GS450h News/Information...
#61
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by SexySC
I thought they intend to be a true 3 series competitor, I guess not. And I can dismiss any possibility of ever trading my G35 coupe for a IS350.
#62
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by biker
Ahh. I think he said IS350 auto only.
#63
Lexus Test Driver
Manual shifts
Stop and go traffic has narrowed the demand in the marketplace for manual shifts. The venerable 3 series is produced in fewer and fewer stickshifts each year. We currently have a 5-speed IS300 and it does not fly out the door either. We have not been briefed on the performance of the IS250 which will be available in a 6-Speed manual. The IS350 will be an automatic with a 6 speed automatic with a sequential shift slot like the LS and GS have. I enjoy a stickshift myself so i always use the +/- slot. It is more intuitive than the E-shift which we employed on the GS400, GS300 and IS300. I had a very good customer who wanted to trade in his BMW X5 manual shift. It had every option including a high performance engine chip. We own a BMW store and they didn't want it so I called the other area stores and they were not interested. It was Black on Black and very clean. This same customer is on the list of interest for the GS430 when it arrives in a couple of weeks. He learned that the market for sticks can be dicey. Manufacturers try to mirror the market in their offerings. Even Ferraris are automatics, Formula race cars are automatics, Drag racers are automatic etc....
Last edited by Rockville; 02-09-05 at 01:22 PM.
#65
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by pbm317
IS350 is auto only??? Boooo Lexus. Looks like I'll have to look elsewhere for the sports sedan I want to buy.
#66
Super Moderator
Originally Posted by Rockville
Stop and go traffic has narrowed the demand in the marketplace for manual shifts. The venerable 3 series is produced in fewer and fewer stickshifts each year. We currently have a 5-speed IS300 and it does not fly out the door either. We have not been briefed on the performance of the IS250 which will be available in a 6-Speed manual. The IS350 will be an automatic with a 6 speed automatic with a sequential shift slot like the LS and GS have. I enjoy a stickshift myself so i always use the +/- slot. It is more intuitive than the E-shift which we employed on the GS400, GS300 and IS300. I had a very good customer who wanted to trade in his BMW X5 manual shift. It had every option including a high performance engine chip. We own a BMW store and they didn't want it so I called the other area stores and they were not interested. It was Black on Black and very clean. This same customer is on the list of interest for the GS430 when it arrives in a couple of weeks. He learned that the market for sticks can be dicey. Manufacturers try to mirror the market in their offerings. Even Ferraris are automatics, Formula race cars are automatics, Drag racers are automatic etc....
#67
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hmmm, I can see this (no manual for the larger engine). Especially since the engine is in the Avalon now and will be in the GS sooner than later. Those cars don't come with manuals. So it would cost tons of money to develop a manual for the engine for only 1 car. UNLESS, that engine is shared in the Supra (If that rumor comes true).
As he stated, manuals are nearly dead. The M5 is SMG only for now. Ferraris are selling their Paddle shifters like nuts. Even the 911 Turbo can have an automatic now.
I did find it sad that Infinitit did not offer a manual M35. Since it shares the same engine as the G35. They must have realized, it was not cost effective.
Which is sad, b/c even though manuals may be 5% of sales, ITS THE POINT that it is available.
As he stated, manuals are nearly dead. The M5 is SMG only for now. Ferraris are selling their Paddle shifters like nuts. Even the 911 Turbo can have an automatic now.
I did find it sad that Infinitit did not offer a manual M35. Since it shares the same engine as the G35. They must have realized, it was not cost effective.
Which is sad, b/c even though manuals may be 5% of sales, ITS THE POINT that it is available.
#68
Please dont take dealership employee talk to much to your heart. We all think the best, but the truth is that not many people in USA know about Toyota/Lexus plans, and if they do, they dont blabber them around. Everything said among Toyota/Lexus personel at this low levels is just talk and wishful thinking.
We all like to talk like we know stuff and some of the wildest roumours out there were started by dealership employees.
At least it would be safe to say that IS350 wont be some low volume model in IS line, thats just nonsense. As to manual trannys, they actually might offer them on IS, since they said key to new IS would be wealth of options. GR series of engines already have manual transmissions mated to them so there arent any problems there.
We all like to talk like we know stuff and some of the wildest roumours out there were started by dealership employees.
At least it would be safe to say that IS350 wont be some low volume model in IS line, thats just nonsense. As to manual trannys, they actually might offer them on IS, since they said key to new IS would be wealth of options. GR series of engines already have manual transmissions mated to them so there arent any problems there.
#69
Lexus Test Driver
Originally Posted by spwolf
At least it would be safe to say that IS350 wont be some low volume model in IS line, thats just nonsense. As to manual trannys, they actually might offer them on IS, since they said key to new IS would be wealth of options. GR series of engines already have manual transmissions mated to them so there arent any problems there.
#70
Lexus Connoisseur
Originally Posted by spwolf
Please dont take dealership employee talk to much to your heart. We all think the best, but the truth is that not many people in USA know about Toyota/Lexus plans, and if they do, they dont blabber them around. Everything said among Toyota/Lexus personel at this low levels is just talk and wishful thinking.
#71
Lexus Test Driver
Rumors and Opinions related to new models
When I see something on CL that I know is false or I can add something of value, I'll try to post. I learn a lot from CL because it is such a free for all of information. Like pirahna computing. As far as the new IS350 is concerned I got this info directly from factory engineers at training sessions and feedback from production commitee meetings that are ongoing. In early March the official announcement will be made in Geneva by Denny Clements about the new IS. It is somewhat of a throwing down of the gauntlet to do this in Europe where Lexus already has the highest CSI of any brand in say Germany.....In 2004 the IS300 had a 1.5% market share. The plan at the end of '06 is to ramp that up to 7%..... The IS250 will be the volume car with entry pricing, and AWD and a RWD 6 speed manual version available. In fact in the Eastern region we expect about 95% of the IS250's will be AWD. I am guessing a HP around 215 to 220. The high performance IS350 will cost a lot more and therefor be a much smaller production. It should be rated between 310 and 320 HP with approx. 280 lb./ft of torque. A racing team is already formed and gearing up for competition. Lexus won the '04 Rolex Sport Car championship in the driver and team categories. I could bore you with feature content of the new IS but that might be overkill. Figure GS in a smaller package. The GS is coming to a dealer near you next week. Do yourself a favor and drive one if you can. You will be stunned......
#72
Guest
Posts: n/a
Originally Posted by Rockville
When I see something on CL that I know is false or I can add something of value, I'll try to post. I learn a lot from CL because it is such a free for all of information. Like pirahna computing. As far as the new IS350 is concerned I got this info directly from factory engineers at training sessions and feedback from production commitee meetings that are ongoing. In early March the official announcement will be made in Geneva by Denny Clements about the new IS. It is somewhat of a throwing down of the gauntlet to do this in Europe where Lexus already has the highest CSI of any brand in say Germany.....In 2004 the IS300 had a 1.5% market share. The plan at the end of '06 is to ramp that up to 7%..... The IS250 will be the volume car with entry pricing, and AWD and a RWD 6 speed manual version available. In fact in the Eastern region we expect about 95% of the IS250's will be AWD. I am guessing a HP around 215 to 220. The high performance IS350 will cost a lot more and therefor be a much smaller production. It should be rated between 310 and 320 HP with approx. 280 lb./ft of torque. A racing team is already formed and gearing up for competition. Lexus won the '04 Rolex Sport Car championship in the driver and team categories. I could bore you with feature content of the new IS but that might be overkill. Figure GS in a smaller package. The GS is coming to a dealer near you next week. Do yourself a favor and drive one if you can. You will be stunned......
Wow, so the IS350 may really be something. I can't wait!
#73
Originally Posted by spwolf
Please dont take dealership employee talk to much to your heart. We all think the best, but the truth is that not many people in USA know about Toyota/Lexus plans, and if they do, they dont blabber them around. Everything said among Toyota/Lexus personel at this low levels is just talk and wishful thinking.
We all like to talk like we know stuff and some of the wildest roumours out there were started by dealership employees.
At least it would be safe to say that IS350 wont be some low volume model in IS line, thats just nonsense. As to manual trannys, they actually might offer them on IS, since they said key to new IS would be wealth of options. GR series of engines already have manual transmissions mated to them so there arent any problems there.
We all like to talk like we know stuff and some of the wildest roumours out there were started by dealership employees.
At least it would be safe to say that IS350 wont be some low volume model in IS line, thats just nonsense. As to manual trannys, they actually might offer them on IS, since they said key to new IS would be wealth of options. GR series of engines already have manual transmissions mated to them so there arent any problems there.
Thanks to them and others who contribute their time to this forum to help and who especially us "newbies" to Lexus.
#74
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
Well, guess what I'm saving for. I really hope the V-8 rumors are true. But even with the V-6, looking at the RX400H reviews, the hyrbid is an instant torque beast. Street start and 0-60 time is almost indentical. And seeing the hybrid is AWD, I think the GS hybrid would be AWD as well.