Has anyone in Oppo played with an IS-F?

"Slow4o" (Slow4o) 05/29/2014 at 01:08 • Filed to: None

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In my way too early search for my wife and I's next car, I've started looking at the IS-F.

Fast as hell for a four door with Toyota reliability (as far as I've seen). The only downside for me is no manual, but that is a plus for my wife, and I've ridden in one at an auto-x and it can shift really quick. So I wanted to see if anyone has had any experience with these bad boys. Becaus they look sexay in that blue.

GhostZ > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 01:13

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I'm not sure the Toyota DOHC V8 is any more reliable than any other V8, although I would argue its probably less reliable than the Coyote V8.

Slow4o > GhostZ 05/29/2014 at 01:28

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Well that's the good thing, most DOHC V8's I have dealt with are pretty reliable. And I have seen several people on forums with over 80k on their motors with no problem, granted I'm taking that with a grain of salt. Also, is the picture I posted showing up? It isn't for me.

Slow4o > GhostZ 05/29/2014 at 01:29

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Also, another reason I want to get this car is it will be my track car while I'm swapping a Coyote into the Mustang.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 03:31

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I've played with them a bit. Not bad to drive. Traction control was way too intrusive and kept turning itself back on after about 2 seconds of hooning. Interior quality was a bit sub par, low mileage examples with bits just falling off and wearing out. Brakes aren't cheap. Sounds great, love the 2 stage exhaust. Probably in my top 5 Asian cars.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 03:33

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Shit. Just realized I didn't shamelessly plug MB/AMG.

Slow4o > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 05/29/2014 at 05:13

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Awesome thanks for the insight. Interesting about the traction control, since I rode in one at auto-x that set the fast time for the day. Hadn't read anything about interior bits either, I'll definitely check out all of that at any examples I see. Also saw in C&D that when they replaced the brakes, it was like 900 for parts, so I'm expecting that. And I would consider an AMG or M, but only if I got it from CarMax with a warranty haha. But unfortunately the wife is really liking the IS-F. If it was up to me I would get an M3 or RS4.

Jobjoris > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 06:53

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I drove the EU-spec. Very playfull, not M3-ish but incredibly fast and all this with an extreme easiness. Seemed to be a bit like the current M5 (although that one will outrun it) to me. And, over here, they're pretty rare so that a big plus to me! But... Would I personally take one over an M3 Sedan (E90)? Don't be ridiculous. Not sure if they're way cheaper than an M3 over there, that could be a reason to turn to the dark side quite fast of course.

asindhidude > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 05/29/2014 at 08:00

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id much rather have the c63 over m3/is-f.

by my calculus, all three will be expensive to buy and run. if anything breaks, it will suck. but being that they are all about the same vintage, i dont forsee any one being remarkably better/worse in terms of total cost.

the nature of the three, as i understand, is vastly different; the m3 is more precise, and high strung; really not my thing. on paper, the large displacement, bellowing, slushbox lexus and mb are more of the type of muscle car i am into. between the c and the is, i imagine the c has a bit more perspersonality.

to top it off, getting into the amg brand aint a bad thing either.

***these statements were made w no actual research or experience whatsoever. strictly gut feelings here.

EL_ULY > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 09:15

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I was the lead IS-F tech at my dealer when I lived in San Antonio. I know every bolt on the thing inside and out lol :]

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > asindhidude 05/29/2014 at 10:00

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Pretty good gut instinct. The big difference in handling between the c63 and m3 I think stems from alignment setup. The m3 had way more camber, and as such eats through tires about twice as fast. And I know all the magazines rag on the c63/lexus for not shifting as fast as rivals, and that is true, they are not slow or slushy at all. Especially the latest AMG's with a wet clutch instead of torque converter. By my guess, fastest non-dct transmission there is. I haven't played with any Lexus stuff newer than '10 or '11.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 10:09

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You're welcome. From what I've seen, the vast majority of problems that c63's have manifest by halfway through the factory warranty and stem from improper beak-in. But even those have been pretty limited. Honestly the c63 is one car I can almost never upsell any work on aside from standard maintenance, they're really quite solid for what they are. Personally I wouldn't be afraid to own one outside of warranty. What you buyshould fit you, but I suggest at least driving more than the lexus to get a feel for your options. MB CPO warranty would be easy to get for a c63, you can get those for unlimited mileage I think and an extra 3 years on top of factory. Don't quote me on that though, the ins and outs of warranty aren't my area of expertise.

Slow4o > AMGtech - now with more recalls! 05/29/2014 at 20:13

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O yea don't worry, I am going to use this excuse to test drive boat loads of cars. And its nice to get a mechanic's opinion on a car like that, so good to know. I just am not sure what my wife thinks of them yet, so I will have to ask.

Slow4o > asindhidude 05/29/2014 at 20:16

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Thanks. I am sure the c has more personality than the IS-F, but obviously I am going to have to test drive them both. And I get what you're saying about the M, but that is what I would want in a car because I am a track rat. But this will be my wife's car primarily, so we will just have to see what she likes when she drives them.

Slow4o > Jobjoris 05/29/2014 at 20:18

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They aren't, but the wife doesn't like the M3. I would take an M3 over it any day. Man I sound pussy whipped talking about what my wife likes so much lol, but hey its all about compromises.

Slow4o > EL_ULY 05/29/2014 at 20:19

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Well shit, that gives me way more confidence since we both live in Houston! So what did you see as far as reliability on the 08-09's?

EL_ULY > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 20:55

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I could ramble on really lol. it would be better if you asked me in sections of the vehicle :)

Or gmail me to get number for textin, ulysses535i

Slow4o > EL_ULY 05/29/2014 at 21:19

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Haha alright. I'm offshore so no texting. We can just talk about it when we finally have that Oppo Houston C&C meet up. I'm not buying the car for at least another year lol.

EL_ULY > Slow4o 05/29/2014 at 21:41

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o ok. I know a dude that works out there for Oceaneering. All in all they are solid (once all recalls have been performed, I need to explain them all to you). They'll give waaay less of a headache than a M3 but It is a high perfomance car so tires and brakes are your most common purchase for it.

It has world standard coolant (100k)

It has has world standard trans fluid (never change)

Spark plugs are at 120k

Air and cabin filter every so often.

.....that it really for maintenace lol.

A/C evap get a little smelly after a while. You have to get rotors with the brake pads unlike most Lexus. Umm..... if i think of something else ill let you know but that 100% made in Japan car is pretty dang solid.

The limited slip diff and beefier sway bars and front end didn't come out til 2011 or 2012. It actually makes a big difference in handling. Still good before but just enhanced.

Slow4o > EL_ULY 05/29/2014 at 21:51

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O cool. I mostly deal with Oceaneering guys since I pretty much just watch the ROV. And thanks for the sum up! I have read about the limited slip in the later ones, which is a bummer because I would love to have that if I track it, seems weird they wouldn't put that in a performance car. And I looked up the costs of the rotors and stuff haha, so I would be prepared for that.

Jobjoris > Slow4o 05/30/2014 at 07:08

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Haha, we all know this issue. In this case the IS-F is a decent alternative, as is the C63 that's mentioned in the other comments. Tough decision. You, dear sir, are a lucky, lucky man!

Jobjoris > Slow4o 05/30/2014 at 08:37

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Also, I've asked my contact at the Toyota-importer (liaison between dealers/customers) over here what IS-Fs common and known issues are. Will contact with the update on that after I'm answered.

Slow4o > Jobjoris 05/30/2014 at 19:22

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Thanks man I would love to hear what he says. Can never have a shortage of opinions.

Jobjoris > Slow4o 06/02/2014 at 05:37

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Okay, simple reply from my contact:

- No distributionbelt but a chain so no replacement needed.

- Strong, reliable car with few flaws.

- Few of them had a waterpump replaced. But that's not a expensive replacement.

So no technical reasons to not buy this whatsoever. They didn't sell very well over here (Netherlands) so statistically this is not the most reliable statement I'll ever make.

If you give me your e-mail address I'll send you some regular maintenance info, it's in Dutch (and has kms instead of miles) but google translate will help you dearly.

Slow4o > Jobjoris 06/02/2014 at 06:33

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Thanks for the info! Pretty much what I've heard from everyone. If we do end up getting the car I'll hit you up for the maintenance stuff, but EL_ULY might be able to get it to me in English haha. Thanks tho!