Shoafb

Well I finally got fed up with the 06 MT and traded in for a 07 AT.. I must say the car feels much nicer with the auto trans. The manual was just odd feeling from the get go to me, never could really get used to it.

Count me as happy once again.

cspec

I'm surprised you didn't test drive the cars initially when you bought the MT.

RED_IS250

I'm too surprised. Though I like the comfort the AT, it's kinda sucks how it's not really the "sporty" in Sport mode but more like "manually gated AT". I'd like more manual control over it if I was to switch to Sport mode.

Shoafb

I drove both initially but I was coming from a 300+ hp/tq mustang mach1 at the time and really wanted to stick with a manual trans. After time though it really started to bother me. It's a bit notchy, makes odd noises during clutch take up.... just felt like it was thrown into the car with no real regard at all. The auto is smooth as heck, and feels more responsive to me Opposite of what I thought it would be


Also I was trying to cheap out and save some money.... Look where that got me!

Shoafb

Trust me, the MT is no sportier feeling.

ben_r_

Yep, every toyota MT car I have ever drivenflet bad to me. Toyota just has no idea how do make a MT or clutch or something. So how much did you lose in the trade?

Shoafb

They gave me 24k for the trade. MT, no options except for the 18" sport tire package the all have. ( car needed tires as well had 20k on it.)

The 07 was 31500 and has HID, rear spoiler, and preffered accessory package.

Recluse

It's like you read my mind! On my test drive, I thought the 6MT was a little finicky, but I figured I could get used to it. Then, on my first long drive, I noticed that the car made a noise like a jar of marbles when I was accelerating, and it began REALLY bothering me.

Lexus replaced the whole clutch under warranty at about 1400, and things were good for about 500 miles, but the noise is now back (I am at 2300 miles), and while not as bad, it's still annoying.

It's just amazing.......I think that just about everything in the car feels like it was engineered with precision and care and passion, except for the transmission/clutch, which are an insult for this price and class of vehicle.

That said, I'm thinking about jumping ship too, but I have NO idea what I'd want instead.......

cspec

I don't think they spent much time R&Ding the manual tranny for the car.

Shoafb

Yep, same sound I had, also starting out in first you had to release just right not for it not to make a racket.

I felt exactly the same way as you, the AT just didn't feel right in the car at all.... totally killed my "lexus experience" hahahaa... Go take an AT out on an extended drive. You won't look back.

t0e

iTrader: (1)

AT on isx50 FTW

Shoafb

Yea, I know it's slow.... but with the MT it was still slow.....

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

def. takes time to get used to the clutch.....

I am happy with my 6MT.......hehe

cspec

Sometimes I wish they had a nice manual gearbox for the IS350. Then I'd be happy.

kickin8

iTrader: (1)

I would have bought the 350 it in a heartbeat if they have 6MT....