Toyota_F1

iTrader: (1)

After a long hiatus without an IS I'm considering getting back into the fold. There is a co-worker here with a manual tranny IS250 that I can get into for a song... base package but with ML/Nav so my most important requirements are met...

Thing is I took it out today and the clutch was attrocious... now I haven't driven any other manual 250s so I can't say if it's indicative of the entire line but there was little to no action... it engaged/disengaged within an EXTREMELY narrow band at the very top of the pedal... made it nearly impossible to operate smoothly.

I can't imagine this is the case with everyones... I actually got back into my temporary leased Scion tC and the action on that was so much better I nearly wept.

If it's just set to this car then I'll have our office vehicle services verify that it's crap and take it in to be repaired/replaced. If you'd watched me drive it you'd think I was just learning to drive a stick as opposed to the decade plus of manual transmission cars I've owned. Harrumph.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

I dont have any problem shifting...nice and smooth....

Does the owner of the car (your co-worker) having problem shifting?

Toyota_F1

iTrader: (1)

He has complained about it but not really done anything about it. I guess I'll try to hunt down another manual IS in the area and try to get a drive in...

SlangBlade

For what it's worth, I test drove a 250 manual and I absolutely hated it. I've driven nothing but stick for the better part of the last decade and driving it made me sure that I would not regret getting the 350 even though it only comes in automatic.

rroy

iTrader: (1)

your correct in your description; however, once you get use to it your view will change--at least thats my thought. When i test drove my car i was having difficulties shifting smoothly but now its easy and enjoyable.

9520G

Yeah the clutch sucks at first but you do get used to it.

isam250

iTrader: (7)

yeah its hard to drive the IS manual, but you just get use to it. i love my is2506spd! lol

BucBaby

I had a small test drive, and it was very different from our Acura Integra. I, too, looked like a new driver. When my DH got in, he had the hang of it in no time. We ordered one and I can't wait to try again.

burnabykid

Disappointed to say the least, definitely not the best manual transmission out there. Lexus/Toyota, to me, has shown that they havent put many resources towards researching/developing manual trannys. As posted already, you get used to the shifting and i can drive it smooth. But watching someone driving it for the first time, for example the service guys driving it for maintenance, they either jerk or ride the heck outta my clutch everytime.

knox_sport

There is indeed a narrow band at the top. Also, I thought the shift from first to second was awkward. It does take some getting used too -- although the two times I drove a manual IS250 I never stalled or jerked it! You'll either have to conform to it, or simply stay away. It's too bad Toyota didn't do a better job with this tranny.

Recluse

It's definitely one of the trickier clutches out there, but but it is something you get used to. It's also definitely better since I nagged Lexus into doing a clutch replacement.

As a sidenote, I was reading an Edmunds blog entry on the Solstice, and there was a comment:

"Much as you'd expect in a car with a transmission sourced from a pickup truck, the clutch engages like a light switch -- minimal progression... it grabs and you better get your foot out."

If that IS a property of a pickup tuck transmission, that could explain why our clutches feel the way they do, considering the Tacoma sourcing.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

It would be interesting to see if the Tacoma flywheel and cover assembly is the same part number as the IS250MT. I have my doubts, but if it is, that might go a long way to explaining why it has a less than luxury feel.

Recluse

I would like to know as well.

When they replaced my clutch (for the "jar of marbles" sound), I read the notes from the tech on my receipt, and from what I could tell, everything was in spec on the old parts, except for the flywheel (it was noted that the springs "felt very loose").

Toyota_F1

iTrader: (1)

I don't believe it is identical, although I believe it is from the same family as the Tacoma manual. I used to have the tech docs somewhere for it. I'll take a look and see.

is4fsr

Yes the clutch feel sucks but it is designed that way for fast shifting. I'm no longer young nor carzy to race or do stupid things that's why I settled for an AT. I want to drive it smooth and easy.