NovaIS350

Toyota definitely does not suck...they just know what the MAJORITY of people want, which is reliability, safety, good gas mileage, and eco friendly.. all of these new performance vehicles will pay homage to the late great sports cars in toyota's stable of yesteryear by handling impressively, producing lots of power from efficient power plants, at the same time retaining all of the major toyota/lexus selling points.


I'm really not a toyota fanboy, I just state the what I think I know.

clubfoot

Don't hold your breath guys, the IS-F will only come with the 8 speed auto box. The coupe,...very possible. Just my 02.

ES3

I realize there is no replacment for a clutch. But most automatics now are faster than the manual version. I believe that's true for the (997)911TTurbo. Heck, AMG doesn't even mess with manuals for the most part.

bobbo1978

Then the discussion whether this will be a M3 killer or competitor should be dropped. The fact that they are saying F (IS-F) is the performance department of Lexus should be interpreted as a serious stab at performance. Not an attempt to build a performance car but hold back, offering auto only, to maximize profit. Then the word "performance" becomes a marketing gimmick to sell cars. It will just further alienate performance oriented driver away from Lexus/Toyota has the stench of boredom to some drivers. Sure, appeal to the masses will always sell you MORE cars. Same concept won the Congress back for the Deomcrats but it doesnt work the same way for performance cars.

javyLSU

iTrader: (21)

I'm really tired of people equating a manual transmission with "performance." If you want to match the words "manual transmission" with "enthusiast," fine - no argument here. But the simple fact of the matter is that current automatic transmissions (except for a drag-strip sprint) are superior in racing situations to manual transmissions. I've attached a link to a comprehensive review of every transmission offered for the E46 M3 here. Note the conclusions of their test:
Now, if you just want to row through the gears yourself and "feel" like you're driving a race car, you're absolutely right - nothing can match the feel of a manual transmission. But if you want to talk about performance, (aside from the drag-strip scenario), the "manual vs. automatic" argument shouldn't come into the performance conversation.

Javier

bturnbaugh

I feel when the new ISF does come out in all it's glory there will be the ones who can not afford to buy it, but want what it stands for. So, buy the exzaust tips, different front end, gold rims, etc. and put it on your IS350. Ta Da it's a ISF! Soon us IS350 drivers will be driving around saying, "is that a real ISF" ??

NovaIS350

Gallardo, Murcielago..to name a few. No one talks ishhh about these cars and their faster than manual automatics. I'm pretty sure that manuals will become more rare as time progresses. We'll begin to see more clutchless manuals and manumatics in passenger vehicles as well as sports cars.