harey

Maybe another option!

http://blog.lexus.co.uk/2014/01/lexus-rc-f-debut/

Looks a lot smaller??? Especially the boot?

Performance stats look great though. I would need something bigger.

It does have a weird layout, as the length is a few inches shorter, however the car is wider. There is much more legroom in the rear, but at the compromise of the boot. However with the hatchback, the rear seats drop to give amble through-loading space.

While waiting for a meeting, I dropped back via the forum, and saw this thread with interest. As some you you know, I recently had this decision, having owned a ISF for nearly 5 years.

My criteria was simple: I wanted an ISF replacement that was a new registration or nearly new, so after another 3-5 years it still looked fresh.

I went for the Merc A45 AMG because:

- (German) Models are growing in size and the A45, even as a hatchback, isn't much smaller than a ISF

- Matched the performance of the ISF

- Excellent Gearbox and Handling

- Fuel and Road Tax are cheaper

- Sounded amazing (see YouTube)

- I can get a bike in the boot!

So in the absence of a I new ISF model, the A45 is a worthy replacement.

Update!

The car has gone to a dealer (a contact of fine). I last heard it was snapped up straight away, but can't confirm the sale closed.

Not sure about the latest models, but the Bluetooth was for telephone only. You of course could use the aux jack for audio (from a phone).

The warranty can be transferred between owners if kept currently.

Cheers

Chris

Hi Stu,

1. No the Aux is a standard 3.5mm jack. There is however Bluetooth for the phone, however like most cars the compatibility on extended features (like phone transfer) can hit and miss.

2. Yes

3. It's like any insurance, it can either save you or cost you, depending on luck! I've always found its worth it, as I've had a few items covered. From memory you can only get the Extended Cover if taken at the 3 year point, or continuously renewed since (would be worth checking with dealer).

Cheers

Chris

Mines going to a dealer. Anybody interested PM me, and I may be able to hook you both together.

NWB, look at Tango's earlier picture. The wheels are directional, so have a specific corner (also because the rears are wider).

The design is to help with cooling.

Cheers

Chris.

Thanks guys. I agree about the price, as I did hover over the signature for a while, as the options lift the price (as with all German cars).

I will post a report after a few months, to give a comparison. I will definitely miss the ISF, as even in these last few months, gives a smile!

Thanks. I felt it was the best match for the ISF, but with a bigger boot. (performance, gearbox, practicality, reliability etc)

Initial post test drive feedback, is the A45 offers the same rewards on the A/B roads, but isn't a motorway cruiser like the V8.

I will give a full like-for-like in due course!

Cheers

Chris

Is yours the black one for sale on Autotrader?

I like the A45 AMG as well, a good replacement for the ISF

All the best for the future.

Yes, mine is the one on Autotrader. I am hoping with the confidence of having the warranty to date, will help buyers know its been well looked after.

I was looking for an exact ISF replacement (which again shows how good the ISF is!), so wanted something with poke, a good paddle gearbox, and 5 doors. The A45 ticked all the boxes, with the boot. I will miss the V8 noise though.

Thanks for the best wishes.

All,

Well after nearly 5 years, I've decided to move on from the ISF. It has been the best all-round car I've ever owned, and that is shown in the length of time I've been with the car (typically 2 years normally for me).

I've been looking for a follow-up car for a while, and the killer factor in moving on (as I would have been happier to stay longer) was the need to get a cycle into the boot.

The new car (A45 AMG) now has a build date, so the cars been listed for sale. The next owner (who I am sure will visit here) will pick themselves up an excellent car.

Thanks to all those on the forum, as even though its a real niche group, it has provided valuable for capturing input. I will be around until the end of the year, but please make sure you all keep the ISF dream alive - I will be back!

Cheers

Chris

I did take a quick look at this, as I used a towbar mounted carrier on my cruiser. From the manual - the car is not designed for towing. i suspect the rear bumper will be a problem and the wiring harness might not be there.

Thanks Jon, I also suspected as much.

The Lexus IS-F has been updated for 2014. Still on sale in America, the 417bhp Audi RS4 and Mercedes C63 rival has been officially off sale for some time in the UK, with the last car in stock selling within the last month.

More...

http://www.evo.co.uk/news/evonews/290905/new_lexus_isf_specs_and_details.html

Hi,

My ISF is a daily runner and am getting less access to use my other car with a Towbar. I want the Towbar to carry a bike rack I own, as I prefer these to rear mounted ones or the roof.

Rather than swop the ISF out, has anybody got any experience with detachable tow bars on the ISF? The one on my VW Tiguan you can't even see when off the car!

Thanks

Chris

I've found the pads, especially new ones, can squeak when there is a build-up of dust.

I'm approaching 3 years of ownership and am planning on keeping mine until at least the 5 year point so any updates from others as the cars age are very useful.

I'm on 23000 miles with no expenses so far apart from routine servicing and extending the warrenty out to 5 years. And one MOT which needed no work to pass.

I'll need to get the first set of new tyres in a month or two.

At the last 6 monthly inspection the brakes were not even half worn.

What is the deal with the driver seat? What should I be looking for?

When I bought the car at 2000 miles / 8mths old from the dealer, the average mpg was 28. This was due to one of the senior salesmen commuting occasionally from Lancashire to Wolverhampton on the M6. I decided to keep an eye on the figure long term. By 6000 miles I was down below 22mpg overall, but am now up to 25.3 according to the trip computer. Not bad over 23000 miles and good evidence that it is possible to exceed the official average. I expect it is down to the engine loosening up, but also to me realising that having the sport button pressed for motorway trips is not particularly useful as it just burns fuel.

After 2 years the drivers seat went very baggy in the centre. I think it's a general fault, but mine had gone, and it was only at the 2 year mark.

Great report, hope she is proud :) pretty impressive for 5 y/o performance car with a V8. Another reason to go lexus :) I noticed my car has similar warranty claim on seat and also had 4 exhaust tips purchased over 2 years. wtf?

Mine is similar age and 44k miles and I've owned coming up for 1 year. No consumables yet just one minor service but as with you rears coming to end in next 5k. No issues what so ever.

Do you track your fuel / mpg for a laugh? I do; 5,774 miles, 2,223€ on fuel, 19.8 mpg average. Works out at 0.369€ per mile or 0.404 after expenses lol. MPG rate has steadily declined since ownership and more and more fun journeys out :)

When I was doing 16,000 miles/year, it was around the 21mpg, now at 6,000 miles/year it's around the 18's!

Is that just one set of disks and pads for the front and still on originals for the rear?

Yes. They were marked as low at the last service, but not requiring immediate attention.

Well my ISF is now about to hit the 5 year mark. I've never owned a car for more than 2 years, let alone nearly 5; so it shows the quality of car it really is!

My running report for 5 years (at the start of September) at 48,000 miles.

Warranty Repairs:

- Oil Pump (year 2)

- Drivers Seat (year 2)

- Water Pump (year 4)

Servicing:

- 3 Full Services

- 2 Intermediate Services

- 3 MoT's (by September)

Consumables:

- 3 sets of Front Tyres

- 3 sets of Rear Tyres

- One Front Windscreen

- Front Discs and Pad

- 2 Sets of Wipers

- Boot Lightbulb!

I would be interested to know how many ISF owners have been with the model for the duration?

http://blog.lexus.co.uk/2013/04/power-and-control-brought-to-you-by-the-letter-f/

I totally agree with the previous post. I've also had my ISF since the early days and extended the warranty twice. It's worked well, and managed by the dealers (so you don't have to pay and claim the money back). I've also extended, not worrying about the reliability, but to cover those things that would be expensive (like SatNav screens!). It also includes the Road Side cover. The cost is actually £995 (which can be paid in 10 months interest free payments).

These prices are not uncommon, as I had a M3 on which the screen failed, and had a similar quote. Lucky I had a warranty, and that's why I've taken the extended warranty from Lexus, when mine dropped over the 3 year mark. I've been more worried by all the gadgets going wrong, than the mechanicals!

After over 3 years mines, only a suffered leaking gearbox oil problem.. Also gone through lots of tyres and a set of front pads and discs.

My rear tyres would need replacing soon, just wondering what tyres people have experience with. I have done research and found 3 that get mentioned as being the market leaders:

1) Michelin Pilot Super Sport

2) Continental Contact sport 5P

3) Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2

Or shall i stick to the OEM tyres made by bridgestone. Wondering what peoples thoughts are. I am inclinded to go fir the michelins purely because they have brilliant reviews in dry, but they also have mixed reviews in the wet. Goodyear are supposed to be great in the wet, not as great as michelins in the dry, but also they don't have any rim protection. The continentals are supposed to be good at both dry and wet, but apparently they dont last that long.

Just wondering what people have on thier cars. Thanks

I've been very happy with (the many) sets of Conti's I've had