IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013) Discussion about the 2006+ model IS models

Manual IS350?

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Old 11-19-07, 11:26 AM
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BlackGhost
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Default Manual IS350?

I wish there was a Manual IS350 outthere. I just dunt get it why they did not make a Manual IS350 for those who loves the Manual transmations.
I know there is a manual for the IS250, but why not IS350??
Old 11-19-07, 12:37 PM
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DrShoe
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Probably because Lexus knows the market for manual Lexus are very small. They decided it does not make sense to spent money on research and development on a manual transmission for the IS350 when they are only going to sell a handful of those.

If you truly wanted a stick, I would have looked at the G35 and 335i more closely.
Old 11-19-07, 12:51 PM
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BlackGhost
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Originally Posted by DrShoe
Probably because Lexus knows the market for manual Lexus are very small. They decided it does not make sense to spent money on research and development on a manual transmission for the IS350 when they are only going to sell a handful of those.

If you truly wanted a stick, I would have looked at the G35 and 335i more closely.
nah, doesnt mean your looking for a stick ,that mean you have to give up the Lexus luxury. plus , if what you are saying is ture,so how come the IS250 has a stick. the only different is the power between the is350 and is250.

So still, not sure why they didnot make a manual for IS350? there must be a valid reason for not making them.
Old 11-19-07, 01:06 PM
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ffpowerLN
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It's just not worth it. Period. Although I wish Lexus would offer a manual IS350 (not that I want one) so all the bashers could just shut the *beep* up about this issue.

It is not as easy as you think that they can just apply IS250's manual tranny onto the IS350. Different engine, different torque and different power output are all factors why the same 6 speed won't comply. This is not a "plug and play" kind of thing.

As for why there are manual IS250 and not IS350 is because Lexus sells way more 250 than 350 (something like 70%-30%). Given that Lexus sells about 4,500 IS monthly on average (this is only in US and IS350 is only offered in NA and Japan, OTOH IS250 is offered in almost every other markets) that means only about 1,350 units are IS350. I don't know what's the ratio between manual and auto IS250 is but I would be surprised if more than 15% of the IS250 sold are manual. Using that number that means if Lexus does offer a manual IS350, the monthly total will be about 200 units. That's 2,400 units annually and less than 15,000 units life time if Lexus stays with the 5-6 years life cycle. To be honest, I just don't think the number is big enough for Lexus to consider it given that they'll have to spend on R&D and modifying the production line.

At the end, Lexus is out to make a profit.

Last edited by ffpowerLN; 11-19-07 at 01:10 PM.
Old 11-19-07, 01:07 PM
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Recluse
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Originally Posted by BlackGhost
nah, doesnt mean your looking for a stick ,that mean you have to give up the Lexus luxury. plus , if what you are saying is ture,so how come the IS250 has a stick. the only different is the power between the is350 and is250.

So still, not sure why they didnot make a manual for IS350? there must be a valid reason for not making them.
The IS250 is a world car, which means Lexus had to engineer them for both manual and automatic, in light of the MUCH higher demand for manual transmission vehicles in markets other than the US.

With that in mind (and this is just speculation), they probably figured it was no big deal to just bring over a thousand or so manual transmission IS250 units every year, since they were already building them anyway......
Old 11-19-07, 01:09 PM
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Recluse
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Originally Posted by ffpower
I don't know what's the ratio between manual and auto IS250 is but I would be surprised if more than 15% of the IS250 sold are manual.
Using the 2006 numbers, and taking into account all IS250 models (including the AWD), it's about 3% of total units sold.
Old 11-19-07, 01:13 PM
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Axvel
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wow how many times was this discussed here?!/!!?!?!?!?!
Old 11-19-07, 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Recluse
Using the 2006 numbers, and taking into account all IS250 models (including the AWD), it's about 3% of total units sold.
Great, that means 41 manual IS350 per month in the US if they offer one. That's 500 units per year and 3,000 units lifetime on a 6-year model cycle, even less than a month total of IS sales.

If I am running Lexus, I wouldn't do it as well.
Old 11-19-07, 01:26 PM
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So funny how ppl want manual trans. i'm going thru midlife so my midlife car HAD to have 4drs/automatic
Old 11-19-07, 01:42 PM
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If they have a 350 6MT, I would buy that in a heartbeat !!! ....
hahaha
Old 11-19-07, 02:21 PM
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The manual tranny they offer in the 250 is a total piece of crap. I'm glad they didn't put it in the 350.
Old 11-19-07, 02:34 PM
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Lextasy89
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it would be a challenge to shift better than the auto 6 speed
Old 11-19-07, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Gernby
The manual tranny they offer in the 250 is a total piece of crap. I'm glad they didn't put it in the 350.
i would agree, i didnt take a liking to the mt with 2is. shifting was notchy and such. i expected a bit more power out of it, but it felt rather gutless, so auto was the way to go for me
Old 11-19-07, 03:07 PM
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ReLexin
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Why not a IS350AWD. i think there is a bigger market for the AWD IS350 that the Manual IS350. Damn why not a MT IS350 AWD!
Old 11-19-07, 03:22 PM
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I hope they do what they did with the IS300, manual transmission years after the original release...


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