IS250 - New beginning (bit of an ongoing "project")

[H3XME]

The rear end is nearly finished. Can't wait to get it painted all tomorrow. 

 

[BkS]

Where did you get the rear lip from? 👀 Been trying to find lips of this style but all that returns on eBay is those Wald replicas

[H3XME]

Managed to take a few pics on Monday. The colour isn’t 100%  but I’m still waiting for the 2k clear coat I ordered. 
 

@BkS someone I know imports parts in containers and sometimes he gets 2IS stuff.. I had 4 of these lips on order so I can re-sell but unfortunately the other 3 got damaged in transit. If you need something just drop me a message and I’ll see if it’s possible to bring it over. I think that atm he’s only got a bonnet and a flat bottom carbon steering wheel. 

[Thracing-44]

Great thread dude!

Recently picked up an IS250 myself. Previously owned a 1999 Gen 6 Celica GT & 2005 Gen 7, but rust took hold of them both a couple of years ago. Happy to be back with the Jap reliability after fighting a Volvo for 2 years 😄

Mines black, so will definitely be taking some inspiration from your first IS in the thread!

[H3XME]

4 hours ago, Thracing-44 said:

Great thread dude!

Recently picked up an IS250 myself. Previously owned a 1999 Gen 6 Celica GT & 2005 Gen 7, but rust took hold of them both a couple of years ago. Happy to be back with the Jap reliability after fighting a Volvo for 2 years 😄

Mines black, so will definitely be taking some inspiration from your first IS in the thread!

Nice! Hope you’re enjoying it so far. You got a manual? 
 
thanks, it’s not really a technical thread as a lot of it was covered elsewhere so I kinda just focused on some mods rather than maintenance etc in this thread. I’ll be selling it soon to go for another JZX but if you need any help let me know. I’d say I know these cars quite well now

[Thracing-44]

2 hours ago, H3XME said:

Nice! Hope you’re enjoying it so far. You got a manual? 
 
thanks, it’s not really a technical thread as a lot of it was covered elsewhere so I kinda just focused on some mods rather than maintenance etc in this thread. I’ll be selling it soon to go for another JZX but if you need any help let me know. I’d say I know these cars quite well now

Mines an Auto, would usually go for a manual but the tax cost was a killer. It's a lovely car, has the bonus of having a stainless custom backbox on it already. Guy I got it from had it from 10,000 miles, it now has 153,000! Currently collecting service items to crack on with, I've already done the engine oil, found it had a K&N filter in it when I went to change the air filter, always a bonus. Going to give the trans fluid a full change and change the filter, then do the diff oil. 

Long term would be a full suspension overhaul with some Hardrace control arm bushes, Tein coilovers, and since reading your thread some 350z alloys! I've been after a different set for mine as the standard 17's are a bit knackered. The 350's Rays look nice, and not stupidly expensive on FB Marketplace. 

 

[H3XME]

5 minutes ago, Thracing-44 said:

Mines an Auto, would usually go for a manual but the tax cost was a killer

'55 & early '06 manuals like the one I have now are in the lower bracket - same as Auto, but fair play. They're better as Auto for regular driving.

6 minutes ago, Thracing-44 said:

Long term would be a full suspension overhaul with some Hardrace control arm bushes, Tein coilovers, and since reading your thread some 350z alloys! I've been after a different set for mine as the standard 17's are a bit knackered. The 350's Rays look nice, and not stupidly expensive on FB Marketplace. 

go for RCF bushes, they're cheaper (around £90) and very similar, if not the same. 350Z wheels are cheap and good, looks is subjective. I'm not a huge fan of them but it'll do. Good luck with the build!

[Thracing-44]

35 minutes ago, H3XME said:

go for RCF bushes, they're cheaper (around £90) and very similar, if not the same. 350Z wheels are cheap and good, looks is subjective. I'm not a huge fan of them but it'll do. Good luck with the build!

Oh nice, I'll have a look into them, cheers!

[H3XME]

4 minutes ago, Thracing-44 said:

Oh nice, I'll have a look into them, cheers!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165338952633

[Thracing-44]

On 10/26/2023 at 3:53 PM, H3XME said:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/165338952633

Just ordered some, cheers for the heads up dude. 

Once the weather lets up over a weekend I should have a fair bet to keep me busy on the IS. 

[H3XME]

Yet again I'm here telling you guys that my IS250 is up for sale.

I've got someone coming down on Saturday to pick it up, if all goes well.

Here's a last few photos of the car before I get another one. The next few days will be difficult as I need to make a decision on what's next. It will either be IS350 or another Toyota Mark II with 1JZ engine. I will be getting either of those two on Sunday if the sale goes through on Saturday.. I know that the IS350 is a much better car in every way, but I've been stuck with IS250s the past 4 years and it's really boring, but at the same time it's extremely difficult to ignore the reliability and how much you get for the money. The JZX / Toyota Mark II is somewhat of a flirty affair to me. I really want it, I like it, but as my only car it may not be the best car to live with. It is good, but it's also 24 years old.. Any input is welcome. What would you guys do in my position? Even though I think i already know the answer 😄

Just for a comparison.

My IS250 tax is £395/ year. Both IS350 and Mark II are £325/year. Checked insurance on both, no difference at all. Fuel consumption of 250 / 350 & Mark II is very similar around town, IS250 obviously wins on the run, but that doesn't matter as if we ever travel somewhere far we go in my other half's Civic that does over 50mpg on the motorway.

 

[Mr Vlad]

Decisions Decisions lol. Good luck with whatever you get.

[Eri2Fiddy]

Hello, 

I just tried to get an insurance quote from Adrain Flux on an IS350 (still in japan), but they said they couldn't find the model and that it's not a Japanese car. Crazy 

 

So I then asked if they could quote me on one that was already imported (GS350) : https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311043649809?fromSavedAds=true&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=relevance. They said 12k per anum?????

Does anyone else have these problems? I also asked how much if I modified my current 250 with a new exhaust, and they said 3k per year!!!! 

I would love to import a 350, but it seems cheaper to buy a UK ISF. Or give up on the Japanese dream and get a BMW340i 
 

I live in London, so there is an insurance premium, but the quotes were silly. 

[Mr Vlad]

That's the *rap you get from Adrian Flux. I wouldn't touch them with a barge poll. Rip off merchants big time.

[H3XME]

4 hours ago, Eri2Fiddy said:

Hello, 

I just tried to get an insurance quote from Adrain Flux on an IS350 (still in japan), but they said they couldn't find the model and that it's not a Japanese car. Crazy 

 

So I then asked if they could quote me on one that was already imported (GS350) : https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311043649809?fromSavedAds=true&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=relevance. They said 12k per anum?????

Does anyone else have these problems? I also asked how much if I modified my current 250 with a new exhaust, and they said 3k per year!!!! 

I would love to import a 350, but it seems cheaper to buy a UK ISF. Or give up on the Japanese dream and get a BMW340i 
 

I live in London, so there is an insurance premium, but the quotes were silly. 

I don’t use AF anymore, but I’m with BRENTACRE. Modified & import specialists. IS350 insurance with them was only £120/year more than on my is250 which was only £420 with all mods declared and protected NCB. I’m 28 

[Eri2Fiddy]

Nice! Thanks for the recommendation, I will give them a try. 

[Eri2Fiddy]

No luck, the curse of a London postcode. They couldn't insure me. 

[H3XME]

39 minutes ago, Eri2Fiddy said:

No luck, the curse of a London postcode. They couldn't insure me. 

Sorry to hear that mate. That sucks. Not sure what to suggest. There’s Chris Knott too 

[H3XME]

Long story short, I couldn't find a suitable replacement for the Desert Sage IS250 within my budget. The GT86 I went to see was seriously corroded underneath and the IS350 I looked at made a funny sound under load. I couldn't be without a car for any longer, so I ended up with a Subaru Forester until last weekend when I picked up YET ANOTHER IS250... 2008 Manual SE, black on black which is what I wanted. The choices are extremely limited when you start looking for something specific like that. There is only 2 on AutoTrader and both somewhat overpriced for the condition/spec.

Anyway, if anyone cares to see a stock IS250, here it is.

It's on 79k miles, seems to be good. Now, I've been gathering some parts over the last two months so there's only a handful of things I need for this car. I won't be documenting any processes because it's all very repetitive on this thread. Once I have everything I want, I'll install it all at the same time and post some pics. It's going to be similar to my last black one, just slightly improved in certain areas. 😎

IS350 brakes, 4IS conversion, I'll try 19" wheels for the first time etc.

 

[BkS]

Welcome back, again 🤣 Time to get it decked! 

[H3XME]

7 hours ago, BkS said:

Welcome back, again 🤣 Time to get it decked! 

The F sport wheels I have are up for grabs if you want 👀

[BkS]

5 hours ago, H3XME said:

The F sport wheels I have are up for grabs if you want 👀

No ta mate, got my eyes set on some "JDM y0" wheels already 🤣

[H3XME]

Picked up some front end pieces. It slowly taking shape. 

Coilovers are going on this weekend if the weather holds.

Android Head Unit is on order too, arriving next week. I went for the more OEM looking model this time. Also doubled up on the RAM (4GB. I had the 2+32 spec last time and I had no issues with smoothness of it etc, but I used it for about a month before I sold the green Lexus so I thought I'd future proof it a little with this one.

Wheels from Japan should be with me at some in May and then it's more or less done.

[Mr Vlad]

Nice Lucas. Blimey I saw a stunning is250 today in the underground carpark at the Abode Hotel Chester (I was making a delivery) oh it made me hanker for another one. It was a superb colour, a metallic grey and wonderful 5 spoke wheels from a Premier I'd say. That headunit looks really good and OE. Has it android auto etc?

[H3XME]

Finally got the coilovers on a couple of days ago. That meant I was able to put my new wheels on. I got them last week, so I spent my Saturday painting the black parts of the wheels as the factory finish is half and half. Shiny spokes with black spokes. I wasn't a fan of that. Black wheels lose all the design details and I just don't like it personally. They're factory forged wheels off the new MK5 Supra. I had to use PCD adapters as Supra, as well as probably all German cars these days are 5x112. So the specs I managed to squeeze on are: 19x9 ET7 and 19x10 ET15. Still need to roll the arches to stop it from rubbing and then I'll be able to lower the front a bit more.

Only got one decent pic at the moment, but more will follow.