I’ve been wanting a 2nd gen is for a while and theres an awd 09 with under 200k miles lowered with wheels for 2.5k on marketplace but the owner says he found oil in the radiator. He claims it never over heated. What seals would have gone bad or is it the head gasket, I can’t find much tutorial wise on working on the is motors so coming here to ask
thanks

 

Very likely blown head gasket. It is possible for a radiator to fail causing coolant/oil mixing via a failed transmission cooler but if I'm not mistaken the 2.5 transmission cooler is not part of the radiator it is a separate unit. If the car is a manual transmission then almost a certainty the engine has blown head gasket(s).

Keep looking unless you want to buy someone else's problem.

 

$2500 + another $2500 for used 3.0 3GR vs stock 4GR and your set. So you have to ask yourself if it's worth it? When all is said and done, at 200k, it's really not worth it unless you repair it yourself.

 

Stay away from this car, it'll be a money pit. The others have already addressed the head gasket issue, which is most likely the problem with it. Even if it's priced properly to accomodate a motor replacement, who knows what other issues the car may have.

Another IS will come along at a price point you're willing to pay without these issues, would advise to keep looking for now.

 

I was planning to to the repair my self and if it didn’t work out a jdm import company in long beach is selling a motor for 1500 shipped with 40k miles and warranty