CIGLexus

iTrader: (1)

I come from the SC/Supra community (have an 01 GS300 currently) so I have always turned a blind eye to the "new" lexus that is not a 2JZ. The IS2/IS3/ISF are basically like a different language to me. Still, I appreciate any lex from a distance. I was offered a 2006 IS250 with 200k miles for $2000. I said OK! I paid for it without seeing it all because regardless it was going to be worth more than 2k.

To my delight it was a Pearl White model. I had always said to myself a Pearl White Lexus would be nice. It has been with the same owner since 13,000 miles but there is quite a bit of wear and tear. After taking delivery and spending a few days with it, I like it! My 01 was very tired and the body needs some help. So I'll be selling the old GS and keeping this one for now.

I like some of the new features. It feels like a much newer car. I was afraid the 250 wouldn't have any guts but it does scoot along pretty nice I would say. It does not quite have the grunt of the 3.0 but it makes up for it in classy quiet smoothness.

So on the the build. Let's return it back to it's original glory and add some tasteful updates along the way. The goal is to make it clean again and add some OEM 350/F sport type upgrades.

Planned repairs:

Headlight polish
Touch up paint
Interior door panel and "sticky dash" fix

Planned Looks:

White on black style
Black roof wrap or dip
Black or gunmetal original wheels
Blackout front grill and emblems
Blackout chrome door trim
Black trunk spoiler and front lip if I can find them

Planned Updates:

Brakes rotors are warped, upgrade to 350 size
Rear shocks are toast , OEM low mileage or whatever i can find
OEM wheels from newer lexus if possible

Planned Mods:

Middle exhuast resonator delete only, keep oem mufflers
Intake resonator delete or hard pipe intake keeping oem box

E46CT

what about start with a standard paint correction using a rotary or dual action machine. or hell even by hand at least. looks like a fun project. keep it classy, keep it minimal. car is slow so i wouldn't be calling attention to it by making it loud. concentrate on its base appearance. engine bay detail too.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

buying a car blind, that's risky but i suppose not too much if you knew the owner.
should be a fun project. what color interior? nav?

dang sad to see how much my 07 250 with almost 200k miles will go for nowadays, but i do relate with having a "newer" car.
before then the newest car i have is an 03 Tacoma (which probably can sell for more despite having higher miles).
the 2IS is a nice entry level luxury car with the right features: RWD, wishbone suspension = nimble!

autovation

This is awesome! I'm in a similar situation I'm getting ready to start an overhaul/refresh of my '06 IS350 with 190k miles that I've had since new. Where in Cali are you located? At last count, I plan to add 13 F-sport logo's to my IS350.

I'll have some IS350 calipers and rotors available in the next month or two.