Hello,

I have been looking at the IS for some time and I am almost ready to buy an used 2007/8 IS.

What are your recommendation? Anything in specific I have to be careful about? Any tricks that there might be.
Usually the cars I am looking at are between 60-100K miles. What is a must do maintenance when buying an IS at those miles?

Thank you to all of those who reply.

 

The maintenance in question really depends on if you're looking for an IS250 or IS350. Two very different engines with different issues. The IS250 has some notable ones (search for carbon buildup), the IS350 has recently picked up a cam gear issue recall (very recent). Both can be serious but are covered under a TSB which means Lexus will fix for free.

If you're into modding for power, think again. IS250/350/ISF are all basically set the way they are. If you feel the 250 is not enough you're best and most cost effective option is to look for a 100hp bump moving up to the 350. Same with the 350, another modest bump in power going to the ISF. So again, know what you're looking for in terms of power.

Looks - not much difference between the 250/350. You can save yourself some race/track performance mods finding an F-Sport model. It will come with the suspension, etch that will give it a rougher ride but will handle most say notably better.

Must do maintenance is relative - a lot of people here do what is absolutely required (oil changes) and ignore the recommended every 5k checkup which is costly at the dealer. IF you search through the maintenance threads there's a post on what has worked well for many. Some make it to 100K on mostly oil changes.

 

Thank you for your reply,

I am not interested in modding at all, just looking for a new vehicle. I was going more towards a new Subaru but for less I can get much more of a car even though it is used. How is the AWD system? In my area the most cars being sold are AWD and that's what I'll most likely buy.

 

The AWD system in the Lexus is much less performance oriented in comparison to the EvoX and STI. Personally I got the AWD just for peace of mind, but it's definitely not necessary for a daily driver.

I'd suggest the 350 with the Luxury package (electronic tilt steering, driver and passenger memory seats, heated/ventilated seats, rear sunshade). Then if you want to make it feel more sporty, you can add F-Sport sway bars and maybe lowering springs.

 

buy 350......

 

The AWD system is solid. As mentioned it's not really performance orientated like a Subaru, however if you do some research you'll find it's not too bad of a system. From my experience you need to know to turn of track control (completely) in deep snow. The AWD is ineffective when you need loss of traction (tire spin) to work yourself out of some deep stuff. For your year range you're looking for lookup "peddle dance" - yes I'm serious. It's a real thing and will be needed if you need to turn of traction control completely. Otherwise it automatically re-engages after a certain speed is reached (30-40mph?).

You can get away with RWD on some good snow tires, but I have still seen a few scenarios in snow where RWD just didn't cut it. I like in NE, also went with AWD for peace of mind. If you want to do all-season year round, AWD works great.

I also vote for the 350.

 

The pedal dance is only required on the 06. On the 07+, there is a button you can press to turn off the traction temporarily (system comes back online when you hit 30km/hr). If you hold that button down at a complete stop for about 5 seconds, both dash lights will come on, and the TCS will remain off until the next time you start the car.

 

I recently bought a 2007 IS250 RWD with 68k miles on it. I had similar requirements and was not looking to do any big mods.

I highly recommend reading this thread on CL:
Buyer's Guide to Used Lexus 2nd Gen IS Models (merged buying advise threads)

You might be disappointed by the acceleration during test drive. Resetting ECU for test drive helps, if the owner allows you to do that. When I test drove the car, I did not like the handling/acceleration ( I was driving a BMW before). I bought it any way. This week, I reset the ECU after reading about it on CL. The car handles and accelerates great now. No complains. So if you do not like how it drives, but everything else looks fine, read about resetting the ECU on CL (its as easy as taking out 2 fuses for 30 seconds) and do it before test drive.

... Just my 2 cents

Good luck.. hopefully you find a car you like.

 

I have a IS250 awd and I love it very much. Although don't be confused, you have to really sit down and assess the practicality of owning an IS250 compared to other cars.

If you need a car thats gonna be a beast in winter yet still give you good performance the rest of the year, i will say skip the IS and go subaru. Subaru's have been proven to run well in all weather conditions. (although tires is what makes or breaks a car from doing well) not saying that the IS isnt, but it is more of a luxury car than drive and beat on everyday kinda car. Subaru's are also cheaper to maintain than the AWD is250's. one thing you dont ever want to do on these cars is break or have to replace an axle. $600+ for just ONE.

Also gauge how much of a family car you need. The IS250/350 is not very family oriented as the back seats IMO are really just for show. I am 6'3 and there is barely enough space for my fist to fit behind my seat if i'm sitting in a comfortable position.

Also factor in that these cars use premium gas ONLY opposed to regular gas which is about 20-50 cents more depending on your area

I will say, though that the IS has the toyota reliability. keep on your maintenance schedule and you should be good for the lifetime of the car. Haven't had any major issues yet, and this car is running better than most cars ive had. The IS is also one of the better handling cars that ive driven, and ive driven a lot of different types of the cars and this car just seems to be well built and well thought out.

I state all the negatives because this is what people find out AFTER they already bought the car. Just like me. But i love the car none the less, it does its job well, and i cant stop looking at it every time i leave my car. It just looks, feels, and performs amazingly.

 

I would second what NYKnick101 already said. While the power and performance of a Subaru would be nice, I prefer the little things that set the IS apart as a luxury car.

 

So you really have to run premium? You can't run 89? I have been looking at these myself, but I don't know if I'd want to get something that only burns premium.

 

I have a 2010 IS250 and regretted after purchasing altho I think it's the best looking car I should have go for the IS350.
That beeing said test drive the car a lot before purchasing. Do your regular route to work and back. Don't just drive for 5 min.
Be aware that this care is slow and it is not very efficient on gas considering the power.
Also takes premium ONLY so that increases the cost.
Another issue is the carbon build up. Very common especially in 2006-2009 models. Be aware of that. Lexus will fix it for free but i read stories that they won;t do it unless they get the CEL and your car might experience rattles, poor gas mileage without CEL.
If you have navigation those cars are know for the screen going bad and it is very costly to replace. One of the reason I consider warranty but I might trade the car by then.
Acura TL has an amazing AWD system, you might look into that if you want luxury that subaru can;t offer.

 

I wish they introduced the SH-AWD in the 3rd gen TLs (04-08?) Those had the best rear end IMO.

 

Totally with you on that. Love that body style.

 

You can but its not recommeded. You wont be getting the FULL performance of the engine. I ran 87 for a month to see if there was really a difference. There is almost no difference in MPG, maybe 1-2 MPG but the car felt sluggish. Also over time you will get valve knock. There have been people running 87 for 100k miles and havent had any issues BUT it honestly becomes a ticking timebomb that you wont know when it will break

I have heard great things about the acura AWD