2008 Lexus ISF USE20 Review - Can it challenge the German trio?

In this video, I review a Lexus ISF which features a 5.0L naturally aspirated V8 and competes against the W204 C63, E9x M3 and the B7 RS4. The German trio are thoroughbred performance cars with years of experience of making super saloons so how do the Japanese firm fare in such a hotly contested battle?
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Chapters:
00:00 - Drive by
00:17 - Title sequence
00:20 - Introduction
01:07 - Backstory
01:43 - Price
02:05 - Power
03:12 - Styling
04:26 - Owner drive/thoughts
14:26 - Mizan drive/review
21:59 - Summary
Thank you for your viewership and support.
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DISCLAIMER:
*Some footage from this video may be edited and or sped up for cinematic effects.
*Some footage was also filmed on private land

[@CarNitty]

Would you buy the ISF over one of the German trios? Let me know below! If you liked this video, make sure you like, comment, share and subscribe! Check out some of our other uploads too! 🖤 Please do checkout Sam's Instagram if you want to see more of this: instagram.com/gretski_v8?

[@gavinr9107]

Yes indeed. I now own a second ISF after regretting selling the one I used to own before. I prefer having the peace of mind knowing the reliability and maintenance of the platform is superior to the C63, M3 and RS4 whilst the performance is on par. I would consider a C63, however having to replace the head bolts (if it were the earlier model), consider replacing the intake cams, camshaft adusters, lifters, injectors and intake manifold on top of the original purchase price simply does not fit within the budget I have.

[@CarNitty]

Nice to know you've owned 2x ISFs so clearly the Lexus has the X factor to reel people back in for a second spell. They're amazing cars and it's a shame they don't get the credit they deserve

[@rswn.b]

def

[@ARDEN440i]

Great video loved this one. Owner is a cool guy as well happy he loves his car and achieved his dream. Really love how this sounds.

[@gretskiauto]

Thanks bro

[@CarNitty]

He's a very sound person and he's full of positive energy. He just wants the ISF to be appreciated along with the German giants and I hope this video captures that ❤️

[@akbar4546]

The ISF is such a underappreciated car, good to see it getting love 👌, surprised to see this video so quick after the is250 video.

[@CarNitty]

It was pure coincidental I managed to get my hands on this so soon after an IS250. It was fate!

[@danalus6016]

Great to see my brothas across the pond enjoying the ISF. I have a 2012 and love it. Awesome video gentlemen, the only problem I see is you guys are driving on the wrong side of the road. 🙃

[@CarNitty]

Glad the algorithm is pushing the video out to people out in the States! I'm happy you enjoyed the video and you're in love with your very own ISF!

[@FK2VtecTurbo]

Love these ISF's lovely engine and super rare, designed by the team who gave us the MK4 Supra. That engine with some boost added would be amazing love it 👍

[@CarNitty]

Amazing engine without a shadow of a doubt. How cool is it that it still lives and breathes in 2022?

[@Norbious]

As an isf owner, i love the isf but the poor aftermarket support is a downside for me.

[@CarNitty]

It's just not a common enough car for the aftermarket community to have a large amount of choice for these

[@kevinstephenson9887]

Totally agree Lexus don't follow the massis the set their own standard do their own thing that's why they are so good.

[@CarNitty]

I'm glad they had their own brief when building this car

[@JC-pn7rc]

Toyota/Lexus all day long!! I have a 2009 4the generation 4Runner limited 4wd that breaks necks everywhere it goes…….3.5 Icon stage 3 coil over suspension, 17inch method bronze wheels, and some chunky but nice riding mud turrain tires……..rides like a luxury SUV on the road with the suspension setup, but her off-road capabilities is where it shines!! You guys have amazing countryside over there, the 4Runners make amazing Overlanding adventure vehicle……..look into them if you enjoy the outdoors. By next Wednesday I’ll have an ISF to park along side the 4Runner!! Both 14 and 15 years old respectively but will be on the road much longer then the newer generation garbage American companies are making a killing off. 75K for a new Ford Bronco😂😂……not referring to the Raptor version either……those are like $130K

[@CarNitty]

The UK never got the 4Runner. I suspect that's because although we do have some lovely countryside's, the people who own these lands are quite wealthy and they're able to buy Range Rovers and Audi Q7s and BMW X5s. The most popular Japanese SUV here would be the Lexus RX I'd say but even then they're quite rare. If you don't go off road, you don't need a SUV and those that do have them purely own them for the sake of having an SUV and those people generally require a status to be linked to the badge of the car. Glad to hear about your ISF. Good luck and hope you have an amazing ownership experience

[@JC-pn7rc]

Great video guys!! As someone who went mostly full bolt ons (headers into full catback, tune, and road & track motor mounts) on an 08 and then regretted it. The motor mounts made it too raw in a not so appealing way, and the tune through off the induction noise which took away from the character of that amazing 5.0!! Anyway sold it in the end of January of this year and have regretted it ever since. Just came across a nicely priced 08 and plan to do a cleaner build this time around. What was the setup on his ISF if you don’t mind me asking? Sounds and looks like Joe Z catback exhaust…….what type of intake are you running? Is the car tuned? Needless to say first thing I’m doing this go around is finding a new tuner lol

[@CarNitty]

I definitely think the ISF is a car that's needs to be subtly modified. The exhaust is just a resonator/mid silencer delete and there's an air cone where the airbox was previously. There is no tune on the car. Please message the owner direct on Instagram if you'd like to poke his brain. He's a very open and forthcoming person

[@starvingcyclist7696]

Great video. Can you find out from the owner who the lexus specialists he used?

[@CarNitty]

Do you have Instagram? If so, do drop him a DM. Sam is very forthcoming and open about his car and works carried out...

[@germanautos9460]

Thought for second it was Derick Lewis from the UFC 😂

[@CarNitty]

I'm afraid I don't see the resemblance myself

[@germanautos9460]

It was a compliment 🤨

[@CarNitty]

I'm sure if Sam's a fan, he'll be chuffed

[@carmadnab]

We need an E90!!!

[@CarNitty]

Last one to go. I've got my fingers crossed for an E9x 🤞

[@ozhoneybadger]

This is what I'd love to have. Fast reliable. Not the fastest, who cares.

[@CarNitty]

I agree. Fast and reliable. Not a bracket that exists with most cars!

[@cartestgroupoy2441]

So if you use petrol engines would you get try weather and with diesel you would have rain as you need plants not waste?

[@CarNitty]

Your comment isn't making much sense I'm afraid

[@cartestgroupoy2441]

@@CarNitty I am sure it's not if you think electric if liquid fuels then maybe it's really simple man made god kingdom and difference between rain and sun?

[@ozhoneybadger]

Calipers being seized are the big problem with Lexus cars. Caliper pins get seized.

[@CarNitty]

That's a very small issue when compared to rod bearings on an E9x M3. The ISF owners are laughing all the way to the bank!

[@ozhoneybadger]

@@CarNitty Which is why I got an is250 cos I wanted reliability for a normal car. Quote decent overall

[@PierreCox97]

ZF8/DCT woulda been perfect for the auto side of things and then of course the 6speed manual 🔥

[@CarNitty]

Back then, there was no ZF8. The ZF6 was around and knowing Lexus, they wouldn't outsource the gearbox to a 3rd party. A DCT would've been lovely but again, it would require Lexus to produce their own and at the time, VAG had their DSGs and PDK and BMW had only just giving the DCT on M Cars

[@bcatz454]

believe it or not, the ISF has the same transmission as the 2011-2017 Cayenne Turbo

[@khaloof.m1117]

@@bcatz454ARE YOU SERIOUS?

[@bcatz454]

@@khaloof.m1117 aisin 8 speed. Same trans and internals, different bell housing. Dead srs.

[@navaho5430]

Review a 2011+ model you will see why.

[@CarNitty]

Would love to get my hands on one if offered!

[@navaho5430]

@@CarNittyYou can't have mine because I'm in OZ CHEERS

[@CarNitty]

That's a shame unfortunately!

[@minhajuddin1769]

I’m guessing the mpg on this is like 10 😂

[@CarNitty]

We discussed MPG in the video. The owner actually has gotten around 30 on long motorway runs

[@minhajuddin1769]

@@CarNitty Yeah was just guessing 😃, but eventually made it to that part. Keep it up 👍

[@CarNitty]

Thanks for your viewership!

[@code111japan]

Unless you are on highway all the time, they ARE horrible on gas. Not really surprising. Mine would get 20L/100km in the city (Tokyo, so arguably worst case scenario) which I managed to lower to 15L/100km with piggyback and some other tweaks to the car and driving style. But that's about as low as it can go, can get better only with engine off. I can probably get 10L/100km while cruising 80 km/h on the highway but I rarely use highways. Considering what's happening with fuel lately, these cars are running on borrowed time.

[@justiceleague516]

wet driving vs. dry. and complains about the car behaves.

[@greebuh]

XE20? USE20

[@CarNitty]

XE20 is the chassis code

[@greebuh]

@@CarNitty no its not. It's use20

[@CarNitty]

Thank you for pointing out. XE20 is the IS250/350 it seems and USE20 is the ISF and a 20% code on UberEats it seems!

[@greebuh]

@@CarNitty dammit, now I'm hungry, thanks for the code.

[@notreallyjuan]

XE20 just gets used by the lexus community to refer to all second gen IS chassis as shorthand since a lot of the parts are shared. But yes, USE20 refers to the F, GSE21 is the 350, and GSE20 is the 250