WhatName

Hello everyone, new user...

I test drove a 2008 IS250 last night, manual, which I loved. Not quite as quick as my current vehicle, Mustang GT, but obviously more luxurious... It was the color red/burgundy (forgot the correct name for said color).

Today online, I saw another 2008, in black, beautiful with the tints... I want the black one, lower miles, but it's an auto ... I am wondering how those paddle shifter are. How sluggish is the auto vs the stick shift?

Of course most people have an automatic, since it's somewhat of a luxury car, so just trying to convince myself that I can live with an automatic, lol..

thanks

nairb

iTrader: (1)

matador red.

I've never driven a manual but the shifters respond pretty well as far as I can tell. Not sure about how it compares to the boost/kickback you get from clutch shifting.

Cali2is

If your even thinking about a stick... Then you'll be disappointed with the paddles. They are really gear limiters, not shifters.

Eurosport

if you're looking at the 250 RWD, then stick for sure, much more fun to drive

kbkura

The manual is definitely more engaging... however I must warn you that the manual transmission on the IS is not one of the better ones. Nonetheless, it'll be more fun than an automatic...

chikoo

I have driven stick shifts for a long time and i find the automatic on this car to be very fast and responsive and i do not miss the stick at all. Test drive it and find out if it will work dor u or not.

prankster

iTrader: (3)

Agreed. It will bite you later on. Yes it is slower than IS350 but I don't speed a lot and its power is more than enough for city driving. I love it so far.

However, I am not sure if the newer generation of IS has solved the chattering clutch or not. You should look into it.

516IS

iTrader: (12)

Stick is definitely more fun to drive, I settle with Auto since Nav and Rear View camera are hard to find on stick...

brociouz

iTrader: (65)

If it's between two 250s, get the stick. The difference in performance should be minimal, but the difference in how fun it is to drive is dramatic.

fasteddy91

iTrader: (5)

^ agreed.

If you are a stick shift fan, you will be sorry for choosing the auto down the road. If you really enjoy driving an automatic tranny, then get the auto as they both perform the same. Fun factor wise, the stick shift hands down.

ScKcBc

iTrader: (2)

get a 350, trust me

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

The manual in the 2IS is kinda crap though... it's the only transmission of any in the 2IS I've seen multiple threads on people having problems with, having transmissions replaced, etc... Lobuxracer posted a fairly detailed technical explanation of some of its design shortcomings.

Plus, worse mileage with the stick too.

That said, the paddles on the auto are not shifters, they are top gear limiters. They're great for saving your brakes when driving through the mountains but they are not shifters.

If you're coming out of a mustang GT I'd highly suggest you test drive an IS350. The price difference is small (and even smaller if buying used) but the power difference is quite significant.

Kurtz

iTrader: (1)

That's the price difference when new...kinda surprised it's still that big a difference used... but consider that's about 10% of the "new" price for a 50% increase in horsepower.

If the 250 feels like "enough" power for you then go ahead and save the $... but bear in mind that there's no way to get that power back for even twice the price difference later on.

Phresh2010

iTrader: (3)

You
might be disappointed with the lack of power and I've heard the Manuel transmission on the 250 sucks without a better clutch and short shifter, I'd look into a Manuel 335i if power and stick is a must, gl

chikoo

popcorn time