PhoeNicks

Checkout JayEmm’s videos about his Evora 400. The telling thing for me is that even when diehard owners are prepared to put up with the brand’s build quality quirks, it’s dire customer service from Lotus and it’s dealers that appear to force them into other marques. That for me is the deal breaker, especially after Lexus ownership.

Thanks Neilo, the car was in decent condition when I got it, but was like new when it left.

That’s exactly why I don’t really understand reviews when they talk about leg room issues - it’s not legs but your feet that are the problem - I’m size 11 too 😄

As mentioned I also hope the video wakes a lot of people up to Lexus and the ISF (and F cars in general). They are so rare you almost never see them in the wild. All I knew about them before I bought mine, was from watching Clarkson review the ISF on TopGear 10 years previously. And that left a very lasting impression.

Good to see my old car is going well and even better to see it on JayEmm’s channel. If left me in 2019 with around 24k miles on it, so hasn’t done that much since if it’s still under 30k.

Re Jay’s review I agree with most of what he says; yes the rear is a little compact, but certainly not a deal breaker. I’m 6ft and with a long torso and I never felt the head room was lacking either. I don’t remember my head being anywhere near the roof actually.  But then maybe my seating position was a little more ‘relaxed’.

I still think these are great cars and still more interesting than the equivalent M3 or C63, unless you factor in the wagon version. I had hoped to eventually get a late RCF or LC500 and stay within the Lexus marque, sadly for one reason or another it hasn’t happened. Maybe the LC opportunity will raise its head again in the near future. I can’t explain it, but the draw to return to the Lexus brand doesn’t seem to go away.

@Big Rat

Sounds like they understand the concept that you’re only as good as your word. Not something you often associated with 2nd hand car dealers these days.

I’ll have a gander at their stock. I’m in no rush just now, there’s always something around the corner. WFH these days it might do me good to keep my powder dry for a bit. 

@Big Rat

Looks a fine car.  I have a soft spot for these, previously having the V8 version. Hope she enjoys it.

Shame your dealer isn’t closer to me, it’s disappointing when a car isn’t what you’d hoped for.

@Big Rat

Hi Paul, no worries. Was a bit of a disappointment really. It drove perfectly, but upon closer inspection the bodywork wasn’t 100% - scratches on a few panels and a couple of bad chips in the roof that had rusted. If I’d had bought it, I would have needed to respray the roof minimum but then where do you stop?

Last thing I wanted was to buy a car just to repaint half of it. My car is the same age, but another 6k miles and save for 2 tiny stone chips on the front end, there isn’t a mark on the whole car. I think I’d sooner wait a bit and then buy a new one, but that price opens up the choices somewhat.

So it’s back to the drawing board 😞

Off to see the car today and take it for a test drive. Did some digging and the car’s previous plate was BA55ROK.

I don’t suppose anyone on here @Big Rat recognises it? 
 

Just wanted to check it didn’t belong to a Youtuber who put it in a field or something similar previously 😁

6 hours ago, Flytvr said:

I hope the RC-F works out for you. Performance wise, there's so little in it between the IS-F and the RC-F. I had to spank both to get fun 😊  

I found that both the IS-F and RC-F are too high geared. 3rd red lined in the RC-F will see big MPH. I know this from when I took it to the Isle Of Man 😀  Of course, the gearing is an issue with other cars e.g. Porsche and the likes of the R8 V10.

Getting fun at lower speeds is more and more important to me. You have the advantage of living in Scotland! 👍

Thanks, I realise the RCF is still a compromise from a torque perspective, but I’m hoping the reduced size and weight over the RS make up for it.

Haha, that can be a double edged sword - we still have cops and cameras 😜

16 minutes ago, Flytvr said:

I moved from the RC-F as I found myself having to spank it in order to get any fun out it. A very much under-rated car.

Funnily enough I felt this way about my ISF and moved to a Cayman. More fun at sensible speeds, but I eventually needed rear seats and more practicality. Perhaps an RCF would be a good compromise...

Good work @ColinBarber

It’s really handy to see the colour options for these cars and know what’s out there. I had no idea there were as many combinations for either the RC or GS F cars.

You can’t exploit an M3 Comp. on our roads properly, you need a track for that. For normal, daily driving I didn’t warm to it at all. Peaky, twitchy and if it rained or god forbid there was snow/ice, it was frightening.

The Merc is a one trick pony, fantastic engine and torque. Ride and interior quality wasn’t quite up to the same standard for me. I actually preferred the previous generation model.

I’m currently running as RS6 Performance, something i wanted for a while. I’m currently looking at moving to an RCF. The RS is extremely fast (600hp), but it is large (wide), heavy and rather too insulated. After a while you find yourself doing silly speeds to find the fun factor. Great if you need the space it provides, but I’m now looking to slim down a bit.

I still hold favourable memories of my old ISF, I’m hoping the RCF will fill that void.

@Big Rat

Thanks Paul, yes all good here thanks. Indeed, I've become a Dad since we last spoke, so big changes all round. Sorry to hear of your woes, what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger... right?

Well I have a deposit down now and my current car to sell, so busy times ahead. I think I have a similar problem to you, except mine is cars, not houses 😂

Will keep you posted!

4 hours ago, Thackeray said:

Is it just the lighting or is the driver's door a different colour? Check VIN stickers are on the door. Non-Lexus body shops often don't bother to replace the VIN sticker after respray.

I don't think it's a different colour, I think its the background reflection. However good point about the VIN sticker, I will check this out.

Hey Paul, good to hear from you. Hope you are keeping well?

That's some reassuring detective work, thank you. I knew there was a reason I liked this place 😀

The car looks legit, with everything in order -history wise- as far as I can tell. I just need to see it now.

I see you've moved on from your RCF, shame because I quite enjoyed your journey with it. It's early days, but I do like the look/sound of the QS exhaust you had 😉

Morning gents,

It's been a while but I am contemplating make a return to Lexus (and this great forum).
 

A change in circumstances means I am eyeing up an RCF, this one in fact: 

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202104071082284

I don't suppose this was previously owned by someone on here? 

It's one private owner after being a dealer demonstrator. It's looks good and the conversations with Edinburgh Lexus have been positive. They are asking a lot of money, but I intend to view the car soon, so we'll see what the situation is.

Any other comments welcome.

Cheers

n

I wouldn't go from an RCF to an 997 for a daily, these are old cars now, the youngest being almost 10 yrs old! 

Apart from reliably concerns, the tech is really really old too. For a comparable model 911, you'd be looking at a 991.

981 Porsche Cayman S. Nothing wrong with the ISF, the Porsche opportunity came along unexpectedly and I'd always fancied one. It's a shame I couldn't have run both, but that idea didn't float well at home. 

I already know that I want to return to a Lexus F car once I need slightly more practicality again (rear seats). 

Always take your pride and joy to a specialist, its what these guys do day in, day out. The guys at the dealership at best will have had some training, but they won't be experts. 

I had my ISF's paint corrected and ceramic coated, not only did it look amazing with the sonic blue paint, I also detected no stone chips over a period of several month's daily driving. I went a step further with my Cayman and had PPF applied. It starts getting expensive here so depends how particular you want to be. 

PS the added benefit is the cars become rediculously easy to clean, especially if you get the wheels ceramic coated too! 

It can be improved by adjusting your bass/trebble/fader settings. Unless it was reset, it will be set to my preferences. Funnily enough I thought it was underwhelming when I first got it too.

It is a a very dated looking system, however it does have all the functionality you would want bar something like apple carplay; HD jukebox, Bluetooth audio, DAB, CD multilayer, I think it even plays DVDs. It also has a USB stick socket in the glove box, I used to run a mini 64gb stick in there with my entire music collection. Pretty good for a '13 car, designed back in '08. 

In comparison I was disgusted by the sound options in newer Porsches; you don't get any of that as standard. 

If you want to improve the sound quality, you'd need a new amp and perhaps some better speakers, I'm sure the tech has moved on lots. I looked into it briefly, but it was looking quite expensive and honestly, in the end I was more interested in changing the exhaust and hearing that V8!

The car is on its original wheels. I know there was an optional style released which may have become the standard fit in the US... The guys here can here can help you out on the trivia...

5 hours ago, F.A. said:

Yes what a lovely car. A testament to its previous owner

@PhoeNicks what made you sell up, if you don’t mind me asking?

The plan was to get a toy for weekend fun and run the ISF during the week. In the end that plan didn't make as much sense, especially when factoring in the arrival of our first child. We have another family car too, so I had to let the ISF go. Sad really because I'd invested quite a bit of time and effort to get it the way I wanted. They are fabulous cars; reliable and understated. The colour left an impression too.

5 hours ago, Eatdirt13 said:

Did you have any issues with it? Do you know when it was last serviced before you got rid of it? Cheers

No, no issues at all. It was serviced by Lexus Edinburgh in March I think, sailed through its Mot also. Like I said, great cars and it will be missed. My toy is definately a bit lacking in the comfort and smoothness categories... 

7 hours ago, Eatdirt13 said:

Bodywork is in amazing condition! PhoeNicks, you the previous owner?

Yes. I had a full paint correction done and ceramic coating applied. The Bodywork and wheels should be blemish free...

Glad to see someone has finally decided to save her languishing on a dealers forecourt. Once their pricing became more realistic anyway. 

You will enjoy her, she's had a lot of love 😎

Just over 24k. Look back through my posts and you'll see the work I carried out during my ownership. 

On 8/18/2019 at 12:56 PM, F.A. said:

The dealer looks to have good reviews.  It does look like a lovely example and now at a good price. 

This is my old car and although the dealer wanted silly money initially, the car is as good as it gets. Fully serviced by the same dealer since new and I spent quite a bit of time and money making it perfect (I'm my eyes anyway).