Seriously, is there any way to force it to keep the gear you selected? The manual mode only allows me to change the gear at the moment I select it but it doesn't stay there. It still downshifts and upshifts on its own.

 

I really don't know what you are talking about. Mine stays right where I put it. I use it all the time here in the mountains to slow me down going down hills. No up shifting here. I have an 06, I can't comment on anything before that.

 

I think you're pointing out one specific example where it sort of maybe does what you want.

Example. If I put it in 6th and then floor it, it will downshift even in manual mode. If I come to a stop, it will down shift as I slow down even after I put it in sixth.

If I put it into first manually but then floor it from a step, it will progressively upshift until it reaches 6th at freeway speeds. The manual mode works in that it changes the gear when I tell it to but it won't stay there. It goes back to acting like an automatic.

 

That's sort of how many older tech manumatics were meant to work. Even a 2013 IS250 that I used as a loaner was like that. The actual gear setting you choose acts as the upper limit and the car's computer decides for you if a lower gear is warranted based on load/engine speed etc etc.

 

I've figured out that the more you learn how to use something, the less it generally sucks. The more accustomed I get to the selectable shift mode of my SC, the more I enjoy using it. After all, it is what it is. That is to say, it's not a manual transmission.

 

Exactly.

I am still amazed when people diss on the SC430, or complain about it for what it's not. It's not a sports car. It doesn't have a manual tranny. It was designed as a luxury cruiser, not a tire burner. If those things are really important, by all means a sports car that was meant to be a high performance vehicle should be in your garage!

Personally I was just looking for a nice ride, solid maintenance, nice look and the all important drop top. I got exactly what I was looking for.

I think my ex wife learned well - don't get something and expect it to change <lol>

Right?

 

downshifting is crucial for maintaining engine reliability.
high gear especially 6th OD full throttle up a hill for example could be very damaging to the engine.

 

I manually downshift for compression braking, especially on a long downhill grade. It works like my '12 Tundra where your manual gear selection sets the upper limit and the system handles the lower gear shifts.

 

...as it would in a manual transmission car as well. I'd be fine if it protected itself on the extremes, but it *COMPLETELY* ignores the selected gear after manual selection as though it's in D mode. This results in downshifts at the wrong time when coming out of a corner even with small throttle input changes. My FX45 worked perfectly for this and kept the gear where you selected it. The SC430 doesn't. It's a great car, but the manual mode simply sucks.