change in vehicle hence the random dates and mileage of it. So the 2010 MOT may well be on a different motor at that point in time.

That ISF's first MOT should be in 2012. My 2008 ISF had its 1st in 2011.

I had thought of that too but was unsure. it is a possibility I suppose.

gb1600e · November 19, 2018

I just bought my 2009 ISF last week (still smiling) and looked at this ad and was put off as to me it was suspiciously cheap, if there is such a thing? I could be wrong and its the bargain of the century. (wasn't my choice of colour either as I justify to myself the higher price I paid ).

Im no expert but I was advised more than once by wise folk on here its all about the condition and you will only truly see that when you stand looking at it. I walked away from 2 "bargains" and was pleased I did.

To me the panel gap on the rear bumper doesn't look level on the left and isn't same as on the right (could be just the photo) but given the spot about the tail pipes has it been back ended? Check that closely. Not a problem maybe but you would want to know. Wheels look OK so probably refurbed already with over 100k miles? Again not a problem if its needed and you budget for it. By coincidence I had a guy completing a SMART repair on another car today and asked what cost if I had a bumper scuff on the ISF (I don't have its mint all round) and he laughed and said "not cheap". He rattled on for ages about it being 3 stage paint, and a pig to blend in. Not to debate the technicals of the paint or advantages or not of SMART repairs but don't assume you can get any chips, scuffs or marks done for a few hundred pounds. And they haven't bothered to hoover the drivers footwell carpet. Well honestly.

My top tip would be to ring your local LEXUS dealer with the Reg and ask them if they will warranty it? which they will mine and for a further 2 years beyond the 14 months I got transferred from the previous owner! That's awesome and gave me tremendous confidence to buy. Of course its dependent on Lexus having the service history and maybe seeing the car but as noted you might have problems with the change of plate ??

All that said what's it worth to you ??

Good look . If its not this one then yours maybe out there somewhere else.

JonP · November 20, 2018

Lexus will definitely need to see the car before they will commit to an extended warranty and I believe they require a FSH.

LiggyL · November 20, 2018

1 hour ago, JonP said:

Lexus will definitely need to see the car before they will commit to an extended warranty and I believe they require a FSH.

If its full Lexus history they don't need to inspect, they just look up the Lexus database. When I did this they also posted and emailed me 12 pages of Lexus workshop/service history detailing what the car had done, for free too!

PhoeNicks · November 21, 2018

When I got my warranty, the dealer said they needed to inspect the car if it was outside of 3 months from the previous warranty expiring and them having last seen the car. Best phone and check.

gb1600e · November 23, 2018

Its interesting the possible different conversations with dealers we seem to have, the consistent I guess is whether they know the car or not. My conversation with them last week as a new owner was an easy one. Its still under warranty, now transferred to me, and the car had it big service the week before by the old owner which means they know the car better than I do. I got my quote to extend the warranty on email so popping it when I can to do the deal.

So far Lexus Derby

liambart · November 24, 2018

Looks like a good price. I have had my ISF a year now, incredible car on so many fronts.

Managh · December 23, 2018

OP did you go and have a look at this car?

stevet · January 15, 2019

Anyone had a look at this yet?

Thought it would be quick to go at that price but been for sale for months now.

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Z28DUNC · January 16, 2019

I don't think I'd touch it with a barge pole. Have you seen the MOT history? It doesn't even have a MOT at the moment due to handbrake adjustment and LACK OF WHEELNUTS!!! Which you can actually see in some of the photos!

I've google the place selling it and it doesn't have bad reviews so its a bit of a odd one.

nickisokay · January 16, 2019

I've enquired about this one and they have confirmed that is is being sold on behalf of a friend, so they aren't too aware of it's history.

It is tempting with the low price, but not worth the risk given the patchy history, to me anyway.

And as above, lack of wheel nuts is just laughable - 4 missing!

Neil E · January 16, 2019

16 hours ago, stevet said:

Anyone had a look at this yet?

Thought it would be quick to go at that price but been for sale for months now.

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I looked at it whilst on my travels as a potential project car and I would describe it as an 'opportunity.' It has an electrical fault with the headlights (they kept flashing, it may now be fixed) and various bodywork issues. The front and rear bumpers need to be taken off, fixed and refitted. I think it needs new arch liners, NS headlamp washer nozzle broken off and some paint here and there. The oil level low warning light came on too whilst idling, I wasn't strong enough to undo the oil cap either. It had no MOT so I didn't drive it..It had the feeling of a nice car that had fallen into the wrong hands in recent times.

Most ISF enthusiasts would and should walk away but someone with the resources to restore it properly and economically, might, after going over it more thoroughly than I did, negotiate a good deal. I would want to do a proper test and inspection on ramps following them putting a new MOT on it and it would need to be substantially reduced from the asking price. If it is basically mechanically sound then at say £10.5k ish it could be a cheap route to own an ISF.

Ceramicolive · February 17, 2019

Just a follow up on this, I didn't go to see it as when I rang the dealer he said they didn't know anything about it's history they had just bought it from an auction, I know it is cheap but I'd rather spend a bit more and avoid a pup.

So I'm still looking for a nice example, the only colour I wouldn't want is black or white.

If anyone is thinking of selling let me know.

Stazza80 · February 18, 2019

16 hours ago, Ceramicolive said:

Just a follow up on this, I didn't go to see it as when I rang the dealer he said they didn't know anything about it's history they had just bought it from an auction, I know it is cheap but I'd rather spend a bit more and avoid a pup.

So I'm still looking for a nice example, the only colour I wouldn't want is black or white.

If anyone is thinking of selling let me know.

Hi, I’m looking to sell soon. Here’s the ad.

Cheers, Ben