FloridiotM

Greetings Lexus folks! I've never owned a Lexus, or any Toyota product for that matter. I'm considering a 2006-2012 IS-250, specifically because they can be had with a proper manual trans. I've read the buyers guide thread, which was very helpful. Thanks to all who contributed! I have a couple specific questions that I could not find answers to...

1. I have not been able to locate any examples of the 2011-2012 IS250 with both the F-sport package and the manual trans. Do they exist? Or am I wasting my time looking?
2. What does the F-sport package include in terms of performance upgrades? As far as I can tell it's interior seats, wheels, and badges, with no engine mods. So, does it have better suspension, sway bars, LSD? Anything other than cosmetics?
3. I've heard some say the sport package that pre-dates the F-sport package was better. How? Did it have the good stuff mentioned in question 2?

That's all I can think of for now. Thanks in advance!!!

MikeyK02

iTrader: (7)

I doubt they exist, between 2011-12 there were 72 IS250 manuals combined.

Wunko

Hey! I have a 2011 IS350 F-Sport.

1. The 2011-2013 F-Sport package did not come in manual. The last year for manual was 2011.
2. You are correct with your list on the cosmetics. It also has the two front lip pieces on the front bumper, mesh grille, and ISF-style spoiler. There are no engine upgrades. It does have the sport package suspension (springs and shocks) and ECU though. However, these sport package springs and shocks are not the blue-colored aftermarket F-Sport accessories that the dealership used to sell separately in their parts departments.
3. I don't know much about the 2006-2010 sport packages but I believe they had more luxury options. Someone else will have to give their input on this.

Jeff Lange

iTrader: (1)

The only manual transmssion F-Sport models sold were the IS200d and IS220d, neither of which were sold in North America. Unfortunately, there are no F-Sport IS250's with the manual transmission. I bought a base-model 2011 IS250 6MT back in 2010 and modified it to suit my tastes.

In terms of performance, the IS250 F-Sport package included a different power steering computer, different shocks, springs, sway bars, rear suspension geometry from the updated IS F, and larger rear brake rotors (vented vs. solid). Note that none of these parts are the "F-Sport Accessories" offered by dealers, such as the Bilstein shocks or lowering springs.

The Sport Package included the suspension changes from the F-Sport along with the sport pedals. It also included HID's, AFS, memory seats (RH and LH), heated and cooled seats and aluminum door sills. It was effectively replaced by the F-Sport package in the USA in 2011, though in Canada you could still get the Sport Package on the IS250 6MT for 2011-12. Note that certain aspects of the "Sport Suspension" changed at different times. 2006-2008 cars had the same sway bars between normal and sport suspension, while 2009+ had different sway bars. 2011+ included the updated rear suspension geometry and larger rear brakes, these were not included on earlier cars.

It was actually 2012 for Canada/USA (2010 for Europe on the IS250 and 2012 for the IS200d and IS220d).

Personal opinion, if you can find one, get a 2009+ 6MT car, the updated transmission really does feel much nicer. Bonus points (many bonus points) if you can find an F-Sport Quickshifter for it, it adds a lot to the driving experience. It is unfortunately discontinued. I've been considering building my own quickshifter instead, but there really were so few 6MT's made it's probably not worth it.

Jeff

FloridiotM

Thanks all! This has been very helpful.