Lexus IS F | Noticed

You realize the world’s gone mad when you’ll be able to decide up a V8 saloon for a similar worth as a joyless supermini. You’ve gotten your decide of E90 M3s, B7 RS4 ands W204 C63 AMGs with £20,000 burning a gap in your pocket, supplying you with all of the V8 thunder you could possibly ever need with practicality besides.

There’s one outlier among the many tremendous saloons of the late noughties, nevertheless. Irrespective of what number of instances you spam the refresh button the PH Classifieds, Lexus IS F values simply gained’t budge. Whereas the remainder of its contemporaries have been hit laborious by depreciation and have but to succumb to the kind of worth rises which can be affecting, properly, just about every thing on the earth, the IS F continues to carry regular. 

Exceptional what robust construct high quality and a superb reliability report can do for a efficiency automobile’s worth. Many PHers will know the sensation of shopping for an inexpensive V8 within the hope that the horror tales gained’t befall them, solely to be slapped with a upkeep invoice so crippling that you just’re left questioning whether or not to promote the factor or remortgage the home. However the IS F is among the few V8s saloons in existence that in all probability gained’t provide you with reliability-related evening terrors, with Lexus proving that its efficiency vehicles are as bombproof as premium barges and SUVs.

Maybe it’s as a result of the IS F was comparatively low on frills in comparison with its rivals. The expertise is dominated by the engine, a 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 producing 423hp, 372lb ft of torque and one hell of an exhaust notice. Efficiency was on a par with its rivals, too, with 0-62mph coming in 4.6 seconds, helped by a quick eight-speed computerized gearbox – a world first for a manufacturing automobile. That being mentioned, it was round 35kg heavier than the E90 M3 and got here with passive dampers, which means there was no option to slacken off the notoriously agency journey.

That’s the place this specific automobile is available in, although. It’s one of many final of the road, having been registered in 2012, and is due to this fact one of many sought-after facelifted vehicles. Whereas visible modifications have been stored to a minimal, Lexus reworked the suspension with a softer entrance finish, stiffer rear and beefier anti-roll bars, together with a Torsen limited-slip differential. Granted, it didn’t rework the IS F right into a monitor demon – retaining the laid-back angle Lexus is understood for – however it did add a layer of precision that was arguably missing on pre-facelifted vehicles.

Now it’s time to do the maths. The IS F already carries a premium because of its reliability, with the newer fashions commanding much more owing to its quite a few chassis enhancements. Add within the 50,000-mile odometer studying – barely run-in for a Lexus – full seller service historical past and just about each choice below the solar, and also you’re a worth of £29,495. A courageous particular person can save £10k and decide up a leggy M3 or C63 to scratch the V8 itch – however for these trying to keep away from the dread of questioning whether or not their automobile’s dashboard will maintain their very own Christmas lights switch-on celebration, look no additional. 

Engine: 4,968cc V8
Transmission: 8-speed computerized, rear-wheel drive
Energy (hp): [email protected],600rpm
Torque (lb ft): [email protected],200rpm
MPG: 24.8
CO2: 283g/km
12 months registered: 2012
Recorded mileage: 50,000
Worth new: £55,995
Yours for: £29,495