awol707

I am sure a post exactly or very similar to this has already been made, so I apologize for my laziness. Anyways, I have already ordered the Lexus IS250 6 Speed Manual Transmission from Japan for a variety of reasons, but I have now stumbled over whether or not I wanna purchase the IS350. If I purchase the IS350 I will not have the 6 speed manual tranny which I prefer... but I would have a lot more power in the end. Is it worth it though? Between my dad and I, all we have driven are manual transmissions and both of us hate automatics, but we both thought the triptonic system is very solid and promising... In other words, should I ditch the extra power? And stick to what I am passionate about (manual transmissions) or say adios to manuals and stay in it for the long run of the triptonic IS350?

omgitsroy

iTrader: (1)

many of the cars i've had are manual.... for the power and the way it shift... it's actually not bad... when you're heel toe'in on a manual through a corner... the automatic kinda does it for you.. it downshift on a turn...

i'm satisfied... there's supposedly a huge amount of difference on power

awol707

Yah no doubt about the power...

The triptonic system (paddle shifters) responsive and mature? Or will it do its own thing even in manual mode?

omgitsroy

iTrader: (1)

i don't think i get your question...

the triptonic isn't all that great.... i like driving stick and it dissapoints me using the paddle shifter... all you need to do is throttle control through curve roads.. using the regular automatic /sport mode.. you'll be amazed what it does... it pretty much drives itself... it does spoil you ...

omgitsroy

iTrader: (1)

if you never had a fast car.. and you want manual... jus get it.. it's just that the is250 was too slow for me.. i really needed the power... i didn't want to downgrade on power that much...

mike714

I'd encourage you to take as many test drives as possible in the auto and think hard about it. I bought a "manual" automatic a few years ago after driving a real manual since I was 16 and I regretted it. There were a few things they could have done differently to make it much more enjoyable. But as it was, I was often frustrated and annoyed at it.

The IS's paddle shifters only tell it the highest gear to use. You can't lock it in 3rd, mash the skinny pedal, and keep it in 3rd. It'll downshift to 2 or even 1 if it wants. Its more like using D4 and D3 on a 5 speed auto would be.

awol707

Makes since that you wouldn't want to downgrade in power haha... it is around a 100hp difference.

And on top of it... if the IS300 is released in 2008 it will really blow for IS250 owners...

And then again not.. because if they do not make manual IS300s.. then well good game Manual IS250 owners.

It is a lot to think about... and I really just wanna make my mind up soon.

Less power but manual?
Or more power but automatic?
Or Less Power with manual, but IS300 released in 2008 possibly with manual?

Hope I can come to a conclusion soon.

Ramon

As mentioned already, go test drive both. This type of dilemma is exactly what test drives are for.

sailing217

IS 300? Yeh right. The 2.5 is newer and I doubt they would shelf it within 2 years of production on the IS. Yes the gap needs to be filled between 200 and 300hp, but they would probably tweak the 2.5 for more HP before dropping in the older 3.0.

Don't let someone mis-guide you on what the future may hold. Consider what's available today. 6-speed or power?
I have the 6-speed and it's alot more peppy than the Auto250, but the shifter feels like a Celica. The 6-speed makes it for a fun sport sedan, not a sports car. The 350, which I drove extensively, has great power, but is not as fun for a sport sedan. I get 36mpg at 70mph on the highway, the 350 was in the low 20's. I'm not going to dump a ton in the car to take it to the track on the weekends since the 6-speed is underpowered, and the 350 is Auto and no matter how good you tune the suspension, it won't come close to being as fun as my friends' boxster, s2000, m3. What are you going to use the car for?

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

FYI the 300 engine is a stroked 2.5 of the new V6 generation which makes 245 hp, the GS300 had the new V6 NOT the inline 6, thats is why the 350 engine just dropped right in. The IS300 can become reality easily, all it is is an internals swap to increase the displacement. The IS300 can be easily made as the engine already existed in the GS300, and Asia already has the IS300 people have taken dealer pics already, site indicates its making 270 hp (SAE rated will be lower vs asia power rating standards) but Lexus needs to change it in teh next year or so since the 328 came out (230 hp)

awol707

Casual Driving, Aggresive driving, and the occasional little street race here and there. No track.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

All the people that I know who have the Manual 250 is thinking of trading their cars for the 350.

Get the 250 if you want control over power.
Get the 350 if you want power over control.

Choose your poison...

awol707

Which would explain to probably go with the IS350, but damn... auto tranny for the lose.

I am a picky person and the only car out there, around the $35,000 range, that appeals to me is the IS250/350. So it really makes it difficult to make a decision.

It would be so nice if the IS300 didn't come around.. and if the U.S. knew if/not we would be getting it.

awol707

See now that is funny.. quite a few people wanted to traded the IS350 for the manual IS250, but that is because they did not like the pannel shifting system.

Hm...

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

6MT shifter isnt that smooth somewhat notchy, gearing is bad which gives it 3-4 mpg less than the auto, my prelude's shifter was much smoother