High mileage IS250, worth it?

TheHairyBeast · June 2, 2020

Just wondering if its worth getting a high mileage IS250 even though there arent many low'ish mileage ones left.

Looking at getting one, I know the engines are bulletproof but just wanted others opinions.

Texas · June 3, 2020

Just looked on AT and of the 40 IS250 for sell ( only looked up SE-L models ) 8 have Less than 50,000 miles and the 'leggiest' has got 141,000, which is by far higher than all the others yes but the car will be nowhere near an EoLV Centre yet I don't reckon!

What are you calling 'high mileage' as on the US Owners site it is not uncommon to see cars with 200,000+ As long as the car has been serviced regularly then it shouldn't be a show stopper if it is reflected in the price and the car is in an acceptable condition, gotta say that my 250 is the first car I bought with less than 100,000 miles on!

Paul m.

TheHairyBeast · June 3, 2020

Yeah Im looking at a Manual "2008" IS250 Sport with 110k miles. It is damaged from the front, bumper and headlight, doesnt seem too bad so was thinking a manual IS250 is really rare to find.

Texas · June 3, 2020

The manual is ‘rare’ as it is not As desirable.the RFL or Car Tax is an eye-watering amount ( each year of course!) compared to the smooth,bomb-proof and desirable Auto with the same engine! Have you checked How much it will be?

Texas · June 3, 2020

110,000 miles, Manual Box and damage, must be well cheap but like I said tax is gonna cost you if you keep it!

F.A. · June 3, 2020

The gearbox isn’t the slickest either.

TheHairyBeast · June 4, 2020

Dont know how much exactly, still on bidding got a week left, needs a front bumper and one headlight.

dazed · June 5, 2020

Well, my Lexus IS250 (auto) 2012 has over 150,000 miles on it and it's still perfectly sound mechanically, and utterly reliable.

It was serviced and MOT'd last week. No problems, clean as a whistle - as usual. The chap who services it for me (an independent Toyota/Lexus specialist) says it runs as though it only has 50K on the clock.

Basically, if a high mileage IS250 has a full service history and MOT, hasn't been through too many hands and looks clean, then I'd say go for it.

Realistically, mine's only worth £3,000 now, and if I sold it the buyer would be getting an absolute bargain and a gem of a car.

chr15gb · June 5, 2020

My 2008 SE-L is on 112,500 miles and runs fine.

Only ever had one MOT issue which was classed as a Major Fail... passenger wiper blade was worn!! Other than that, not had a single advisory even.

As above, mine comes up with an online valuation of 2.5k. It's a lot of car for that pitiful sum.

F.A. · June 5, 2020

We sold our 2011 IS250 SE-L last June. We purchased it with 19k on the clock at 9 months old (ex Lexus car) and sold it with 111k on the clock. It drove the same as the day we bought it. Brilliant car and I have no doubt that it would have reached the 200k mark without too much trouble.

As mentioned above, a lot of car for the money, as I guess not many people are interested in a 2.5V6 NA engine with a non German badge. Their loss. . We were offered £3500 as an initial part exchange against our GSF which was increased to £4000. I nearly kept it at this point but it sold with in two hours of being available on AT for £5950. Still a lot of car for the money!

TheHairyBeast · June 5, 2020

I had a look at the road tax for the IS250 Sport, said to be around £500 for the year and around £300 for 6 months. Is this still the case? If so, might as well be looking at an ISF.

F.A. · June 5, 2020

Yes. The manual gearbox increased the emissions in to the next (highest) tax bracket over the auto. Iirc it went from 214g/CO2 to 231g/CO2. An ISF was around 270g/CO2 and in the same bracket.
Go for an auto. It really suits the nature of the IS250.

Mincey · June 5, 2020

1 hour ago, F.A. said:

Go for an auto. It really suits the nature of the IS250.

Seconded. I wasn't sure that at 40 I was ready for an auto. I test drove the IS250 SE-L Auto and bought it. I haven't looked back.

Texas · June 5, 2020

8 hours ago, TheHairyBeast said:

I had a look at the road tax for the IS250 Sport, said to be around £500 for the year and around £300 for 6 months. Is this still the case? If so, might as well be looking at an ISF.

I did say the tax might be the sour taste and that’s partly why Manuals get left on the shelf! After all, I for one, when driving a Lexus don’t want to be ‘stirring’ gears to get down the road when they have a ‘cheaper’ sublime bombproof Auto version!