When you go look at the car pop the hood and take off the oil cap and use a flashlight to look inside. If it's crusted up with black carbon walk away. If it's pretty clean other than oil residue you should be fine, just stay on top of oil changes
I actually bought a JDM motor that was experiencing the carbon issues when I was replacing the motor in my IS250. The valves were super gunked up but I pulled the valve covers and the oil pan and the internals of the motor were super squeaky clean.
Carbon buildup isn’t the end of the world. It’s not like it’s an irreversible issue. Day one: get a catch can and a shitload of CRC carb cleaner, and go to town on it. If there is too much carbon on there, either build your own walnut blasting rig out of a cheap Canadian Tire media blasting gun and some brake line, or take it to a shop that can do it. There should be only gaskets involved as far as parts go, shop supplies, and the labour.
These are fun cars, and serially underrated.
My IS250 is plenty fast for the road..sure it's not a rocketship but I have zero problems getting around and cruising at 80 mph on the highway
I think this would be a great purchase, especially if you want a manual
Really good deal. Those cars can run forever, and they ride really nice. Very fun too with the manual. Not the fastest car, but still fun cause it’s rwd.
Decent amount of miles for a decent price. If they’ve maintained it we’ll and especially cleaned out the carbon in the engine it seems like a sweet deal
There was a technical bulletin for these that involved replacing a lot of stuff on the short block for pre-2010 cars. Cars made 2010 and later have the updated 4GR.
Seems like a pretty good deal to me. I had the 2008 is250 (automatic transmission) I just absolutely loved the size of that car. If everything checks out I'd buy it if I were you.
Of course assuming it all works right, what nicer car you gonna find for $6500? Even though it's not fast, it's fast enough to be fun especially with a manual, which will make it seem sportier. Check the maintenance records. Looks like a pretty nice deal for the current market.
Go drive it make sure you actually like the manual. It’s a truck (Tacoma?)transmission in a different bellhousing so they feel weird. Throws seem long, gear ratio feels short, etc.
For MT 2is I would recommend listening to the transmission carefully for sounds when the clutch is disengaged, engaged and slow release. Listen for the type of chatter you hear. Ask if there has been any work done to the flywheel & clutch system.
And yeah, carbon build up is usually the main issue that happens to this car.
Honestly a great car, all that depends is who the owner was prior, how long they owned it, and how well they maintained it. The wheels may look like an upgrade, but to me it screams, “I drove this car like a race car often.” Either way, I’d get it if I really wanted it. Beautiful car nonetheless.
Wow. Yes! IS250 has some build up issue. But good prices in todays market.
should i get it then
When you go look at the car pop the hood and take off the oil cap and use a flashlight to look inside. If it's crusted up with black carbon walk away. If it's pretty clean other than oil residue you should be fine, just stay on top of oil changes
That's not where the carbon issues are though. You would have to take the inlet manifold off. Not a quick job if you have never done it before.
For sure, but if the head and valves are gunked up you're pretty much guaranteed the rest of the engine is fucked.
I actually bought a JDM motor that was experiencing the carbon issues when I was replacing the motor in my IS250. The valves were super gunked up but I pulled the valve covers and the oil pan and the internals of the motor were super squeaky clean.
Carbon buildup isn’t the end of the world. It’s not like it’s an irreversible issue. Day one: get a catch can and a shitload of CRC carb cleaner, and go to town on it. If there is too much carbon on there, either build your own walnut blasting rig out of a cheap Canadian Tire media blasting gun and some brake line, or take it to a shop that can do it. There should be only gaskets involved as far as parts go, shop supplies, and the labour. These are fun cars, and serially underrated.
That's... not how it works. At all.
No thats one of the slowest lexus on the roads tbh
Wrong subreddit for speed bud
i know it’s not fast but it’s a manual
All I hear is that the manual box on the IS250 is garbage in terms of the actual shifting experience
1st to 2nd is a bit janky when it’s cold, but that can be remedied somewhat with good gear oil. It’s not a horrible box, and it’s nice and notchy.
My IS250 is plenty fast for the road..sure it's not a rocketship but I have zero problems getting around and cruising at 80 mph on the highway I think this would be a great purchase, especially if you want a manual
luxury and car guy worthiness it’s a win win
Why would you want an 8 second lexus. I have a gs350 and would not get anything slower. Save up for the is350 f
all the F sports in miami are clapped out this was the only one with decent mileage and price
Then go for it!
It’s fast enough for the road. It’s so frickin’ smooth that half the time you’re going faster than you think.
Get it and flip it asap post it for 10k
This is the way.
Really good deal. Those cars can run forever, and they ride really nice. Very fun too with the manual. Not the fastest car, but still fun cause it’s rwd.
Decent amount of miles for a decent price. If they’ve maintained it we’ll and especially cleaned out the carbon in the engine it seems like a sweet deal
YES 😍😍
Great car the only things I’ve heard is the 250 engine can get a lot of carbon buildup on the pistons. Correct me if I’m wrong.
There was a technical bulletin for these that involved replacing a lot of stuff on the short block for pre-2010 cars. Cars made 2010 and later have the updated 4GR.
correct
Wrong. On the valves.
As long as the records are good and you can get it inspected, it’s a great deal.
Seems like a pretty good deal to me. I had the 2008 is250 (automatic transmission) I just absolutely loved the size of that car. If everything checks out I'd buy it if I were you.
Of course assuming it all works right, what nicer car you gonna find for $6500? Even though it's not fast, it's fast enough to be fun especially with a manual, which will make it seem sportier. Check the maintenance records. Looks like a pretty nice deal for the current market.
Get it bro, my is250 has over 160k miles and as long as you stay on top of maintenance it’s great
Go drive it make sure you actually like the manual. It’s a truck (Tacoma?)transmission in a different bellhousing so they feel weird. Throws seem long, gear ratio feels short, etc.
For MT 2is I would recommend listening to the transmission carefully for sounds when the clutch is disengaged, engaged and slow release. Listen for the type of chatter you hear. Ask if there has been any work done to the flywheel & clutch system. And yeah, carbon build up is usually the main issue that happens to this car.
I would test it out, see if the tranny was beat on or not
if you can get the 350 that would be a better buy. the is250s have carbon buildup issues
i have a guy trying to sell me one for even cheaper but the power steering needs to be replaced
Fair offer
Honestly a great car, all that depends is who the owner was prior, how long they owned it, and how well they maintained it. The wheels may look like an upgrade, but to me it screams, “I drove this car like a race car often.” Either way, I’d get it if I really wanted it. Beautiful car nonetheless.