I'm looking at getting an is250 manual, but have read a few articles in car magazines critical of the manual shift (mainly concerning long-travel clutch, and a notchy shift). I'm not sure if it is a real problem or that the writers are looking for something to gripe about.

Any comments about the quality of the manual? Are people who got it happy with it?

The car I drive now has a very long travel clutch with no feel whatsoever, so even if the is250 manual was a bit sub-standard it would probably still be an improvement. I'll need to take a test drive of course, but it would be nice to get others reactions also.

 

Yeah seems like some people are complaining about the clutch travel. I personally really like the way it feels.. very easy. Took a bit of getting used to but now that i'm used to it I really like it actually. Going back to my old car (00 Subaru 2.5RS, now the wifes) the clutch feels SO much harder, same deal with my brothers 02 WRX and my parents 04 Tacoma, just not as smooth and easy.

 

Well, I may be biased...

I'm coming from a 2000 BMW 323i and that clutch sucks! BMW had a CDV (clutch delay valve) installed inline the clutch hydraulic system and the clutch hangs even after you release the pedal... not nice. After driving manual transmissions for the past 20 years and owning the BMW for 5.5 years, I never got used to the clutch (feel and performance).

Now back to the IS... The shifts are super crisp and sharp. very tight. The clutch feel is super smooth but with little or not feedback to the driver, there's a chance you will need to get a muscular memory of the position of the release point. To avoid bobbing your head while shifting from start or to secong gear, the trick is to keep pressing the accelerator as you release the pedal. It took me 4 days to get used to this clutch and I love it now. really effortless.

My wife's car (Mazda 3) has the perfect clutch in my opinion...

I hope this helps!

regards,

Joel Pirela

 

I now own an IS M/T for about 3 months and I really have to say that the transmission sucked big time for the first 2000 km's. It was very difficult to shift from the 1st to the 2nd gear. Also, you have to get used to the clutch travel as well but once the first km's are gone, you'll just love it !!

 

Thanks! It is very helpful to have comments from people who have driven the car for a while, not just had a test drive.

 

I've had her for 4000 miles now

The clutch engages very close to the top. Simply put, it take getting used to. Car is slow : / 0-60 in 7.9 is too slow for me. But after you get used to driving her you learn. I can chirp into 2nd and 3rd (w/ traction control off) Test drive it for yourself. Plus the "sloppy clutch" makes for smoother shifts :]