About time I started a thread on this given I've owned it from March
After selling the GTE Astra and wanting something else to enjoy again at the weekend, I decided that next motor had to be a V8. Quite a few options where considered by ultimately fell in love with a Lexus IS-F. Quite rare given the low numbers here and the massive positive was reliability. These are pretty much bulletproof. Mine is a high mileage example but with a very good service history and with piles of pictures and communication from the seller in Scotland, a deal was done and I arranged to get on the boat and collect in Cairnryan.
Worst possible day to collect the car, I was written off in the daily Fiesta the morning I was due to collect the Lexus. Rear ended at 50mph while stationary at a junction and sent into a jeep turning across said junction. Very messy but the Fiesta did its job and meant I walked away, albeit very shaken and sore.
Weather on arrival was a nightmare, heavy winds and raining sideways. First time I laid eyes on the car was in the dark and lashing rain. Made it straight round to the boat and the return journey began. Rough sailing and shock most likely setting in from the crash earlier that day made for an awful journey home. But arrived back safely.
The drive home from the boat was a very cautious one with rain still coming down heavy and being quite sore I didn't fancy my chances trying to wrestle 420bhp to the rear wheels in the wet just yet.
Have some bits I will tidy up on it. But it's in good condition for it's age and miles.
First mod was backbox delete as they are very quiet stock. Also a massive weight saving with this too . Standard boxes are daft heavy. Then was some nicer tips to freshen up the rear end, decided on a black chrome colour as this would tie in well with the wheel colour. Massively improved things in the V8 noise department also!
Then new tyres in the form of Continentals all round meaning driving in the wet and traction was much improved. Soon after a wheel refurb by East Coast Coatings who I couldn't recommend enough. Top quality and fast turnaround.
This was soon followed up with a proper induction kit, for a big 5.0 V8 these came very restricted breathing wise so with some bolt on mods and a proper exhaust system along with an ECU reprogram from RR Racing there are quite significant gains to be had. Most Americans running the same setup see around 480-490bhp. With proper fuel available here I've been told around 500bhp isn't out of the realms of possibility. It's certainly a lot quicker in stock form as some members can possibly vouch for ...
Back in July I ordered some copied carbon bits. Some might turn their nose up at this but when a genuine Tom's rear diffuser comes in at 2.5k before shipping I opted for copies rather than the real thing. Sadly this took 4 months to arrive thanks to FedEx losing the shipment and on arrival some bits where found to be missing... A pain in the neck.
Anyway, I plan to have these fitted while getting some paintwork done and the front numberplate holder smoothed off to leave a much cleaner front end.
Apologies for the long winded post, I think it's it mostly up to date. I'll fire a few pics in below of the car at it's various stages throughout my ownership.
On the boat ready for home
First time seeing it in the flesh in daylight
A few other pics once I'd my registration on and wheels and tips etc sorted.
After selling the GTE Astra and wanting something else to enjoy again at the weekend, I decided that next motor had to be a V8. Quite a few options where considered by ultimately fell in love with a Lexus IS-F. Quite rare given the low numbers here and the massive positive was reliability. These are pretty much bulletproof. Mine is a high mileage example but with a very good service history and with piles of pictures and communication from the seller in Scotland, a deal was done and I arranged to get on the boat and collect in Cairnryan.
Worst possible day to collect the car, I was written off in the daily Fiesta the morning I was due to collect the Lexus. Rear ended at 50mph while stationary at a junction and sent into a jeep turning across said junction. Very messy but the Fiesta did its job and meant I walked away, albeit very shaken and sore.
Weather on arrival was a nightmare, heavy winds and raining sideways. First time I laid eyes on the car was in the dark and lashing rain. Made it straight round to the boat and the return journey began. Rough sailing and shock most likely setting in from the crash earlier that day made for an awful journey home. But arrived back safely.
The drive home from the boat was a very cautious one with rain still coming down heavy and being quite sore I didn't fancy my chances trying to wrestle 420bhp to the rear wheels in the wet just yet.
Have some bits I will tidy up on it. But it's in good condition for it's age and miles.
First mod was backbox delete as they are very quiet stock. Also a massive weight saving with this too . Standard boxes are daft heavy. Then was some nicer tips to freshen up the rear end, decided on a black chrome colour as this would tie in well with the wheel colour. Massively improved things in the V8 noise department also!
Then new tyres in the form of Continentals all round meaning driving in the wet and traction was much improved. Soon after a wheel refurb by East Coast Coatings who I couldn't recommend enough. Top quality and fast turnaround.
This was soon followed up with a proper induction kit, for a big 5.0 V8 these came very restricted breathing wise so with some bolt on mods and a proper exhaust system along with an ECU reprogram from RR Racing there are quite significant gains to be had. Most Americans running the same setup see around 480-490bhp. With proper fuel available here I've been told around 500bhp isn't out of the realms of possibility. It's certainly a lot quicker in stock form as some members can possibly vouch for ...
Back in July I ordered some copied carbon bits. Some might turn their nose up at this but when a genuine Tom's rear diffuser comes in at 2.5k before shipping I opted for copies rather than the real thing. Sadly this took 4 months to arrive thanks to FedEx losing the shipment and on arrival some bits where found to be missing... A pain in the neck.
Anyway, I plan to have these fitted while getting some paintwork done and the front numberplate holder smoothed off to leave a much cleaner front end.
Apologies for the long winded post, I think it's it mostly up to date. I'll fire a few pics in below of the car at it's various stages throughout my ownership.
On the boat ready for home
First time seeing it in the flesh in daylight
A few other pics once I'd my registration on and wheels and tips etc sorted.