Lexus IS F Buying Guide Points Out Everything to Look For

Smooth It Out

The Lexus IS F has always been an incredibly popular car here in the Club Lexus forums. But much of the rest of the world is finally discovering just how great it actually is, too. That means lots of competition out there, as everyone vies for the best used examples. And if you're part of this group, we found a nifty buying guide over at Autocar that helps make that process a little smoother and potentially less painful later on down the road.

Photos: Lexus

Engine

Unlike many of its German rivals from this time period, the IS F thankfully has a pretty rock solid and reliable powerplant in the form of Lexus' 5.0-liter V8. Truthfully, there are just a couple of things to look out for. Early cars had a little trouble with their water pumps, which could leak prematurely. So be sure and check the coolant level and for potential coolant stains. A leaking valley or heat transfer plate is also a possibility, so be on the lookout for cheap, poorly repaired sealant fixes.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about buying an IS F and any tips you'd add in right here in Club Lexus.

Transmission

Some IS F owners have had trouble with transmission fluid levels, so always be sure and check this at service intervals. When you're shopping for one, test drive the car and give it full power while listening for a squeaking noise as the serpentine belt slips. If either this or the tensioner needs to be replaced, it's a pretty expensive repair.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about buying an IS F and any tips you'd add in right here in Club Lexus.

Suspension

Early IS F models were known to have a bit of a harsher ride, along with a floaty feeling at speed. So this is completely normal. These cars also quite sensitive to alignments, and the electric power steering should feel direct and accurate, so certainly check for that. But if you want better overall ride quality, shoot for a later model.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about buying an IS F and any tips you'd add in right here in Club Lexus.

Other Considerations

The brakes on the Lexus IS F are obviously very good, but they also tend to wear out quickly, especially if the car has been driven hard. But that's something most used car buyers check anyway. Also inspect the body for damage and/or previous repairs. On the inside, the driver's seat bolsters are usually the first thing to wear out, but you'll also want to be sure and check all the electronics to ensure everything works properly, as these can be expensive to repair as well.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about buying an IS F and any tips you'd add in right here in Club Lexus.

Spend to Save

It's obviously helpful to also request maintenance records and even maybe secure a CarFax for any Lexus IS F you're thinking about buying. The latter will allow you to see if the car has ever been repaired, as well as view its ownership history. And in the end, that little bit of extra money spent can truly save you thousands in some cases.

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about buying an IS F and any tips you'd add in right here in Club Lexus.

Risk and Reward

Despite its popularity, the IS F remains a pretty solid used car value. There are plenty of nice ones out there for reasonable prices, but there are also lots of them out there in questionable condition for cheap. Like any used car, it's usually worth spending a little more to secure a car with easy-to-fix problems or no question marks whatsoever. But regardless, this risk/reward proposition is ultimately up to you. So happy hunting!

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about buying an IS F and any tips you'd add in right here in Club Lexus.

For help with your repair and maintenance projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.