Grey One

Hi Guys - someone I know (ahem!) had a small prang in his ISF this week - reversing out of his driveway, he clipped the front bumper edge on the passenger side on a fence post pulling the front bumper partly off its mountings, and generally pulling it proud of the mountings across the bumper by 1-2cm (slightly more on the passenger side). The bumper has stayed in place and is generally solidly still in place. The paint/cosmetic damage is minor, my question is, can this probably be refitted fairly painlessly by a competent bodyshop as a stopgap and then retro repaired on a bigger scale, if needed. later, or is the front bumper one of those parts that probably requires a major refit if something like this happens?

Hi Guys - a word of caution, I ordered a Toms style rear diffuser for my ISF on eBay from someone also in the Dominican Republic (I'm guessing the same person) and it was crap. It just didn't fit properly and, despite my best efforts, ended up splitting and cracking when I tried to make it fit - it ended-up in the rubbish. I ended up ordering an authentic Toms diffusfer from the US - but it was night and day in terms of fit and quality. Unfortunately buying cheap imitation or patent parts rarely ends well :) Happy though if other people can prove me wrong in this case.

Yes, I forgot about the Wald defuser ☺️

Hi This is my old car, px'd at Lexus Nottingham two years ago against my current 2012 ISF. The car was a 'good'un' but that was two years ago, and I'm surprised it has only come up for sale now - maybe they've been running it as a pool car? The wheels are original but sprayed black after various bad curbing repairs - I actually think it works well with the colour. Likewise, the steering wheel is a quality aftermarket one I imported from the US - better than the stock cheapie one (have put a similar wheel on my current Lexus), the car also had/ has a cat back exhaust fitted by me. TBH if the price is right and it comes with 2-3 years warranty should be a safe bet unless it has been severely abused since I had it..

Quick update on this - the car has been to Lexus again, they are now saying it is a local issue to do with radio interference where I live and testing it today all is fine. Got it home tonight and it seems to be working... In a way would have been nice if something has been 'fixed' just hoping whatever the problem was doesn't come back, but apparently the keyless system is very prone to failure due to wireless interference from other devices and networks etc :( Thanks again for all the input.

"What's your name?" - "Bend over" "Ben, nice name!" ... if you remember the line from Chevy Chase in the Fletch movie :)

Thanks for the responses. Apparently they did change the fob batteries (main key and spare). The car battery itself seems fine, no start/power issues.

Strange one - I came out to start the car on Sunday morning and there was no response from the keyless entry system or the control buttons on the key fob. I manually opened the door with the key held in the fob and of course the alarm started blaring out!! I quickly disconnected the battery and called Lexus Assist, they sent out a guy and we got the car started (the ignition runs on a different system to the entry) and I drove it to Lexus Twickenham and left it there for them to look at. I got a call yesterday that it had been fixed and that the problem had been a loose connection in my key fob. Got home and not working again.... called Lexus they came and picked the car up and I said I wanted a proper system diagnostics run etc. Has anyone else had this issue on an IS or ISF?

Interesting feedback, thanks. I have to say in the reviews I've read I didn't recall the low rent interior being a major criticism, but it is obviously 'out there'. Maybe in a few years when prices have dropped there will be a few available with top spec interiors as ordered by current owners, we'll see. Good to see though that the F stacks up so well against a newer competitor...

I was at the Wings & Wheels event today and had the chance to sit in a couple of the new Mustangs. The good stuff: - lovely manual gear shift/gate in the V8 I sat in - the overall look style of the car Not so good: - really cheap (typical US) interior, the door cards, steer wheel controls/inserts, seats, switchgear all very low rent Compared to the quality and fitting of the ISF I'd say there was no competiton. For me the ace would be a stick shift V8, but only driving one would determine the real differences/benefits over an F. So on first viewing I'd the ISF is head and shoulders above the Mustang. Has anyone else driven a Mustang and can make more informed observations than me?

Hmmm... I got four, really struggling after that, so I won't make the finals

Just to wade in on this one between all the in-humour and other banter I had the USRS put on my car last year, at the time my local Lexus dealer (Twickenham) said they cannot fit a non-standard part to my car (I had it done by a shop Peter uses in Sussex that did a good job), but nothing was said about the warranty. I think as posts at the time said, the difference isn't night and day in terms of handling, but it is noticeable. I can't comment on the tyre wear as I have only done about 4K in mine since having the job done, but having the tracking etc. done straight after am hoping for the best...

I have to say I have mixed feelings about H&S: - My first ISF had a H&S fitted and it was an 'old thumper' noisy thing, the tone of the H&S (pre-fitted by a previous owner) to my current ISF is much better in noise and tone - I get the feeling that Stuno01 and especially Peter did H&S a lot of favours with getting a wide ISF owners market opened up for them, but sounds like Peter had to foot the cost of a lot of the R&D which doesn't feel like fair play to me - The H&S on my current car doesn't fit properly and every service seems to be blowing where it joins the main exhaust, not sure if that is the design or fit, but annoying - On the upside they do unleash the potential enjoyment of V8 ownership, but if I was looking at this option now I'd certainly consider other options not just H&S

Hi Etienne Good luck with your new car, did you choose a 'right hooker' because French ISFs are just too expensive? Interesting choice to make, always interested in people's thought process when doing this and I know with other cars the UK models tend to be much cheaper than those in many other EU countries.

Hi Paulo - I did this and traded in my 09 ISF for a 12 model last year. For me it made sense, same car but all the upgrades etc. of the UK run-out version. I had my 09 for four years and was looking for a replacement and like the ISF so much I was happy to stick with it via a later model. Very subjective choice, but worked for me and as I have said on other posts, for me the ISF trumps other 'F' cars so was good enough to justify this.

Probably not a helpful response, but I got into Lexus ownership because of the ISF not because it was a Lexus (although I appreciate the brand's production quality, values etc). I have driven other Lexus models (including th new IS and RX) as loan cars and can't say I have been smitten. To illustrate, I was at Goodwood with my son at the weekend and we saw the brilliant new LC (deffo one for me in a few years when second hand). He asked me if I would buy one new. I said for £88k I'd want to look at a lot of other cars before deciding on an LC, but second hand very positive about it. I guess my point is we all get into ISF ownership from different directions and for some the Lexus part is more of the deal than for others. For me the ISF is a very unique car that ticks a number of boxes, it being a Lexus IS more of an aside.

Good to see Pete's car still there and looking good. Would also be up for a Bluewater meet (have missed previous one)

It may have already been said, but persistent misted windows (esp. in dry weather) can be a symptom of water ingress into the cabin, usually found through damp carpets, so may be worth investigating if so. Mine does mist but only on start-up in cold or inclement weather which is when the aircon does its job.

I've seen the first two on eBay and in a dealers. To my eye they just look quite cheap and tacky, mind you given they are quite cheap to buy no harm in getting one if you like that kind of thing. I guess if a quality watch marque did an 'F' watch it would be quite desirable, but I don't find many of the car derived watches that appealing.

Cheers Guys - interesting responses. To paraphrase 'The VXR8 tends to be worse to drive and not as well made or reliable' good feedback. Thanks

Just wandering if anyone has experience of owning a VXR8 and an ISF? It's just general thoughts at this stage, I'm very happy with my ISF but get an occasional tug towards the more blue collar, manual transmission VXR8, especially with the stick shift option. I know most Vauxhalls are fairly horrid things, but having owned a VX220 and watched the VXR8 from afar I am intrigued....

Hi Nick This is almost the same as my experience. I sold my 2009 ISF and got a black 2012 one as a replacement. I've always moved on to a new car model at that point, so a real vote of confidence in the ISF if people are doing this!

Fair cop Mark, will give it another go...

Yep - a year too for me in my 2012 black ISF (have done about 3.5K miles in that time). Mind you with my previous 08 ISF I now have about five years time with the ISF and counting

Hmmm... unless I got the wrong vid it's just a fat bald bloke (bit like me) talking at the camera while driving, no around the car/under the hood camera shots, so doesn't really add much for me. Disappointing as I don't think I've seen a proper 'buying guide' for the ISF used.