The Lexus IS Thread

Bunta said:
I asked the seller for the VIN number so that I can check with Lexus.
He then sent me a long Voicenote explaining why it "probably was serviced by a non lexus centre and I'll be wasting my time trying to find the service history, but the car was "well taken care of""

Yeah, nah, its a 2010 model, the services missing are 2014-2019 (61000 to 66000kms), then in 2019 it gets one service from JV Autotech performance centre or something, then 2023 it the next service at 128775 at Fourways lexus. Both period are outside the service plan / lexus warranty period.

I see there's now another one on Autotrader with 154000kms for R499k. Wonder if thats the dealer that bought the other one I looked at before this one. I was one day too late for that one. When I messaged the seller to ask if I can come view it, he said it got sold to a Gauteng buyer the day before, which was 3 weeks ago. That one had 179000km's though. But i hear dealers have no qualms "massaging" mileage on cars nowadays.
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True, and it's not difficult with a Lexus, the cars are built so well, and are generally so well looked after by their first owners that many of them get "haircuts" from unscrupulous dealerships. I have spotted some really dodgy dealerships that consistently sell IS350s and 250s with surprisingly low kilometres. Do some tracking on Autotrader over a few months, the same guys seem to come up time and time again. I don't even bother checking the VIN because they always have some story, like an ECU replacement. And then there's always the 2020 COVID gap to watch for, which applies almost to any vehicle that is older than 6 years.

If it's any consolation, both the ISF and GSF are quite expensive vehicles to maintain, which is the case with anything that is high performance, but the ISF and GSF takes it a notch further. Most examples in SA are in the 90 - 140,000km region, and this is something to consider, because it becomes time for things like suspension bushes, control arms and tie-rod ends to be replaced. These may not only be pricey, but also hard to obtain because the components are bespoke. Ditto for things like cooling and fuel hoses. Brakes are massive (ceramic?) multi-pot Brembos, so a brake job that would typically cost you R10,000 on an IS350 / GS350 could easily end up costing 4-5x that amount. Aftermarket parts may be available, but the majority are more trouble than they are worth, especially brakes. And when you start putting aftermarket parts on a Lexus, what exactly are you driving?
Then there are the oil leaks: that V8 motor loves to leak from 2 places in particular: the valley plate and the front timing chain cover. The V8 motor takes up a lot of space, so these jobs are not exactly trivial. And the brittle connectors on the coils (and just about every other plastic electronic connector) that breaks when you just touch them, due to heat exposure.
If you want a good vehicle that is reliable and cheap to maintain, then a stock IS/GS 350 may prove to be a better choice.

 
Thorium said:
True, and it's not difficult with a Lexus, the cars are built so well, and are generally so well looked after by their first owners that many of them get "haircuts" from unscrupulous dealerships. I have spotted some really dodgy dealerships that consistently sell IS350s and 250s with surprisingly low kilometres. Do some tracking on Autotrader over a few months, the same guys seem to come up time and time again. I don't even bother checking the VIN because they always have some story, like an ECU replacement. And then there's always the 2020 COVID gap to watch for, which applies almost to any vehicle that is older than 6 years.

If it's any consolation, both the ISF and GSF are quite expensive vehicles to maintain, which is the case with anything that is high performance, but the ISF and GSF takes it a notch further. Most examples in SA are in the 90 - 140,000km region, and this is something to consider, because it becomes time for things like suspension bushes, control arms and tie-rod ends to be replaced. These may not only be pricey, but also hard to obtain because the components are bespoke. Ditto for things like cooling and fuel hoses. Brakes are massive (ceramic?) multi-pot Brembos, so a brake job that would typically cost you R10,000 on an IS350 / GS350 could easily end up costing 4-5x that amount. Aftermarket parts may be available, but the majority are more trouble than they are worth, especially brakes. And when you start putting aftermarket parts on a Lexus, what exactly are you driving?
Then there are the oil leaks: that V8 motor loves to leak from 2 places in particular: the valley plate and the front timing chain cover. The V8 motor takes up a lot of space, so these jobs are not exactly trivial. And the brittle connectors on the coils (and just about every other plastic electronic connector) that breaks when you just touch them, due to heat exposure.
If you want a good vehicle that is reliable and cheap to maintain, then a stock IS/GS 350 may prove to be a better choice.

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100%
I'm aware of the valley Plate leak. One of the first questions i asked of that IS-f Seller.
Me: Was the valley plate leak done?
His answer: I don't know. (First red flag) :ROFL:
I was leaning towards an RC350 F-sport, or a really low mileage IS350 F Sport, but an IS-F is still an IS-F.
Might consider an LS460 even.
Missed one last week at a dealer in Salt River. Then WBC had one also, but also sold within a day.
No rush, I will find something.



Thorium said:
2010 ISF with 181,000km on the clock just sold for R395K on auction at WBC. Engine, gearbox and diff mounts need replacing, as well as the rear tyres.
Congrats to the new owner and good luck!
He's going to need it when he discovers what his insurance cover costs ;)
View attachment 1908793


www.webuycars.co.za

WeBuyCars | Sell Cars For Cash | Free Online Vehicle Valuations

www.webuycars.co.za www.webuycars.co.za
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I had a friend go look at this one for me when it was still up for R408k.
The left Front fender was resparyed, the fender liner is loose, small nick on the rear bumper, Interior is neat, but the Steering was recovered, poorly, there's no service book, just a printout from lexus and there were one or two other things.
Initially the report mentioned the Diff mountings only, later, it was Diff mounting, engine mountings AND gbox Mountings.
Someone posted this car on the Lexus Facebook page and i mentioned that it may have been in a prank, the owner then came out and lambasted anyone who had something to say about the car. Claiming he maintained it so well. Yet, all those issues were present and, he sold the car to WBC's? Yeah doesn't compute.
Looks good in the pics, but if those were the issues that could be seen.... imagine whats hiding...
 
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