bobbo1978

Looking to purchase an 08 Lexus ISF with 30,000 miles.

Just came out of a 08 BMW 135i looking for a more reliable vehicle. Any common problems or abuses I should keep an eye out for? Is it fair to offer 40k and see if dealer plays ball?

Thanks in advance.

UCrazyKid

In my opinion, you should be able to find an 2008 ISF with much fewer miles for $40K. I paid $46K for my 2008 with 8,000 miles in June. Personally I would (and did not) buy from a dealer. Buy from a private party and you are much more likely to understand the history of the car based on how you size up the owner. Are they a car fanatic? Do they keep the car clean? Are the a forum member? Are they active in local car clubs? Those sort of things lead me to believe they will take better care of their car. From a dealer you will get NO history and the care will already have been cleaned and repaired to cover up any abuse.

Good luck!

LEXUSF

iTrader: (3)

I love my 2008 i bought new from a dealer in march of o8. 40k maybe ok but i would rather pay 46k for one from a dealer u know is checked out!

ISF FAN

My 08' performs well with no complaints regarding mechanical / electrical systems. Does continue to have 'little' noises from dash when cold.

Great car, no regrets.

UCrazyKid

I would save yourself the ***-rape $5K dealer mark up and buy from a private party and have the dealer do the PPI for $250.

bobbo1978

Thanks for the inputs. I may have a lead from a non-Lexus dealer, going to check out the car tonight and see what numbers they can work with. I just want a nice reliable car after my BMW.

Tried the is350 last night and it's light and day compared to my manual 135i. The steering feels loose, and the transmission is a bit slushy. Points I am willing to overlook for reliability. Wanted to see if the F sharpens up the car a bit if not I will have to rely on this forum to make the necessary modifications on the is350.

mondo540

Yep, it will...a lot.

primecut

iTrader: (1)

What kind of problems did you run into with the 135? Just curious. Is it the same oil cooler issues that the 335 guys are having?

bobbo1978

The oil cooler problem was addressed in 08+ vehicle with the additional oil cooler behind the front wheel. The biggest blemish on the x35i cars is the high pressure fuel pump that for some owners kept breaking down. Mine for example was on its 3rd one by the time I hit 18,000 miles, but on the opposite end of the spectrum, there are owners who runs tunes all day with no issues. The problem typically starts with long crank and eventually degrades to cutting engine power by half when the pump fails. During fuel pump replacement they detected cylinder 5 was misfiring but weren't able to fix it and since the vehicle ran fine it was never addressed.

In addition, my dash where it houses the passenger airbag deformed with the flaps of the airbag popping out. The supplement restraint sensor for airbags failed and numerous other little details.


Back on to ISF, I test drove one tonight at a Caddy dealership. Now this is a vehicle I can get into. The steering is considerable better, the ride is tighter and more controlled than the 350s and it pulls a lot harder. I offered 39.5k and was countered with a 43k, which is the same price a cpo(ed) ISF Lexus dealer gave me. I told them no, call me back. Actually, I probably won't move on it even if they do, the windshield had a small crack, there was a big dent in the rear seat leather and the interior felt grimy as if they didn't clean it and it didn't have stock wheels. (And nope not HREs or 360 forges) Obviously, not a well kept machine.

verals05

iTrader: (3)

Take a pic... maybe its someone who was on here...

bobbo1978

New Mexico Car

death

^ Just a heads up... that car was recently resold for $38k to the dealership you have found it at. I believe they are now listing it at around $44k which is quite a mark up.

For the price and miles you can do better.

Edit: Link to discussion when this car was sold for $38k and change. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-...s-f-price.html

bobbo1978

Oh my gosh, thanks a lot sir! I had a real nasty feeling when I made the offer for 39.5k, and is extremely happy they did not take it. The car drove great and felt solid but as I spent more time in it I noticed all these little flaws: cracked windshield, huge dent in the rear seat leather and those wheels. So odd to see a set of non-brand name wheels on an ISF.

malujerry

iTrader: (7)

if you care, prestige lexus in NJ has a leftover 08 and 09... but i believe they were around $52k. 201-258-6173.