I"m thinking about trading in my car for this, but I don't wna to kick myself next year if TOyota releases a manual coupe. I don[t' expect any of you to know anything, but have you seen any credible rumors on this? I've seen a photochop of it before and it looks

 

I'm sure they will come out with a coupe especially now that audi si coming out with one. But my bets are it wont be until the next generation IS.

 

I believe the reports for the IS-F stated an 8-Speed automatic tranny for that car, so draw your own conclusions about a manual in the IS350. If they do come out with a coupe though I can see them putting the manual in the IS250 Coupe just as they have that option for the sedan currently.

 

doubt there will be a 250 coupe.

a 6spd manual is350? that'd be like....a supra

 

Toyota has already stated the coupe market is limited. As it is, they cannot sell the SC430.

The majority of Lexus customers want 4 doors and very few of them want a manual tranny. I think they will let the other companies fill the void.

 

^ Like he said, Toyota/Lexus knows even if they come out with a IS coupe now, sedans will sell far better as that's what people who wants a Lexus wants - 4 door and luxurious. Sounds to me you should be looking at the new G35 coupe or the 328i/335i coupe - all with 6 speed manual available.

 

I've considered the G35 coupe, although it looks descent, I"m not a big fan of its interior design and I don't relaly like it exterior-wise either (too "futuristic" for me). There are a tons of G35 around here, I see 1-3 every day almost. As far as Bimmers are concerned, they are extremely pricey to fix after warranty ends and they are a ***** to maintain (I've own a 325 before and its been in a shop more than I can count).

If they ever release a 350/6spd coupe I would go buy it by week's end. No joke. I think the car looks great exterior/interior and has the power (which is why Im not considering the 250). NOt to mention Toyota reliability. It's unfortunate that guys like me are in the minority.

I think if they truly want to compete with the 3-series they should at least offer it in a limited supply.

 

toyota is allergic to manual.

 

Toyota isn't confident with the market for manual transmissions.

Not that Toyota can't do it, but it seems that they don't find the research, development, and marketing of manual transmissions to be profitable. As much as we enthusiasts want a manual tranny, we are a very skewed group that represent less than 5% of the car buying population.

Bottom line: there is no way that Toyota will find manual transmissions profitable. They can do it, but they won't make any money out of it. They'll let other automakers duke it out for bragging rights...

 

toyota/lexus is a more family oriented company nowadays, if you can say that, they've separated themselves from the tuner division which is why scion is out there.

its a real shame. you rarely see rwd and manual cars on the road now.

 

I agree about the manual trannys being rare, but not RWD. I think there are lots more RWD cars than there were 20 years ago.

 

I'm with you, so either wait until eternity for the IS350 6MT or settle for the IS250 6MT like I did. As noted above even the performance version IS-F will come with an 8AT, so chances are slim of an 6MT in 350. Do also note that the 2006 BMW M5 only came with a 7AT and with BMW buyers reacting in 2007 the M5 is now available with the 6MT. I can't see the same thing happening with Lexus, as they simply don't cater to the performance die hards. The IS-F is ALREADY the exception to the rule for Lexus, so can't imagine them push that limit too much.

 

I think the SC430 sells pretty well. Last year it sold 5,847 units. That compares quite well with the Mercedes SL (8,462) and Jaguar XK (4,567), especially considering how old the SC is.

I'm fairly certain an IS coupe is coming. The Lexus boss mentioned an IS coupe in a speech a few years ago. A very reliable dealer on another website said he was shown the convertible (which is based on a coupe) last fall at the annual meeting. When Lexus bought back my ES two years ago the regional manager told me an IS coupe was well into development and would come out when sales of the sedan tailed off (to create new excitement). And last week at the Chicago Auto Show, the manager from the marketing firm that tours the country with Lexus said a coupe will be coming out at some point.

Lexus wants to be a player against BMW, and with the 3-series having a coupe (and the competitive G35 having one also), an IS coupe is a near certainty. It's just a question of when in my opinion.

 

The SC sales are low when you consider it is not based on anything else. The R&D is huge. Only wealthy folks can afford them.

The IS is an entry level Lexus targeted at young people. The bad thing is the car has a propensity to get riced out which hurts Lexus' image. If an IS coupe came out, it would be purely for the kids. I am not sure if their are enough kids who would want one over a bimmer. Plus it would essentially be a two seater. So you might as well get an S2000.

 

i would do anything to be able to drive a 6MT is350. I have an IS350 now, and i love everything about it, except that its automatic.

They're def. gona come out with a coupe, but most likely, not manual.