entidine

I've only owned cars with manual transmission. I'm really interested in switching to Lexus (from BMW) but I'm wondering why I can't get a stick in the IS350?

See-Fu

If they made a manual it would be so easy for me to decide between teh g37 and IS350. now i'm stuck comparing the benefits of the IS350 to the g37 having the manual.

kalvano

For about the 598,674 time, it's because the percentage of people that would actually buy a manual is very small, and not worth the production cost.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

There's a number of reasons...

The clutch pedal is an antique is one. Autos are simply better. They shift faster, quite a lot of new vehicles get better mileage with autos too. Even "performance" brands are starting to get on board... Want the fastest porsche in the world? it won't have a 3rd pedal either.

Almost nobody in North America or Japan (the only markets they sell the 350 in) buys them for another.

They'd have to dump a ton of $ into developing a manual strong enough for the 350, and then they'd sell nearly 0 of them. (they offer one for the 250, and 95% of sales are still automatics...and they only offer it for the 250 because they could cheaply adapt a toyota pickup transmission)

Robs IS250

iTrader: (4)

because they know that every car manufacturer will never sell a car ever again

IS-SV

Yes a business decision and the incremental revenue and profit is not enough to justify the manual.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

Not to mention, Toyota doesn't have a 6-speed Manuel tranny that can handle the 350s power at the moment. What happened Toyota? Supra? MR2? At least that cheap RWD coupe is in the works (most likely re-badged Scion or re-named Celica)
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|2008 IS350|Obsidian Black w/ Black Interior|Premium Package|Full GFX Kit|F-Sport Intake|Tint 35% Front 20% Back|OEM iPod Integration Kit|Redouts|Sport Pedals|http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3163612|

ChrISF

i will, one day, pioneer the first manual 350 (stock motor, no swap). One day...one day.

DRivera250

iTrader: (6)

their manual transmission isn't that great. there a huge list of problems with the IS250 that have manual transmission.

entidine

meh, automatics are boring. guess i'l just cross my fingers and hope the next 3 series isn't as ugly as the current one...

sirkfc

Yeah, a lot of people on this board talk as if they would definitely have gotten one if it was available, but two questions. 1) How many of them actually know how to drive one? 2) Would their parents allow them to get one so soon after having gotten their license?

ChrISF

What does age have anything to do with knowing how to drive a manual?

darkdream

many 60+ years old people have trouble driving as it is automatics... driving a manual is just more work... plus old people usually drive luxury cars for convenience... and there isn't a big demand so its not worth it to lexus to make a IS350 mnaual... I am surprised they made the IS250 in manual

carchitect

iTrader: (1)

On a technical standpoint, VDIM couldn't integrate well into a standard gearbox. Autos are a lot easier for the stability control systems to recover.

If you honestly think the IS350 would benefit from the gearbox, drive both 2WD IS250 models. You'll be convinced the auto is the better of the two.

llamaboiz

me2, this is the first automatic 4dr car i've ever bought, if the 350 only came with a manual i wouldn't buy one... if i wanted a really sporty manual car i wouldn't have gone into a lexus dealership in the first place... right?