Thoughts on this IS-F

sunboy · February 21, 2023

27 minutes ago, 4969_LXS said:

When I purchased my ISF from a Lexus dealership I was given a 1 year warranty, I noticed the tick a week later and got it done under warranty. I've only read the American forums and groups and they've said you can run the car with the tick.

I see. Good info. I'll check out the American forums too. Others on this thread have recommended getting it done as a preventative measure but just wondering about the tolerance and chance of failure etc.

BTCC_ Racer · February 21, 2023

SRD sounds like a good option.

To be honest id break it down in two parts when looking for a car:

Check as per any car for the usual stuff, paper work, service history, tyres, brake pads / disc life, body condition fluids etc.

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Just bear in mind the car will need to following

Water pump a must - if its not already had one

Radiator a must if its not had one

Aux belt - these wear and are inexpensive - easy way to check full throttle 1st going to second if you hear a slip it needs a belt very common.

Manifold change / weld - if it makes a tick noise on cold or if it comes up in ownership.

Suspension - optional if you want to tighten up the handling - I can say hands down when pushing on a little the ISF has more control its hard to explain unless you drive a freshly damped one. My old shocks were fine no knocks from them.

Lower control arm bushes on the front - as some have mentioned GSF are a good option (that that i have on mine) - genuinely cannot see these being in good nick even if the car has done 30K simply as the wear with age aswell as mileage so this is a must change.

I would happily assist but im based up north.

The rest is happy motoring.

Thanks

EP80 · February 21, 2023

8 hours ago, sunboy said:

@Grey One I feel like I overanalyse any purchase and can lead to paralysis when purchasing. At some point I'm aware there will be some maintenance to do and that's just part of owning an aging car. I guess I'm just very inexperienced with Lexus, performance cars, V8s etc so the culmination of these factors is giving me too many things to consider it seems. With some more experience in future, I'm sure I'd be more comfortable with making an easier choice.

In my view, I wouldn't get too hung up on finding someone to help you that is an expert specifically on the ISF, 90% of the ISF when you break it down will be present in various humdrum Toyotas globally. The bits that make it genuinely special are well documented and their very few problems openly known. You have had some very good advice on here regarding things that go wrong with the ISF and other things which you should generally look out for.

You will know the few areas where the ISF needs attention and can concentrate on those, the rest will be "roughly" the same as a mix and match of other Toyotas which any decent mechanic will be familiar with.

DAW · February 22, 2023

17 hours ago, sunboy said:

Thanks. Yeah just found another post mentioning SRD, Tech One in Sidcup and Westfield Motors in Essex.

Oh right - so your manifold was done under warranty. So that means it is seen as a fault. Do you know others that have left the manifold with the ticking?

SRD did RR racing supercharger upgrade to @Peter P18 ISF, so they have a good reputation - his build threads are all on here.

Westfield also have a good reputation and @Womble72 has uses them for servicing for years.

sunboy · February 22, 2023

18 hours ago, BTCC_ Racer said:

SRD sounds like a good option.

To be honest id break it down in two parts when looking for a car:

Check as per any car for the usual stuff, paper work, service history, tyres, brake pads / disc life, body condition fluids etc.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Just bear in mind the car will need to following

Water pump a must - if its not already had one

Radiator a must if its not had one

Aux belt - these wear and are inexpensive - easy way to check full throttle 1st going to second if you hear a slip it needs a belt very common.

Manifold change / weld - if it makes a tick noise on cold or if it comes up in ownership.

Suspension - optional if you want to tighten up the handling - I can say hands down when pushing on a little the ISF has more control its hard to explain unless you drive a freshly damped one. My old shocks were fine no knocks from them.

Lower control arm bushes on the front - as some have mentioned GSF are a good option (that that i have on mine) - genuinely cannot see these being in good nick even if the car has done 30K simply as the wear with age aswell as mileage so this is a must change.

I would happily assist but im based up north.

The rest is happy motoring.

Thanks

Nice one. So I guess the manifold will need doing then if it is starting to tick, and not just leave it? The rest of the stuff (including suspension refresh) I'm totally on board with and Id not want to abuse and neglect any car I buy, happy to put reasonable money into getting it right.

Thanks for the offer to assist if you were closer.

Will start to look around.

sunboy · February 22, 2023

15 hours ago, EP80 said:

In my view, I wouldn't get too hung up on finding someone to help you that is an expert specifically on the ISF, 90% of the ISF when you break it down will be present in various humdrum Toyotas globally. The bits that make it genuinely special are well documented and their very few problems openly known. You have had some very good advice on here regarding things that go wrong with the ISF and other things which you should generally look out for.

You will know the few areas where the ISF needs attention and can concentrate on those, the rest will be "roughly" the same as a mix and match of other Toyotas which any decent mechanic will be familiar with.

Again, very good points. The whole reason I want to get into this car is the relative levels of reliability of Lexus (and why I talked my dad into getting a new Lexus).

sunboy · February 22, 2023

1 hour ago, DAW said:

SRD did RR racing supercharger upgrade to @Peter P18 ISF, so they have a good reputation - his build threads are all on here.

Westfield also have a good reputation and @Womble72 has uses them for servicing for years.

Thanks @DAW. Westfield is closer to me so one I'll keep in mind. The Sidcup one is the closest to me but I don't mind a bit of travel for a recommended specialist.

BTCC_ Racer · February 22, 2023

7 hours ago, sunboy said:

Nice one. So I guess the manifold will need doing then if it is starting to tick, and not just leave it? The rest of the stuff (including suspension refresh) I'm totally on board with and Id not want to abuse and neglect any car I buy, happy to put reasonable money into getting it right.

Thanks for the offer to assist if you were closer.

Will start to look around.

Pretty much yes, when inspecting a car ensure the engine is cold, maybe tell the seller in advance you want to do a cold engine start. Also just check before starting the engine is cold, luckily the water temp takes sometime to cool down.

The suspension and bushes isnt expensive if going for oem etc and you can forward plan the work and order parts from abroad to save a few quid. Also check inner or outer tyre wear, bad bushes on these can cause funny tyre wear.

DAW · February 22, 2023

8 hours ago, sunboy said:

Thanks @DAW. Westfield is closer to me so one I'll keep in mind. The Sidcup one is the closest to me but I don't mind a bit of travel for a recommended specialist.

Westfield is where I will be going for anything other than servicing for MD stamp. Not had cause to use them yet for my previous ISF or current RCF, but as I plan on keeping the latter I will be probably for brakes at some point.

The ISF is a great car, so best of luck with the search.

sunboy · February 23, 2023

14 hours ago, BTCC_ Racer said:

Pretty much yes, when inspecting a car ensure the engine is cold, maybe tell the seller in advance you want to do a cold engine start. Also just check before starting the engine is cold, luckily the water temp takes sometime to cool down.

The suspension and bushes isnt expensive if going for oem etc and you can forward plan the work and order parts from abroad to save a few quid. Also check inner or outer tyre wear, bad bushes on these can cause funny tyre wear.

Yeah good shout. Cold start.

Suspension and bushes happy to get sorted out.

sunboy · February 23, 2023

14 hours ago, DAW said:

Westfield is where I will be going for anything other than servicing for MD stamp. Not had cause to use them yet for my previous ISF or current RCF, but as I plan on keeping the latter I will be probably for brakes at some point.

The ISF is a great car, so best of luck with the search.

Thanks @DAW. It does seem like a great car. I'll keep Westfield in mind now.

Have to say I'm really impressed with the friendly and helpful people on this forum so far. Glad I did join. Getting all the info and help I need as a noob.

Womble72 · February 23, 2023

On 2/22/2023 at 9:24 AM, DAW said:

SRD did RR racing supercharger upgrade to @Peter P18 ISF, so they have a good reputation - his build threads are all on here.

Westfield also have a good reputation and @Womble72 has uses them for servicing for years.

From memory my manifolds cost £600 plus vat in labour, I supplied GSF manifolds, had to have a new O2 sensor, service and a couple of gaskets, I’m sure it was £1200 all inclusive

Terry Barr · February 27, 2023

On 2/22/2023 at 9:24 AM, DAW said:

SRD did RR racing supercharger upgrade to @Peter P18 ISF, so they have a good reputation - his build threads are all on here.

Westfield also have a good reputation and @Womble72 has uses them for servicing for years.

Assuming you mean Westfield in Rayleigh, i've been goin there since i bought mine, about 6 years now.

On the ISF in general, can't think of a better all round car.

DAW · February 27, 2023

2 hours ago, Terry Barr said:

Assuming you mean Westfield in Rayleigh, i've been goin there since i bought mine, about 6 years now.

On the ISF in general, can't think of a better all round car.

Yes that’s the one👍🏻

Spunkmeyer · March 2, 2023

Personal experience of SRD with my Supra over many years, cannot recommend highly enough. They were busy back then, expect them to be even busier these days. Unfortunately not local enough for me to use them as much as I’d like. Used to have a mini holiday with the missus whilst the I left the car with SRD

RichGS11 · March 3, 2023

Fantastic cars and some really good information here. Not much more I can add. I've played with mine quite a bit and won't be stopping, so if there's any questions you have please ask away.

Some really good points raised by Linas. People don't often consider the OEM parts when they purchase a car like this. I have kept all my OEM parts because of this very issue. ISF parts are hard to come by in the UK. You'll be ok for some of the serviceable items, but it can be a challenge finding other parts. That's where RockAuto.com in the States helps out. They're Fantastic for parts and all costs include taxes, so no hidden fees.

Good luck.

Supacool1 · March 27, 2023

I'm very soon going to be in the market for an ISF as it appears 🤞🏽 my Forester STI will be sold soon....I've on trader and Pistonheads I like to look of, but was wondering if anyone here has one coming up for sale? Thanks.

BTCC_ Racer · March 27, 2023

They are a 7/8 for sale on AT, as you've no doubt read the points mentioned in the thread use these when weighing up any ISF along with any regular and essentail check you do.

Whats your budget?

Supacool1 · March 28, 2023

My budget is £20-£25K.

BTCC_ Racer · March 28, 2023

5 hours ago, Supacool1 said:

My budget is £20-£25K.

Good budget that. Even if you went for a higher miles car and did some preventative maintenance you'll have plenty of change left, this way the car will be fresh, tight suspension and years of trouble free motoring.

GMB · March 28, 2023

As I understand it very few IsFs have had any serious mechanical issues, even the thrashed ones. So I would expect engine, gearbox, transmission to be OK after many years. Not much corrosion underneath either, despite salty roads in the UK.

However, brakes and suspension and obviously tyres do get a beating on such a car, so I would expect some maintenance costs on these.

The diff oil is a contentious subject. Mine had no record of any change up to 60K miles so I had it changed just to be sure. Apparently the old oil was very clean anyway. Cost about £70 parts and labour ( The oil is "special" apparently ).

The only problem that I have had is an occasional noise, a kind of light clunk, from the left rear of the car on certain bumps such as a slight ridge in the road. Lexus has been all over it and can find nothing that could cause it. Big bumps do not do it, nor do little bumps, just a special sort of bump?? 🤔. It sounds like a loose item in the boot, or the exhaust catching, but all checks prove that is not the cause. So until it gets worse or gets noticed I will ignore it. Apart from that minor annoyance the car is 100% and runs beautifully. BTW it still goes like the clappers if you dare.

RichGS11 · March 28, 2023

4 hours ago, GMB said:

As I understand it very few IsFs have had any serious mechanical issues, even the thrashed ones. So I would expect engine, gearbox, transmission to be OK after many years. Not much corrosion underneath either, despite salty roads in the UK.

However, brakes and suspension and obviously tyres do get a beating on such a car, so I would expect some maintenance costs on these.

The diff oil is a contentious subject. Mine had no record of any change up to 60K miles so I had it changed just to be sure. Apparently the old oil was very clean anyway. Cost about £70 parts and labour ( The oil is "special" apparently ).

The only problem that I have had is an occasional noise, a kind of light clunk, from the left rear of the car on certain bumps such as a slight ridge in the road. Lexus has been all over it and can find nothing that could cause it. Big bumps do not do it, nor do little bumps, just a special sort of bump?? 🤔. It sounds like a loose item in the boot, or the exhaust catching, but all checks prove that is not the cause. So until it gets worse or gets noticed I will ignore it. Apart from that minor annoyance the car is 100% and runs beautifully. BTW it still goes like the clappers if you dare.

I had similar from the front left corner. Couldn't put my finger on it after constant testing. I changed out the old OEM shocks for coilovers and the noise went away. Can only assume the old shocks had seen better days.

GMB · March 29, 2023

10 hours ago, RichGS11 said:

I had similar from the front left corner. Couldn't put my finger on it after constant testing. I changed out the old OEM shocks for coilovers and the noise went away. Can only assume the old shocks had seen better days.

Thanks Rich for the update. That sounds like the logical answer. I suppose that it will do no harm to leave it for a while as it is only a minor irritation at the moment and hopefully no risk of consequential damage?👍

ubersonic · March 29, 2023

On 3/28/2023 at 5:21 PM, GMB said:

The diff oil is a contentious subject. Mine had no record of any change up to 60K miles

That's a little worrying if it was being serviced by Lexus as the diff oil is a 2Y/20K change so should have been due at least it's third by 60K.

GMB · March 30, 2023

Yes I was concerned that they told me it was optional.

There is an existing thread on this ISF - 100K Service Schedule https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/profile/63452-charliecloud/

Everyone seemed to have a different opinion depending on the model of Lexus. Even though it was documented as an included job in the major service ( 60K - the big one which became a 100K service due to being 10 yrs old ) it was not done as the garage said it was not "necessary". I had to pay extra to get it done at the next visit.

There seems to be a lot of confusion. I am still not sure what the correct advice is. However, the garage now tells me that it is now done "for life" and will not need to be done again. True or what?🤔