[Nightspore68]

I was slow to find your forum, but glad I finally did. Info about IS Fs seems pretty hard to find.

So here's my baby. I got her in May 2008. She has about 4,500 miles and already needs new front brake pads and new front tires.

She replaced my 2001 Boxster. Like so many others, I test drove the new M3 and came away disappointed. Eventually I took a chance on Lexus and have been happy ever since.

I took her to a PCA road course in the fall and was delighted not only to be able to pass my driving mentor (in his Boxster), but also to be able to keep up with (though not overtake!) the fastest car of the day, a 911 4S. Amazing!

My wife and I loved the power, the exhaust note, and the ML stereo. I must admit to enjoying the automatic, too. I'm used to a stick, but this automatic shifts quickly and solidly.

We love the car and are eager to share and discover information about it.

Thanks,
Nightspore68

 

[lowrider]

Welcome, Glad you found us.

Lou

 

[jctheplaya888]

Welcome to the forums buddy! Enjoy Your F, if you have any questions about the car feel free to ask, we are all still learning about the vehicles ourselves

 

[veerals05]

Awesome another Atlanta ISF owner!

Where ya located?

 

[isflojo]

Looking good! Any tints soon?

 

[BigMikeISF]

Welcome to the site! You don't have very many miles for having the car for almost a year!

Any modification plans of the sort? Anything special planned for the car?

 

[sulfur]

Wow 4500 miles & new brake pads & tires already? You drove this bad boy pretty hard! Must have been really fun!

 

[Flipside909]

Damn 4500 miles and new brake pads whew! I just have 6,300 miles on my 2009 and plenty of brakes left.

 

[Jeff Taylor]

Welcome and congratulations on your F!

Jeff
08 Smoky Granite Mica IS-F

 

[Nightspore68]

Looking good! Any tints soon?

Yes, I got it tinted the first week. They don't call it Hot Lanta for nothing!
I guess it's sunny enough in Cali to require tinting?

 

[Nightspore68]

I am a little worried about the brakes. They grind at very low speeds and, as several of you noted, 4500 miles is pretty quick to burn through new pads. Maybe there's something wrong with them. Anyone had similar problems?
For those who noticed, the car doesn't accumulate many miles because I live within a couple miles of work. Sounds nice, I know, but it can be a drag when you've got a fun car!

 

[Nightspore68]

Welcome to the site! You don't have very many miles for having the car for almost a year!

Any modification plans of the sort? Anything special planned for the car?

So long as I can take Porsches and BMWs at the track, I don't plan on any mods.

 

[veerals05]

So long as I can take Porsches and BMWs at the track, I don't plan on any mods.

Well... you might need something cause those GT3's are pretty quick!!

 

[sulfur]

Nightspore68: I work 3 miles from home. This is a BIG reason I'm still on the sideline trying to justify it. And on weekends it's still mostly city driving for me.

 

[Nightspore68]

Sulfur, I'll probably catch some flak for suggesting this, but if it's hard to justify, don't do it. Being slave to a car is no fun. You'll resent it, especially when it depreciates. I was fortunate to be in a position to be able to do it, without much stretching. But there are plenty of great cars below the IS F's price point. I really enjoyed driving the IS 350, the BMW 335 or 135, the Nissan 350 Z (I'd love to try a 370 Z), the latest Corvettes, and Boxsters or Caymans and 911s. I haven't driven the BMW 135, Mitsubishi Evo, or Subaru WRX STi, but I hear they're great too. One of my friends downsized from a 911 GT2 to an Evo and he loves that thing.
I guess I'm trying to recommend not overspending for one great car when there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
BTW, I work about 2 miles from work and spend most weekends in the city, too. If that's you're only concern, the IS F is a pretty good choice. An automatic is great for city driving, especially for traffic jams. That's one of the leading reasons I got the car. I felt it was time for an automatic after being stuck in a two-hour jam on I-285 in my manual Boxster (on the way from getting its $985 alternator replaced). My leg was actually starting to cramp! Once I heard the ML stereo and felt the torque in the Lexus I was sold. The automatic Porsches (until PDK) and Nissans aren't up to snuff. I've heard some regret getting the paddle shifters in the Vette, too. The only other good automatic I've found is in the BMWs. (I was unimpressed with the Audi A5 auto, as well, despite much positive press about its transmission.)
All right, that's probably more unsolicited info than anyone desires.
Happy hunting,
Nightspore

 

[sulfur]

Hi that's actually really good advice. I've been flip flopping between the IS350 & the F for awhile. You might have seen it in my other posts. Looks like I'll probably settle for a used IS350 for now. Just have to wait for the right color & price...either private sale or certified pre-owned lease is fine.

But you're right, I've always wanted to try the BMW 135. Thought about leasing a 135 cab for fun but not sure if 2 dr is what we want at this stage. I have a coupe for 15+ yrs, so 4 dr would be a nice change. Was thinking about the 335d as well. The biggest turnoff is not every gas station around town has diesel. And at mid 30s I have definitely outgrown the likes of Evos & STIs. Funny even in my 20s I was never into the type R & type S rice cars...

I wanted a balance of luxury & performance, and I prob won't track or race it much, which is why Lexus is my top choice.

 

[Nightspore68]

Well, I have to admit the four doors are convenient. I've been a coupe person forever.
Is the 335d available in the States? That seems like a great idea, except for the possible rarity of finding diesel. I saw one at the ATL car show this weekend and it was nice.
That reminds me; I got some photos of the new convertible IS I need to post...

 

[isflojo]

Yes, I got it tinted the first week. They don't call it Hot Lanta for nothing!
I guess it's sunny enough in Cali to require tinting?

Oh yes, Californians love to tint thier cars. I have medium tints all around.

 

[BigMikeISF]

Well, I have to admit the four doors are convenient. I've been a coupe person forever.
Is the 335d available in the States? That seems like a great idea, except for the possible rarity of finding diesel. I saw one at the ATL car show this weekend and it was nice.
That reminds me; I got some photos of the new convertible IS I need to post...

Last I heard the BMW 335d is available in the US. It is also listed on the BMWUSA website

 

[sulfur]

I'm from Canada. It's supposed to be available where I live but I haven't seen one on the streets yet. I should ask my BMW friend next time I see him.