One thing I've learnt is that every car is a compromise in some aspect. You can't have it all in one. The great thing as you've demonstrated is that you don't have to be rich if you're a driving enthusiast. Plenty of old gems to be experienced.
_You’ve nailed it man, some take a life time and never realize. It’s not about the cost or the looks or big horsepower, it’s about the FUN factor, that’s the true enthusiast_ 💯
Good review! Only gripe is that if I wanted a comparison with BMW, I’d have searched for it. But your second point about “nothing beats…a sedan” sold me. On the hunt now!
Glad you're enjoying BMW life again haha😅 I can see how much you love an NA engine with a manual transmission, imagine if it was K series powered, actually S65 powered would be epic
Curious what the longevity of these ISFs are? Was yours high km? Cheers! Nice choice on the 130i manual I test drove one a while back and wished I’d bought it, cracking car to drive!
@@steves4164 If you importing one from Japan still be prepared to do prevantative maintenance. Water pump / Radiator / Valley Plate reseal would be a must. Possibly valve cover gaskets too.
I think the ISF is a great car but no the current price lol. I was looking into buying one before but was put off by the narrow rear seats. There was just not enough room in the rear seats which defeats the purpose of buying a sedan. I went with the Mercedes e55 instead with far more superior interior and raw power.
@@KiwiCarLife I think we are on the same phase in life lol because I sold my e55 and replaced it with the 130i because of the same reasons you said on your video. And I don't know if you can remember me commenting and reaching out for you to review my manual 130i. 🤣 Now you need to come to Auckland and we take them to Hampton downs for a 130i shakedown 😁
Id love to see you Project your personal fave honda- buy one and slowly do it up over the years and bring us along for the ride haha - I mean serious Honda- not el classico typee R done up etc im talking 400hp Supercharged K24 in a Beagle type serious haha
I've always wanted a ISF but got a 370Z instead for my weekend warrior I have a few regrets not getting it but I know I'll miss having the manual if I did went for the Lexus
Wouldn't change mine. I went full FBO, remap and weight reduction and she still keeps up with the competition. What strut brace is this on yours? Thanks
one day i will buy ISF they don’t make them anymore IS500 is the last V8 species ISF future classic beautiful engine noise 400+bhp lexus reliability the best power money can get
I'm biased. Wagon legacy GT life haha. Not as quick but perfect for family holidays. Throw scooters in the back and still not packed! And waiting for its next track day....!
I can totally relate, It’s funny i’ve had c63 Amg 204 for a while now and it’s doesn’t make me smile like my old fn2 simply because of than manual box. Yeah it sounds crazy and superbly fast however deep down it feels like something it missing.
Indeed a very nice car, the lexus. Sad to see any car go. But, by the sounds of it, you miss a good old VTECing Honda. Perhaps the Hondas are yet to make a return??
The best car ever made is the Suzuki Alto, or if you can't find one of those, then a 3 cylinder Micra might do, an if you want the ultimate best car ever made, and money's no object, then a base model 1.3 Yaris it is.
DSG, DCT, ABC, XYZ, etc.. all these gearboxes are "techinically" better than a manual, but, there is no mastery. Why learn to play the guitar when Carlos Santana or Eddie Van Halen is always going to be better than you. It's the mastery of something. It can't be beaten. I'd buy a manual EV if I could, even though it makes no sense. A manual clutch and gearbox is a beautiful thing. So are superchargers.
Because all the cars they’re in have a massive JDM tax. I appreciate value for money rather than the “cool factor” of “awrrrrh my rb26dett makes 300kW more than yours on 46psi of boost awrrrrrrrrghhhh”
It was a lot easier to be interested in them 15 years ago when an R32 GTR was 25 to 30k, under 20k for a Mk4 Supra 2jz-gte, they were great cars for the money back in the day, now things have moved on and things like N54, N55 BMWs offer cheap power in 2023, those cool old jdm cars are getting old and have old car issues despite how good they were
@@17t135i this 100% You need to be quite well off and be prepared to both pay the premium price of a clean 90's JDM car as well as spend $$$$ on maintenance and restoration.
Isf is so underrated tbh
Yessss good car
Prices say otherwise lmao
@@danethorpe9845 Most cars depreciate to nothing. The ISF does not. You're blatantly wrong.
@sdlausen1 You missed his point. High price shows its highly rated. That's what he was pointing out.
@@greebuh Reply was actually meant for OP. So... wrong tag.
One thing I've learnt is that every car is a compromise in some aspect. You can't have it all in one. The great thing as you've demonstrated is that you don't have to be rich if you're a driving enthusiast. Plenty of old gems to be experienced.
Yeah for sure man
lexus GSF, it does everything
well said
You really are making a brand name out there with your greatly articulated reviews. You have surely mastered your craft!
Thanks!
_You’ve nailed it man, some take a life time and never realize. It’s not about the cost or the looks or big horsepower, it’s about the FUN factor, that’s the true enthusiast_ 💯
Definitely!
To satisfy my manual crave, I paired my ISF with an Honda s2000. The perfect combo.
That is a very good combo. I paired mine with a Euro R
That is a fantastic combo
I do like the instant beard mode it comes with.
Hahah
Great choice. Enjoy the next chapter.
Hanks man
Well well well I see you got yourself the bimmer my guy, also because of you is why I’m looking into getting a manual myself
Yep would totally recommend!
@@KiwiCarLife Definitely will try and get one
Good review! Only gripe is that if I wanted a comparison with BMW, I’d have searched for it. But your second point about “nothing beats…a sedan” sold me. On the hunt now!
Would recommend man!
Thank you bro for letting me have this great ISF.
All good!
ISF was a great car, but I am keen for the upcoming content with the 130i!
Will be good! Got some mods planned
Love your videos, though you definitely can beat an na v8, supercharged they are insane. Keep up the great vids!
Thanks!
An ISF is certainly the best car I’ve owned and I’ve owned a lot.
Me too
Love it!! Looking forward to the cheap car challenge ❤
We've just started filming. It's gonna be good!
Sad to see the isf go. Would be interesting to see if your 130i is going to be modified
That’s the plan!
@@KiwiCarLife hope more than a exhaust and a intake :)
Glad you're enjoying BMW life again haha😅 I can see how much you love an NA engine with a manual transmission, imagine if it was K series powered, actually S65 powered would be epic
Yeah definitely naturally aspirated with manual gearbox is my combo
The main problem with the 130i to me is that it looks kind of like a shoe lol.
Fair... but it drives great
Curious what the longevity of these ISFs are? Was yours high km? Cheers! Nice choice on the 130i manual I test drove one a while back and wished I’d bought it, cracking car to drive!
Only 120,000km on mine. Had no issues. Seen ones get to 400,000km+ so they’re really reliable
Thanks mate! Been looking at import one from Japan to Oz :)
@@KiwiCarLife The Nuremberg ring one. I honestly would not expect anything less from Lexus.
@@steves4164 If you importing one from Japan still be prepared to do prevantative maintenance. Water pump / Radiator / Valley Plate reseal would be a must. Possibly valve cover gaskets too.
@@gavinr9107 thanks mate, what kms do these replacements items generally need to take place?
noooooo, no more isf videos😢
Sadly not
I find my self feeling the same. As good as the car is nothing beats thrashing around a manual car, even if it is a shitbox haha
Yep totally man
Those Euro R accords 🔥
Yea very lovely cars
My dream car man beautiful. I have an is250 and I love it but i would love more power
Get an is350
I always get shellshocked when I unknowingly click on a New Zealand youtube video and think "is that what we sound like??" 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Yes
I think the ISF is a great car but no the current price lol. I was looking into buying one before but was put off by the narrow rear seats. There was just not enough room in the rear seats which defeats the purpose of buying a sedan. I went with the Mercedes e55 instead with far more superior interior and raw power.
Fair enough
@@KiwiCarLife I think we are on the same phase in life lol because I sold my e55 and replaced it with the 130i because of the same reasons you said on your video. And I don't know if you can remember me commenting and reaching out for you to review my manual 130i. 🤣 Now you need to come to Auckland and we take them to Hampton downs for a 130i shakedown 😁
@@Alkhoholic oooh yes now we’re talking
btw 130i is Highly demanded and of the most sought off. Light car straight 6
Mmmmmm yes good strong car
Id love to see you Project your personal fave honda- buy one and slowly do it up over the years and bring us along for the ride haha - I mean serious Honda- not el classico typee R done up etc im talking 400hp Supercharged K24 in a Beagle type serious haha
Oh gee problem is I just don’t have any interest in doing a project that substantial… I’ve got two more smaller projects coming up though
Wait don’t you owned a 130i and lexuse? Baller!!
I sold the ISF for the 130i yeah
I've always wanted a ISF but got a 370Z instead for my weekend warrior I have a few regrets not getting it but I know I'll miss having the manual if I did went for the Lexus
Yeah fair enough
I thought that too - havent ever missed it
I love my ISF , more than my GSF
Good vehicle
Wouldn't change mine. I went full FBO, remap and weight reduction and she still keeps up with the competition. What strut brace is this on yours? Thanks
Very nice! And I’m not sure sorry, was put on in Japan
one day i will buy ISF
they don’t make them anymore
IS500 is the last V8 species
ISF future classic
beautiful engine noise
400+bhp lexus reliability
the best power money can get
Good vehicle
Isf ❤
Good car
I'm biased. Wagon legacy GT life haha. Not as quick but perfect for family holidays. Throw scooters in the back and still not packed! And waiting for its next track day....!
Well you’ll be excited for another car I’ve got coming then!
I can totally relate, It’s funny i’ve had c63 Amg 204 for a while now and it’s doesn’t make me smile like my old fn2 simply because of than manual box.
Yeah it sounds crazy and superbly fast however deep down it feels like something it missing.
Yeah agree man
I have also driven the 130i and it was incredible, did you buy this under 10k or over?
10k right on
@@KiwiCarLife What a bargain mate, hope you enjoy it to the fullest.
Do you still own the Accords?
Nah long gone now
On a side note, anyone know if a K24 swapped manual RX8 has been done?
I've seen an instruction video on UA-cam, as I was planning on doing that at one point.
Plenty of LS swapped ones around, more than Kswapped
Yep there’s one in Auckland somewhere
Indeed a very nice car, the lexus. Sad to see any car go. But, by the sounds of it, you miss a good old VTECing Honda. Perhaps the Hondas are yet to make a return??
Mmmm I dunno I feel like I’ve owned all the ones I want to have
What other high revving cars are there to own? RX-8, E92 M3, Corolla T Sport
@@JuicingDailyTV RS4, and other than that it’s basically just Hondas haha
The best car ever made is the Suzuki Alto, or if you can't find one of those, then a 3 cylinder Micra might do, an if you want the ultimate best car ever made, and money's no object, then a base model 1.3 Yaris it is.
Is it
@@KiwiCarLife Obviously not, but...
Get 10 to 20 manual Altos on a small race track with your friends and see how much fun yall have 😜
Ever drove a Nissan Fuga 450Gt?
I haven’t but I’ve driven an FX450 so know what the vk45de is like
Neh. Would have kept the ISF if im being honest
Fair enough, still got the 130i, no regrets
Do you still hoon around on 50cc Scooters?
Nah not since 3 years ago
@@KiwiCarLife Haha, time to get the Scooter gang back together.
ISF means IS FUN or FANTASTIC 😊
Yesss
Honda time 😮
Maybe
@@KiwiCarLife anything you choose will be cool
DSG, DCT, ABC, XYZ, etc.. all these gearboxes are "techinically" better than a manual, but, there is no mastery. Why learn to play the guitar when Carlos Santana or Eddie Van Halen is always going to be better than you. It's the mastery of something. It can't be beaten. I'd buy a manual EV if I could, even though it makes no sense. A manual clutch and gearbox is a beautiful thing. So are superchargers.
Yeah true
a lexus to A BMW really 😢
Yes
enjoy sitting at the dealership@@KiwiCarLife
@@SNORKYMEDIA haha my Lexus had more issues lol. Everyone hears horror stories but any I6 BMW if properly maintained will be very reliable
no
Hahaha
BMW will be in shop monthly , 😂
Lol that’s such old fashioned thinking when it comes to BMW’s
🫶🏻
Thanks
"PromoSM" 😡
Aye
Genuinely curious as to why your not interested in old japs like JZ’s, RB’s and SR’s. if your looking for a weekend car why not
Because they're all hugely overrated engines.
Because all the cars they’re in have a massive JDM tax. I appreciate value for money rather than the “cool factor” of “awrrrrh my rb26dett makes 300kW more than yours on 46psi of boost awrrrrrrrrghhhh”
It was a lot easier to be interested in them 15 years ago when an R32 GTR was 25 to 30k, under 20k for a Mk4 Supra 2jz-gte, they were great cars for the money back in the day, now things have moved on and things like N54, N55 BMWs offer cheap power in 2023, those cool old jdm cars are getting old and have old car issues despite how good they were
@@17t135i this 100% You need to be quite well off and be prepared to both pay the premium price of a clean 90's JDM car as well as spend $$$$ on maintenance and restoration.