ISFahaoo

Hello guys, this is my first post here, I know this topics been discussed a million times, but I just want to feel safe when making a large purchase.

Right now I'm leaning towards buying a used ISF, I had driven couple 2008 ISFs before, never driven a newer one. I really like the interior feel compared to the german cars and I would get it mainly due to the it's cheap maintenance and reliability. I'm looking to pick up an ISF with around 60k miles and 08, I read there has been lots of water pump failures on the 2008 models and no LSD.

is the 2008 model noticeably worse than the 2011+??? should I just wait for a good deal for 2011 or just get the 08 since it's no biggie. Thanks for sharing opinions guys.

scamsel

hey man, if i coudl do it again i would have definitely waited a little longer or spent a little more to get into an '11.

there are significant upgrades in steering, suspension, included LSD, and a few noteworthy interior changes as well, such as instrument cluster (with single rpm guage, which rocks), and alcantara inserts on the seats which is a very nice upgrade. if you dont' think you would care about these thiings then yeah just get the 08.

don't get me wrong, i enjoy my '08 a ton, but my next car is going to be an '11, ha

but why short change yourself? you said want to feel safe in yoru purchase, one of the best ways to do that is review all your options, which means at least test drive the '11 so you can make the best decision for you.

ISFahaoo

okay thanks! It's hard to find a 2011 for a good price and in the color I want haha, I've been looking for about 3-4 months now and I'm sure that I'm going to buy an ISF when the right deal comes along, but still kind of thinking about maybe c63 or m3. Thanks!!!

daniel3ooo

iTrader: (3)

If you can swing another 10 grand go for an '11. I just picked up an 08 and thought long and hard and just realized the upgrades in an 11 over an 08 wasn't work 8-10 grand.

carlos3366

the newer the better. I wouldn't say maintenance is cheaper, unless you find a good independent mechanic.

Lexgendboi

iTrader: (1)

I bought the 08 at first, 3 months later i traded it for the 12. I was gonna upgrade the 08 with LED headlights, springs or coils because i cant stand the harsh ride suspension, LSD...etc.. But when i added up all the cost for parts and labor, im at north of $10k. I put out an extra $20k for the trade to get the exact car and color (USB) i wanted with 12k miles. I haven no regret at all and rather cry once when i make any purchase now

RCB

iTrader: (18)

For me the 08' is perfect. I changed most of the suspension, don't care about the centered tach. , alcantera, the chrome around the black buttons or the sunroof switch. The only things I want from the 11'+ are the headlights and the LSD. Those two things give me a few mods left to look forward to.
Chances are I'll end up buying an OS Giken diff. anyway.

I guess the important questions is....Do you have the tuner mindset, are you a lowering springs and rims guy or leave it all stock kind of guy?

08'-09' is better for someone that is going to change everything, 11'+ is better for someone that wants to enjoy a car as designed.

Mrd916

I have owned both an 08 and now an 11 and I don't feel that the 08 was a much harsher ride. I only traded my 08 for the 11 cause I was really wanting a SFP color and they gave me a trade in price I couldn't refuse. If I were u I would look for an 08 with a clean history and tasteful mods already done to it. No matter what u may think about keeping the car stock u will def want exhaust and prob headers and u can save a lot of money buying a car with there already on them. By the way, 60k miles is not high at all for this car, it's barely broken in.

ISFpat

iTrader: (10)

My car is in the Classified section with just that if anyone is interested.

ISFahaoo

hey did you pick up a black ISF 2008 from someone in BREA?

daniel3ooo

iTrader: (3)

I didn't but I know the black F you are referring to. I would have bought it but she never replied to me after we initially spoke on the phone. I paid a little more for the white one I picked up but it has new-ish brakes and tires and the 2012 headlights so I'm quite happy right now that I didn't go for a '10 of '11 since that would've but me back another 10-15 grand. I'm on a budget so I was looking to save money this time around