A wolf in sheep's clothing? - A day with the 2012 Lexus IS F

[@YusufPetersenCPT]

Not everyday you hear a V8 bouncing off the limiter...definitely a dream garage spot for this car.

[@roadswaysouth]

The noises this car made completely took us by surprise as well as it's breadth of capabilities

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@roadswaysouth The ISF and 2URGSE platform is criminally underrated! give it a movie like Fast and Furious 1 and 2 or a game like NFSU2 or NFSMW, way back when it launched and it would have been a whole different story. but Lexus and Toyota marketing dropped the ball and reviewers was none the wiser.

[@a1234ddf]

@@marcobezuidenhout5050 it’s not criminally underrated, but just now after so many turbos and electric cars.. A reliable V8 is a gem. 💎

[@greebuh]

I actually hear every day😂 I have a vid up of my ISF revbanging the limiter. You should check out.

[@nikforeign18]

@@greebuhlucky man 🤝I'm jealous

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

The biggest mistake the reviewers make is not putting the F cars in sport and manual mode. The gearbox is capable of 0.1sec upshifts. This is an 8sp from 2007 that could do that! Im glad I could show you how an ISF should be driven when driving enthusiastically!

[@jingorooroad2559]

Yes true, actually back in 2007, the LSDS (Lexus Sport Direct Shift) was faster shifting than most DCT out at the time (if not the fastest overall back then). I remember reading something about it many times, Lexus created the ultimate torque converter, later being copied by ZF taking all the credits.

[@dill6078]

I have a 2011 but haven't heard it from third person.. Is this exhaust setup stock?

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@jingorooroad2559 yeah the Aisin AA80E 8spd torque converter is the GOAT of torque converter auto boxes. If your not a retard behind the wheel(leaving it in D like Mat from car wow) you can extract super fast shifts.

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@dill6078 this is custom 4 into 1 headers. Dual 63mm, x pipe, 2mid boxes, 2 back boxes, dual exit each side

[@greebuh]

Fastest shifting production car in the world for like half a decade. Faster than ferrari f1 of the time, they said. I'll never sell my ISF.

[@homelessbaby2768]

I daily my IS F and trading in my Chevy Cruze for it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Amazing upgrade! and you dont really need anything more. Its a perfect daily, comfortable good fuel usage and plenty of power when you stomp on the loud pedal :)

[@GMANistheleet]

Not too many vids on the 2011+ ISF!

[@samupyndy]

Smiling throughout the entire video, thanks for the knowledge imparted Marco, beautiful, beautiful car!

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

No problem sir, glad you enjoyed the ISF content :)

[@sdlausen1]

I did the same thing. One way ticket to Dallas Texas to buy my ISF having never driven it. Then, drove it home.

[@dill6078]

I bought mine 2500KM away never even sat in one and I'm tall, didn't even know I'd fit. 2011 with 180k KMs, scratches and rock chips galore and the front driver seat has a rip in it but I got it for the same price as a 2008 (saved ~10k AUD) and they have rough suspension, no LSD, no updated steering wheel, Bluetooth or tach. Drive it every day and love it, unsure of worth getting seat tear fixed and paint fixed up (it looks amazing from 1m away!)

[@sdlausen1]

@@dill6078 fix her up!

[@dill6078]

@@sdlausen1 also have the rear bumper falling off on the left side right by the trunk opening, not sure how to fix but I've heard if you take the bumper off you probably won't get it back on due to clips breaking upon removing and have seen quite a few posts of 2IS cars having bumper falling off on the highway so it's scary

[@sdlausen1]

@@dill6078 the the rear bumper tabs on these are very poorly designed and weak. Mine was the same way! I completely restored my ISF with new trim, front and rear bumpers, and 2014 OEM ISF led fog lights. The bumpers are not expensive. Just get a new one and have a body shop paint it. Install yourself.

[@dill6078]

@@sdlausen1 Interesting, will take a look. I'm in Australia will have to see where to find a bumper

[@dill6078]

I have owned a 2011 for 6 months now and love it. Sure it has 180k KMs but everything feels brand new, paint is in decent shape and the engine is immaculate. I love how calm and quiet it is in auto mode, cruising at 1500 RPM near silent. Then open it up and it roars

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Keep it, never sell and try to drive the wheels off. It will out last anything in it's class of power!

[@Bunjees]

180km is nothing for these, there’s 250-450,000 mile ones in the states . This engine is no joke

[@dealphapro8078]

Well done Marco and the Riads Way South Team. Absolutely love this video and the feature.. not just a wolf in sheep's clothing but roars like a Lion too...

[@brandenrainsford7973]

Best intro I have ever seen Nic what a legend!! Gave mee goosebumps! Omw I am so jealous I missed this day! Marco I would love a spin sometime please ;) The car sounds insane!!

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Ja was unfortunate to not see you there that day... Let me know when is the next breakfast run then we make a plan :)

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Nick and James good work on the video, I loved it! 😁

[@roadswaysouth]

Thanks Branden! We missed you man. Next time we'll have the trio back together

[@roadswaysouth]

Thanks again Marco! We had a real jol and learnt a lot more than we expected to.

[@nazmo_za9654]

Oooh, nice video, love these cars!

[@HoodyR6]

Marco, What a fella.......!!! A true gent! And an absolute peach of car.... 👌

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Thank you :)

[@flyincoach]

Nice. hoping to buy one this year finally.

[@GMANistheleet]

Weird it doesn't have the alcantara seats or the 2012+ BBS wheels.

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Yeah weird indeed. This is a MY11. Reg2012. South Africa only got 2010-2012 ISFs about 60-80. The 2010s are "pre facelift" with two gauges in the gauge cluster but have LSDs. The 2011s/2012s are the "facelift" models with center gauge cluster. Updated headlights. But same wheels as 2010 and pre facelift models. It's a mix bag spec vs what the US got. The US spec pre facelift didn't get the LSD. But SA spec pre facelift 2010 did get the LSD. All the ISF wheels are BBS. But the 2012+ BBS wheels are the best looking. US also got a snowflake look BBS wheel for 2010 and 2011. In SA I think there is one ISF with the 2012+ BBS which was aftermarket extra. I'm also considering importing those wheels from Japan auctions.

[@ALHAMOOD100]

The limiter bounce and the chassis control feel like a go kart to drive

[@truonghthe]

The ISF is rare even here in the USA (approx 5200 -5500 units sold between 2008-2014), gear box shine when you put in sport and manual mode shift at redline. The other good thing about the 8spd Asin is the smoothness when left in auto mode, completely buttery smooth. The ZF8 shifting is faster but again its a 7-8 years old gearbox vs 17 years old. Do South Africa has GSF? I only seen 3 GSF in person since they were new here in the US.

[@timbrown9731]

I have a 13 ISF with Hayward and Scott exhaust in ultrasonic blue…

[@Daniel-gi1cy]

They are indeed great cars😁🫡

[@blu_is500]

This was a great video! 🙂 The performance exhaust drone at speed was a bit much for me, I prefer the V8's low rumble note from the intake, but minus the drone. Wolf in sheep's clothing is a really good descriptor. I describe my IS500 as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, it can be really mild mannered or batcrap crazy. Plus, it helps that its the perfect sleeper, because it's very easy to catch dudes with their pants down with a Lexus. 😛 Thanks for posting!

[@TDO-CPT]

When you gonna do a e92 m3 or w204 c63 amg

[@isaacchavez1425]

2010 F here with 135k miles. Absolutely nothing wrong with it. Over my 5 years of ownership - only issue I had was valley plate that came with the car when i bought it. 800$ fix & she still ripping 392 & SS. #F

[@stuartjameson7602]

That limiter🤤

[@heinsteyn5160]

Ek sal moet kom kuier vir 'n spin! Awesome kar

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Haha ja jy sal moet!

[@intelligentsportfuji1624]

F badges on the RC F and GS F are the same as the IS F. Marco referring to F Sport badges are something else.

[@MALUNGEL0]

I have the same car in East London, its quite a bit old but I can relate with the guys. Its funny that you call it a wolf in sheeps clothing coz my friends call it Airwolf😂

[@arthurmvideos]

i think that you got the first sentence of the description the wrong way around....

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Lol well spotted😅 "sheep in wolfs" clothing. That's what most ppl think it is, they don't understand what this car is and underestimate it

[@arthurmvideos]

That's what makes it good when they want to race...

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Reviewers always drop the ball on this car and the newer F products. Even Matt from Car Wow drag races the Lexus RCF in Drive... the RCF and ISF has a similar gearbox. the fast shifting is only in Sport mode with the gear lever in manual using the paddles shifters, not in Drive using the shifters... . The Torque converter box will never lockup then and you wont get 0.1sec upshifts

[@dill6078]

You wanna really cringe watch that high altitude M235i vs ISF video.. It's SO bad it makes the ISF look awful because the presenters are terrible drivers same with one of the drag racing channels driving in auto and comfort. I have a white 2011 and love it so much

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@dill6078 some ppl have these jobs and I can't understand why. They are complete idiots. For the whole world to see. If I'm so stupid in my line of work I won't be keeping a job for long

[@sdlausen1]

For the ISF, you also have to change the gauge cluster to the gear selector mode to make the F logo pop up. Not sure if this affects shifting speeds but I heard it does.

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@sdlausen1 I hvnt heard about this. Its nice to have the F there though :)

[@dill6078]

@@sdlausen1 You mean so it shows gear position when in auto mode?

[@timbrown9731]

I actually enjoy, leaving mine in sport, but in fully automatic mode, because how traumatic the upper shifts are from the computer!

[@greebuh]

I love my ISF, and I'll keep it till i die.

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

And ppl say the ISF is slow and boring 😅

[@jingorooroad2559]

World is full of fanboys idolizing all the same brands, and missing out things like the IS-F. People even often forgot it was Lexus first attempt making its own m3 amg, and they did it amazingly well for a first one.

[@JG-sp2dn]

Who says that? Lol

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@jingorooroad2559 100% agree!

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

@@JG-sp2dn German fan boys

[@michaell1112]

They’ve obviously never been in one. I’ve had many performance cars, but my ISF is the best car I’ve ever had.

[@waseemparker5622]

Lekker marco🔥

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

Thank you bud! :)

[@lowrideza]

Just Subscribed 🎉

[@velblesstv]

🔥🔥🔥🔥👌

[@bm_wuratli6883]

idk about US mentenaince about that car price but in France its expensive!!!! that why nobody buy it*

[@jingorooroad2559]

A reliable Lexus can't be more expensive to maintain than unreliable german cars. There's a Lexus IS-F on the nurburgring with almost 500 000 kilometers on the gauges, it still run like a brand new car.

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

​@@jingorooroad2559I love seen the videos of this ISF. It's amazing! I guess if it out last the German rivals by 2-5 times then it can cost at least 50% more😅

[@bm_wuratli6883]

@@jingorooroad2559 are u ok? I said it's expensive not saying it's an unreliable car...

[@marcobezuidenhout5050]

In the US 2008 model ISFs with 60 000miles on the clock sells for the same price as 2015 model C63 507 edition with 60 000miles, both around $30-35k. If you compare the last year model ISF vs last year model C63. A 2014 ISF would sell for about 40-50% more, like $45-50k+ where the 2015 507 edition sits at $30-35k. If you compare 2008 vs 2008. More than 100 000miles. The ISF still holds $25k in value where the C63 is half the price or less than half. So essentially the ISF is double the cost as the C63 legend. Americans know the value of the ISF and is willing to pay it. Because it is a great car to own...

[@jingorooroad2559]

@@marcobezuidenhout5050 I mean, when was the last time we saw a german car crossing 1 million kilometers ? Answer is so many decades ago, and it was a Benz. Nowadays it's only a dream for german cars, where Lexus is still doing it. That's not by mistake, Lexus have been the most reliable brands for more than 10 years in a row.