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I am joining the Lexus family after selling my Stage II Audi S4. I'm ready for some Japanese reliability haha. When I first started looking, I decided I would go with something with more show than go, so I was looking at IS250s, IS350s, and GS350s. Having multiple performance cars, I was obviously aware of the ISF, but I just thought I'd switch things up for a bit and stay a bit calmer for the time being. This will be my daily and I have a wife and 1-year-old, so something a little newer with creature comforts sounded nice (looking to stay under $20k).
That said, I came across an 08 ISF that caught my eye. The exterior seems to be in great condition and the interior looks good also. It has 105k miles. It does have a rebuilt title (photo of damage attached). I was told the rear wheel, spindle, door, and side curtain airbags were the main damage areas. They are asking $16,500. I have owned multiple rebuilt cars and my S4 was rebuilt. I've had good success, but obviously every case is different. That price seems a bit high but I thought I'd ask you all. I prefer the body style of a 3IS or 4th Gen GS, but I've heard the ISF driving experience is intoxicating.
I personally wouldn’t touch a car with a quarter repair ever. Some will argue that you can use weldable primer that will stop rusts in areas that new metal was welded in.
I have welded for years and have never seen a coating that welds don’t burn through personally. Exposed welds on the inside of the car will oxidize just from moisture in the air. It won’t be instant, but that quarter will rot long before the other quarter will.
I honestly may be wrong because I’m not a body guy. But I’ve seen enough rusted welds in my life to never touch a car hit in those areas.
I would not. and if your still seriously interested. i would get a PPI and show them that picture. but i would not.that quarter was most likely replaced with a used one from a wrecking yard. and if it was replaced. expect a lot of bonda work if they didnt pull it right. not just that but possible cracking of the bondo. if the weld was damaged and it was re welded correctly. which if it was repaired not replaced its already wrong. id pull the trunk carpet on that side and check the back side of that quarter panel and youll have your answer.
Yeah, I would always get a PPI! Had all the carpet pulled up before I bought my salvage S4 as well. Probably going to pass on this one but wanted to get some other thoughts before I did.
I would not. and if your still seriously interested. i would get a PPI and show them that picture. but i would not.that quarter was most likely replaced with a used one from a wrecking yard. and if it was replaced. expect a lot of bonda work if they didnt pull it right. not just that but possible cracking of the bondo. if the weld was damaged and it was re welded correctly. which if it was repaired not replaced its already wrong. id pull the trunk carpet on that side and check the back side of that quarter panel and youll have your answer.
Yeah, I would always get a PPI! Had all the carpet pulled up before I bought my salvage S4 as well. Probably going to pass on this one but wanted to get some other thoughts before I did.
Wanted to comment to let you know that any family trips in your car with a 1 year old in a back facing car seat will not be pleasant.
You will have to push the front seat very far forward in order to get the baby seat in there.
It is not something I recommend and if you will be using this car to tote around the family a lot, I would suggest something bigger.
Yeah for sure. I have looked at a couple in person. This is definitely not a road trip car for the family haha. My wife has a crossover that we use for that. It's usually only me in my car, but I need to have the space to at least fit the wife and kid from time to time.
Toyota and Lexus Join Mille Miglia For The First Time
Slideshow: A five-car lineup spanning more than five decades of Toyota performance and engineering will tackle one of Italy's most celebrated automotive routes.
2008 Rebuilt ISF Thoughts
