That is the final model. We just await final specs and pricing.

Ryan(Flipside) called and told me this at the show bumping elbows with the Lexus executives.

This is the real thing

 

As for the manual stuff...i love a manual too.
Guess what, people do buy them.
Guess what, 70% of IS-F should be made in an SMG then.
Guess what, People who buy Vettes are a totally different group.
Guess what, the Gallardo comes in REAL SMG,not AUTO.
Guess what, the 997 911 Turbo maybe faster in auto, but thats irrelavent.

Ferrari has E-gear now, which is once again true paddle shifters, not cheap IS paddle shifters. The Aston Martin reviews,they all prefer SMG (Real Paddle shifters).

I'd love a manual, and if not, atleast a real SMG. One that doesn't have an auto shifter in the console and one that has no lag. ( Just as the Gallardo, the Ferrari's, the Aston Martins, and all other exotics.)

So yes, a manual would be great, but if not, the IS-F should atleast come out with a real SMG.

Have a nice day.

 

I am not denying the fact, a manual would have been fantastic. But when we found out the IS 350 didn't have one, no way the IS-F was gonna have one.

This is Lexus. We can only hope (and honestly, I've never drove a Lexus manual I truly liked). Honda, OMG, they can make some FANTASTIC shifters.

 

I have heard less than stellar things about the M5s SMG, so I'll take the IS-F tranny

 

When cars have a lot of torque and horsepower, the need for manual or SMG diminishes. The 0-60 times are neglible. MB realized this and decided to stay auto all the way.

BMW offers manuals because that grabs approx. 100-200k buyers each year who are die hard manual fans especially in europe. Without the manual I think many would look at other brands.

 

Granted the car will be fast. But jeez...they should've left the "shogun street demon" body kit at home. Anyways...very disappointed.

 

man how come I don't get welcome like that, I am new too!

I disagreed. Lexus is always Benz style all the way, soft, quiet, auto, full luxury and comfort. BMW is on the loud side, stick shift, firm ride, very sporty.

I say Infiniti is more like BMW because Infiniti have loud exhaust and offer manual tranny (well mainly the G35).

 

I happen to think Lexus targets both Benz and BMW, but not equally. Traditionally, Lexus focused on Benz, but with the 2 GS / 1 IS and now the 3 GS / 2 IS, the focus is more than ever on BMW. Infiniti has said "they will focus on BMW and never take look away" or something like that. However they are a secondary player in the market, which perhaps gives them impetus and or freedom to try to outdo BMW even more without fears of alienating any loyal base. In the end however Lexus seems to be charting its own identity, which is in some ways more conservative than the Germans (safety controls, styling cues, performance capabilities in some areas), and at other times more innovative (touchscreens, technology features).

 

well im happy with it, but i would probably by the m3 instead. just because I already have the 350 and the front bumper and brake exhaust things is a little to much for me.

 

NAYish. I have to see it up close first, but the pictures make it look like an over done 350. If you spring for 19'' wheels you better put some meat on them. The flares/wheel wells look uninhabited. Yes the engine and tranny are great, but the body work hasn't warmed me up yet.

 

i would have to see it in person.. but the seats are AWSOME! i wounder if they would fit in the current IS

 

I think (atleast for myself) im used to the manual in the traditional sense, i really enjoy the paddle shifters, it does make it easier in a wierd way. I think people who do buy the M3's gallardos, etc recognize the origin being from F1 and Indy car, i guess its a more refined version of a traditional set up.

 

Looking at the picks, I do not see how the tires could be any larger. Width wise the car won't allow it. Anything larger would stick out beyond the wheel well.

 

I love it.

The only thing I don't like is the exhaust. It looks way too big. Other car manufacturers like BMW and Mercedes do the dual-DTM exhaust mucher simpler and nicer, I think. Other than that, the car is amazing. And it has SPORT SEATS.

I wasn't even considering trading in my IS for this. But now that I see it has 400+hp, sport seats, tight suspension, etc...

...I think maybe I reconsider.

 

I like manual but when a transmission exists that shifts far faster, with less errors and much more consistent than a human, sorry im going with that