Manual IS350???
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 67
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From: CA
The torque converter is what detracts from AT's the most. I just don't like that disconnected feeling. I like the idea of a SMG with a computer controlled clutch, but not enough to give up Japanese reliability. If Toyota or Honda ever comes out with one, I'll be all over it.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 759
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From: MA
Originally Posted by gqmracerx7
Yes, I agree with you both larsdenner and al503. I think with practice the IS's tranny will work for me and in most situations. If not, I wouldn't be on this forum or looking to buy a 350 after we close on our house (if it ever gets finished!!!)
Having said that I wasn't really driving the car at 80-90% on my test drive either. If was driving harder through the turn I wouldn't have been able to add so much throttle to cause it to shift down or maybe with more experience in the car, like mentioned, I would have been in a lower gear. BUT it is that feature that I really don't like. In a manual if I would have been in too high a gear it would have bogged down maybe, but the car wouldn't have pitched like it did with the auto. I guess that's part of what the VDIM is there to protect but something just seems wrong with the whole scenario. For me it would be more acceptable if the auto in sport mode just stayed in the gear that is selected unless it goes below a certain rpm in case the person forgets they're in sport mode or something like that.
Having said that I wasn't really driving the car at 80-90% on my test drive either. If was driving harder through the turn I wouldn't have been able to add so much throttle to cause it to shift down or maybe with more experience in the car, like mentioned, I would have been in a lower gear. BUT it is that feature that I really don't like. In a manual if I would have been in too high a gear it would have bogged down maybe, but the car wouldn't have pitched like it did with the auto. I guess that's part of what the VDIM is there to protect but something just seems wrong with the whole scenario. For me it would be more acceptable if the auto in sport mode just stayed in the gear that is selected unless it goes below a certain rpm in case the person forgets they're in sport mode or something like that.
If it's a deal breaker, so be it. I've driven stick my entire life, and it's going to be tough for me to get used to an auto. But other factors played a roll in deciding the transmission, so I'll live with it.
There are certainly worse automatics out there, so if I have to be stuck with one, this isn't a bad choice. If there's no reason for you, as a perveyor of manual trannies, to HAVE to opt for an auto (i.e. you've got bad knees, or a horrid commute in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour) my suggestion would be skip the IS and get something else.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: MA
Originally Posted by mike714
The torque converter is what detracts from AT's the most. I just don't like that disconnected feeling. I like the idea of a SMG with a computer controlled clutch, but not enough to give up Japanese reliability. If Toyota or Honda ever comes out with one, I'll be all over it.
I'm used to manuals, and I was very surprised to find that the autobox in the IS really doesn't feel distant like they usually do.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the transmission actually turns some buyers off because the gear changes are so noticeable (and by noticeable I don't mean in a bad way, I just mean that you don't seem to magically gain speed without your realizing any cogs have been swapped along the way).
I remember on my test drive I was piddling through the parking lot in first gear, got off the throttle, and the thing actually felt like a manual does when you upset the car in first gear by chopping the throttle too quickly (i.e. the torque converter didn't lock up when I got off the gas). I was very impressed. It gives a feeling of control that drivers of a car like this would, I hope, be looking for.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: NC
Originally Posted by mcfly
If there's no reason for you, as a perveyor of manual trannies, to HAVE to opt for an auto (i.e. you've got bad knees, or a horrid commute in bumper to bumper traffic for an hour) my suggestion would be skip the IS and get something else.
Outside of that I agree with a lot of your message. But, again, for me I don't necessarily need 100% control. Actually I don't mind the torque converter either. I didn't notice it on my test drive. The anti-stall, rev limiters, not being able to "lug" (as you put it) the engine, etc. (the extremes) are OK to me, I just don't like the gray area overrides that can happen in normal or spirited driving.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 759
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From: MA
Originally Posted by gqmracerx7
Since you quoted me, that statement seems to be directed towards me... It might not have been crystal clear but in my previous post I already stated I'm OK with the tranny as is, especially with some practice using it. Regardless if I was or wasn't though, I never asked for any help making a decision or advice and your statement rubbed me the wrong way.
Outside of that I agree with a lot of your message. But, again, for me I don't necessarily need 100% control. Actually I don't mind the torque converter either. I didn't notice it on my test drive. The anti-stall, rev limiters, not being able to "lug" (as you put it) the engine, etc. (the extremes) are OK to me, I just don't like the gray area overrides that can happen in normal or spirited driving.
Outside of that I agree with a lot of your message. But, again, for me I don't necessarily need 100% control. Actually I don't mind the torque converter either. I didn't notice it on my test drive. The anti-stall, rev limiters, not being able to "lug" (as you put it) the engine, etc. (the extremes) are OK to me, I just don't like the gray area overrides that can happen in normal or spirited driving.
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 67
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From: CA
Originally Posted by mcfly
Have you actually driven the IS? The first thing I noticed about it was that it really doesn't have that disconnected feeling (and yes, I know exactly what you're talking about... read my post above).
I'm used to manuals, and I was very surprised to find that the autobox in the IS really doesn't feel distant like they usually do.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the transmission actually turns some buyers off because the gear changes are so noticeable (and by noticeable I don't mean in a bad way, I just mean that you don't seem to magically gain speed without your realizing any cogs have been swapped along the way).
I remember on my test drive I was piddling through the parking lot in first gear, got off the throttle, and the thing actually felt like a manual does when you upset the car in first gear by chopping the throttle too quickly (i.e. the torque converter didn't lock up when I got off the gas). I was very impressed. It gives a feeling of control that drivers of a car like this would, I hope, be looking for.
I'm used to manuals, and I was very surprised to find that the autobox in the IS really doesn't feel distant like they usually do.
In fact, I'd be willing to bet that the transmission actually turns some buyers off because the gear changes are so noticeable (and by noticeable I don't mean in a bad way, I just mean that you don't seem to magically gain speed without your realizing any cogs have been swapped along the way).
I remember on my test drive I was piddling through the parking lot in first gear, got off the throttle, and the thing actually felt like a manual does when you upset the car in first gear by chopping the throttle too quickly (i.e. the torque converter didn't lock up when I got off the gas). I was very impressed. It gives a feeling of control that drivers of a car like this would, I hope, be looking for.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I appreciate that paddle shift, DSG, and any F1-style transmission may perform as well or better than a true manual transmission. It's obvious for starters as every open wheel race car in the world has one.
The problem with every sportshift automatic is that, on every production version of them except for Ferrari, they at some point revert back to a boring old automatic transmission. They will automatically disengage the clutch when you slow to a stop, and will automatically down shift when you slow your speed. Not to mention, tinkering with paddles on the steering wheel requires far more attention than rowing the gears on the center console. I've tried cars with paddle shifts, and its too easy to make a mistake hitting the wrong one (upshift or downshift) when you're trying to drive.
As they used to call big rig drivers in the '70's, I'm a gear jammer.
Not to mention, there's something about the sweet, sexy sound of an engine as it revs down and back up as you clutch between shifts that you just don't get with any sportshift or automatic.
That's all part of the thrill you get out of driving a real performance car.
The problem with every sportshift automatic is that, on every production version of them except for Ferrari, they at some point revert back to a boring old automatic transmission. They will automatically disengage the clutch when you slow to a stop, and will automatically down shift when you slow your speed. Not to mention, tinkering with paddles on the steering wheel requires far more attention than rowing the gears on the center console. I've tried cars with paddle shifts, and its too easy to make a mistake hitting the wrong one (upshift or downshift) when you're trying to drive.
As they used to call big rig drivers in the '70's, I'm a gear jammer.
Not to mention, there's something about the sweet, sexy sound of an engine as it revs down and back up as you clutch between shifts that you just don't get with any sportshift or automatic.
That's all part of the thrill you get out of driving a real performance car.
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