Long May You Run: IS 250 Going Strong After 202K Miles
Excellent maintenance plus Lexus reliability key ingredients in this IS 250’s longevity upon the salted roads of owner’s Canadian home.
The Million-Mile Lexus is an extreme example of the company’s reputation for reliability and longevity. Still, it’s reassuring to know any Lexus on the road today can make it to that major milestone, whether it’s a new LC 500, or a decade-old IS 250.
Or, in this case, an IS 250 that’s 12 years old. Sonduren of Canadian Rider is the proud owner of a 2009 IS 250 with over 202,000 miles on the odometer, a handful of which he put on in three years of ownership. Let’s learn where things stand in 2021.
“In terms of exterior styling, this thing looks beautiful,” said Sonduren. “I think it looks very handsome. Hasn’t aged too much at all, especially if you keep it in great shape. I think it’s got a great design where it doesn’t look overly aggressive, but it still has that nice aggressive look, especially with the body lines.”
Compared to the current IS 250 and its Lexus spindle grille, the 2009 example stands out for its more restrained appearance. Said appearance may be attractive to those looking to get into a Lexus of this age. In fact, they currently go for as much as $5,600 USD in Canada.
“In the three years that we’ve had [the IS 250], it’s just been super reliable,” said Sonduren. “I haven’t even needed to think about it. And that’s what you really want in your daily driver, right? You don’t want to to think about these things. You just want to do the maintenance that you know you have to do. You want to just drive the car wherever you have to drive.”
Sonduren says if he needed to go on a cross-country trek from Toronto to Vancouver, the IS 250 would be his go-to. The engine and transmission are rock-solid. He’s only had to replace the brake pads and change the oil. However, he does note the Lexus needs more care for its direct-injection system. Yet, regular maintenance will keep those issues at bay.
“I see [the IS 250] lasting me for the next foreseeable future,” said Sonduren, “until I probably get a full electric car as my daily driver one day. This is really going to be the horse that I’m going to be staying with until electrification kicks in.”
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