Lexus IS250: One Serious Distraction

When things in life get a little rough we all need that one thing that helps us forget about what’s going on even if it’s just for a few hours. For most of us including Mariano Elias Jr, we find refuge spinning wrenches on our cars whether it be our daily-driver or project car to get away from the world. Fresh off a divorce, he decided that it was time for something to give him a little distraction. The distraction ended up being a 2006 Lexus IS250 which he has turned into a real neck-breaker.

This Lexus is actually Mariano’s fourth serious build and he has good taste as one of his projects has actually graced the pages of multiple publications. Since Mariano is a bit older now though, he decided it was time to build something with some class. The IS250 turned out to be perfect for him has he wanted to build a car that was a little VIP but also had a sporty look which in the end this Lexus pulls offs amazingly.

Mariano’s Lexus features two mods that stand out in his mind. One is a decked out stereo system and the other is an authentic Wald spoiler that was molded into the trunk. That work has led to a seriously clean Lexus that is a weekend cruiser and lurks the streets when Mariano is out on the town for the night. So if you need a distraction from the day-to-day, Mariano proves that a build is your best bet.

Mariano would like to thank: “First and foremost I would like to thank GOD and my 3 kids (Kayla, Natalie, and Mariano III). I would also like to thank the guys at Custom Car Alarms in Pleasant Hill CA (Mike, Mark, Phong, Jeremy), Dave from Panel Craft in Berkeley CA for the clean paint and body work, Rob at Strasse Forged for the Custom wheels(one of four sets in the world with that finish), and all the folks on Club Lexus forum.”