Time to give a little TLC - recommendations required

[caldera]

So, coming up shortly to 7yrs ownership of an IS-F and having toyed with selling last year (resolved when kids moved out 🙂 leaving me with drive space free), I've decided now is the time to give it a little spruce up and care (not that it's been abused)

Just working out the budget but things I'm looking at include the following

• Wheel refurb (not terrible but would benefit) - like for like
• Proper detail in/out
• Stone chips and minor scratches sorted
• Possible radiator replacement (pre-emptive - not an issue currently)
• Suspension updates (coilovers? - providing non-stupid insurance impact)

Toyed with exhaust update but ruled that out for the immediate future.

Reason for post - partly to request recommendations for people to do the above (I'm not mechanically minded and wouldn't wish to do any myself) and partly to get some comments on what suspension updates might help. I personally like reasonably hard suspension but the other half isn't as keen (and given the current state of the roads!) so looking to get something to soften things up (not interested in track work or extreme road holding).

Based in Nuneaton (Midlands) so local(ish) would be useful. If anyone knows a good independent garage for Lexus servicing (all existing servicing Lexus based) then also let me know.

Recommendations welcome.

 

Additionally, just thought I'd put out some fag packet costings for longish-term IS-F ownership. Currently 7yrs and no reason to change currently (have other main car) so looking to get past 10 or more.

Original cost £20K, assuming 1.5K (ish) per year tax/insurance/servicing average - cost spread over 10yrs, and excluding fuel, will be roughly 35K or 3.5K per year, roughly £300 per month (figures assuming a zero valuation at the end - which (government excepted) won't be the case)

Not too bad I don't think, probably the lease price of a fairly basic car these days.

Need to enjoy these things before they are priced out of existence.

 

 

[Killysprint]

Your man maths aren't bad....

but even washing machine leased from vauxhall/citroen/peugeot/kia* et al (*delete where applicable) has to be maintained to manufacturers recommendations to comply with the lease, taxed and insured.

The largest additional cost (frankly ridiculous) after purchase, compared to the leased sh*tboxes is the road tax.  However the lease cost for the white goods cars essentially is depreciation, which for the right ISF / GSF (and some RCF's) is glacial now at worst, and is the biggest cost in new and new(ish) car ownership.

So actually it'll probably be cheaper running and using the ISF, than the hoover with wheels, and if you look after the ISF there will always be a strong demand for the right car, in the right colour with good history, if you decide to move it on.

I look back and prior to the Lexus' I had, I ran a v10 M5 estate, as a daily, wonderful but flawed car. Drank like George Best out on a bender with Oliver Reed.

5 years old when I bought it. Even with it's insatiable thirst 13 mpg on the school run, a need for a BMW warranty at £150 per month (it did have £9000 of warranty claims in 2 years), and wallet shrinking servicing costs - it was cheaper to run per mile than the Merc e350 diesel estate, which was "bought" new that preceded it. Because it didn't depreciate, and it was a similar story with my ISF or GSF, and I know which I'd rather have.

Keep the ISF right and enjoy it as you say, life is far too short.

 

 

[GMB]

On 4/28/2024 at 5:33 PM, caldera said:

Just working out the budget but things I'm looking at include the following

• Wheel refurb (not terrible but would benefit) - like for like
• Proper detail in/out
• Stone chips and minor scratches sorted
• Possible radiator replacement (pre-emptive - not an issue currently)
• Suspension updates (coilovers? - providing non-stupid insurance impact)

I am in a similar situation and have done/or will do the following:

Wheel refurb - the paint is coming off in loose slivers along the sides of one or two of the spokes and there is some kind of marbling effect on some wheel paint, so a refurb is on the cards but not urgent.

Stone chips - had the bonnet repainted 2 yrs ago and it was a great job, undistinguishable from original and other panels - John Alker, Adlington.

detailing not particularly needed

Drivers seat refurb - deep creases in drivers seat but not urgent

Rad replace - no evidence of any issue

Suspension update - Will not get done as the suspension is firm enough and the ripoff Insurance companies will crucify me for the change.

Underbody cleanup and attempted rust prevention - It's pretty awful underneath but not too bad or MOT risk. A specialist said just keep it dry and put up with the unsightly look as the damage is already done, just try to halt it where possible. Maybe a dinitrol??   - BTW it does not go out in the rain!🫡

Exhaust update - done - H&S catback sounds awesome.

It's gonna cost me to bring it out of SORN after winter - tax, insurance, major service, MOT but I just hope I can afford to do it in June - approx - 735+625+775+45 = 2180 or thereabouts  OUCH! I could get a week in Spain in a 5* hotel for that!😬

[DamianLEX]

Better check that £625 insurance, you might be surprised... 

[GMB]

5 minutes ago, DamianLEX said:

Better check that £625 insurance, you might be surprised...

Tell me more ... It was £475 last year. Has it gone up even more? God forbid! I will check mid May to see what I can get. Fingers crossed. It actually came down from the month previous when I last looked it up - that was £725

[MNMJ]

On 4/30/2024 at 4:24 PM, Killysprint said:

which for the right ISF / GSF (and some RCF's) is glacial now at worst, and is the biggest cost in new and new(ish) car ownership.

I notice ISFs are still priced not far off the amount I traded mine in for in 2015. Whoever bought it probably has had great value

According to Autotrader's 'value your car' link, my RCF is worth the same as it was in Feb 2020, and I've added 22000 miles since then