Lexus IS F

The Lexus IS F presents an unusual contradiction in the Dream Car Garage catalogue: its 0-100 km/h ranking sits at 442nd of 600 cars, yet its naturally aspirated V8 and rear-wheel drive layout place it in a far more distinctive group. It is faster than 158 cars in the catalogue, but its real separation comes from the combination of hardware behind that result. Of the 600 cars, 56 are naturally aspirated V8 models, and 132 pair a V8 with rear-wheel drive. The IS F belongs to both groups.

This is a car defined less by chasing the highest figures and more by the character of its engineering choices. The 4,969cc, 5.0-litre V8 delivers 416 bhp and 503 Nm, sending power through the rear wheels to achieve 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h. Those numbers place it 402nd for power, within the top 67% of the catalogue, and 373rd for top speed. The figures show a machine with serious performance, but the catalogue position reveals something more interesting: the IS F sits apart because naturally aspirated V8 rear-wheel drive saloons are uncommon among the 600 cars available to collectors.

The price position adds another layer to the story. With a used price of £22,000, it ranks 561st of 600 by price, meaning it sits above 39 cars in cost. Its £53 per bhp figure makes the relationship between performance and entry point especially clear. The IS F offers a route into a rare configuration without occupying the highest price tiers of the catalogue. Lexus contributes 7 cars to the collection, and the IS F brings a specific identity to that group through its super-saloon format, four or five seat practicality and Japanese origin.

A garage containing the Lexus IS F gains something difficult to replace. Without it, the collection misses a rear-wheel drive, naturally aspirated V8 saloon that stands apart from the many ways modern performance can be delivered. With it, the garage gains a car that connects traditional engine layout and everyday sedan usability, creating a more balanced line-up of choices for moments when character matters as much as headline numbers.