I've had my 08 since February this year and I have zero complaints. Its a sleeper when you just cruise around but put it in sport mode and Manual mode and its sounds magical past 3500 rpm. I will keep it for a long time. Driving it is pure therapy!
I’ve just got a 2013 is f and it is totally awesome. It’s so quick it’s actually quite terrifying if your not use to that kind of power. It feels very well made and a few months in I have had no problems. Fuel consumption has been a surprise. I think I am getting about 34 mpg on a long run.
Had my 2011 ISF for 2 years now - looking thru its history it has had Nothing go wrong - ever - so reliable and so quick. ( she cruised at 168 mph in germany and it was quiet too). Mine now has Tein suspension because to me even the revised suspension is still wayyyyy to stiff for this car - it is now much improved.
For a review to have merit imo, it must be done by an owner. This video is Exhibit A. The knowledge, the accuracy, the TRUTH that comes out in this review can be taken to the heart. It’s not out there just create content for a platform to build clout. Ceasing drooling upon the review, onto the wonderful ISF. To me, I 100% agree with the video, about this car and its rivals which I’ve also owned, and I have 2 chief complaints with the ISF; I don’t not find the seats comfortable. The IS300 seats were better prior, and the 3IS/RCF seats were better after. Second, while the 8 spd trans is special, I bought an RS4 first because I valued a manual over all. I knew the ISF would always be around, so I bought the Germans (after 3 glorious years in a manual 2JZ IS300) while they were still young, and before they became nightmares. Fast forward in life and I now have a collection. In that collection sits a minty starfire pearl 2008 ISF, with 10k miles. It took me some time but I’m finally getting over the example and going to start nodding it like I would have if I had gotten it back in my early 20’s. With a manual GT car next to it in the garage, I don’t mind that my sedan is automatic. Being 15 years on though, I’m no longer a chiseled athlete, I’m built like a former athlete who sells insurance…so the seats are worse. Americans are built a lot more like the folks in Germany, and further everyday from the folks in Japan.
Toyota4Life, I'm a huge IS-F (owned 3 personally), but in stock form, the M3 is a sharper handling car. The IS-F can improved massively, but you have to change at least the rear lower arms to be able to adjust the camber and rear tow. I ended up with Penske suspension on mine from RR-Racing and the car was incredible. Only downside, as it was race suspension, it was very noisy and also very stiff. The upside, you never need to work about replacing worn out parts, so all your budget can go on upgrades!! :)
@@JamesGlenCarSales1982 there’s many suspension changes on different year model ISF the later year models drive fastly different on a motor trend track test between a 2014 ISF and a V8 competition M3 the ISF stock put down the same lap time as the M3. No modification needed to match the M3 lap time
It doesn't necessarily lack in power compared to it's direct german rivals (C63 AMG, Audi RS4 & BMW M3) and it certainly holds up better than them now that they are all 10+ years old. Don't need to be concerned about head bolts, injectors, cracked intake manifolds, camshaft wear, lifters, camshaft adjusters, rod bearings, throttle actuators etc. Do need to be concerned about the common valley plate leak and the uncommon timing cover leak however they are no way near as detrimental as the faults in the european models.
@@ln5747 As far as I am aware it is for all ISF models. RCF and GSF too. It is because of the type of sealant used. It is still a relatively straight forward repair and it is not something you have to do as a matter of urgency if you do notice the leak.
Don't hope, work for it. In the meantime, if your 250 isn't a total shit box and has some resale, even a clean, cared for 2010+ second gen is350 is a ripper from 0-80 in stock form and can be had for $10-15.
@@michaelangelo5783 The only nice thing about my 250 is the ultrasonic blue color and it's a F-Sport which is rare but other than that, it's slow asf, I felt that I downgraded coming from a Volkswagen GTi in terms of performance
No offense intended mate, thanks for your review by the way, lots of good info with none of the fluff like other videos, you know your stuff! I would like to own one one day.
I've had my 08 since February this year and I have zero complaints. Its a sleeper when you just cruise around but put it in sport mode and Manual mode and its sounds magical past 3500 rpm. I will keep it for a long time. Driving it is pure therapy!
Great to hear another positive review for the IS-F, they are such great cars!
I’ve driven an 2008 ISF
It’s fast! Reliable and awesome exhaust note
They’re all great cars, the latest gen just has that little bit extra with LED lights, LSD and that centre tacho ❤️
Feeling the V8 motor roar as the VVTi opens the 2nd throttle, its exhilarating.
If I had the $$$ my next project will be to increase bhp.
I’ve just got a 2013 is f and it is totally awesome. It’s so quick it’s actually quite terrifying if your not use to that kind of power. It feels very well made and a few months in I have had no problems. Fuel consumption has been a surprise. I think I am getting about 34 mpg on a long run.
enjoy Mark! Thats a very very late car! Nice find 👌
Had my 2011 ISF for 2 years now - looking thru its history it has had Nothing go wrong - ever - so reliable and so quick. ( she cruised at 168 mph in germany and it was quiet too). Mine now has Tein suspension because to me even the revised suspension is still wayyyyy to stiff for this car - it is now much improved.
Thanks for posting buddy! Yeah, I’ve owned three personally - amazing cars!!
For a review to have merit imo, it must be done by an owner. This video is Exhibit A. The knowledge, the accuracy, the TRUTH that comes out in this review can be taken to the heart. It’s not out there just create content for a platform to build clout. Ceasing drooling upon the review, onto the wonderful ISF. To me, I 100% agree with the video, about this car and its rivals which I’ve also owned, and I have 2 chief complaints with the ISF; I don’t not find the seats comfortable. The IS300 seats were better prior, and the 3IS/RCF seats were better after. Second, while the 8 spd trans is special, I bought an RS4 first because I valued a manual over all. I knew the ISF would always be around, so I bought the Germans (after 3 glorious years in a manual 2JZ IS300) while they were still young, and before they became nightmares. Fast forward in life and I now have a collection. In that collection sits a minty starfire pearl 2008 ISF, with 10k miles. It took me some time but I’m finally getting over the example and going to start nodding it like I would have if I had gotten it back in my early 20’s. With a manual GT car next to it in the garage, I don’t mind that my sedan is automatic. Being 15 years on though, I’m no longer a chiseled athlete, I’m built like a former athlete who sells insurance…so the seats are worse. Americans are built a lot more like the folks in Germany, and further everyday from the folks in Japan.
Wow, you have an ISF with 10k miles? I just got one with 60k and thought I found a very low mileage one :) Loving mine, so cool to hear your stories.
2012 ISF handles just as good as the M3 V8. There’s a lap time where the ISF put down the same lap number as the M3 V8 competition.
Toyota4Life, I'm a huge IS-F (owned 3 personally), but in stock form, the M3 is a sharper handling car. The IS-F can improved massively, but you have to change at least the rear lower arms to be able to adjust the camber and rear tow. I ended up with Penske suspension on mine from RR-Racing and the car was incredible. Only downside, as it was race suspension, it was very noisy and also very stiff. The upside, you never need to work about replacing worn out parts, so all your budget can go on upgrades!! :)
@@JamesGlenCarSales1982 there’s many suspension changes on different year model ISF the later year models drive fastly different on a motor trend track test between a 2014 ISF and a V8 competition M3 the ISF stock put down the same lap time as the M3. No modification needed to match the M3 lap time
Fantastic review.. cheers
Thank you kindly!
The benefit was that Toyota reliability, sure it was lacking in power in comparison but like you said a 12 year old ISF is the safer option.
Couldn’t agree more. The power level works so well on the road, and the close ratios box really keeps it on the boil 👍
It doesn't necessarily lack in power compared to it's direct german rivals (C63 AMG, Audi RS4 & BMW M3) and it certainly holds up better than them now that they are all 10+ years old. Don't need to be concerned about head bolts, injectors, cracked intake manifolds, camshaft wear, lifters, camshaft adjusters, rod bearings, throttle actuators etc. Do need to be concerned about the common valley plate leak and the uncommon timing cover leak however they are no way near as detrimental as the faults in the european models.
@@gavinr9107 valley plate was fixed post 2010, no?
@@ln5747 As far as I am aware it is for all ISF models. RCF and GSF too. It is because of the type of sealant used. It is still a relatively straight forward repair and it is not something you have to do as a matter of urgency if you do notice the leak.
@@gavinr9107 I'm sure I had read it was resolved on the update/facelift that happened from 2010 onwards.
Mines a 2008 and I love it. 156k now and still drives like it’s new.👍🏻
There is simply nothing else like them in their class
Hopefully one day I'll own a ISF, my IS250 lacks ballz
it will be work the wait!
Don't hope, work for it. In the meantime, if your 250 isn't a total shit box and has some resale, even a clean, cared for 2010+ second gen is350 is a ripper from 0-80 in stock form and can be had for $10-15.
@@michaelangelo5783 The only nice thing about my 250 is the ultrasonic blue color and it's a F-Sport which is rare but other than that, it's slow asf, I felt that I downgraded coming from a Volkswagen GTi in terms of performance
it's my dream car
Had three and really wish I'd managed to hold on to my last one.
I’ve got to update from 250 but mortgage is a killer in Australia .
No way I can do an LC500, love the rear on them👌
I had to turn on subtitles as soon as I heard his first words
oh well, at least you were able to read what I said 👍
No offense intended mate, thanks for your review by the way, lots of good info with none of the fluff like other videos, you know your stuff! I would like to own one one day.
@@psiddey thanks ! Yeah, I can’t be arse with bobbles! Just say it as it is 👍 Glad you liked the video !
How do u compare the isf with jaguar sv8
Sorry, I don't understand? Compare the IS-F with what?
@@JamesGlenCarSales1982 sorry updated
Better reliability and no dashboard lights and best of all rare😂
My isf sounds better than an AMG.
With a true duel exhaust - I agree!
@James Glen Car Sales And most AMGs sound WAY better under load than they do revving in neutral.