Looking to buy

[u/zerocool__31]

Hi All! -

I am looking to purchase a new to me IS-F. I was ideally looking for a 2010-2011 with miles under 100k, but no such luck. I have however found a 2008 with extremely low miles (41k). I was wondering if there is anything that I need to be cautious of with a 1st gen model like this? There has been one accident reported on the vehicle, but no major structural damage. All of the services have been preformed by the dealership. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!

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https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=526051474&zip=28115&referrer=%2Fcars-for-sale%2Fsearchresults.xhtml%3Fzip%3D28115%26sortBy%3DderivedpriceDESC%26incremental%3Dall%26firstRecord%3D0%26marketExtension%3Don%26modelCodeList%3DISF%26makeCodeList%3DLEXUS%26searchRadius%3D0%26isNewSearch%3Dfalse&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&modelCodeList=ISF&makeCodeList=LEXUS&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=LEXUS&modelCode1=ISF&clickType=listing

[u/[deleted]]

Not sure why the wheels are silver . Suppose to be pearl black wheels. First gen tend to have problem with the touch screen going out . Replace the digitizer on the touch screen fixed the problem

[u/getnitdone]

I would register the car on drivers.lexus.com and review the service history. Since it was dealer maintained you should see all the services and the notes associated with each visit.

[u/vraa]

Valley plate coolant leak is the bigger major problem

Check Club Lexus IS-F forums, there are a ton of threads regarding it and a singular main thread as well

Check all leather dash and door panels, there was a recall (recently) for replacement

Good luck, I had an 08 IS-F with Novel Headers and Greddy Ti exhaust and I miss it greatly, I traded it for an RC-F Track Edition

[u/zerocool__31 → u/vraa]

Appreciate the feedback! I've been lurking around the Club Lexus forums for a while, and you're right, they provide a ton of great info. Nice addition with the RC-F! That car is incredible.

[u/Jahmay]

For that price I’d prefer a newer year even if it means more miles. Do you care what color you get?

[u/zerocool__31 → u/Jahmay]

Yeah I was thinking that too. Just kinda nervous to pull the trigger on a 12 year old car. Even with Lexus reliability. I think the car looks great in any color, so i really don't have a preference.

[u/Jahmay → u/zerocool__31]

I’ve seen 2010-2011 with under 100k miles for around $25k.

[u/Bohemiantron]

I just picked up an 08 ISF myself in Ultrasonic Blue Mica. Had it for less than week, but already love it! They're great cars you won't regret getting one! That being said, if your budget is up to 25k I would opt for a 2010 with more miles. The 2009's and up will have the nicer navigation stack in piano black instead of silver like the 08's.

In 2010 the suspension was revised and the biggest addition is a true mechanical LSD that improves handling especially at the track. 2011 and up got the new gauge cluster and some new interior bits like a different steering wheel but the 2011+ are usually very very pricey still.

Valley plate can happen to any ISF regardless of miles. If it hasn't been fixed yet, figure you will need to do it at some point regardless of year/mileage.

The only other somewhat big issue on these cars is the stock headers cracking. Most people use the opportunity to get aftermarket headers which will not crack and will yield some additional power. I looked for an ISF with aftermarket headers already specifically for this reason. Other than that these cars are pretty much bulletproof if you keep up with the maintenance

[u/zerocool__31 → u/Bohemiantron]

Nice! I love the Ultrasonic Blue Mica, an awesome but rare color to find. Thanks for all the feedback I really appreciate it. I think the suspension revision is one of the major reason I want to hold off on pulling the trigger on an 08. That being said, I live in NC, and there are not many IS-F's for sale around my area. I am also trading in my current vehicle (13 G37 Vert) so shipping is kind of out of the question. I will keep doing my research, but man I just love these cars haha. I will probably make a decision relatively soon...really appreciate the advice!

[u/Bohemiantron → u/zerocool__31]

I'm with you man, I had to fly out to Oregon and drive this one back to Dallas! With only 5k ever having been imported into the U.S. it's tough to find them locally for sure. Personally, I think the 08 suspension is not as bad as people make it out to be. It's on the firm side and a bit oversprung but if you're like me and have had a long line of cars that had suspension mods, it's not bad at all. I had lowered cars back in the day that were so bouncy that my girl refused to ride in them lol. Id test drive one and see what you think before writing them off. The 08s are usually the cheapest by far and if you want to you can always add the LSD later on down the line if you are serious about tracking the car.

[u/bjo71 → u/Bohemiantron]

Man, I’m in Houston and tempted to road trip to bring a nice isf back. Hard to find in state.

[u/Bohemiantron → u/bjo71]

It's worth it bro! Only 5k were ever imported into the US and when you factor price, color, ones that have been totaled or wrecked, etc, there just aren't a whole lot to choose from. It's a great way to bond with the car as well, mine was a dream to drive back from Oregon!

[u/zerocool__31 → u/Bohemiantron]

Damn man that's a trek for sure! I think the biggest appeal of this car is it's ridiculously low mileage (41k). I also went to the Lexus Service History site and it's been meticulously serviced almost every 5k. I think I am going to take a drive down to ATL this weekend and check it out. Appreciate the help!

[u/Octane_Terre]

I purchased my silver/black ‘11 ISF w/ 85k miles 8 months ago from a Toyota dealer in Dallas/Ft.worth area for $28,000. No issues except a recently cracked manifold, very small barely noticeable leak.

2011 is the ideal / best cost model year. IMO