gb1600e

I replaced my pads in the summer. Its an easy DIY job if you have any mechanical know how or interest. You should be able to just clean the anti squeal shims and replace with a smidge of copper grease but I did have just one seized retaining pin. The last one. Typical. It took some persuading out which was a pain and needed replacing as I bent it. That's where the "fitting kit" comes in and it has 2 pins and an anti squeal shim and is typically over priced from Lexus. I have 1 new shiny pin and the squeal shim left if anyone wants it.

The one at Nippon auto breakers was the ex humberside police car so not sure any of the mechanical parts that might wear are what you want? 🤔. I'm local @NothernDan if you want me to see if they still have it.

This has made me laugh again Dan and wonder how long have you been waiting for this to come round. An interesting insight into your mind maybe🤣

I'm nearly there at 99300 on my 09 ISF so wont be long. Relatively low mileage and still going strong.

Well he makes that look simple enough. Could be frustrating he sums up! You bet! Nice bit of fabrication though and clearly going to be an improvement on exhaust flow. Maybe not a job for this weekend

Yep, I test drove this one 13 months ago and it had been with Arnold Clarke in Stoke for a good while then. The problem started when their buyer bought it in for far too much money and way above what its was worth with the paint needing so much attention. The previous owner got a right result. The money over its value from the start must be following it around in the trade and nobody wants to give up on their %. Is it that the dealers can get away with selling a tatty Audi or Ford but underestimate the niche an ISF sits in or how discerning buyers are? Are they that daft ? That said at what price does it become a good buy for someone because it does drive well and given Lexus told me they would offer a warranty I recon at £20k its a bargain. (which is about what I offered Arnold Clark last year and they were having none of it ).

Yep, I popped by the dealer on Sunday as I live local (any excuse for a blast on a Sunday afternoon) and its still for sale. For some reason the sale to @ctrsam didn't go through. Not sure why? From what I can see the car looks honest enough and the sales man was honest with me. He rightly assumed I wasn't a buyer as he heard / saw me turn up in my ISF but took the time to show me the car so fair enough. So what's it like? Its had both the rear arches pained as I understand the rust was starting to show through on the inside welded edge and the bonnet front edge if not the whole bonnet painted as well due to stone chips / rusting. Not unsurprising or uncommon on a 2008 car maybe? The rest of the paint wasn't brilliant and for me would want some more work (chips on the leading edge of a couple of doors (mainly passenger ! Ahhh passengers !!) and others that might polish out but it would be OK for many Im sure. It started and sounded fine, has an aftermarket exhaust ( I couldn't see which make) with twin outlets that nearly poke into the exhaust tips. Interestingly I think my stock exhaust sounds better but that not very scientific is it. Interior looked good with just drivers seat wear is would be the case with apparently 64k miles. All told unless there are any hidden secrets it looks well priced for an ISF with a dealer. Oh, and it has a sunroof if that's your thing.

I have updated my 2009 ISF with the latest disk but it only updates the maps and not the postcode search / operating functionality. Its the only thing that annoys me about all Lexus of a certain. Its the same in my IS300. Love both cars but just hate both crappy sat navs. I use google on the phone instead.

Oh, and check your rear brake lines for corrosion just behind the flexi from the calliper. Somewhat of a saga to replace fully if it needs doing and its a pricey job.

If I remember previous comments from others its OK. Although didn't @Big Rat have Lexus Cheltenham fit his ?

I'm not sure there is much left of the written off car at Japanese Car Parts but the Borla exhaust, although crush damaged by the forklift it was moved around with was sold to a member on here some while ago. And I have both exhaust tips in case I ever need them as they are £418 each side from Lexus if I remember rightly. Worth contacting Wayne @northern isf if he's selling.

Well I'm just up the road in Chellaston Samir. 2 ISF's within a couple of postcode areas, bet that's not common. How lucky the people of Derby are if they are F spotting. We shall have to meet up.

Interesting point. My local Lexus dealer, who stamp my service book and do a very nice Latte with an L shaped logo of chocolate fairy dust, is a shared franchise with Toyota who occupy the same site........ and they share the same workshop and same mechanics! I'm aware the hourly rate is much less than some others quote for Lexus dealers so is this a good thing or a bad thing? I took the trouble to speak to the mechanic who did the last work I had done and he was thrilled to work on such a rare car and I warmed to the view that he was proud to do a fastidious job so is this better or worse than an independent ? Who knows ? Pays ya money takes ya choice.

Without doubt a tasteful improvement the likes of which you might see on a car 2, 3 or 4 times the price so well done, an inspired improvement. So is it new leather inserted (now that must be expensive) or painted / dyed (very carefully). Looks great either way.

Are you from Derby @ctrsam If so that makes 2 of us. Obviously a great choice of car. Might see you about.

Similar with me. It it bolts together its within my skill range to un bolt it and sort it out and I enjoy doing it as well, or probably better, than anyone else can. I'm the sort of guy who cleans everything and paints nuts bolts and brackets before putting them back. When changing all my brake pads I spent hours cleaning the inside of wheel arches and everything within reach. Sad I know. As for FLSH and warranty then potentially it gets more important as a buyer and a seller the older the car gets. When buying my 9 year old ISF privately a FLSH was essential and the extended warranty was transferred to me. I have both a service plan and warranty paid monthly for less than good night out would cost. In a year or so it might get sold and will still have a FLSH and warranty to transfer and I expect the first serious buy to snap it up. Well that's the plan anyway.

The lesson here is buyer beware and do loads of research but as long as any buyer has eyes wide open it might still be a good car for someone. That said I would think about a few more things before handing over hard earned cash or backing out: Ask the dealer for the contact details of the previous owner and try talking to them. Judge if the dealer wont play that game (maybe that's why the reg doc is "missing". Original owner might just be a **** but ask why they didn't trade into a Lexus dealer? Maybe they tried? but make a judgement. Take the car to a Lexus dealer for an inspection, they will or should be able to confirm any body repairs done and if they will offer a warranty. I understand its based on service history OR inspection. Or get an RAC inspection. Again if the dealer wont play its yet more suspicious. It might not be the best car but is it actually a bad car? Maybe buy at a significant discount below others without such questions. There will be others without questions as has been said but possibly for thousands ££££ more Hopefully it sells to a buyer who's fully aware of everything they can be and the price reflects the issues as it will sell eventually Im sure.

@Flytvr makes a good point. For what must be near double the money is it near double the car or double the fun. It's a tricky one. On the other hand money in the bank is doing nothing.

Beautiful car. Enjoy

Nice one Dan. Exciting for sure and impressed with your on going investments. Looking forward to seeing the results.

It took quite a search on ebay but here they are from BW Auto Parts California. Price + tax + shipping was about £35. Cheaper than a new chrome set from Lexus. 20PCs TOYOTA-LEXUS OEM BLACK MAG LUG NUTS WITH WASHER 12X1.5MM https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/20PCs-TOYOTA-LEXUS-OEM-BLACK-MAG-LUG-NUTS-WITH-WASHER-12X1-5MM/252818665672?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Welcome back into the fold Dave, glad you're back into F ownership and glad you miss what's now my ISF. No hard feelings about the brake pipes as its all part of the fun of buying a near 10 year old car, how would either of us know. Still an excellent car in excellent condition as far as I'm concerned and a privilege to own. I had the wheels refurbed and painted Bronze with some OEM speck Black wheel nuts from the USA. Pleased with them but might go back to stock next year. An RCF in USB then, what colour interior? USB with Grey Leather would be on my list in the future. But you will be sad to see the TVR go. Time moves on and only time for so many toys. Lets see some photo's of the RCF when you have them.

PM'd you with what I remember. To be fair the car drove very well and with a quality respray of the bottom half and a decent wheel refurb I think it would be a good deal for someone. After all how many cars have has a corner or a panel painted and a new buyer doesn't know so why not buy knowing its all been pained? But it has to be a bargain or you might as well buy one that didn't need the work in the first place. Pays your money takes your choice. As for warranty, Lexus told me they would offer an extended warranty on this car given they knew the service history ( subject to inspection).

Hi @Crimson Red I had a test drive in this some while ago and chose not to buy it. It's been moved around the trade a number of times since but PM me if you want and I will share with you what I found.

Yes, I remember the moody photo's of your RCF, professional quality I seem to recall. I also remember a touch of garage envy as well Just thinking how our old TVR's stack up in "wins on list" For my Chimaera 1. Build quality – ummm next question 2. Reliability….. .not bad on reflection, only came home on a tow truck once. 3. Warranty – Errr Nope. 4. Induction noise. Well it burbled nicely, very nicely in fact. 5. Rareness- Somewhere between an ISF and an RCF depending on the colour (of either) But very recognisable. 6. Handling – treat with care. Only lost it coming off a roundabout once. Nobody about, nobody noticed, got away with it as if it didn't happen. 7. Standard kit - From a Ford parts bin or made by a man in a shed but a secret door open button under the door mirror. Years ahead of its time surely. 8. Made in Britain. Ah, refer back to item 1 Loved it then as much as I love my ISF now though.