Is the Lexus IS250 reliable?
Discussion
I always thought the IS250 was bullet proof. But today I found reports of carbon build up problems, problems with the cam gear and other issues. I was surprised. I had heard the 220D has lots of problems and is even considered the worst Lexus ever made. But I thought the IS250 was solid? I'm considering one with about 125K miles on the clock. It's a V6 manual. But after reading some of the buyer's guides I became worried.
And do they need to be serviced and worked on at Toyota main dealers or are they somewhat DIY or specialists easy to find?
And do they need to be serviced and worked on at Toyota main dealers or are they somewhat DIY or specialists easy to find?
Probably way too late now but Honest John likes them. Any decent indy can service and repair these.
"IS250 probably the most reliable car you can buy."
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/lexus/is-2005
"IS250 probably the most reliable car you can buy."
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/lexus/is-2005
we've had a 2006 one with over 100k on it (bought for 3k) for a few years and its just needed an abs sensor and stuff like pads, tyres etc... The aircon has never worked but i doubt thats a common issue, more that the one we bought had never been regassed or whatever and the pump or seals were deteriorated. Personally dont like ac anyway so i didnt care but many prob still have it working assuming you can tell when test-driving in winter.
the vvt solenoid(s?) locking pins do clatter for a second on cold start but i can find no reports of that causing any damage so i have always ignored it.
cracking car overall, fun to drive with the flappy paddles and sounds nice, but mostly comfy, relaxing and refined. interior is in a different league to all other cars of similar ages that i have seen or owned and shows no signs of wear.
heated front screen too which is very nice at this time of year.
requires e5 fuel though so make sure you are near a station that has it.
does about 35mpg in general daily use, easily over 40 on a motorway run (acc. to the trip computer of course so no idea how accurate that is)
i diy almost all servicing, brakes etc, local garage did an autobox fluid and filter change.
problem now is my wife wants more of an suv style taller vehicle thats easier to get in and out of, but having owned this lexus everything other than another lexus just seems seriously underwhelming, basic and cheap, and theres a proper lack of lexus suvs below about 10 or 15k.
the vvt solenoid(s?) locking pins do clatter for a second on cold start but i can find no reports of that causing any damage so i have always ignored it.
cracking car overall, fun to drive with the flappy paddles and sounds nice, but mostly comfy, relaxing and refined. interior is in a different league to all other cars of similar ages that i have seen or owned and shows no signs of wear.
heated front screen too which is very nice at this time of year.
requires e5 fuel though so make sure you are near a station that has it.
does about 35mpg in general daily use, easily over 40 on a motorway run (acc. to the trip computer of course so no idea how accurate that is)
i diy almost all servicing, brakes etc, local garage did an autobox fluid and filter change.
problem now is my wife wants more of an suv style taller vehicle thats easier to get in and out of, but having owned this lexus everything other than another lexus just seems seriously underwhelming, basic and cheap, and theres a proper lack of lexus suvs below about 10 or 15k.
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 26th December 22:19
The 250 auto is the most reliable but like with all cars and the internet if you go seeking out "common problems" you will find them and everything will sound like a chocolate teapot. In reality what you hear on the internet is a small subsection of actual sales. What is more important as a car ages is how well its been looked after.
Providing it has been well looked after and serviced an IS250 auto is extremely unlikely to give you any major problems. They are built like tanks and totally over engineered.
They have the refinement of cars two classes above...an A4/C Class/ 3 series, especially 4 pots cannot compete.
Compromise is that you will get 25 mpg combined, but you need to offset this against the lack of any major problems that may occur.
They have the refinement of cars two classes above...an A4/C Class/ 3 series, especially 4 pots cannot compete.
Compromise is that you will get 25 mpg combined, but you need to offset this against the lack of any major problems that may occur.
MattsCar said:
Providing it has been well looked after and serviced an IS250 auto is extremely unlikely to give you any major problems. They are built like tanks and totally over engineered.
They have the refinement of cars two classes above...an A4/C Class/ 3 series, especially 4 pots cannot compete.
Compromise is that you will get 25 mpg combined, but you need to offset this against the lack of any major problems that may occur.
as said my wifes IS250 gets 35mpg in general use (commuting, shops etc) and 40+ on a long drive, acc. to the onboard computer doobrie. I'll have to check one day against the actual consumption to see how accurate or not that is though.They have the refinement of cars two classes above...an A4/C Class/ 3 series, especially 4 pots cannot compete.
Compromise is that you will get 25 mpg combined, but you need to offset this against the lack of any major problems that may occur.
The manual version incurs *much* higher road tax and the shifter is truck-like, meanwhile the autobox is silky smooth, very efficient and robust.
Carbon build-up seems to be more of a problem with US cars?
Google ‘carbon cleaning’ in the UK and there’re plenty of services focused on VAGs, BMWs and Minis, but none for Lexus. Why? Stick to the service schedule (12 months or 10k, whichever occurs first) and use good quality fully syn oil and it should be OK.
Brake caliper slider pins stick, causes binding. Dealers love replacing the whole caliper - cock off! So, it's worth replacing all pins, cheap well-made kit via Ebay, then greasing pins every 12 months.
Check coolant level regularly, eventually the water pump will need replacing - BTW, no cambelt, it’s a chain - and to protect the water pump and all gaskets, flush/change the engine coolant every 50k/5 years.
There's a switch to the left of the steering column (RHD cars) that changes the engine map: select 'PWR' and it significantly sharpens the throttle response and makes the engine feel generally more sprightly.
Likes V-power / Tesco 99, but can run on 95 OK, although low-rev throttle response will be slightly blunted.
40mpg+ easy when cruising at 80ish.
This fella has an R8 for fun and a 2009 IS250 as a daily, it's done over 325,000km (201,000 miles) with no big bills, and by all accounts that's typical:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcXle0M6510&t=...
Carbon build-up seems to be more of a problem with US cars?
Google ‘carbon cleaning’ in the UK and there’re plenty of services focused on VAGs, BMWs and Minis, but none for Lexus. Why? Stick to the service schedule (12 months or 10k, whichever occurs first) and use good quality fully syn oil and it should be OK.
Brake caliper slider pins stick, causes binding. Dealers love replacing the whole caliper - cock off! So, it's worth replacing all pins, cheap well-made kit via Ebay, then greasing pins every 12 months.
Check coolant level regularly, eventually the water pump will need replacing - BTW, no cambelt, it’s a chain - and to protect the water pump and all gaskets, flush/change the engine coolant every 50k/5 years.
There's a switch to the left of the steering column (RHD cars) that changes the engine map: select 'PWR' and it significantly sharpens the throttle response and makes the engine feel generally more sprightly.
Likes V-power / Tesco 99, but can run on 95 OK, although low-rev throttle response will be slightly blunted.
40mpg+ easy when cruising at 80ish.
This fella has an R8 for fun and a 2009 IS250 as a daily, it's done over 325,000km (201,000 miles) with no big bills, and by all accounts that's typical:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcXle0M6510&t=...
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