mrfunex

An interesting point raised by Mike - the ML stereo in my previous GS450h was a class above the ML in the ISF. Bit of a shame, but there's a different type of music to listen to now... :-)

We have both a '09 RX450h and an '08 ISF on the driveway. You can't really compare them! RX450 - massive inside, really comfortable, economical (we've averaged 32mpg with mostly town driving). Not the most engaging driving experience, but it's almost silent and a really nice place to be. My wife loves hers and plans on getting another when the time comes. No rattles or squeaks after 80k miles and a reasonable burst of speed when needed. ISF - a Jekyll and Hyde car - you can leave it in auto and waft about with the engine rarely creeping above 2k, or you can use sport/manual mode and be a total hooligan! Comfortable enough, and fairly good on fuel for what it is, I've averaged 20mpg from mixed driving, which drops to around 10mpg or less if driving really hard. They're very reliable (far more so than an M3 or C63), rare and make a cracking noise. Having had faster cars, they're about as quick as you can use on the road. 4 adults would be a little cramped on a long journey but fine for short ones. Need to to know anything specific? I think the obvious answer is to buy both - then you've got pretty much every base covered!

Pete, can't wait for the video!

Cracking car, I'm sure you'll have loads of fun - it can be a smooth cruiser or an absolute brute when you fancy it. Black's a stunning colour. I see you have neighbours. Don't be tempted to get a H&S exhaust. They'll all hate you!

Talking about economy, a few weeks ago I had to travel up to Birmingham from Southampton. I wasn't in any hurry at all and was way outside rush hour, or any form of traffic whatsoever. I set the cruise at 60mph, and had the most boring drive I've had in a long time. The result, after approximately 320 miles of steady cruising - an indicated 37.7mpg, which (on refilling the tank, brim-to-brim) gave an actual 35.5mpg. Astonishing, really...

Mine does very occasionally, they're not massively loud but you do get them. It sounds nothing like the artificial pops and bangs you get from an F-type/911, which are imo way too artificial.

Auto gearbox in full slushy goodness for when you just want to waft about... ...epic paddle shift with quick changes and hilarious blips on the down-change for when you don't.

Obviously we all love our ISFs, but what else do you drive? Let's see gratuitous photos of your other toys! Some days it's tough choosing between them!

Good to hear the replies chaps. I guess it's just a feature of the system. Now, off for a drive!

Seems to happen in all modes, I'm wondering whether the throttle body needs a quick clean, or perhaps a bush somewhere is a bit worn. Better get my toolkit out!

So this came up on another forum and I wanted to know if it's normal gearbox behaviour... Picture this, going along a 40mph-ish road, maintaining speed, then the road starts going downhill. As you ease off the throttle to maintain speed, eventually the throttle cuts and you're getting engine braking. Except in the ISF, you've got a lot of engine braking, so you start losing speed. As I come back on the throttle, there's a small but noticeable bit of driveline shunt as the fuel starts flowing again. There are a few roads round here where I feel I'm coming on and off the throttle all the way, which is noticeable. Being an electronic throttle, there is a detectable switch between overrun and v light throttle that can't be smoothed out by even more delicate pedal control. My question is, does anyone else have this or am I the only one?

Stunning!

Can't wait to hear about the X-pipe. Mine's just a little too loud to see a trackday at the mo!

So - the jury's out! Think I'm going to have to invest a day of my time and a set of tyres to find out! I'll update when I can... Meanwhile, here are pictures of my car 1. Enjoying the seaside. 2. Having a Hunter 4-wheel geo done after changing the 2008 coilovers for 2013 ones.

What didn't you like about it? I'd hazard a guess at the weight...

For all you lot thinking about tracking your ISF... I've got a track day booked at Silverstone on 3rd May. I've always wanted to drive the full 3.6mile international F1 circuit - I can't wait! However, the noise limit is 105dB, measured at 5000rpm (3/4 of redline) at 0.5m. Now my ISF has a Takeda intake and a H&S catback - whilst it sounds biblical, I've always wondered how loud it actually is. I live relatively close to Goodwood, so at their last track day I thought I'd pop along and get my car noise tested, the logic being that the last thing I'd want is to drive all the way to Silverstone and be banned from even going trackside! The limit at Goodwood was a lower 98dB, measured at 5000rpm at a distance of 1m. It failed - 102dB! Given Goodwood measured me at 102 at twice the distance that Silverstone will be, I think I'll be taking my other car - a Honda S2000 which measures in at 88dB! I'm sure the S2000 can corner harder (especially with R888s :-) ), even if it loses out a bit down the straights! Guess I'll have to wait for a rare 105dB limit day at Goodwood to have a play in the 'F! Unless you could attend a few, rare noisy days, I suppose a track day in an ISF would most likely involve returning the exhaust to stock... Shame!

Good work on the service plan Giblet! I had a sit in the GSF at the Hedge End dealers. The alcantara (I think) dash was stunning. Might have to start saving! £71,995 as displayed!

32 here

Just to provide a bit of closure, the RX went in to Lexus Hedge End again a few days ago. The workshop had the car for 1.5 days. I believe they practically rebuilt the brakes and eventually found that one of the inner calipers or a pin wasn't quite retracting as it should do once braking had stopped. I guess it was binding very slightly. Anyway, all was put back together and the brakes have performed perfectly for the last 50-100 miles. The total cost for two visits and all associated labour - £0. Not a single penny. I've had all levels of customer service with my cars over the years, but Lexus in Hedge End, just outside Southampton have everyone beat. Absolutely fantastic! It's the reason why my wife's RX, and my ISF go there, without fail, every time they need anything looked at.

It's going in tomorrow for another look... As an aside, it looks like they've not used any copper grease between the pads and the caliper. Is this standard now? I always use it when I change brake pads?

Sorry, forgot to mention - the garage measured the pads at 8mm remaining, think they're only 30-40% worn. Thanks for the help. I was considering getting the discs done - would you recommend getting the pads done at the same time, given they're not even half gone yet?

Hi all, We've got a 2009 RX450h that's developed an intermittent high-pitched squeak/squeal from the N/S/F wheel. It's been back to the dealers who couldn't find a fault, annoyingly. The front discs are a bit dished, they say on them that the minimum thickness is 31.5mm. The garage today measured them at 32.5. How thick are they to start with? I'm thinking if the brakes are almost shot, then we replace those, as they'll need doing soon anyway, if the problem persists it's probably a wheel bearing. The noise almost always happens when driving up to about 45mph, and in a straight line, doesn't really happen whilst cornering. I've taken the wheels off myself and nothing seems to be rubbing anywhere. A hard stamp on the brakes a few times from high speed doesn't stop the noise either. Any other ideas? IMG_4509.MOV

I must be a bit of a gambler! No warranty for me! I put £50/month into a separate account that I can raid if the worst happens. As opposed to an old Mercedes SL500 I had. I had a warranty with Warranty Direct and probably paid about £1000 in 3 yrs into the plan. I must have had at least 7-8x that back. Great car, but monumentally complicated and unreliable! I'm probably blacklisted from WD for life!

I'm interested in this. I had the factory iPod prep retrofitted to my old '09 GS450 and whilst it played music fine, no track names, playlists or anything showed up. The kit seemed to (very simply) emulate another CD changer, with playlists being shown as CDs 1-6, and the songs in the playlist being tracks 1-whatever. This IVIC thing looks brilliant. I've got no issues with plugging my phone in every time. Has anyone actually got/installed one of these?

Its always nice to know that your car was previously owned by someone who was passionate about it, and when you eventually sell, that it goes to a good home. Welcome to the club!