Email on new IS Convertible
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Rookie
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: CO
Email on new IS Convertible
I just received an email on the new IS Convertible. It is clearly a lower price point than the SC430 at $38 and it is a 3.5 liter 6 cylinder. It has more HP less Torque. The only think that caught my eye was the paddle shifters.
I love my SC, but feel it is almost criminal it is not offered as a manual. I wish I had the reliability, hardtop, styling, rear wheel drive, V8 and a manual...
Any knowledge on whether the IS C will feel like a manual tranny?
I love my SC, but feel it is almost criminal it is not offered as a manual. I wish I had the reliability, hardtop, styling, rear wheel drive, V8 and a manual...
Any knowledge on whether the IS C will feel like a manual tranny?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,637
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From: DC
Motorweek on PBS did a show this week on the IS convertible. Mostly they liked it, but said that it was noticably slower and handled more sluggishly than the sedan version due to the extra weight. OTOH, at half the cost of an SC, it would be worth a look.
Last edited by JohnnyCake; Apr 30, 2009 at 12:23 PM. Reason: Apparently there is no coupe version
haha there is no "coupe" version of the IS though. it's either the sedan or the convertible 
but anyway, IS-C doesn't come close to the feel of manual tranny at all. the pedal shift is ok, but it's still auto and you can tell, nothing like a real manual.
price is good, but looking inside and out, it's not close to what the sc430 is (even though the sc430 at this age)
but anyway, IS-C doesn't come close to the feel of manual tranny at all. the pedal shift is ok, but it's still auto and you can tell, nothing like a real manual.
price is good, but looking inside and out, it's not close to what the sc430 is (even though the sc430 at this age)
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ISc 250 has a manual. Not the 350 and none will be offered. Not sure how the weight will affect acceleration times but the IS 350 sedan is basically a low 5 second car so the ISc 350 and SC 430 should accelerate similar.
I'm with Henry the SC 430 is on another level as a whole. What the ISc does offer is tons of new tech the SC doesn't have.
I'm with Henry the SC 430 is on another level as a whole. What the ISc does offer is tons of new tech the SC doesn't have.
I think the IS looks kind of awkward. Normally when you see a convertible come out after the car. It is a coupe that is changing to a convertible, since this is a sedan that they are make a convertible model of i just think it looks kind of odd. Like they jsut took the roof off. Not nearly as sexy as the SC. Any one else share the same opinion?
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: GA
It's just like the convertibles I looked at recently. I was leaning towards the A4 cabriolet, but in the end it's not 1/4 the car that the SC430 is.
So, I decided the 2002 SC430 was in a whole different league than the 2005 A4 cabriolet. These two were priced similarly ($15-17$ grand). It really was a no brainer once I drove the SC430.
I'm still baffled why folks would buy a new car... $65k for the SC430 or $40k for the IS is still so overpriced. You can get late model Maserati for that price range.
So, I decided the 2002 SC430 was in a whole different league than the 2005 A4 cabriolet. These two were priced similarly ($15-17$ grand). It really was a no brainer once I drove the SC430.
I'm still baffled why folks would buy a new car... $65k for the SC430 or $40k for the IS is still so overpriced. You can get late model Maserati for that price range.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,281
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From: Canada
Originally Posted by DenverSC
I love my SC, but feel it is almost criminal it is not offered as a manual. I wish I had the reliability, hardtop, styling, rear wheel drive, V8 and a manual...
Any knowledge on whether the IS C will feel like a manual tranny?
Any knowledge on whether the IS C will feel like a manual tranny?
I had manual for my G35 coupe and it's notchy and not as smooth as the above mentioned. Toyota/Lexus 's manual aren't nearly as good either, and I can actually do without them.
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 30,281
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From: Canada
I think the IS looks kind of awkward. Normally when you see a convertible come out after the car. It is a coupe that is changing to a convertible, since this is a sedan that they are make a convertible model of i just think it looks kind of odd. Like they jsut took the roof off. Not nearly as sexy as the SC. Any one else share the same opinion?
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No, for $38k, you only get the IS250c which has MUCH less power AND torque
I usually prefer manual for a sports/sporty car, but only if it's a Porsche, BMW, or a Acura/Honda.
I had manual for my G35 coupe and it's notchy and not as smooth as the above mentioned. Toyota/Lexus 's manual aren't nearly as good either, and I can actually do without them.
I usually prefer manual for a sports/sporty car, but only if it's a Porsche, BMW, or a Acura/Honda.
I had manual for my G35 coupe and it's notchy and not as smooth as the above mentioned. Toyota/Lexus 's manual aren't nearly as good either, and I can actually do without them.
hahaha yeah. to be honest comparing a used sc430 and a new is350c (similarly priced), i'd still pick the sc430 any day
Honestly, I would have gotten the IS350c because of functionality, technology, and gas efficiency. But the SC430 that I got was a bargain find that I couldn't have walked away from.
In a couple of years, I'll see where I'll be at. I can always find a used IS350c within a few years, or get the new 3rd gen ISc when that pops into radar. Until then, I'm gonna enjoy the SC for what it is.
IMO, the IS250c is "sufficient". It addresses the cruiser-mentality of SC430 buyers, while the IS350c market appeals to the sporty population interested in the 3-Series convertible; all the while being less that $40k to start. And it has brand name recognition and appeal that surpasses the VW Eos or Pontiac G6 hardtop convertibles. I think the ISc will have a broad appeal to those looking for a drop-top...
j/k
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,335
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From: California
The registration was kinda different. You had to call instead of go online. It took a few minutes. I am bringing my girlfriend to the driving event but I can tell her to stay home and get more sleep and I can bring you as my guest...
Last edited by Trexus; Apr 30, 2009 at 02:16 PM.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 7
From: VA
It's just like the convertibles I looked at recently. I was leaning towards the A4 cabriolet, but in the end it's not 1/4 the car that the SC430 is.
So, I decided the 2002 SC430 was in a whole different league than the 2005 A4 cabriolet. These two were priced similarly ($15-17$ grand). It really was a no brainer once I drove the SC430.
I'm still baffled why folks would buy a new car... $65k for the SC430 or $40k for the IS is still so overpriced. You can get late model Maserati for that price range.
So, I decided the 2002 SC430 was in a whole different league than the 2005 A4 cabriolet. These two were priced similarly ($15-17$ grand). It really was a no brainer once I drove the SC430.
I'm still baffled why folks would buy a new car... $65k for the SC430 or $40k for the IS is still so overpriced. You can get late model Maserati for that price range.