I don't know why you guys are so intent on Lexus offering a manual. I would like a manual if it was a good unit, but the manual on the IS250 is a piece of total crap. Would you expect Lexus to do much better if they offered one in the 350? I would much rather Lexus just offer a more sporty version of the current automatic (true manual mode), or even better ... the IS-F tranny.

 

+1 Lexus makes Luxury sedans. Not BMWs. They are not in the BMW business. Their secret to success is leveraging the Toyota technology across multiple car lines. They are conservative to say the least which is why they are more reliable.

You will never see Lexus being aggressive or out on the edge as the quality would go down.

BMW's are built for drivers and performance parts go into every model. Perfmance cars break more becuase they are driven harder.

Folks need to decide what kind of car they want and go buy it instead of trying to convince Lexus they need to change becuase it will never happen.

The IS-F will be a IS350 with a V8.

 

I don't see how the coupe market is limited. I see G35's everywhere. I also see lots of 645's, CLK's, Accords and Solara's, CL's and even several G6's.
If Lexus built a better looking more affordable coupe, it will sell. I hope Lexus isn't using the SC430 as a guide.

I do agree most Lexus owners want 4 doors....but I see lots of SC300/400's around. All Lexus needs to do is replicate that formula.

Alas, I do not believe Lexus will ever build a genuine manual or another coupe. BMW, Benz and Infiniti are in tune with enthusiasts, Lexus is only playing around with it to see how many will sell. They play it too safe and are too greedy to stray from their successful roots.

 

Acura abandoned the CL because it didn't sell nearly as well as the TL. I doubt the SC300 and SC400 sold very well either. There may be a fair amount on the road, but they were sold for quite a few years.

 

Because driving a manual is so much more enjoyable and involving than driving an automatic. (Except in bumper-to-bumper traffic, where I agree that a manual can be frustrating as hell)

If Honda can design a sweet short-throw six speed for the S2000, why can't Lexus do the same for the IS? Problem with Toyota is that they view a manual gearbox as something chosen by budget conscious buyers, not driving enthusiasts. I'm probably not the only buyer willing to pay a premium for first-rate manual gearbox.

A true manual mode auto (or even a DSG type tranny) would be a big improvement on what we have now, but I'd still enjoy it less than a slick manual.

 

Let me clarify, They mean the luxury coupe segment. There are a lot of coupes, but in terms of luxury and performance, convertibles, manuals, etc.

Lexus would have to compete with...

Cadillac, BMW, Audi, Mercedes, and Infiniti.

When Lexus says the coupe market is limited, they mean it is limited in the specific area Lexus would compete in which is Luxury coupes. It is just not their ballgame and they would lose. The Solara has done poorly, as did the Acura CL.

Keep in mind this is how far off Lexus is. The BMW 3 series sales are more than the IS and MB C class combined. The ISS is selling but only 5% or less of the buyers would want a coupe.

Most IS coupe buyers would be ex IS sedan buyers so no real gain.

 

I disagree. I think most IS coupe buyers would be former G35 and some 3 series buyers.

 

No matter what they do to the automics, (paddle shift, sport mode, 7spd, etc etc) it can never replicate true manual. I wish Toyota would stop being so narrow minded and release a coupe, not all of us have families and will use our cars as a daily driver.

Toyota shouldn't worry about ricers giving them bad names, how many ricers can really afford an IS350 if they make it an 6spd coupe? I come from the mid-90's enthusiast era and I miss those days bcause they aren't makign cars like that anymore. Nsx, supra, RX-7 to name a few. Everything is sedan and autmotics.

I wanted so much to get an IS350 but can't shake the automatic sedan. THe new M3 is everything I want but is a tad bit out of reach.

 

I know if you love to drive you love MT but nowadays more supercar comes in AT so I guess only if Lexus would like to enter the RACE otherwise AT is what the market!

 

i'm an old fashion guy and old habits die hard

 

i vote that they will come out with a moderately priced coupe. i know 2 buyers if they did today.

i think toyota is still making all the right moves in the biz to keep stomping out the competition.

 

I want a sport version of the GS. Would make my day!