Buying a 2008 ISF
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 39
Likes: 3
From: CA -> TX
The pictures posted doesn't show much confidence tbh with all the little imperfections here and there. I also agree with Jwconeil, if you don't care enough to at least give your car a decent wash prior to meeting someone up for a potential sale, you simply just don't give a rat's a$$ about your car... Personally, unless you are just plain desperate or simply don't come across ISF much in your area, I would walk away from this... There are a ton of 08s available. Personally, I would rather dish out 2-3k more for a much more decent shape one without a mismatched hood...
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
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From: Hi
That looks really dirty, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad car. Is the hood carbon fiber or just a black gloss oem hood? The wheels haven’t been cleaned in a long time, I have those exact wheels and after almost 2000 miles of driving they weren’t nearly that dirty. You can look at lexus maintenance records for free, just get the vin and register it in an account you make. That’s where I would start. Carfax shows some maintenance records as well.
My concerns:
if you never clean your car, you probably don’t service it regularly.
if your to lazy to clean a car you have up for sale, you probably didn’t service it regularly because your lazy.
random black hood that isn’t carbon, did they just cheap out on a needed replacement? High end cars and cheap skates on maintenance don’t mix well.
if the stuff you see is neglected, you know the stuff you can’t see is neglected. Lexus makes great cars, but it may not have had an easy 100k. How clean is the oil? Is it really dark? Car may need a good maintenance catch up.
My concerns:
if you never clean your car, you probably don’t service it regularly.
if your to lazy to clean a car you have up for sale, you probably didn’t service it regularly because your lazy.
random black hood that isn’t carbon, did they just cheap out on a needed replacement? High end cars and cheap skates on maintenance don’t mix well.
if the stuff you see is neglected, you know the stuff you can’t see is neglected. Lexus makes great cars, but it may not have had an easy 100k. How clean is the oil? Is it really dark? Car may need a good maintenance catch up.
The pictures posted doesn't show much confidence tbh with all the little imperfections here and there. I also agree with Jwconeil, if you don't care enough to at least give your car a decent wash prior to meeting someone up for a potential sale, you simply just don't give a rat's a$$ about your car... Personally, unless you are just plain desperate or simply don't come across ISF much in your area, I would walk away from this... There are a ton of 08s available. Personally, I would rather dish out 2-3k more for a much more decent shape one without a mismatched hood...
Last edited by Keving620; Jul 27, 2018 at 05:56 PM. Reason: Misspelling
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Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,069
Likes: 978
From: Indiana
Stick around, a few of us bought ours on this site from other members, including me and another recent member with a beautiful grey exterior red interior 13. Watch the classifieds and get to know the platform. It’s an amazing car. You will find your unicorn! When you do, buy it ASAP before it slips away. You can’t hesitate on a clean ISF.
you can even post a want to buy thread on here. That’s what he did.
you can even post a want to buy thread on here. That’s what he did.
I think it’s at least worth looking at it and driving it. It’s gonna be really hard to find a usb isf in Hawaii, let alone anywhere in unmolested condition. Get a ppi done and see what needs to be addressed. Worst case you low ball the guy and justify it with what you had concerns over.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 4
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From: Hi
Today was really the last day I could see it. I'll be in school for the next 30 days and another 30 days in Alaska. I'm sure it won't be there when I get back, and if it is then there's really issues with it.
^^ true I forgot about that never happen to mines because I changed them out for sikky headers and didn’t know about the LCA bushings and toe links thanks for the info
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 512
Likes: 169
From: Alberta
There is a Like New USB 2009 that just popped up on eBay for 36k .it has 20k easy easy miles and perfect maintenance.. Offer the guy 33 and use the 3k difference for shipping. I know that car it was an older chap who owned it followed by and older chap and they drove it like a cream puff. It's absolutely mint and in my opinion a bargain at 33k
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 674
Likes: 50
From: CA
The cost is relatively low, but it is definitely not one of the more easily identified issue without jacking your car up. My front tires were chewed up on the inside with only about 8-9K miles on them and I did not really notice anything odd (noise, handling, etc)...I only noticed the issue when I randomly turned the wheels all the way to one direction when I was taking a picture from an angle.
Needless to say, this is one of those inexpensive yet potentially costly problems.
Needless to say, this is one of those inexpensive yet potentially costly problems.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 674
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From: CA
http://www.shopfigs.com/v3/CAT-LEXUS...SMEGAEssential
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Joined: Apr 2017
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From: Indiana
You don’t need to check for the inner tire wear issue... just assume it exists. They all have the problem and they all need better LCA bushings. It’s worthwhile to check tire wear just so you can add in the expense of new tires if needed.
my 350 even needs the bushings. Every 2is needs them, unless already replaced by previous owner. Silly Lexus and their soft bushings are to blame.
my 350 even needs the bushings. Every 2is needs them, unless already replaced by previous owner. Silly Lexus and their soft bushings are to blame.
What do you when buying an IS F,
Look to see if the valley plate has been serviced,
the water pump is replaced
headers replaced - ticking sound will occur if not from leak
Sticky Dashboard replaced
Rotors& Pads replaced
Make sure the underbody isn't all broken, this affects your MPG and airflow drastically.
Oh yeah... Get the OEMS back... IMO Vossens and not as good as BBS's
^ These are the most expensive things that need repair on the IS F by far, other than that it looks pretty sweet.
If possible I'd check for condensation build up in the headlights if possible, these AFS units are expensive,
If any of these are damaged or noticed, try to get a deal off quoted for the service, it's just a pita to deal with.
Look to see if the valley plate has been serviced,
the water pump is replaced
headers replaced - ticking sound will occur if not from leak
Sticky Dashboard replaced
Rotors& Pads replaced
Make sure the underbody isn't all broken, this affects your MPG and airflow drastically.
Oh yeah... Get the OEMS back... IMO Vossens and not as good as BBS's
^ These are the most expensive things that need repair on the IS F by far, other than that it looks pretty sweet.
If possible I'd check for condensation build up in the headlights if possible, these AFS units are expensive,
If any of these are damaged or noticed, try to get a deal off quoted for the service, it's just a pita to deal with.
Last edited by OneFastF; Aug 1, 2018 at 12:06 PM. Reason: Added info
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