Lexus has said "NO" to a manual IS for this generation. Is that the right choice?

https://www.clublexus.com/articles/l...anual-is-200t/

 

many of the "luxury" class makers are going away from manual tranny and are going to e-shifting. the lfa wasn't offered in manual and rumor has it that even audi's r8 will be going that route as well. you'd figure that those vehicles would be offered in stick.

 

I find it hard to imagine that Lexus will make much, if any, extra money by offering a manual.

 

It's the right choice for efficiency, for cost (not having to design new interior pieces to accompany a 3-pedal set-up, for quicker shifts. There's a reason Ferrari, Lamborghini and other exotics and high end marques etc are also dropping the option. Basically its the right choice in every way except for enthusiasts/purists in favor of 'row your own'

 

Yes, of course we do. Mr.toyoda said he would make cars more fun and this is definitely a way to do it! Also didn't the head of lexus F want to make cars more fun too?

 

Nope, not important to me. Efficiency and the speed of e-shifting is more desirable to me.

 

Completely understandable considering the economics of the situation, vastly improved efficiency of automatics, and the fact that fewer and fewer enthusiasts want 3 pedals.

However, I would be willing to special order and wait 4 months for it to arrive, if it were ever sold.

 

Nope, they are plenty of better toys with manuals out there.

 

having never driven a manual toyota/lexus do they make good manual transmissions?
i've heard mixed feelings regarding this

 

I've never driven a manual so I can only dream of what it feels like to shift you're own gear, but I would like there to be an option to have an IS200t with one.

They could leave the automatic as standard equipment but have the manual as a no-cost option, yes they could charge for it but why? They sold the LS for much less than they could of in the beginning to take buyers away from BMW, Merc, what's stopping them now? Making it free to pick your transmission could possibly take away buyers from A3/4, and 2 series who want Luxury, but also want a control over the revs. They would be losing out on money now, but repeat business makes it worth it in the long run.

 

Yes. I would already have a 3IS (250 or 350) if it had a manual. I was really close to getting a 350 last year even, but couldn't give up the manual from my 2IS. If the 200t came with a manual, I'd buy one. As it stands I'm keeping my 250 or looking at a BMW or something else. I won't give up manual, not while cars still exist with them.

If Lexus offered one, I'd buy it.

Jeff

 

I would love a manual but there's a reason why I let go of my MR2 since the three-pedal operation become more of a chore than enjoyable in traffic. So in short, since my IS is my DD, unfortunately I would not purchase a manual IS.

 

Same here. Drove my manual through 3 snowstorms from Edmonton to Toronto. After 6 months of stop and go the 404/401 combo highways, I was subconsciously glad to have the SO chose an auto as a replacement car. Before that, I had never owned an auto, always stick.

 

Prefer a manual, but why no manual on the 350? Is Lexus going to stick to traditional autos or will they move to something faster shifting?

I know enough people who won't buy an automatic. BMW's are extremely hard to get in stick around here, so I can't come up with many cars in the $40k+ range with 3 pedals.

 

from what I can remember reading somewhere, it came down to sales. automatics moved off the lot in a higher rate than sticks. lexus didn't release a stick version of the is300 until 02 or 03. those sold pretty quick when first released (as expected) but after all the "manual fans" got theirs, the rest sat on lots. I had a manual 03 and I miss it from time to time. but every time I sit in traffic, I don't miss it...haha. but to go back to your question, I think it just comes down to a numbers/money thing.