New to me, 2011 Lexus IS220D F Sport
Posted: Mon Aug 19, 2019 6:44 am
I've meant to do a post about my (new to me) Lexus IS220D F Sport and so I got a spare few moments; here goes;
I've wanted one of these cars for a while and I've vaguely expressed my interest in the brand here before.
Been seeking to buy one as a daily in order to save the miles on the coupe.
As it turns out the coupe is in poor health but I was still hankering for a Lexi all the same and keeping both 800s I have as hobby, weekend cars tinkering cars - seems best to do.
The Lexus is an F Sport model and the rarer possibly more desired facelifted version.
Being a series 2, its the last of it's kind in facelifted form before bowing out in 2014. The series 3 replaced this car in 2014 in some markets and in 2013 in others I believe.
The last of the series 2 are one of the first models to use the F Sport brand.
And what you have with this version is not an out and out sporting car, but one which is the same engine, gearbox spec as the standard diesel or petrol, but with a front body kit and large 18" wheels.
The diesel is the same found in the Avensis.
The early units were (by Lexus standards) not particularly reliable with head gasket, liner issues.
Toyota/Lexus recognised the issues with this particular diesel engine and for the facelifted series 2 (which I have thankfully) redesigned the cylinder head and detuned the car to eliminate those earlier problems.
The diesel in these cars and the Avensis are about the average standard in terms of reliability compared to what you would find in an equivalent Audi or BMW.
Its a euro 5 compliment D, so tax aint really bad; £145.00 for the year.
Thats exactly the same as what my mum pays on her 17 reg MG3 1.5 litre engine by the way.
In terms of economy, these past 2 and half weeks I've been getting between 36.5mpg and 39.9 mpg local town driving.
I went to collect the car on train from a place near Leister.
I could see the car had been very well looked after by it's 2 previous owners.
12 Lexus stamps in the book and the last service carried out recently by the dealer I bought the car from.
The Dealer told me how much the previous owner had machined polished the car and there were Autoglym and other brand stickers on the windscreen.
Common problem with these cars (and the series 1 also) is they bubble up with rust on the rear wheel arch just next to where the arch meets the rear bumper.
This car I've bought is no exception and it's something I plan to have rectified by a body shop.
Other then this, and save for a few bumper stone chips, missing underbonnet clips; - the car is in splended condition and I'm very pleased with my first Lexi!
To say it now has 126000 miles on the clock I can truely say (having bought a Hyundai from brand new before) this Lexus feels like a 2 year old car!
Its a lovely drive, the gearbox still feels tight as drum, (save for some wear on the leather gearknob), and pleasantly the interior still has a new car smell.
No unwanted rattles or squeaks for the age and mileage that ive come across.
The first weekend I had it, I took the car for a very long 4 hour drive around the Yorkshire Dales.
I didn't stop until I got home. I got out the car still feeling good and refreshed.
Unfortunately I couldn't have done the same in my 800 coupe with its wider leather chair.
When new this car of it's spec was 28k.
I bought the car for just 5k.
It's still a fab car, especially for the money and as long as I look after this, the car in all probability will only increase, diesel or not.
There's still some time to go before I can be satisfied with electric cars, so until then, I'm ignoring the gloom, doom about dirty diesel.
(I know Scooby you tried to find petrol alternatives)
I did give the situation some thought beforehand.
Its certainly not a bad choice (in my mind) and until this inept government tax diesel through the roof I'm sure to keep this rarer Lexus as my daily.
I like the fact that there is similarity with the 800.
For example, the light switch is on the column stalk.
And like other Jap cars and the 800, the fuel cap is on the passenger side.
I find this easier at filling stations where your more likely to get a free pump on the left side of the forecourt.
Pictures to follow
I've wanted one of these cars for a while and I've vaguely expressed my interest in the brand here before.
Been seeking to buy one as a daily in order to save the miles on the coupe.
As it turns out the coupe is in poor health but I was still hankering for a Lexi all the same and keeping both 800s I have as hobby, weekend cars tinkering cars - seems best to do.
The Lexus is an F Sport model and the rarer possibly more desired facelifted version.
Being a series 2, its the last of it's kind in facelifted form before bowing out in 2014. The series 3 replaced this car in 2014 in some markets and in 2013 in others I believe.
The last of the series 2 are one of the first models to use the F Sport brand.
And what you have with this version is not an out and out sporting car, but one which is the same engine, gearbox spec as the standard diesel or petrol, but with a front body kit and large 18" wheels.
The diesel is the same found in the Avensis.
The early units were (by Lexus standards) not particularly reliable with head gasket, liner issues.
Toyota/Lexus recognised the issues with this particular diesel engine and for the facelifted series 2 (which I have thankfully) redesigned the cylinder head and detuned the car to eliminate those earlier problems.
The diesel in these cars and the Avensis are about the average standard in terms of reliability compared to what you would find in an equivalent Audi or BMW.
Its a euro 5 compliment D, so tax aint really bad; £145.00 for the year.
Thats exactly the same as what my mum pays on her 17 reg MG3 1.5 litre engine by the way.
In terms of economy, these past 2 and half weeks I've been getting between 36.5mpg and 39.9 mpg local town driving.
I went to collect the car on train from a place near Leister.
I could see the car had been very well looked after by it's 2 previous owners.
12 Lexus stamps in the book and the last service carried out recently by the dealer I bought the car from.
The Dealer told me how much the previous owner had machined polished the car and there were Autoglym and other brand stickers on the windscreen.
Common problem with these cars (and the series 1 also) is they bubble up with rust on the rear wheel arch just next to where the arch meets the rear bumper.
This car I've bought is no exception and it's something I plan to have rectified by a body shop.
Other then this, and save for a few bumper stone chips, missing underbonnet clips; - the car is in splended condition and I'm very pleased with my first Lexi!
To say it now has 126000 miles on the clock I can truely say (having bought a Hyundai from brand new before) this Lexus feels like a 2 year old car!
Its a lovely drive, the gearbox still feels tight as drum, (save for some wear on the leather gearknob), and pleasantly the interior still has a new car smell.
No unwanted rattles or squeaks for the age and mileage that ive come across.
The first weekend I had it, I took the car for a very long 4 hour drive around the Yorkshire Dales.
I didn't stop until I got home. I got out the car still feeling good and refreshed.
Unfortunately I couldn't have done the same in my 800 coupe with its wider leather chair.
When new this car of it's spec was 28k.
I bought the car for just 5k.
It's still a fab car, especially for the money and as long as I look after this, the car in all probability will only increase, diesel or not.
There's still some time to go before I can be satisfied with electric cars, so until then, I'm ignoring the gloom, doom about dirty diesel.
(I know Scooby you tried to find petrol alternatives)
I did give the situation some thought beforehand.
Its certainly not a bad choice (in my mind) and until this inept government tax diesel through the roof I'm sure to keep this rarer Lexus as my daily.
I like the fact that there is similarity with the 800.
For example, the light switch is on the column stalk.
And like other Jap cars and the 800, the fuel cap is on the passenger side.
I find this easier at filling stations where your more likely to get a free pump on the left side of the forecourt.
Pictures to follow