bnizzle87's IS F Through the Years
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
bnizzle87's IS F Through the Years
Hello, Club Lexus! My name is Brian, aka bnizzle87. I first found out about the IS F when shopping for a grad gift to myself from college. I vaguely heard anything about the F, so I decided to inquire about it at my local dealership. The salesmen saw me pull up in the family's Toyota Camry. They see some punk kid in his gym attire walking in, and it was like parting of the Red Sea. Loved it! No one wanted any part of me. One of the older salesmen invited me to his cubicle and asked what drew me to the dealership. I told him that I was looking into the IS F. One of the Red Sea parters interjected and asked if I was lost and that he would escort me to the Scion dealership at the other end of the lot. The older salesman told him that I wasn't lost and that I wasn't interested in Scion. He told me that the IS Fs were not available for purchase at the dealer yet, but that I could be placed on the waiting list. It was a little disappointing, but I went with it and left a deposit. I was the 28th on their list of potential F customers when the vehicles did arrive on showroom floors.
The salesman never stopped contacting me from when I entered the showroom in December of 2007 until about midway through February of 08. He would invite me to come down to the dealership and talk cars and other Lexus models. We began to further the dialogue to family and sports, and I began to feel like he was trying to get to know me beyond as just a potential Lexus customer. Midway through February, he calls, letting me know that a few Fs were coming into the dealer the following week. Those were swooped up rather quickly, as from the list of buyers ahead of me. Then, Leap Year 2008 arrives. I'm in my Lakers pjs watching a total meltdown in the 4th quarter. I get a call from my salesman telling me to bring my folks. He meets me outside the dealership well after dealer hours and says he has a special surprise. There were a few salesmen still smoking outside, including the guy who thought I was lost. They all dropped their cigs and followed us all downstairs to the underground inventory lot. Sitting side by side were two Neiman Marcus builds in the way back that freshly arrived from the Port literally right when I got the call. My salesman told me to pick the one I was drawn to the most. Remember that list? One of the build plaques was #28, making it a no brainer for me. I invited my parents to sit inside with the plastic still on, and they were loving the texalium finish and the fact that it was four doors; a far greater choice in their eyes compared to premium increase had I gone the Supra route. My salesman said that I could drive her home that night and said he asked my parents to come for two reasons: 1) he knew how much I share all my greatest moments with my family, and 2) he knew I wasn't going to leave without an F that night. He even told that young buck salesman that tried to shoo me away into something what he deemed more affordable by my attire that day..."this is how you don't lose a commission." I got the keys after filling out the paperwork, and the rest was history. Then I found CL.
CL has been a great outlet in both sharing mods as well as connecting with enthusiasts of Lexus and cars in general. Since I've joined, there have been so many great IS Fs modded, and this not so build thread is my contribution to the F community. It was naive of me to think I'd keep my F stock when I first joined . So without further ado...
First mod- blue overlays...
One of the unique aspects of purchasing a NM build was the track day and honing my road course skills at Laguna Seca Raceway. It was as if GT5 came alive for me. Love this course!
"Floor it," they said. You don't have to tell me twice. Rock chips galore...
She isn't my daily, but she always love the special occassions...
The bride and my bridesmaid. The train occupied the fourth seat.
The salesman never stopped contacting me from when I entered the showroom in December of 2007 until about midway through February of 08. He would invite me to come down to the dealership and talk cars and other Lexus models. We began to further the dialogue to family and sports, and I began to feel like he was trying to get to know me beyond as just a potential Lexus customer. Midway through February, he calls, letting me know that a few Fs were coming into the dealer the following week. Those were swooped up rather quickly, as from the list of buyers ahead of me. Then, Leap Year 2008 arrives. I'm in my Lakers pjs watching a total meltdown in the 4th quarter. I get a call from my salesman telling me to bring my folks. He meets me outside the dealership well after dealer hours and says he has a special surprise. There were a few salesmen still smoking outside, including the guy who thought I was lost. They all dropped their cigs and followed us all downstairs to the underground inventory lot. Sitting side by side were two Neiman Marcus builds in the way back that freshly arrived from the Port literally right when I got the call. My salesman told me to pick the one I was drawn to the most. Remember that list? One of the build plaques was #28, making it a no brainer for me. I invited my parents to sit inside with the plastic still on, and they were loving the texalium finish and the fact that it was four doors; a far greater choice in their eyes compared to premium increase had I gone the Supra route. My salesman said that I could drive her home that night and said he asked my parents to come for two reasons: 1) he knew how much I share all my greatest moments with my family, and 2) he knew I wasn't going to leave without an F that night. He even told that young buck salesman that tried to shoo me away into something what he deemed more affordable by my attire that day..."this is how you don't lose a commission." I got the keys after filling out the paperwork, and the rest was history. Then I found CL.
CL has been a great outlet in both sharing mods as well as connecting with enthusiasts of Lexus and cars in general. Since I've joined, there have been so many great IS Fs modded, and this not so build thread is my contribution to the F community. It was naive of me to think I'd keep my F stock when I first joined . So without further ado...
First mod- blue overlays...
One of the unique aspects of purchasing a NM build was the track day and honing my road course skills at Laguna Seca Raceway. It was as if GT5 came alive for me. Love this course!
"Floor it," they said. You don't have to tell me twice. Rock chips galore...
She isn't my daily, but she always love the special occassions...
The bride and my bridesmaid. The train occupied the fourth seat.
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powermungr (06-30-17)
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Some of the best parts of being on CL is occasionally putting cars and faces with their CL handles. That and it's just fun to hang with some friends and chat about cars.
Just a Yogurtland run...
Chillin' with TrackMonky and one of our STi friends...
A_Grasso and I shooting the breeze...
Another shot of TrackMonky and me.
The downside of having a nice car is that you never want to park it near grocery carts. Apparently, Celsior21 thought the same thing.
Met 2IS_Girl when she was getting her Joe Z exhaust installed at MusicBox.
When Z meets the F...
Just a Yogurtland run...
Chillin' with TrackMonky and one of our STi friends...
A_Grasso and I shooting the breeze...
Another shot of TrackMonky and me.
The downside of having a nice car is that you never want to park it near grocery carts. Apparently, Celsior21 thought the same thing.
Met 2IS_Girl when she was getting her Joe Z exhaust installed at MusicBox.
When Z meets the F...
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Onto the build...
Pretty much every IS F owner who wants to mod his or her F has seen what's available. After all, making the car more personalized is what makes owning it so much fun.
I wanted some color in the engine bay, so I went with Joe Z' anodized blue intake. I paired it with the Joe Z/ Performance Tube Systems exhaust, but apparently there aren't any pics of the install. Those who have it know that it sounds amazing!
My authentic AutoCouture front spoiler painted 212. It didn't last that way, given the steep inclines and road debris it tackled. Later on it was hit with bedliner spray. No more worrying about chipping or scratching ever again. FTW!
The hardest decision I've encountered with my F. I purchased the WALD FRP trunk spoiler from VIP Auto Salon, and after discussing it with Clark @ VIP, my friend Sffd103, and setting up some shop time at Diamond Hills Collision Center in Diamond Bar, I felt it was worth the carving up. Had to have the raised quarter panels so that the silhouette of the F continues to have that flow to it.
Paired with an authentic WALD carbon fiber rear diffuser, it all came out clean in the end. Much thanks to VIP Auto Salon for their help in getting the right parts to me.
Another dilemma...wheels. The NM polished blades go well with the F, but the sizing was a bit weak. My friend Nick @ Suruga Performance in Japan made it top priority to discuss possible wheel options, sizing, and accessories for my first set of wheels.
I always wanted more rubber to plant the F to the pavement more. Bigger has been done, but I'm more than happy at the result of these bad boys. Michelin Pilot Super Sports 255/35 and 295/30.
The result...G25 Prism Dark Silver finish (also available in G27)
It came with standard RAYS machined center caps. In keeping with the prism finish, I went with Project Kics R40 Neo Chno locking lugs.
Love me a nice booty!
And most recently, the MY14 LED foglights. Great discount from Sewell, as many of you know. You'll see how bright later on.
Pretty much every IS F owner who wants to mod his or her F has seen what's available. After all, making the car more personalized is what makes owning it so much fun.
I wanted some color in the engine bay, so I went with Joe Z' anodized blue intake. I paired it with the Joe Z/ Performance Tube Systems exhaust, but apparently there aren't any pics of the install. Those who have it know that it sounds amazing!
My authentic AutoCouture front spoiler painted 212. It didn't last that way, given the steep inclines and road debris it tackled. Later on it was hit with bedliner spray. No more worrying about chipping or scratching ever again. FTW!
The hardest decision I've encountered with my F. I purchased the WALD FRP trunk spoiler from VIP Auto Salon, and after discussing it with Clark @ VIP, my friend Sffd103, and setting up some shop time at Diamond Hills Collision Center in Diamond Bar, I felt it was worth the carving up. Had to have the raised quarter panels so that the silhouette of the F continues to have that flow to it.
Paired with an authentic WALD carbon fiber rear diffuser, it all came out clean in the end. Much thanks to VIP Auto Salon for their help in getting the right parts to me.
Another dilemma...wheels. The NM polished blades go well with the F, but the sizing was a bit weak. My friend Nick @ Suruga Performance in Japan made it top priority to discuss possible wheel options, sizing, and accessories for my first set of wheels.
I always wanted more rubber to plant the F to the pavement more. Bigger has been done, but I'm more than happy at the result of these bad boys. Michelin Pilot Super Sports 255/35 and 295/30.
The result...G25 Prism Dark Silver finish (also available in G27)
It came with standard RAYS machined center caps. In keeping with the prism finish, I went with Project Kics R40 Neo Chno locking lugs.
Love me a nice booty!
And most recently, the MY14 LED foglights. Great discount from Sewell, as many of you know. You'll see how bright later on.
Last edited by bnizzle87; 10-29-13 at 03:57 PM.
#6
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
CL, to me, has always been about connecting with new friends and getting to know one another. There is a level of camaraderie that can only be seen in the flesh and not just through the forums solely.
Taken at the Lexus Instameet at Angel Stadium.
viperrx - myself - Batmobile 2.0/ IntegresS - DixonPai
IntegresS taking her last few shots with 2.0
Camaraderie and coming together in support of Lexus. Bravo, enthusiasts!
IntegresS' new Batmobile 3.0...before blending out. And no, 5" is not the height requirement to drive an IS (lol, Jenn)
Taken at the Lexus Instameet at Angel Stadium.
viperrx - myself - Batmobile 2.0/ IntegresS - DixonPai
IntegresS taking her last few shots with 2.0
Camaraderie and coming together in support of Lexus. Bravo, enthusiasts!
IntegresS' new Batmobile 3.0...before blending out. And no, 5" is not the height requirement to drive an IS (lol, Jenn)
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
The coolest part is seeing how everything transpired. It's a completely gratifying feeling when I finally had all the parts I wanted for my F put together. Of course, modding never ends, but sometimes we just need to take a step back and enjoy the creation before us.
Detailing is obviously a major factor for me, and anyone who's had a black car knows how big of a PITA it really is. While it isn't really a mod, getting some quality detailing supplies really helps and really enhances the glossy wow factor every car has.
Still love how that rear came out...
A nature shot.
A beach shot.
She loves her spotlight, especially if it's natural light.
Detailing is obviously a major factor for me, and anyone who's had a black car knows how big of a PITA it really is. While it isn't really a mod, getting some quality detailing supplies really helps and really enhances the glossy wow factor every car has.
Still love how that rear came out...
A nature shot.
A beach shot.
She loves her spotlight, especially if it's natural light.
#9
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
IntegresS and I planned to meet up and get some shots of rides together. Consider it a play date. Of course, she and Batmobile 3.0 stole the show. But when you see how beautiful both are, all you can do is sit back and take it all in. Blending out has never looked so good.
Waiting for our sunset...
Volk Racing meets Forgestars...
Sunset time!
Like any girl in some sexy shoes, she don't wanna get them wet.
It's hammer time! You can see how bright the LED fogs are here. I guess the headlights will be my next mod.
So sinister. And you never wanna mess with a girl in heels and a hammer in her hands...
We sought some dry land to get some more pics of us.
Blue LED puddle lights!
The Batsignal shown here aims at the road ahead letting cops know not to bother us. I jinxed us
She's going into the light!
Ready to roll out!
Not quite yet...
It's a good thing this story doesn't end with red and blue in my rear view mirror. Until next time... hope you guys enjoyed the progression thus far. I encourage current and future F owners to make your own threads and to showcase your unique interpretations of what you feel your IS F should look like. Stock, lightly modded, or completely over the top....it doesn't matter. The IS F is a special production that the public still does not know about. Enjoy your Fs and enjoy one another! Happy modding!
Waiting for our sunset...
Volk Racing meets Forgestars...
Sunset time!
Like any girl in some sexy shoes, she don't wanna get them wet.
It's hammer time! You can see how bright the LED fogs are here. I guess the headlights will be my next mod.
So sinister. And you never wanna mess with a girl in heels and a hammer in her hands...
We sought some dry land to get some more pics of us.
Blue LED puddle lights!
The Batsignal shown here aims at the road ahead letting cops know not to bother us. I jinxed us
She's going into the light!
Ready to roll out!
Not quite yet...
It's a good thing this story doesn't end with red and blue in my rear view mirror. Until next time... hope you guys enjoyed the progression thus far. I encourage current and future F owners to make your own threads and to showcase your unique interpretations of what you feel your IS F should look like. Stock, lightly modded, or completely over the top....it doesn't matter. The IS F is a special production that the public still does not know about. Enjoy your Fs and enjoy one another! Happy modding!
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Under an IS F since 2008
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Congrats Brian....!!!!
Nicely done through the years..
I was also very happy to see your build in person this past Sunday..!! On our Angeles Crest Hwy run..
Those real wheels are just FANTASTIC in person..
Done Right..
~ Joe Z
Nicely done through the years..
I was also very happy to see your build in person this past Sunday..!! On our Angeles Crest Hwy run..
Those real wheels are just FANTASTIC in person..
Done Right..
~ Joe Z
Last edited by Joe Z; 10-29-13 at 03:31 PM.
#12
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
I've never stopped loving her, and I doubt I ever will. There have been a few strong private offers and some I entertained for a good bit of time, but this car represents more than the sum of its parts. The struggle with which I endured saving up for it, letting go of the Supra dream, setting a goal to graduate well ahead of schedule just to have it in time for graduation, and researching each and every mod to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. Honestly. the pressure I put on myself to get this particular F was a thrill for me. Keeping up the grades, working two jobs, all the while overloading on classes my final two years...this was the perfect gift to myself. My parents taught me to strive for what I really want and to set high goals so that when you do achieve them, that OMFG moment will hit hard in the best way possible.
No one really takes me seriously either. It could be the clothes I wear or my age. But achieving everything under my own will and determination is something I always try to relay to others. I've been called some pretty unwarranted names, of which "spoiled" comes to mind. Age certainly isn't anything but a number, and those who can't realize that are the ones that try to rain on the parade. But the F isn't exactly a cheap car, and I can applaud those who sacrifice and persevere to obtain it or anything really. It's the relentless pursuit of doing you that makes life so great. Aim high and never let anyone bring you down. But yeah, the thread has been overdue for some time. Life happens, but without a doubt I've been working on getting this up and running.
#13
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
And Joe, without your passion for Lexus aftermarket parts, I probably would still be sounding stock. You are the man, my friend! Great reconnecting with you. And we gotta do a shoot before Jr. comes along.