The Lexus ISF was arguably the conservative Japanese brands first foray into serious performance cars and what an entrance it was.

Taking on some serious competition in the BMW M3 and Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the Lexus ISF may not have provided quite the match for the Germans in terms of driving dynamics but it offered immense value for money, superb build quality and more importantly, a genuine alternative.

But now this Japanese muscle car is reaching a decade old, how has it aged and should you consider buying one? Read on.

What goes wrong with a used Lexus IS F?

• The valley leak plate & headers can crack & leak
• Lower control arm bushes can perish over time
• Leaking water pump for ’08 – ’09 models

Short of the common issues that can occur on any performance car when they have been abused or driven beyond their limit, we could find no other “common” problems or issues inherent with the ISF.

Being a highly-tuned engine, it is crucial to service the ISF regularly with frequent oil and filter changes.

There was a recall in October 2014 to rectify an issue with the gasket between the fuel pressure sensor and fuel delivery pipe that could result in a fuel leak with the possibility of a fire. Check that this recall has been seen to.

Should you buy a used Lexus IS F?

If you require a fast, engaging and genuinely entertaining sedan that is built to the highest quality, sounds like an angry thunderstorm and is free of the frustrating, niggling mechanical and electronics issues that are commonly reported on its German competitors, then yes, you should buy a Lexus ISF.

Just keep some money aside to pay for the petrol and legal representation when fighting to keep your license.