Lexus ISF v EVO X SST
Discussion
Every day that passes, I edge closer and closer to replacing my 19 year old [nearly 8 years in my ownership] 160k mile, slightly rusty E36 328 Sport!
I've now decided I do need a car that will fit in a single garage. As I've got my heart set on a V8 saloon [for under £20k], that kind of knocks a Jag S-type R, XF SV8/XFR, Merc CLS55, VXR8 and BMW 550 off my list. Of course I'd love an E90 M3 or C63 but I think cost of ownership could be higher than I'd want?
Which has lead me to the ISF. V8; fast; reliable [hopefully], built well, comfortable, capable of match the 28mpg I currently get from my BM, can have a Lexus warranty applied to it for 2 years for just under £900! Sounds exactly what I need
Finding a good one for under £20k could prove difficult though, when I'm ready to buy. This had made me think about the EVO X SST. Obviously one of these will still fit in my garage and they're plenty fast enough, I'm just not sure about the build quality, comfort and reliability compared to the Lexus, and of course it hasn't got a V8?!
Just wondering if anyone has had experience of both? My next car has to a good job at being a daily and potentially carry around a little one every so often, in the future!
Cheers
I've now decided I do need a car that will fit in a single garage. As I've got my heart set on a V8 saloon [for under £20k], that kind of knocks a Jag S-type R, XF SV8/XFR, Merc CLS55, VXR8 and BMW 550 off my list. Of course I'd love an E90 M3 or C63 but I think cost of ownership could be higher than I'd want?
Which has lead me to the ISF. V8; fast; reliable [hopefully], built well, comfortable, capable of match the 28mpg I currently get from my BM, can have a Lexus warranty applied to it for 2 years for just under £900! Sounds exactly what I need
Finding a good one for under £20k could prove difficult though, when I'm ready to buy. This had made me think about the EVO X SST. Obviously one of these will still fit in my garage and they're plenty fast enough, I'm just not sure about the build quality, comfort and reliability compared to the Lexus, and of course it hasn't got a V8?!
Just wondering if anyone has had experience of both? My next car has to a good job at being a daily and potentially carry around a little one every so often, in the future!
Cheers
Have been lusting after an m3 v8 or ISF for a while myself too, so will follow this with interest. Have done the jap turbo thing many times so wouldn't personally opt for the evo (that's a lot to have in a turbo four banger.... says the guy with two turbo mk2 mx5's....)
I've a friend that until recently worked for Lexus and he was the most bitter and cynical person about every car manufacturer he ever worked for, but he did actually praise the ISF. He also absolutely loved the GSF, but hated the RCF... So not sure if there's any commonality there.
I think there's a few knocking around the dealer networks but in all honesty they are quite rare. you could go out tomorrow and buy one of a few hundred e90 m3's for much less than your budget but as you say, the reliability issues are a concern. Every person i know that has one or has owned one has had issues, from small niggly stuff to major mechanical failures. I'm sure that's just because they're more common, if that many ISF's existed then im sure you would hear about those horror stories also.
I've a friend that until recently worked for Lexus and he was the most bitter and cynical person about every car manufacturer he ever worked for, but he did actually praise the ISF. He also absolutely loved the GSF, but hated the RCF... So not sure if there's any commonality there.
I think there's a few knocking around the dealer networks but in all honesty they are quite rare. you could go out tomorrow and buy one of a few hundred e90 m3's for much less than your budget but as you say, the reliability issues are a concern. Every person i know that has one or has owned one has had issues, from small niggly stuff to major mechanical failures. I'm sure that's just because they're more common, if that many ISF's existed then im sure you would hear about those horror stories also.
We had an IS-F and I loved it. Letting it go is one of my biggest regrets car-wise. We also ( briefly ) had an RC-F and I thought it was crap in comparison. There have recently been several sensible miles IS-Fs for sale, two of which didn't sell privately and ended up being sold to Evans Halshaw for about 16k, iirc, so they are out there.
Our main criticism of the IS-F was the ride, cured with 16 way adjustable suspension from Fensport ( the kit currently retails at about £600, so not much in the scheme of things ), and the factory satnav can't find it's own arse with both hands.
If you can do it, you probably should. I've had an Evo for 14 years, the IS-F is the only car I've ever considered completely replacing it with.
Our main criticism of the IS-F was the ride, cured with 16 way adjustable suspension from Fensport ( the kit currently retails at about £600, so not much in the scheme of things ), and the factory satnav can't find it's own arse with both hands.
If you can do it, you probably should. I've had an Evo for 14 years, the IS-F is the only car I've ever considered completely replacing it with.
BUG4LIFE said:
Every day that passes, I edge closer and closer to replacing my 19 year old [nearly 8 years in my ownership] 160k mile, slightly rusty E36 328 Sport!
I've now decided I do need a car that will fit in a single garage. As I've got my heart set on a V8 saloon [for under £20k], that kind of knocks a Jag S-type R, XF SV8/XFR, Merc CLS55, VXR8 and BMW 550 off my list. Of course I'd love an E90 M3 or C63 but I think cost of ownership could be higher than I'd want?
Which has lead me to the ISF. V8; fast; reliable [hopefully], built well, comfortable, capable of match the 28mpg I currently get from my BM, can have a Lexus warranty applied to it for 2 years for just under £900! Sounds exactly what I need
Finding a good one for under £20k could prove difficult though, when I'm ready to buy. This had made me think about the EVO X SST. Obviously one of these will still fit in my garage and they're plenty fast enough, I'm just not sure about the build quality, comfort and reliability compared to the Lexus, and of course it hasn't got a V8?!
Just wondering if anyone has had experience of both? My next car has to a good job at being a daily and potentially carry around a little one every so often, in the future!
Cheers
I can only vouch for ISF ownership which has been ace in the 18 months I have had mine so far.I've now decided I do need a car that will fit in a single garage. As I've got my heart set on a V8 saloon [for under £20k], that kind of knocks a Jag S-type R, XF SV8/XFR, Merc CLS55, VXR8 and BMW 550 off my list. Of course I'd love an E90 M3 or C63 but I think cost of ownership could be higher than I'd want?
Which has lead me to the ISF. V8; fast; reliable [hopefully], built well, comfortable, capable of match the 28mpg I currently get from my BM, can have a Lexus warranty applied to it for 2 years for just under £900! Sounds exactly what I need
Finding a good one for under £20k could prove difficult though, when I'm ready to buy. This had made me think about the EVO X SST. Obviously one of these will still fit in my garage and they're plenty fast enough, I'm just not sure about the build quality, comfort and reliability compared to the Lexus, and of course it hasn't got a V8?!
Just wondering if anyone has had experience of both? My next car has to a good job at being a daily and potentially carry around a little one every so often, in the future!
Cheers
There is a member on the Lexus forum and I think on here by user id of 'GibletPH' who I believe went from an ISF to an EVO X.
Not kept up to speed with how he got on with it though.
I've ran an 11 plate facelift (LSD, revised suspension and dash, dab) ISF for the past year and it's been brilliantly uneventful. Car is understated, quick, handles and rides ok, build quality is fantastic and the nearest it's been to the main dealers apart from routine servicing is the Sainsbury's next door. And Does nearly 30mpg on a run.
Probably the best overall package in a car that I've had. I looked at the usual suspects before deciding on the isf - rs6, rs4, m3, m5, c63, e63, xfr, f type, but the exclusivity, relative lack of depreciation, and most importantly the reliability reputation made it an easy choice. Even though the alternatives were in some cases x4 the price of what I paid for the isf.
12 months in, I'd normally be looking for a change, but honestly apart from a gsf, which still is depreciating like a brick falling off a cliff, I don't know what to change to, that will offer such a pain free ownership experience along with decent performance.
Don't know what a newer evo / sst are like, but I ran an evo 7 as a company car replacement a few years ago and it was as equally pain free, never went wrong, but had a drink problem and was serviced every 8 weeks.
Epic car, insanely fast but ultimately flawed, and I replaced it after a year and 27k miles. Looking back to compare the 2 is difficult, but the evo was easy to replace, the isf not so.
Probably the best overall package in a car that I've had. I looked at the usual suspects before deciding on the isf - rs6, rs4, m3, m5, c63, e63, xfr, f type, but the exclusivity, relative lack of depreciation, and most importantly the reliability reputation made it an easy choice. Even though the alternatives were in some cases x4 the price of what I paid for the isf.
12 months in, I'd normally be looking for a change, but honestly apart from a gsf, which still is depreciating like a brick falling off a cliff, I don't know what to change to, that will offer such a pain free ownership experience along with decent performance.
Don't know what a newer evo / sst are like, but I ran an evo 7 as a company car replacement a few years ago and it was as equally pain free, never went wrong, but had a drink problem and was serviced every 8 weeks.
Epic car, insanely fast but ultimately flawed, and I replaced it after a year and 27k miles. Looking back to compare the 2 is difficult, but the evo was easy to replace, the isf not so.
Edited by killysprint on Friday 7th July 23:12
I have a 2011 ISF , great car cant fault it at all, its my 4th Lexus and I have never spent a penny on any of them apart from servicing.
Take a look on the Lexus Owners Club, they are a mixed bunch have owned between them all the usual alternatives and will only be to happy to share their thoughts.
Take a look on the Lexus Owners Club, they are a mixed bunch have owned between them all the usual alternatives and will only be to happy to share their thoughts.
killysprint said:
Car is understated, quick, handles and rides ok, build quality is fantastic and the nearest it's been to the main dealers apart from routine servicing is the Sainsbury's next door. And Does nearly 30mpg on a run.
If your local Lexus dealer is next to Sainsburys, I'm guessing you're a fellow Newcastle man?Edited by killysprint on Friday 7th July 23:12
PorkRind said:
The evo will hustle down b roads I imagine the isf would struggle with. Depends what sort of driving you're doing doesn't it?!
I'm currently toying a similar dilemma, c63 vs evo viii or ix..
You'd be amazed at how similar an IS-F feels to an Evo, I had both for a while, and the only reason I couldn't justify keeping both was because of how similar they were. The IS-F was magic on a twisty road. Not saying it would ultimately live with the Evo, but I never felt short changed after an hour out in it on roads I know. It's a great car. I'm currently toying a similar dilemma, c63 vs evo viii or ix..
FTBBCVoodoo said:
I can only vouch for ISF ownership which has been ace in the 18 months I have had mine so far.
There is a member on the Lexus forum and I think on here by user id of 'GibletPH' who I believe went from an ISF to an EVO X.
Not kept up to speed with how he got on with it though.
Yeah, I'll have to re-look at the GibletPH threads about his swap from ISF to EVO X.There is a member on the Lexus forum and I think on here by user id of 'GibletPH' who I believe went from an ISF to an EVO X.
Not kept up to speed with how he got on with it though.
PorkRind said:
The evo will hustle down b roads I imagine the isf would struggle with. Depends what sort of driving you're doing doesn't it?!
I'm currently toying a similar dilemma, c63 vs evo viii or ix..
I'd be doing mixed driving, so my next car need to be good at hustling and motorway cruising.I'm currently toying a similar dilemma, c63 vs evo viii or ix..
At the very edge of my list is a Merc C55 and B7 Audi S4. Both of these are available as estates too, which is good. I had knocked the Audi off the list [mainly due to the chain issue and the fact that it's performance is a little off the pace of the others] but I keep seeing a spirit blue saloon at my gym and it looks amazing!
ISF has to be at the top though...just got to hope I can find a good one under £20k when I'm ready to buy. Message me if you own one and think you might be selling soon
BUG4LIFE said:
I'd be doing mixed driving, so my next car need to be good at hustling and motorway cruising.
At the very edge of my list is a Merc C55 and B7 Audi S4. Both of these are available as estates too, which is good. I had knocked the Audi off the list [mainly due to the chain issue and the fact that it's performance is a little off the pace of the others] but I keep seeing a spirit blue saloon at my gym and it looks amazing!
ISF has to be at the top though...just got to hope I can find a good one under £20k when I'm ready to buy. Message me if you own one and think you might be selling soon
As I said earlier in the thread, take a look at the Lexus owners club website and checkout the ISF forum, if you are serious about a car that is the place to go.At the very edge of my list is a Merc C55 and B7 Audi S4. Both of these are available as estates too, which is good. I had knocked the Audi off the list [mainly due to the chain issue and the fact that it's performance is a little off the pace of the others] but I keep seeing a spirit blue saloon at my gym and it looks amazing!
ISF has to be at the top though...just got to hope I can find a good one under £20k when I'm ready to buy. Message me if you own one and think you might be selling soon
Another ISF owner (and LOC member), not driven an EVO but I can vouch for the F, amazing car which does everything you could need a car to do. In fact its dual personality is one of the biggest draws. It probably lost some points in magazine tests because it feels so 'normal' below 3500rpm but in the real world I think this is a big advantage over other rival cars.
The ride quality is easily sorted with aftermarket suspension and get a louder exhaust to release the V8 noise.
Don't worry about finding a low mileage example, mine has done over 100k and still drives like a new car! The later model revisions don't really add much either so don't pay too much of a premium for them. The paint is easily chipped so budget for some paintwork, new brakes (£500 gets new discs and pads all round) and new tyres (around £500). The interior is a little dated and it doesn't have the low down torque of modern turbo engines but you won't care when you're heading towards the redline...
The ride quality is easily sorted with aftermarket suspension and get a louder exhaust to release the V8 noise.
Don't worry about finding a low mileage example, mine has done over 100k and still drives like a new car! The later model revisions don't really add much either so don't pay too much of a premium for them. The paint is easily chipped so budget for some paintwork, new brakes (£500 gets new discs and pads all round) and new tyres (around £500). The interior is a little dated and it doesn't have the low down torque of modern turbo engines but you won't care when you're heading towards the redline...
Rusty Crobar said:
Another ISF owner (and LOC member), not driven an EVO but I can vouch for the F, amazing car which does everything you could need a car to do. In fact its dual personality is one of the biggest draws. It probably lost some points in magazine tests because it feels so 'normal' below 3500rpm but in the real world I think this is a big advantage over other rival cars.
The ride quality is easily sorted with aftermarket suspension and get a louder exhaust to release the V8 noise.
Don't worry about finding a low mileage example, mine has done over 100k and still drives like a new car! The later model revisions don't really add much either so don't pay too much of a premium for them. The paint is easily chipped so budget for some paintwork, new brakes (£500 gets new discs and pads all round) and new tyres (around £500). The interior is a little dated and it doesn't have the low down torque of modern turbo engines but you won't care when you're heading towards the redline...
I have read about the soft paint...is it noticeably worse than other brands?!The ride quality is easily sorted with aftermarket suspension and get a louder exhaust to release the V8 noise.
Don't worry about finding a low mileage example, mine has done over 100k and still drives like a new car! The later model revisions don't really add much either so don't pay too much of a premium for them. The paint is easily chipped so budget for some paintwork, new brakes (£500 gets new discs and pads all round) and new tyres (around £500). The interior is a little dated and it doesn't have the low down torque of modern turbo engines but you won't care when you're heading towards the redline...
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