Reliability of IS350 engine and transmission
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: New York
Reliability of IS350 engine and transmission
Hello all,
I’m coming over from the Nissan world - I previously had a 2014 Nismo 370z. It was a great car and was extremely reliable. It had a bulletproof 3.7L engine and the 6mt was a stout unit as well. I sold it and picked up a 2015 IS350 awd Lcertified with 26k miles because I’m now driving to work as opposed to taking the subway and need something comfortable. The Nismo was NOT a comfortable car.
My biggest concerns with any car are how reliable the engine and transmission are. I know that the 350 engine in the 3rd generation is carried over from the second generation and it’s proven to be fairly reliable. What about the 6 speed transmission? Is that also carried over from the 2nd generation? I doubt it since the 350 was only found in the RWD applications. Are our 6 speed transmissions tried and true and reliable? Coming from manual transmissions I never really had to worry about a torque converter failing or gears slipping, so I don’t know how this particular ranks up. I always believed that traditional automatic transmissions were a bit more delicate than manual transmissions and didn’t have the same longevity, but I would be completely wrong.
Any insight is appreciated as I plan on keeping this car for a long time. Can it see 150k+ miles with meticulous upkeep?
Thanks in advance
I’m coming over from the Nissan world - I previously had a 2014 Nismo 370z. It was a great car and was extremely reliable. It had a bulletproof 3.7L engine and the 6mt was a stout unit as well. I sold it and picked up a 2015 IS350 awd Lcertified with 26k miles because I’m now driving to work as opposed to taking the subway and need something comfortable. The Nismo was NOT a comfortable car.
My biggest concerns with any car are how reliable the engine and transmission are. I know that the 350 engine in the 3rd generation is carried over from the second generation and it’s proven to be fairly reliable. What about the 6 speed transmission? Is that also carried over from the 2nd generation? I doubt it since the 350 was only found in the RWD applications. Are our 6 speed transmissions tried and true and reliable? Coming from manual transmissions I never really had to worry about a torque converter failing or gears slipping, so I don’t know how this particular ranks up. I always believed that traditional automatic transmissions were a bit more delicate than manual transmissions and didn’t have the same longevity, but I would be completely wrong.
Any insight is appreciated as I plan on keeping this car for a long time. Can it see 150k+ miles with meticulous upkeep?
Thanks in advance
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
Hello all,
I’m coming over from the Nissan world - I previously had a 2014 Nismo 370z. It was a great car and was extremely reliable. It had a bulletproof 3.7L engine and the 6mt was a stout unit as well. I sold it and picked up a 2015 IS350 awd Lcertified with 26k miles because I’m now driving to work as opposed to taking the subway and need something comfortable. The Nismo was NOT a comfortable car.
My biggest concerns with any car are how reliable the engine and transmission are. I know that the 350 engine in the 3rd generation is carried over from the second generation and it’s proven to be fairly reliable. What about the 6 speed transmission? Is that also carried over from the 2nd generation? I doubt it since the 350 was only found in the RWD applications. Are our 6 speed transmissions tried and true and reliable? Coming from manual transmissions I never really had to worry about a torque converter failing or gears slipping, so I don’t know how this particular ranks up. I always believed that traditional automatic transmissions were a bit more delicate than manual transmissions and didn’t have the same longevity, but I would be completely wrong.
Any insight is appreciated as I plan on keeping this car for a long time. Can it see 150k+ miles with meticulous upkeep?
Thanks in advance
I’m coming over from the Nissan world - I previously had a 2014 Nismo 370z. It was a great car and was extremely reliable. It had a bulletproof 3.7L engine and the 6mt was a stout unit as well. I sold it and picked up a 2015 IS350 awd Lcertified with 26k miles because I’m now driving to work as opposed to taking the subway and need something comfortable. The Nismo was NOT a comfortable car.
My biggest concerns with any car are how reliable the engine and transmission are. I know that the 350 engine in the 3rd generation is carried over from the second generation and it’s proven to be fairly reliable. What about the 6 speed transmission? Is that also carried over from the 2nd generation? I doubt it since the 350 was only found in the RWD applications. Are our 6 speed transmissions tried and true and reliable? Coming from manual transmissions I never really had to worry about a torque converter failing or gears slipping, so I don’t know how this particular ranks up. I always believed that traditional automatic transmissions were a bit more delicate than manual transmissions and didn’t have the same longevity, but I would be completely wrong.
Any insight is appreciated as I plan on keeping this car for a long time. Can it see 150k+ miles with meticulous upkeep?
Thanks in advance
As stated the power plant is a carry over. It's reliable. I didn't know the AWD didn't get the 8spd. If it's also a carryover from the 2IS, they used the same basic trans in the Tundra truck, the A760. These are A760E rwd, A760H awd.
As you reach 60,000mi, pay up and get the tranny fluid replaced. Its not an easy process and will create a bunch of debate. But we all know fluids don't last forever.
Enjoy...
As you reach 60,000mi, pay up and get the tranny fluid replaced. Its not an easy process and will create a bunch of debate. But we all know fluids don't last forever.
Enjoy...
Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 2,626
Likes: 459
From: GA
As stated the power plant is a carry over. It's reliable. I didn't know the AWD didn't get the 8spd. If it's also a carryover from the 2IS, they used the same basic trans in the Tundra truck, the A760. These are A760E rwd, A760H awd.
As you reach 60,000mi, pay up and get the tranny fluid replaced. Its not an easy process and will create a bunch of debate. But we all know fluids don't last forever.
Enjoy...
As you reach 60,000mi, pay up and get the tranny fluid replaced. Its not an easy process and will create a bunch of debate. But we all know fluids don't last forever.
Enjoy...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 809
Likes: 26
From: Miami, Florida
2nd Gen 2006 IS350 here, original owner. 237,xxx miles on the car. No problems with engine and trans. I do drive the car hard many times a week. May be in the market soon for a new IS350 or RC350.
Driver
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 131
Likes: 11
From: CA
The 2gr engine and (isf) trans are both rank top 10 best engine/trans in some article. You will be happy and satisfied with your car. Thinking about the reliability of your engine trans is the last thing you should be worry about. Change the oil on time, flush the trans with oem fluid on time and change out the air filter. It’s a good car
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Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: New York
All right, I get the idea. Thanks all. I would love to see some higher 3rd gen 350 owners chime in and report where they are with their mileage and what all needed replacement. Because this generation is only 4 years old I’m pretty sure there might not be a lot of 100k+ cars though
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2017
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From: Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
All right, I get the idea. Thanks all. I would love to see some higher 3rd gen 350 owners chime in and report where they are with their mileage and what all needed replacement. Because this generation is only 4 years old I’m pretty sure there might not be a lot of 100k+ cars though
I'm racking up 20k mi a year. Guessing a few others are too so for some it won't take long.
70,000 mi powertrain warranty is just about done. So tranny fluid will be getting dumped ASAP.
70,000 mi powertrain warranty is just about done. So tranny fluid will be getting dumped ASAP.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 489
Likes: 22
From: CA
Driver
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 154
Likes: 5
From: IN
I for one find that to be an unreasonable argument. Everyone has the right to consider reliability when car searching and SHOULD consider reliability in any car purchase. I had a 2014 ATS that drove me nuts with little repairs here and there, squeaks, rattles, rough idle, drivetrain noises, etc. Fortunately it was still under bumper to bumper warranty. I could have afforded the repairs, but why would I want a car that's in the shop all the time and costing me money on repair, when there are more reliable options out there? That was one of the big reasons I upgraded to the IS350. Build quality, reliability, and styling were the biggest factors in picking this car. I expanded my budget to get a better quality car and it was worth it.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 489
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From: CA