2010 Lexus IS 250 — should you buy one?

Why people love the 2010 Lexus IS 250

The 2010 IS 250 came with a 2.5-liter V6 paired to a five-speed automatic that feels quick off the line without demanding premium fuel. Owners praise the tight steering response and that the interior materials—leather, wood trim, climate zones—held up better than competitors from that year. The car feels smaller and more nimble than a 3-Series from the same era, which matters if you're parking in tight city spots.

Common complaints and known issues

The transmission can develop a lag or shudder during low-speed acceleration between 60k and 120k miles; dealers have issued TSBs but replacements run $3,500+. Dashboard cracking is common by 100k miles, especially on sun-exposed driver-side areas. Valve cover gasket leaks typically appear around 90k–110k miles and drip onto the spark plugs, causing misfires if ignored. Some owners reported infotainment screen glitches and HVAC blend-door failures around 80k miles.

Typical asking price

Under 80k miles: $12,500–$15,500. 80k–140k miles: $9,500–$12,500. Over 140k miles: $6,500–$9,000. Asking price depends heavily on service history (transmission work is a red flag), paint condition (sun damage), and region—California and Florida inventory typically sits lower due to age-related depreciation. Clean CarFax with all timing-chain work documented adds $1,500–$2,000 to the asking price.

Ranges are typical 2026 asking prices, not appraisals. The actual fair offer depends on this specific car's title history, accident record, and open recalls — which is what EstimateProof tells you.