In Part 1, we introduced our 2007 Lexus IS250 rescue project — a totaled car with just 88,000 miles and a surprisingly solid foundation. After a full damage assessment, we knew it deserved a second chance.
Now it’s time to get hands-on. In Part 2, we dive into the teardown: removing the damaged front-end components and inspecting what’s salvageable. The good news? The right frame rail is perfectly straight — no frame pulling needed. Just a clean path forward.
We removed the hood, front bumper, grille, headlight, and radiator support. Beneath it all, things looked better than expected: no suspension damage, no subframe twist. That’s when we made the call — this IS250 is officially getting rebuilt.
The majority of the impact hit the upper right side, avoiding all safety sensors — so all airbags remained intact. However, the engine tilted slightly, causing the right-side engine mount bracket to snap off. Below are before-and-after images showing the broken and repaired engine mount bracket.
Broken Engine Mount Bracket
Repaired Engine Mount Bracket
We’ve begun sourcing replacement parts from our own Lexus IS250 parts inventory, including:
- Front Water Outlet w/ Thermostat – Part #16304-31033
- Ignition ECU – Part #89871-30030
- Engine Mount Bracket – Part #12311-31040
See the visual before-and-afters for each part below:
Broken Thermostat
Replaced Thermostat
Faulty Ignition ECU
Replaced Ignition ECU
After completing these fixes and part swaps, we hit the start button — and the engine roared to life without hesitation. It idled smooth, ran quiet, and responded like a car that had never seen a salvage title. No check engine lights. No hesitation. This IS250 is officially a runner and driver.
Next up: apron tub replacement. There's a crumple in the lower apron near the passenger-side wheel well. Fortunately, the frame around it is untouched, and the repair is straightforward — just drill and replace. Even better, we already had a color-matched replacement tub in stock, saving major time.
As we continue, we're also exploring some tasteful upgrades: maybe a sport grille, LED lighting, or lightweight wheels. Nothing over-the-top — just a subtle refresh to bring modern flair while staying true to OEM Lexus style.
This stage of any rebuild always reveals the car's true condition. And so far? This IS250 has shown us it lived a very easy life. Everything underneath is remarkably clean.
Got ideas or want to vote on the next mod? Let us know over at @coollexauto on Instagram. Your input could shape the next phase of this build.
Missed the beginning? 👈 Check out Part 1 here to see how this project started!
Part 3 is coming soon — we’ll be diving into more repairs, panel fitment, and putting this IS250 one step closer to the road.
👉 Part 3 Coming Soon
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