DenverSC

I just received an email on the new IS Convertible. It is clearly a lower price point than the SC430 at $38 and it is a 3.5 liter 6 cylinder. It has more HP less Torque. The only think that caught my eye was the paddle shifters.

I love my SC, but feel it is almost criminal it is not offered as a manual. I wish I had the reliability, hardtop, styling, rear wheel drive, V8 and a manual...

Any knowledge on whether the IS C will feel like a manual tranny?

JohnnyCake

Motorweek on PBS did a show this week on the IS convertible. Mostly they liked it, but said that it was noticably slower and handled more sluggishly than the sedan version due to the extra weight. OTOH, at half the cost of an SC, it would be worth a look.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

haha there is no "coupe" version of the IS though. it's either the sedan or the convertible

but anyway, IS-C doesn't come close to the feel of manual tranny at all. the pedal shift is ok, but it's still auto and you can tell, nothing like a real manual.

price is good, but looking inside and out, it's not close to what the sc430 is (even though the sc430 at this age)

LexFather

ISc 250 has a manual. Not the 350 and none will be offered. Not sure how the weight will affect acceleration times but the IS 350 sedan is basically a low 5 second car so the ISc 350 and SC 430 should accelerate similar.

I'm with Henry the SC 430 is on another level as a whole. What the ISc does offer is tons of new tech the SC doesn't have.

Jace_91

iTrader: (1)

I think the IS looks kind of awkward. Normally when you see a convertible come out after the car. It is a coupe that is changing to a convertible, since this is a sedan that they are make a convertible model of i just think it looks kind of odd. Like they jsut took the roof off. Not nearly as sexy as the SC. Any one else share the same opinion?

mhoepfin

It's just like the convertibles I looked at recently. I was leaning towards the A4 cabriolet, but in the end it's not 1/4 the car that the SC430 is.

So, I decided the 2002 SC430 was in a whole different league than the 2005 A4 cabriolet. These two were priced similarly ($15-17$ grand). It really was a no brainer once I drove the SC430.

I'm still baffled why folks would buy a new car... $65k for the SC430 or $40k for the IS is still so overpriced. You can get late model Maserati for that price range.

Gojirra99

No, for $38k, you only get the IS250c which has MUCH less power AND torque

I usually prefer manual for a sports/sporty car, but only if it's a Porsche, BMW, or a Acura/Honda.
I had manual for my G35 coupe and it's notchy and not as smooth as the above mentioned. Toyota/Lexus 's manual aren't nearly as good either, and I can actually do without them.

Gojirra99

Wonder why PhilipMSPT is driving a SC430 now, rather than the IS350C that he's been waiting for ?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

totally agree. if it's a sport car, manual is cool. otherwise i probably would just stick with auto. after driving my is300 5mt and talking to my friend with is250 manual, i am not sure if i'd be too excited about toyota manual

hahaha yeah. to be honest comparing a used sc430 and a new is350c (similarly priced), i'd still pick the sc430 any day

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Honestly, I would have gotten the IS350c because of functionality, technology, and gas efficiency. But the SC430 that I got was a bargain find that I couldn't have walked away from.

In a couple of years, I'll see where I'll be at. I can always find a used IS350c within a few years, or get the new 3rd gen ISc when that pops into radar. Until then, I'm gonna enjoy the SC for what it is.

IMO, the IS250c is "sufficient". It addresses the cruiser-mentality of SC430 buyers, while the IS350c market appeals to the sporty population interested in the 3-Series convertible; all the while being less that $40k to start. And it has brand name recognition and appeal that surpasses the VW Eos or Pontiac G6 hardtop convertibles. I think the ISc will have a broad appeal to those looking for a drop-top...

Trexus

Just received another e-mail for a test drive of the IS C and HS in Newport Beach, CA. I just signed up for the Saturday, May 16th event.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

lol how dare them not inviting me j/k

the HS is interesting

Trexus

The registration was kinda different. You had to call instead of go online. It took a few minutes. I am bringing my girlfriend to the driving event but I can tell her to stay home and get more sleep and I can bring you as my guest...

Gojirra99

maybe they already knew what you just got recently

tromly

I agree about being baffled about purchasing a new car, you can get a low mileage certified SC for 30k, why would a person want a new IS for 40k ?? The IS interior looked very sterile in the Email, where's the wood, where's the ambience ??