Discussion
I'm a serial car owner and very rarely have anything longer than 12 months (16 cars in 13 years). For the last 12 months I had a 2019 BMW M2 Competition as well as a cheap Audi A3 diesel runaround. However the novelty and expense of having two cars began to wear off and I realised I was paying £XXX a month on finance (for the M2) to just drive an old Audi around.
Had some fun with the M2C over the 12 months I had it but ultimately it was a bit wasted on me as I didn't have the time to take it on long, fun drives regularly. So it went in September last year and I just had the trusty runaround while I debated what to get next.
For the last few years I'd been keeping an eye on ISF's after test driving one a long time ago. There are so few around, and even less that have been well looked after, that I kind of gave up. Then one evening, while flicking through Autotrader as usual, I thought I'd check the Lexus Owners Club website and stumbled across the perfect spec, at a good price, in my favourite colour. Fired a message across straight away and then drove 3 hours down south to see it the following weekend. As soon as the owner started it, I kind of knew I was having it
So it's a 2010 model with the updated infotainment and mechanical LSD, in Ultra Sonic Blue with black leather (rather than the more "common" white leather). 75k miles, full Lexus service history and 3 previous owners. It also has an aftermarket Hayward & Scott exhaust, with a secondary cat delete. Just what I was after!
Had to grab a few pictures on the way back from picking it up...
So why an ISF? I really like the rarity factor in that you never see others on the road. Plus the Lexus reliability is a massive influence, especially when running a 5.0 V8. I've always been a fan of BMW's but the reliability and running costs of an E90 for example, put me off. I get 35mpg on the 20 mile commute to work which is another positive! I also love the way it looks and it sounds incredible with the aftermarket exhaust on it!
First thing to do when I got it home was to give it a deep clean inside and out. It was already pretty tidy but had been sat for a while so had collected some dust etc:
Im abit OCD when it comes to looking after cars, so seeing as the front tyres needed replacing anyway, I had the wheels refurbished in a shadow grey effect as some of them were slightly kerbed. Some new Michelin PS4S to match the rears as well:
The exhaust tips had been finished in a Zircotec style coating which had faded and become all pitted, so this was blasted off to bare metal and polished slightly. Couldn't get the finish I want with elbow grease alone so these will be sent off to be polished properly in a few weeks.
Last weekend I took the car over to Brugge with my girlfriend for a weekend away. Car was faultless and handled the 700 miles with ease. It's amazing how economical it can be when cruising as well. Easily getting 35+mpg on the motorway. Managed to set a few car alarms off when starting it for the journey home too
Had this glorious thing parked behind us on the ferry as well. Had a quick chat to the owner who had been to Stuttgart for the weekend
Back home and the headlights needed a good polish as they had gone slightly yellow and cloudy from the sun and I also put my personal reg on:
Plans for the future are:
- Paint brake calipers/hubs in the factory black with new stickers
- De-chrome window surrounds
- Look at suspension upgrades (either Coilovers or Bilstein shocks with lowering springs)
- Wheel spacers (so it's sitting in the wheels, rather than on them)
- Exhaust tips polished
- Keep on top of regular servicing
- As many road trips/holidays in it as possible!
I'll keep this updated with any changes just as something to refer back to.
Over the moon with it so far.
Had some fun with the M2C over the 12 months I had it but ultimately it was a bit wasted on me as I didn't have the time to take it on long, fun drives regularly. So it went in September last year and I just had the trusty runaround while I debated what to get next.
For the last few years I'd been keeping an eye on ISF's after test driving one a long time ago. There are so few around, and even less that have been well looked after, that I kind of gave up. Then one evening, while flicking through Autotrader as usual, I thought I'd check the Lexus Owners Club website and stumbled across the perfect spec, at a good price, in my favourite colour. Fired a message across straight away and then drove 3 hours down south to see it the following weekend. As soon as the owner started it, I kind of knew I was having it
So it's a 2010 model with the updated infotainment and mechanical LSD, in Ultra Sonic Blue with black leather (rather than the more "common" white leather). 75k miles, full Lexus service history and 3 previous owners. It also has an aftermarket Hayward & Scott exhaust, with a secondary cat delete. Just what I was after!
Had to grab a few pictures on the way back from picking it up...
So why an ISF? I really like the rarity factor in that you never see others on the road. Plus the Lexus reliability is a massive influence, especially when running a 5.0 V8. I've always been a fan of BMW's but the reliability and running costs of an E90 for example, put me off. I get 35mpg on the 20 mile commute to work which is another positive! I also love the way it looks and it sounds incredible with the aftermarket exhaust on it!
First thing to do when I got it home was to give it a deep clean inside and out. It was already pretty tidy but had been sat for a while so had collected some dust etc:
Im abit OCD when it comes to looking after cars, so seeing as the front tyres needed replacing anyway, I had the wheels refurbished in a shadow grey effect as some of them were slightly kerbed. Some new Michelin PS4S to match the rears as well:
The exhaust tips had been finished in a Zircotec style coating which had faded and become all pitted, so this was blasted off to bare metal and polished slightly. Couldn't get the finish I want with elbow grease alone so these will be sent off to be polished properly in a few weeks.
Last weekend I took the car over to Brugge with my girlfriend for a weekend away. Car was faultless and handled the 700 miles with ease. It's amazing how economical it can be when cruising as well. Easily getting 35+mpg on the motorway. Managed to set a few car alarms off when starting it for the journey home too
Had this glorious thing parked behind us on the ferry as well. Had a quick chat to the owner who had been to Stuttgart for the weekend
Back home and the headlights needed a good polish as they had gone slightly yellow and cloudy from the sun and I also put my personal reg on:
Plans for the future are:
- Paint brake calipers/hubs in the factory black with new stickers
- De-chrome window surrounds
- Look at suspension upgrades (either Coilovers or Bilstein shocks with lowering springs)
- Wheel spacers (so it's sitting in the wheels, rather than on them)
- Exhaust tips polished
- Keep on top of regular servicing
- As many road trips/holidays in it as possible!
I'll keep this updated with any changes just as something to refer back to.
Over the moon with it so far.
We had an early one 10 years ago and I loved it. One of the few cars I really wish I still had. The only mod we did was 16 way adjustable Tien suspension and it was way better than standard, very slightly lower, a little softer and all the better for having a nicer ride. It handled better because it didn't get thrown off line when cornering.
Fensport still do the kit we had, among other things.
Very envious of that, it's lovely.
Fensport still do the kit we had, among other things.
Very envious of that, it's lovely.
Awesome, i love seeing these pop up! I had a grey one a couple of years ago with a Hayward and Scott and even pootling around slowly it really made you smile. It was cheap to run as well for what it was and as you say they can be good on fuel too!
It was oddly quick as well, the reviews at the time didnt shine them in a great light but in the real world and as an owners proposition, they are right up there. I had mine out in the North Pennines plenty and it disguised its heft very well! The only issue i found is that it seemed to half whatever speed you were doing and i found i was going too fast, too often
It was oddly quick as well, the reviews at the time didnt shine them in a great light but in the real world and as an owners proposition, they are right up there. I had mine out in the North Pennines plenty and it disguised its heft very well! The only issue i found is that it seemed to half whatever speed you were doing and i found i was going too fast, too often
That's lovey; the blue really suits them.
I really like the left field nature of these - I went to look at a higher mileage one earlier this year and was impressed. The one I viewed had a H&S exhaust and it made a fabulous noise. The gearbox is surprisingly good too given the age of the car. I can see why the interior was criticised when new, but now they're a bit older its much less of an issue and they seem to wear their miles well.
I really like the left field nature of these - I went to look at a higher mileage one earlier this year and was impressed. The one I viewed had a H&S exhaust and it made a fabulous noise. The gearbox is surprisingly good too given the age of the car. I can see why the interior was criticised when new, but now they're a bit older its much less of an issue and they seem to wear their miles well.
Thanks all for the kind words, it’s really got under my skin over the last 2 months. It’s not the first word in handling and an E92 M3 would probably be quicker around a track but this just has a certain character to it. There's something to be said about the Lexus quality too. It really does feel solid compared to similar era cars and even compared to the M2. It feels like you could hammer it all day and it wouldn't even notice.
I’ve also noticed that nobody knows what it is, which is quite nice. Although the shock on peoples faces when they ask you if it’s a 3.0 and you tell them it’s a 5.0 is still entertaining
The headlamp polish was just a quick job as it was annoying me. Once the weather clears up I’ll be giving it a full detail so I’ll do them properly then
It's surprisingly fast well. I was expecting it to be quick but not fast, as its no lightweight, but once it gets going it just seems to keep accelerating faster as you go through the gears.
I’ve also noticed that nobody knows what it is, which is quite nice. Although the shock on peoples faces when they ask you if it’s a 3.0 and you tell them it’s a 5.0 is still entertaining
bolidemichael said:
Sonic Blue is rather fetching and it's great that you plan on using it and hopefully, keeping us updated.
Are all four exhaust tips connected to pipes, or are two of them cosmetic?
Remember to protect the polished headlamp lenses with lacquer spray, or they'll soon go cloudy again!
Yes all four are real tips with the Hayward & Scott.Are all four exhaust tips connected to pipes, or are two of them cosmetic?
Remember to protect the polished headlamp lenses with lacquer spray, or they'll soon go cloudy again!
The headlamp polish was just a quick job as it was annoying me. Once the weather clears up I’ll be giving it a full detail so I’ll do them properly then
Alfa GTV said:
Nice purchase, I'll contact you in 12 months when you want to move it on 
I looked for a decent ISF for a while and just couldn't find what I was after, bought and still own an E92 M3.
I’ve always been a big BMW fan (I’ve had 6!) and an E90 M3 was on my potentials list, but they have a similar issue in that there aren’t many around.I looked for a decent ISF for a while and just couldn't find what I was after, bought and still own an E92 M3.
Heaveho said:
We had an early one 10 years ago and I loved it. One of the few cars I really wish I still had. The only mod we did was 16 way adjustable Tien suspension and it was way better than standard, very slightly lower, a little softer and all the better for having a nicer ride. It handled better because it didn't get thrown off line when cornering.
Fensport still do the kit we had, among other things.
Very envious of that, it's lovely.
Fensport still do the kit we had, among other things.
Very envious of that, it's lovely.
Cambs_Stuart said:
Great buy. That is a fantastic car. Discreet, well built, fast and looks brilliant in that colour combination.
What kind of coilovers/suspension are you looking at? I've got bilstien on both my cars and can't fault them.
The suspension is one of the areas I do want to try and improve. I’m used to a hard ride after the M2C but the ISF is FIRM. It bounces around on really bumpy stuff and doesn’t suit the character of the car at all. There aren’t many options around for these due to the market being pretty small. At the moment I’m trying to decide between Yellow Speed Racing Coilovers, as I have friends who’ve used them in the past and recommend them. The other option is Bilstein B6 shocks with Tein lowering springs but I’m not sure these will give me the ride that I want.What kind of coilovers/suspension are you looking at? I've got bilstien on both my cars and can't fault them.
roadie said:
Looks fantastic, although I always see the exhaust design as a bit fussy.
How is it in comparison to your M2 in terms of driving? Is it all engine or does it ride and handle competently too?
Dynamically it’s no where near as good to drive as the M2C but it’s not really in the same category, so I can cut it some slack. I found the M2 just felt like a fast 2-series unless you were really on it, which is great, but that was 1 day out of 100 for me. This feels special just driving it around town I think, mainly because of the engine/noise. It burbles around like a muscle car. How is it in comparison to your M2 in terms of driving? Is it all engine or does it ride and handle competently too?
It's surprisingly fast well. I was expecting it to be quick but not fast, as its no lightweight, but once it gets going it just seems to keep accelerating faster as you go through the gears.
BrettMRC said:
Great car OP 
What's the exhaust like inside on a long cruise?
There is a bit of drone when under load, such as when going up inclines but it’s more than bearable. I did a 3 hour drive in it last weekend and (stiff ride apart) it was fine. What's the exhaust like inside on a long cruise?
Edited by T_S_M on Monday 6th March 15:43
On the suspension situation I can thoroughly recommend the Tiens, it was very well judged. I had ( and still have ) an Evo on Bilsteins to compare it with, the IS-F was just as entertaining on the same roads in it's own way. I really wish I still had it. It went in a moment of madness, but having 2 black four door saloons in the garage at the same time seemed a bit daft and so far the Evo has seen off all comers!
I'm stunned you're able to get 35mpg, I never got close to that!
I'm stunned you're able to get 35mpg, I never got close to that!
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