So, long story short, I was looking for an IS350 last summer and ended up buying an 07 Acura TL Type-S. I was coming from a BMW M3 and had a TL before so it was a switch to something I trusted...coming from a Bavarian maintenance *****. Anyway, fast forward to less than a year later and I am still heavily missing the RWD fun. Certified IS-F's were not off lease yet when I was looking last year so I never really considered them but now that the are starting to pop up in the $38k-43k range for 08's, I am extremely interested.

I am looking to buy one with less than 30-40k on it, add an extended warranty package (guessing a 100k mile wrap) and driving it daily. I will pick up an AWD beater for snow days but other than that, I plan on putting about 15k a year on it.

I have done lots of reading up and I don't plan on doing much to it other than a joe-z intake & exhaust...maybe sikky headers if it will not totally void the motor warranty. Having never owned a lexus, how do the react to slightly modded cars when dealing with warranty work? I have kept my TL mostly stock because anytime it had a rattle or glitch, I just drop it off and have it fixed (stealership is just down the street from my office).

I suppose what I am getting at is based on what I plan on doing with it, are there any issues I need to look for, things to avoid, etc?

I feel bad to put a ton of miles on it but for me, a fun/great car is meant to be driven. I bought my M3 with 26k on it and traded it in, heavily modded 4 years later with 128k on the ticker. That will be my last German daily driver

Input would be greatly appreciated and if this type of thing has been discussed recently and I missed it in my searching, please just post the link of where to look.

Thanks fellas!

Edit: Forgot to mention I am looking for an UBM or SGM. I first wanted only a white one and then I happened to have an UBM next to me for a few miles last week and am leaning towards than now.

 

PM Sent

 

No worries, it's a great car and has the legendary Lexus reliability. Don't worry about putting a lot of miles on it. It can handle it. Plus, the way I look at it, if you're going to be driving a lot, why not have a nice car? Good luck in your search!

 

I had an 08 Type S before I traded it for the USB!! I did the same thing with buying a reliable car, etc and a year later I had buyers remorse! Don't get me wrong, I loved the TL, it just wasnt as fast as I wanted it to be. I should of stuck with with the ISF in the first place!! The car is great so far that I've had it and Lexus is a reputable brand. I've owned 3 in the past and they have all been great.

Good luck and I hope u can find what u r looking for!

 

My sales rep, who was in charge of the service dept for 20+yrs, said that neither the exhaust or headers will void the warranty, so no worries there. The intake will not either.
Based on what I've read on here, I cannot recall anyone having an issue with the exhaust. The headers are a bit more inconsistent. Some people have not experienced problems while others have.
And have no fears about putting miles on this car. To paraphrase a member's description from a while back, "it's like a hyper puppy that just wants to go and go and go." You'll love the car.

We had a lot of success on Craigslist recently while helping him find one. Dealers and private owners post them regularly, so it's been a reliable resource.

 

Thanks guys! My main concern was that the headers require an O2 sim and most dealers from on those and any major motor issue that may arise, they will go straight to that as a scapegoat. Other than that, it sounds like a great car. I have yet to drive one but from what I gather, I thing my type S is just as stiff riding if not stiffer than the F. Steve 727, can you fill me in here? The S ride is way more harsh than the standard TL and it was even more harsh than my M3.

 

Get one, you can't go wrong. It's a hell of a car stock so I wouldn't look at headers effect on warranty as a deal breaker, just leave the motor alone.

I'm in your same boat. I was done with German cars and their "hidden" costs (Porsche 911) and decided to go for reliability => Lexus.

 

The ride is stiff, but nothing more than you wouldn't already expect. If you have the means, pony up for the 2011 model. They upgraded the suspension, and it is much better than before.

 

I am looking to pay cash for the difference over my TL-S so a new one might put a dent in the old savings

However a true LSD is mighty tempting. It cracked me up how I went through 3 sets of back tires for every 1 set of front tires on my M3

 

I don't know if there was a suspension difference between the 07 TLS and 08 TLS, but the TL was a lot more softer in comparison to the F. The F is def more sportier so therefore the suspension in the F is stiffer. To me, the stiffness of the F doesn't bother me! Call me crazy, but I just love the F so that could be why it doesn't bother me as it would some people. Lol, get the F and u will love it!!

 

Don't be hesitant to get an '08 F. You'll be able to find one with <30k miles for under 40k. It seems that you don't want to shell out too much since you only owned the TL for a short amount of time and will take a loss. You are smart and did not purchase a brand new TL so you won't take a major loss or barely a loss at all depending how much you paid for it. Be patient and don't trade it in if money is an issue. Sell it privately or sell it to Carmax.

IMO I love the '08 stiff suspension and BBS wheels! It's the best looking stock wheels ever! The downsides for me are no hard drive, no cool headlamp led strip, and especially not a true LSD. Those downsides are negligible because I don't NEED the hard drive, led strip is cool and whatevers, and I do not need a true LSD since I don't track the car. The '08 F has a very adequate electronically controlled diff. The sporty stiff suspension is awesome, and I don't see myself downgrading to a coilover system to cause more poor tire life and more maintenance in the future. Keep a look out for a well maintained, low mileage '08 F for ~35k-38k and you will not be disappointed.
My 2 cents.

 

Thanks again everyone. And you are correct, most of the new features on the '10 are things that I don't get to excited about. The diff would be nice but the extent of me needed it is putting the tail out post-apex here and there

It looks like the trade in vs retail on my car is about 2k and a total of about 3k less than I paid for it if I sold it private party. If it is withing 3k or so from what I bought it for, I will just trade it in and never look back. I will get a quote from carmax though.

 

+1...K3RRY hit the nail right on the head.
I just don't get why people complain about the stiff suspension... it's a sports sedan for crying out loud. Not to mention I'm coming from a 98 Integra, which is now my beater...

The stock BBS wheels on the 08-09 are simply the best looking stock wheels of all time. The F handles like a dream even at 120mph+...and there's absolutely no body roll when switching lanes.

Also, gas mileage is great on the hwy (when you're in cruise at ~65mph)...I sometimes get 25mpg. Although for the majority of the time it's hard to not drive in Sport+M mode

In regards to prices, get an 08/09 with really low miles & a clean Carfax and you won't regret it...and act quickly because when I shopped for my F, the first 4 i inquired about sold before I could even test drive them.

 

^^. Agreed!! Every F I inquired on was gone fast so u need to act fast when u find an F in ur range with a clean carfax!!

 

Let the search begin. Start off by searching your local craigslist. GL