Used Lexus IS Cars For Sale

A history lesson…

Lexus could never match BMW or Mercedes-Benz for heritage or prestige due to the fact that it’s not been around anywhere near as long as those excellent and respected marques have. Lexus was made by Toyota to tackle the Germans in the luxury saloon market, and it worked.

Representing the alternative choice, the IS was the first real success story for Lexus, as it stole sales away from the BMW 3-Series and continues to do so to this day. It’s not that the IS is a better car than the 3, but because it’s cheaper, looks better and has a different feel to it, consumers were intrigued by the Japanese saloon.

The new one comes with an option for an F version, which goes after M3 for the super-saloon crown. And with an unbelievably powerful V8 engine under the bonnet, we wouldn’t turn one down.

Bang for your buck

Unquestionably, the Lexus IS represents the budget buy for any saloon car driver as the IS is typically a few thousand cheaper than the 3-Series, but that doesn’t mean you get less bang for your buck. In many ways, thanks to Lexus being Japanese, you get more interesting technology in the IS.

There’s sensors everywhere telling you what’s going on, and the sat-nav screen is super-impressive, too. Comfort in the IS is at a premium, and with the 3-Series typically being a hard-riding saloon, it comes as no surprise why buyers of an age tend to go for the well-cushioned IS.

What you’ll pay

You'll need £15,625 for a 55-plated 2.5 litre car with the better-equipped SE-L kicking off at just over £17,875. So not cheap, but when you consider 3-Series BMWs are going for a few grand more, it does put it into perspective.

What to check

There’s little to check on a Lexus because, well, it’s a Lexus. They have legendary reliability. Just make sure that the one you’re buying has been well looked after and everything should be hunky-dory.

Parts

The good news is that the Lexus IS is one of the most reliable cars available; the bad news is that Lexus charge through the nose for parts. An IS250 exhaust less catalyst is around £900 and front brake pads are £80 a set. An alternator is £400, and a replacement starter motor £200, which means you had better pray nothing goes wrong!

How it drives

The IS-F has a 0-62mph time of 4.8 seconds, which is super-quick and unbelievable for a saloon. It features a mega-thirsty V8 engine and is probably one of the most uneconomical cars to buy in this climate, but it is the most exciting car Lexus makes – apart from the LFA – and is the one to pick if you want power and performance.

The diesel IS is probably the car to go for if you have a brain. It just matches the IS perfectly, as the diesel is good on fuel, quiet and very serene. You’ll easily reach 50mpg and with low insurance and tax bills, it just keeps the driver smiling all year long.

Couple that to a brilliant driving position, comfortable seats, torquey engines and a great sound, and the IS continues to show off just how good it is.