Wid IS350

Are you a politician?

The 350 doesn't have a manual because of the COST.

The engineering effort involved in developing and testing a tight and reliable 6 speed - that can effectively mate with the power of the engine - is either a)cost prohibitive based on the projected sales; or b) in progress and will be able to handle this power for several vehicle platforms.

Probably less than 10% of all 350's would sell as manuals.

I wish mine had one.

Gojirra99

In many places outside N.America, they have a restrictive license just for driving automatic transmission cars. Only if you pass the driving test in a manual car can you qualify for a blanket driver's license for cars.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

I wasn't saying that the auto tranny itself is safer. I was saying that Lexus is leaning towards comfort and safety in general. An auto tranny is comfortable for most people. VDIM provides safety for most people. Lexus has (and most likely will) focus on comfort and safety details over agility and sportiness.

Unfortunately, we are in an automotive enthusiasts' forum, and we are not like most people. Take a step back and look at what Lexus sees: they see people who value luxury over performance. People that want to value performance over luxury will end up getting a Bimmer or an exotic, or mod the hell out of a Civic. That is not Lexus' target market population.

I reiterate: "Lexus is leaning more towards the "comfort and safety" direction rather than the "sporty and agile" direction, which is not a negative thing.

Pittdawg

I have a manual is250. The only reason I chose it over the automatic is because the 250 is absurdly slow with the automatic. I guess this vehicle is deceptively heavy as others have commented. The manual makes the 2.5 liter engine at least acceptably fast, in fact on open roads it's a pleasure, but in L.A. bumper to bumper traffic it blows goats. In my opinion, an auto requires more torque like that found in the 3.5 liter to provide good acceleration.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Unfortunately, in business, it all comes down to cost.

Is it a bad thing for Lexus to save money by not offering a manual for the 350? If the 350 does not sell, then it's a bad thing. If the 350 sells well (which it is), then Lexus cannot find fault in their decision of not providing a manual tranny.

Is it a bad thing for Lexus to not develop and test a reliable manual tranny for all their cars? Perhaps. Lexus will not have the performance "badge" that they so desperately need. If Lexus develops the LF-A with no manual tranny, then most enthusiasts and magazines will crucify them for it. HOWEVER, IF IT SELLS, then Lexus has nothing to worry about, no matter how many enthusiasts and magazines cry about it...

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

friend that worked at taste of lexus said lexus couldnt get a manual 6 speed out that would handle the 350s trq in time for a release. So it sounds like they are working on one. But who knows if they really are and if so when its coming out

STIG

I am with your on this. I love this car but I really want a manual tranny. That's why it might give me enough reason to switch to new G35c or 335i.

pavster

I ride a motorcycle. It has a sequential manual gearbox plus a clutch. After a while, I stopped using the clutch except during stops. It only interferes and makes shifts slower.

I have a Lexus GS430. It has an automatic transmission that I can put into desired gear (although it will still downshift it it chooses). I don't have to use a clutch during stops.

The only difference in driving feel between the two is that the shifts in the GS are a bit laggy, but nothing I can't get used to -- in fact, I am totally used to it now -- just have to think a little farther ahead.

So in essence, the Lex auto gives me exactly what I want -- a sequential gearbox without a clutch. I don't realy care how it works underneath -- dual clutch or torque converter or single cluch -- that's just an implementation detail.

Seeing the technology trend and sales number, true manuals will soon disappear completely, along with manual chokes and crank starts. We will move on.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

IS500 + DSG transmission please

STIG

I'd still take stick over DSG, even DSG might be quicker. you just cant beat the feel of shifting with your own motor control rather than some computer controlled.

Gojirra99

Yes I still prefer real stick shift over DGS too, but I'd still take IS500 + DGS no problem

oldcajun

BMW is by far the largest seller of manual transmissions in the US in the luxury market. Their total manual transmissions are less than 15% of their sales here. This forum is not typical of most Lexus customers - younger and more sport oriented. There is just not enough market in the US to justify the expense of developing a manual transmission. I believe that the future for sport/luxury transmissions it something like DSG. Better acceleration and better fuel mileage without the maintenance problems with the clutch.
Steve

ff_

And who is to say that luxury automatics are any better (and not worse) than what you'd find in an Accord or Altima? Do you have any proof of that or is it just a self justified statement you made thinking no one was going to try and make your prove it....

When is the last time you heard of an Accord/Altima V6 automatic transmission failing? Or not being smooth? The auto transmission on our ES330 is one of the worst I've driven in recent history (honestly!). Definitely not a glowing badge of honor for the Lexus nameplate.

On the contrary to your statements, having hung out on BMW messages boards for the better part of the past 4 years, I hear of plenty of problems with the BMW auto transmissions. And have driven them on several occasions as well. There is nothing any more special about their auto transmission, or Lexus', or MB's, or [insert any other luxury make here].

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

^^^ mercedes 7 speed auto is having a lot of problems now, lot of CLS and probably other models are affected, some broke down in under 5k miles, replaced, broke again

the 97-01 prelude auto tranny previous gen TL auto trannies were pretty bad

pavster

So when we talk about a "bad" automatic, what exactly do we mean?

I've been driving manuals all my life until recently.

My first automatic was a SAAB 9-3 2.0 turbo. It made me appreciate what automatics have to offer. It always seems to be in the gear I would choose if I was driving myself, except at steady speeds, when it's always in top gear. The only thing I would change about that tranny is easier gear selection -- I can limit its top gear, but it's cumbersome.

My second automatic is in the Lex GS430, and this is a totally different beast. If I didn't shift it myself, it would ALWAYS be in the top gear. It just wants to keep the revs as low as possible, which kills all the fun. But it does have a nice gated shifter, and I've learned to keep the engine exactly where I want it to be.

Finally, my dad has a VW Passat 4motion auto, and I've driven this car quite a bit. It's a nice tranny by itself that seems to know where it needs to be and the kickdown feature (push the gas pedal beyond the first stop) is very cool. The engine is gutless though, so it isn't very much fun.

When I first bought the Lex (SAAB is a wife's car), I really really hated the auto and wanted to go back to stick, but I made myself get used to it and learn to control it. Now I love it. Mind you, I love a manual too, just not in traffic. In the end, the tranny is just a tool. The auto offers a little more convenience at the cost of a little bit of precision. Kind of like a softer suspension that is bearable in the city but isn't as sharp in the twisties.