Hello, I am about to get an IS250 from an owner here in my country. The car is at 80 000 kms (yes it's kms) at the moment (it was mainly driven in the summer/spring), bought new in 2008 from a dealership in the same city. The owner is the original one, the car is the luxury package. I went to see it the other day (car was stored in a garage, still with the summer tires), just for a basic inspection. We did a few laps around, i was not driving but the car felt smooth, no jerking, no strange noises. Next week we are going to go to the dealer to have a pre-purchase inspection, also i am going to actually test drive it this time. I have spoken with the dealer and the car has been maintained there. I briefly glanced at the service that has been done to the car the past 4-5 years (it included only standard maintenance) . The owner mentioned that the car had the navigation system / display ? replaced due to a failure, which later i read was a common problem. The car has been taken care of by the owner, it has a few visual mods (aftermarket wheels, 19'', ugh, exhaust tips, a discrete trunk spoiler / spoiler lip - does look nice). I could tell he has taken good care of the car.

While inspecting it i noticed a few drops of coolant near the thermostat (i think). Probably due for a new water pump in a few thousand miles.

Now here is my main concern, since i have not driven an automatic before, and having read some weird stories about the 2nd gen IS auto trannies, i became extremely worried that this is going to be a headache in the long run. I do realize that the car has low mileage, and yet i am still pretty concerned that it might decide to give up earlier rather than later given the stories i read (multiple people having problems, i assume factory defects, with their transmissions, on cars with less than 60k-100k kms). I intend to keep the car up until 140-150k kms.

The other concern, is the carbon buildup, but i would assume that this particular car would have less to none, i hope. I could tell that the owner was stepping harder on the gas from time to time during the ownership.

Should i even consider it, or move to another Make/Model. Thanks in advance for your feedback.

 

I have a 2008 IS250 with 160k miles. I have never heard of these cars having transmission issues. The fluid does have to be changed even though Lexus calls it lifetime fluid. Lexus has admitted that even though it is called lifetime fluid it is really only good for 100k miles. I have a couple of Toyota/Lexus cars that take the same transmission fluid and change them at 80k miles and then every subsequent 40k miles.

No carbon buildup on my engine. I do drive it hard though with a lot of highway miles. Every time I change the spark plugs, I also clean the top of the valves from the intake manifold side with some cleaner that contains petroleum naphtha and a tooth brush. There's usually a fair amount. I also have a catch can installed but I noticed most of the oil comes from the breather and not the PCV. On direct injection motors (in general, not Lexus specific) it is advise to run it at >3,000 RPM for at least 15 minutes to help clean up deposits from time to time. It looks like the vehicle you are looking at is a low mileage car and you plan on putting low mileage on it... I am assuming just local driving. This might cause more of an issue with carbon buildup. I would recommend trying to purchase a IS350 as they have both port of direct injection. The port injection should keep the valves cleaner. The IS350 also has 50% more power which is a big +.

 

Our overflow tanks are known to not seal well and do splatter if the tank is topped off (anywhere between normal and the high mark). Note the pink crust forming around the cap and tank opening. I'd just inspect and note that it's normal.

As long as the trans does not have any present issues/noises now, you should be fine. Just start to consider a trans fluid flush to maximize trans life.

It's hard to determine if your 2IS has current carbon build-up (endoscope time?); but because it is the 250 model, it'll have SOME for sure. But as long as it idles, accelerates, and decelerates smoothly without any CELs, you'll be fine for now. If the owner does "give it the beans" once a heat cycle, it'll better maintain minimal build-up.

The above are COMPLETELY NORMAL to question for a 250, and should not force you to sway away from it. But overall, it sounds like a pretty healthy and well-maintained example of a 2IS.

 

Thanks for the swift responses. Last time i asked the owner about the transmission he told me that the dealership told him that it is a sealed unit and does not require an old change. Which is what i woud've expected. That means that the trans fluid hasn't been changed yet. I saw that firelikeiy mentioned it's gonna be good for at least 100k miles (about 160k kms).

Am I safe to assume that this (unchanged fluid) has not caused any transmission damage so far. I am prepared to flush and change the old fluid for sure, i was planning on doing that anyway at a specialized transmission center.

As far as carbon build up goes, it did idle smoothly, but since i did not drive it i can not say anything more. One thing that made an impression is that he wanted the car to warm up first (car was working and we were talking about 5-10 minutes, before we went out). He is either being very meticulous or there is a problem (will make sure next time we take it out, sooner, colder, of course not gonna hammer it obviously, normal casual drive, while the car reaches operational temp). I was listening the car while it was idling, when car was started it idled at about 1.2-3k RPM for about 2 minutes, then went down to 900 at stayed flat.

One more question, what is the transmission in these is250s, is it the A960E ?

 

The only reason why the transmission is called a sealed unit is because it lacks a dip stick. It definitely needs to be changed by 100k miles. You can change the fluid yourself if you can't find a dealership to do it.

 

We have a '08 IS250 with about 170k on it. I researched the carbon build up issue but to date we haven't had any problems. Not sure what you've been reading about the transmission but we haven't had an issue (nor have I heard of one while researching our 2IS). We mainly purchased this car because 1) we didn't want the extra power of an IS350 for a younger driver and 2) her Audi was in the shop monthly and we wanted something reliable. So far so good. I believe the transmission is the A960E as you mentioned.

 

Great, so is there anything specific i should inspect when i am driving the car, to potentially detect problems with the transmission and engine. Should it be cold or up to temp.

 

Well, I'd not be alarmed by the sellers waiting until at operating temp, but next inspection of the car should take place starting with the engine being stone-cold. Examine the start-up for any odd noises AND closely monitor the exhaust to see what, if anything, comes out from it. A vehicle that burns oil will likely puff blueish smoke upon start-up OR a vehicle that has a cooling issue (blown head gasket for example) will expel white smoke upon initial and continual startup AND might give off a sweet (coolant-like) smell.

Plus, assuming you're not in sub-zero temps, it has been proven that letting a car idle while sitting to warm-up isn't the best for the car. Start-up and drive, but just wait till at operating temp before "getting on it".

I second the mis-information given to you about the auto trans. It does have a fill bolt and a drain; far from a "sealed" unit. I've done a trickle flush myself in my garage. But it sounds like the 2IS you're looking at there is in fine running shape.

Good luck!

 

As long as the maintenance history is there and the PPI comes back ok I think you're good. Just keep in mind it is a used car it won't be perfect. I'll give you a case in point. We picked up our IS250 and everything was good, even went for a long test drive beforehand. One owner with great maintenance history. We let our college kid have it and 30 min later she calls crying saying the car died when she parked it at work. I drove down to see if I could get it started and couldn't. Towed it home and it ended up being the fuel pump. Ordered a used one from eBay popped it in a day or so later and all is well.

Bad timing yes, but haven't had an issue since. It happens. She loves the car and drives the heck out of it.

 

Used cars usually break the first few weeks to a month on the new owner. It’s my personal experience with almost every used car I’ve purchased.

 

Just bad luck perhaps? LOL!

 

There is also another one, close to me that i have been eyeballing. It is a 250 with a manual transmission. Is the manual comparable / better in reability to the auto ? I know that it is from a tacoma, and might feel jerky / not as polished feel, but i am fine with that.

 

I don't have any first hand knowledge but from what I have seen online is that there are shifter linkage issues. I believe it is also slower and gets worse gas mileage than the automatic which is the complete opposite of what one would expect.

 

Yes, but getting the ability to throw gears! Priceless!

 

YES! I'd love to have a manual!

But to the OP, My '08 is250 has 195,000 miles now. I bought it with 119,000 and I have no idea if the trans fluid has ever been changed. So far, no problems except normal wear and tear.....seats starting to tear, tach and mph needles in cluster flicker sometimes......but I love it. Drive it everyday!

Good luck!