Lexusman25

Hey everyone,

I'm new here and wanted to get some input on which car I should buy.
the two cars I'm really torn between are:
1. 2008 Lexus isf (100,000km)
2. Heavily modified 2004 is300(525whp!, 5 speed, 107,000km)

I will daily the car I choose and the commute for work is not that substantial, my question is which ride will be the better deal in terms of comfort power and reliability.
important to note the isf is 8,000$ more.

I test drive the isf and it was amazing unfortunately the is300 is 3 hours away so couldn't test drive it.

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

isf all day everyday, that 525 is going to blow up anytime, the roaring of the v8 , u can do FBO on isf and getting at least 410 to 420whp and call it a day i have had is300, is350 and to the ISF

DarenSavag

Stock HP is always better than modified HP. There are other differences between a modified IS 350 and an IS F that make all the difference. Don't settle for less. You will always wished you bought the IS F.

Jwconeil

There is an ISF on this board with over 350k miles.... no boosted 525 whp 2JZ engine will do that without major maintenance. ISF all day. Plus it’s newer.

plex

iTrader: (11)

525HP blow up anytime? Depends on the build and tune. If it's a GTE that's barely 20-22psi depending on setup on pump gas no where close to blowing up anytime. If it's a NA-T setup using stock GE vvti rods then yea more than likely at the limits of that setup but a good tuner will keep torque lower even on that setup. Even at 525 if you want more it's easy just turn up boost as long as trans can support. To get more power on the ISF after FBO need to go S/C or spray.


525HP is nothing for a boosted 2JZ and no major maintenance is needed. 525HP is easily attainable on pump gas and stock injectors and stock ECU if it's a GTE. Maybe you need to do some research before posting those claims.

I get both of you rather the ISF and that's normal I'm a big ISF fan myself but stating 525HP is a struggle for a 2JZ is laughable.

ISF4life

iTrader: (30)

Just get the ISF and be happy with it , if u thinking getting ISF and boosting it u r getting a wrong car u can get SC and still very weak . U want power , only Godzilla will give u unlimited potential . Most of us already knew what we are getting with the ISF , FBO and tuned, most of us daily it . Some of us has weekend toys

Jwconeil

Ram3n

I used to have a stage 3 Volvo S60R running around 22 psi, I loved the car and it was my daily but for me personally, I would not buy a heavily modified car when factors like longevity and reliability are in play. Mainly because when people modify cars, they are aiming for more power without thinking about the longevity/reliability, or comfort. (not all the time but most of the time from my experience) I realized after having the S60R, that power out of the factory is so much better than all the power you get from aftermarket products. I do not mean to bash aftermarket companies, but there is a reason OEM products/services cost more and it is because the companies have loads and loads of research and development behind their products. Having the Volvo, is actually what pushed me of buying the ISF as my next car cause I wanted 3 things: scarcity, reliability, and power.

plex

iTrader: (11)

I'm also very familiar with the 2jz platform, I know I won't find a setup with 350K making mid 500 at wheels to please you because people hardly drive them now because values went up. I actually know of one guy in DC that daily drives his Supra weather permitting and has 170K miles it's single turbo and he's on pump or E85 max power is mid 7's and minimum power is low 5's and has been that way since I've known him for over a decade, he did change turbos several times to take advantage of newer tech, his is a 6spd. I know of several other Supras that are BPU (mid 5's) with 100K plus miles majority want more power and go that route and they aren't daily drivers. I average 5K miles a year on my Supra if that. I'm mid 8's at the wheel on stock bottom end.

And you're right the weak link in non MKIV setups are the trans and rear. No idea what the details are on the setup that OP is looking at and that may be a factor. Swapping in a 3.26 rear helps but with W55 or W58 you're limited. Best bet would be R154 or the T56 option or V160/1. I still believe a mid 5XXHP setup would last that long (350K) even if you hit 22psi daily all depends on the tune but guess we will never know.

Out of the 2 I would go ISF, I have a 2nd Gen GS with 200K miles no where near power of Supra but it's been a solid setup. Drove a friend's modded ISF and loved it and considering replacing my GS with that or GSF.

Jwconeil

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

My Supra has been on stands for the last two months waiting for me to finish installing a new oil pump. Seal pushed out and ground the back of the timing belt pulley while leaking oil all down the underside of the car. This is not uncommon despite the engine having a steady diet of Red Line 10w-30 ever since I got it in 1997. It has 250k km on the original build, but has never seen anything but OEM boost with original cats and disabled wastegate. BTW, this is the third new seal, so it definitely isn't the seal causing the problem.

Replacing the oil pump without pulling the engine is no small feat. I have already once resealed the upper and lower oil pans, so I know what I am into, but you'll definitely not call this a simple job.

Pqbrown

iTrader: (9)

Weapon F

Getting ISF S/C and still very weak really? RRRACING S/C 625hp/530whp 670hp/570whp StageII E70 Kit 770hp/652whp all day long, and there working on more hp and upgrading transmission to handle the additional hp/tq. They've just started boosting ISF its only been 3yrs. GTR's 11 yrs.

Yea you can get GTR to make more hp but at much higher cost to start with 2013 or 14 Low mileage GTR low 60's to high 60's add alpha 9 ams kit start at around 8k and go up to 100k if you want to make big #'s your going to pay to play. Don't blow transmissions or motor because now your really into big money.

Can you DD Modded GTR sure you can but for how much? And how much boost while DD it. Most of owner I know with modded GTR have street tune and race tune most street tunes range from 650whp to 750whp on track 800whp and up.

I'd take 650whp DD ISF not as common as GTR and for less money. You can always make GTR Faster than ISF. They start out as TT car and you can boost them to crazy numbers 2000 plus hp but at what cost.

"Only Godzilla will give you unlimited potential" Maybe 8yrs but not anymore its not big bad bogeyman it use to be. There are plenty of other badass cars out there now.

plex

iTrader: (11)

I think what he's saying is that the modding potential of the GTR is limitless depending on your pockets compared to the ISF which is now pushing the limits with S/C options. Of course the GTR is more expensive but for some people even a 770HP ISF is not enough maybe one day they will be setup for 1000HP and higher but again those numbers haven't been reached yet. My Supra is around 850 on stock bottom end and I'm among slowest with some of the guys I hang out with. I could go built motor but even if I do that more power isn't necessarily the goal I want a better range of power under the curve. I don't care for 1K HP numbers and hate the look of 15" whee/tire drag setups which would be needed to enjoy the power. Some people just want more power period and people I know with GTR's are all north of 1K at wheels.

Jwconeil