is the is250 manual tranny that bad?
is the is250 manual tranny that bad?
hey guys im planning on getting a isx50 soon and i just love driving stick but everyone keeps talking about how the tranny sucks *** and grinds 
is it really that bad? if so i would just get the is250 awd or the is350 
is it really that bad? if so i would just get the is250 awd or the is350
the 250 manual (besides getting terrible mileage for a slow car with a stick) is using a re-purposed toyota truck transmission...it's pretty awful.
Unless you're planning to do a lot of off-roading there's not much reason to get the AWD. Buy a 350 and pick up an extra 100+ horsepower instead.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,524
Likes: 1
From: Winnipeg, Canada
Mine seem to be one of the freak 6MT that works fine. No problems what so ever. I love banging through the gears and being able to down shift.
But if I had the choice I'd get the IS350 for the power and breaks. Too bad it cost almost $15,000 more here in Canada.
But if I had the choice I'd get the IS350 for the power and breaks. Too bad it cost almost $15,000 more here in Canada.
I must agree with VenZon...
Mine works perfectly fine....
however the flywheel could of been a bit better feeling then plastic but none-the less... i enjoy my IS2506MT, if i wanted the perfect car i would of bought an M3 but im 23 and cannot afford that level of pimpin yet :P
Mine works perfectly fine....
however the flywheel could of been a bit better feeling then plastic but none-the less... i enjoy my IS2506MT, if i wanted the perfect car i would of bought an M3 but im 23 and cannot afford that level of pimpin yet :P
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if you are used to driving a honda/acura transmission (buttery smooth), then this transmission will disappoint you. If you are used to driving an old beat up truck or car that has a tranny with a bad synchros or about to take a dump, then this tranny will feel alright. My Integra had the best shifting tranny I've ever driven. Better than my mr2 turbo tranny which isn't too bad but much better than the Lexus.
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in my opinion the manual tranny is utter trash. my gears grind unbearably from 1st to 2nd and sometimes from 3rd to 4th. synchros are also terrible.. my quickshifter is coming in the mail soon so i hope that will make it feel a bit better. but if i could go back i'd probably go with the auto or get a different car entirely
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: California
Read the professional reviews on the manual. Car & Driver did one and so did Edmunds...both short take follow ups but they do talk about the tranny. Now admittedly the "jar of marbles" and 1-2 sychro issues aren't mentioned in those reviews but they are generally positive. It is truly a truck box so that in itself should give you an idea what you're in for.