9000revs

Interested in getting one for DD and some track duty. Can you please tell me best MYs and what to look out for in an used one? Also, any trouble spots?

Anyone DD and do occasional HPDE in these? If I purchase I am trying replace my 2000 LS400 DD and 2005 Civic Si secondary DD and some track day car. Would I be disappointed? Too expensive to maintain? Etc. Pics most appreciated

Thanks.

F_Throttle

I've never driven an NSX, but I would imagine that would be the best to keep on the track.

Keep in mind, the ISF only has 4 seats. So it's a big ask to replace the needs of a LS400. But most will tell you the 2011+ are the ones that are desirable. Similar common issues across the board but maintenance has been pretty good to me. Search for the 300K+ mileage ISF on here.

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

Hi there and welcome to the forum. There are many many threads concerning the subject you are inquiring about. Unlike some other forums, this forum has an excellent search function. I suggest you learn how to use it. Hears a sample:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...reference.html

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=ISF+year+differences#

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...ear-diffs.html

Lou

9000revs

Yes, NSX would be ideal for track, but I waited a long time to find a pristine one 3 years ago and it is appreciating so much in value, does not make sense to start tracking it. That's why I have the cheap Si which is a lot of fun.

Yes, 4 seater may be a deal killer, also back seat space may be limited. My sons are pretty tall and I have to take them places sometimes. Hmm. Wish they made a manual and also 5 seater. But, will drive one shortly.

MisterSkiz

iTrader: (2)

Get a 2010+ if you can, they come with the LSD standard, versus the 08/09 which have open diffs

Weapon F

Welcome to CL, you couldn't have found a better Contender for a DD weekend track car, it's great DD very reliable and excellent track toy. You can take an ISF directly to the track with just two minor modifications that's tires and brake pads as you progress you can add few other mods such as LCA. For ISF best companies for that part are FiGS Engineering or RR Racing that one part thar really improves steering feel helps reduce inner tire where which is issue with ISF with slight increase in NVH. But it really doesn't need much to get on track immediately. If you go through the threads you will see several owners are currently using their ISF for that purpose. My advice is to read up as much as you can on the ISF go through the threads to familiarize yourself with the car.

The ISF is pretty Rock Solid I've owned mine brand new since Jan 2011 I've had just a few issues. Here's a list of the most common issues to look for it's not long list.

Water pumps -the 08 and 09 primarily had this issue but for the most part just about everyone has had this issue repaired since it was warranty related item. So if you pick up an early ISF 08' 09' 10' that's something you want to make sure that's been replaced if it hasn't it can be done it's not a really expensive part to fix.

Valley Plate Leak - there's a thread just on this issue and I believe it's active on the page right now read through it this should help you better understand the issue at hand. Once again like the water pump a few owners have experienced this issue including myself luckily it was covered under warranty. When purchasing you should ask the owner or dealership if the car has been checked for this issue. If neither one has done or is where of the issue it can be easily checked and if the vehicle indeed does have the valley plate leak it's something that can be negotiated into the price. It's between $1200 and $1,500 job roughly depending on where you get it done. So if it does have the valley plate leak you should negotiate the price downward to reflect the cost that it would you would incur to get it fixed.

Door and Dash issue - Some owner of 08' 09' that primarily live in much warmer climates of the West, Southwest South and south have experienced what called melting plastic syndrome. This was a design flaw in the IS model which affected the IS350 and IS250 as well.

Inner tire wear on both front and rear tires some can have alignment issues once again look up the threads that discussed it thoroughly

Those are probably the big four issues for the most part.

Weapon F

Just like MisterSkiz said 10' + have have updated LSD. From 11'+ have updated LSD, Steering ECU, Suspension components, new head light design with LED strip, redesign Dash dash and Alcantara seats. 12+ gets wider front 8.5F and rear 9.5R rim.

bnizzle87

Two of my friends recently jumped onto the IS F platform and one chose a 2012 and another a 2009...

MY2009:
-cheaper and more likely to find
-friend chose to mod with coilovers, LSD (non TORSEN), and wider wheels

MY2012:
-much harder to find, but can be sought after for the right price
-friend wanted the revised suspension and TORSEN LSD without having to purchase aftermarket parts

I do believe that the friend with the MY2009 with all the aftermarket parts and labor associated ended up paying less than the MY2012 stock, which isn't bad in either case. Both will be tracking their cars, but personally the 2012+ IS F rode a bit softer for the track. As a DD, I did find it far more compliant than when I had my 2008 before coilovers, though the slightly harsher ride never bothered me. With an older F, as noted earlier, water pumps will most likely need replacing, if not already. A few recalls need attention on the F with the older ones, but that's not a pressing issue at all. And maintenance is pretty straightforward. Oil changes, brake rotors and pads, and tires are all she really needs.

This is definitely a fun car to take to the track. Autocross is fine, but you can really feel how front heavy these cars are. Get it on a track with some curves and straights...you will get hooked!

ultimase

also worth mentioning is the airbag recall.

Weapon F

Current airbag recall affects 42 million vehicles at this point in time that number may be expanded up to 85 million Vehicles. This affects just about every car manufacturer on the planet including high and models like Ferrari McLaren and several others.

MileHIFcar

Wouldn't the increase in threads lately about potential newcomers (owners) looking into the ISF and needing details and help with aspects of the car be better served with a permanent sticky that they can go to first to get the basics down, and then if any additional information isn't covered in the sticky thread then they can post a new topic for further help?

flowrider

iTrader: (9)

^^^^Look at the first thread I linked above. Everyone seems to have ignored it. Most members here seem to ignore sticky's and simply ask questions without using the search function. So, while a good idea, don't think it would work.

And when an old question is asked, other members simply regurgitate what has been said in the past. There is no new content in this thread.

Lou

Manh3

iTrader: (1)

Just buy a 2012 and up isf since it's all sorted out and drive it till the wheels fall off. I had an NSX for over 7 years that was daily driven and sold it when I had my son. The 2012 isf is my wife's car and she loves it. It's a lot faster than the NSX off the line and on a roll and handles quite well for such a heavy car.

And just drive the damn NSX you bought it's not that special to be honest unless you have a 97+ hardtop or zanardi. Put miles on it and enjoy the car. When my son gets older and no longer needs a car seat I'll be in something similar to the NSX but with a V10 and I'll drive it daily. My neighbor has a 360 stradale and drives the heck out of it and those are quite a collectible.

Good luck in your search

Gymkata

Considering the ISF only came in a V8, the best model years for an ISF with a V8 are 2008-2014...

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

The truth has been spoken. Show me an IS F without a 5 liter V-8 and I will show you a completely fake car.