[KingOfJericho]

This is one of my favorite cars on the road in terms of looks. It has an awesome presence. That being said, unless it's an SUV, I just can't justify driving an automatic. I tried it with my VW CC R-Line and regretted it almost immediately and had to ride it out for three years.

[fbsm]

Originally Posted by KingOfJericho

This is one of my favorite cars on the road in terms of looks. It has an awesome presence. That being said, unless it's an SUV, I just can't justify driving an automatic. I tried it with my VW CC R-Line and regretted it almost immediately and had to ride it out for three years.

I really dislike automatics....especially for a fun car

A recent injury made it difficult temporarily to drive a MT and I reluctantly admit it was convenient to have at least one car with a slush box

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by fbsm

I really dislike automatics....especially for a fun car

A recent injury made it difficult temporarily to drive a MT and I reluctantly admit it was convenient to have at least one car with a slush box

The automatics these days aren't exactly slush boxes, the ZF is one of the bets transmissions out there and the auto boxes are actually faster than the manuals. In sport mode the shifts are lightening quick like a DCT in the M cars.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The automatics these days aren't exactly slush boxes, the ZF is one of the bets transmissions out there and the auto boxes are actually faster than the manuals. In sport mode the shifts are lightening quick like a DCT in the M cars.

Doesn't mean they're as connected feeling as a manual. My wife's ZF8 is a great automatic, but my manual is much more fun and I drive her car as little as possible.

But in related news, the manual IS250 and ancient SC300 I've driven lead me to believe Lexus went to the MB school of awful manual design.

[cliverman]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

i wish i knew

Ascetically the IS is a beautiful car - other than the front grill. I had a 2006 IS350 and loved it. Enjoy. Lexus service is incredible.

[KingOfJericho]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The automatics these days aren't exactly slush boxes, the ZF is one of the bets transmissions out there and the auto boxes are actually faster than the manuals. In sport mode the shifts are lightening quick like a DCT in the M cars.

The manual vs automatic argument should have nothing to do with speed. If someone offered you a pill to make intercourse faster, would you take it? I doubt it. Driving a manual is about enjoyment and engagement.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The automatics these days aren't exactly slush boxes, the ZF is one of the bets transmissions out there and the auto boxes are actually faster than the manuals. In sport mode the shifts are lightening quick like a DCT in the M cars.

Do you race from every set of lights? Who cares how fast it shifts, when it's just as boring as it was 10-20-30 years ago....And it's not like DCT, it's close but DCT is better, that's why they use it in M cars

Ps. It was Lexus who made fast shifting 8-speed back in 2008 on ISF, back then all BMW owners screamed 8-speed auto is garbage. That was a really special tranny back then, now every grandma and grandpa has some Lexus 8-speed auto or Dodge truck w/ ZF8. 6-speed manual remains special and rare

[KenB925]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Do you race from every set of lights? Who cares how fast it shifts, when it's just as boring as it was 10-20-30 years ago....And it's not like DCT, it's close but DCT is better, that's why they use it in M cars

Ps. It was Lexus who made fast shifting 8-speed back in 2008 on ISF. That was a really special tranny back then, now every grandma and grandpa has some Lexus 8-speed auto or Dodge truck w/ ZF8. 6-speed manual remains special and rare

The M boss is predicting the end of manual and DCT traditional 'automatics' have come a long way. I hope we can hang on to manuals in lower powered sports cars in the future (MX5, BRZ)

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by KenB925

The M boss is predicting the end of manual and DCT traditional 'automatics' have come a long way. I hope we can hang on to manuals in lower powered sports cars in the future (MX5, BRZ)

I have no doubt that next ZF will be better or same as DCT. If I was purchasing some performance automatic now, I wouldn't mind even current ZF8, but I don't race or track. For my daily driving 6-speed manual is the king.

Many collectables with manuals are going up in values now. Gated shifters scoring crazy numbers too.

[fullstack]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The automatics these days aren't exactly slush boxes, the ZF is one of the bets transmissions out there and the auto boxes are actually faster than the manuals. In sport mode the shifts are lightening quick like a DCT in the M cars.

One day cars might drive themselves and not only shift gears faster but will do everything faster. Where do we draw the line between driving for sport and the other reason(s) to drive?

My wife had an IS350 and I never felt a car more disconnected from the road which is a good thing for some people. Excellent service though!

[FutureHendr1x]

i was cross shopping as well. i test drove both 200t and 350 and the power was just not there for me..the 350 felt really slugish, my GTI was faster im pretty sure, but with the 335 the power is nice

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by FutureHendr1x

i was cross shopping as well. i test drove both 200t and 350 and the power was just not there for me..the 350 felt really slugish, my GTI was faster im pretty sure, but with the 335 the power is nice

They are using same engine since 2005 with zero performance tweaks and made all current cars heavier. I mean it's a nice engine, but they could have at least squeezed some more horses from it

[FutureHendr1x]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

They are using same engine since 2005 with zero performance tweaks and made all current cars heavier. I mean it's a nice engine, but they could have at least squeezed some more horses from it

Yeah i think if the Lexus 350 was turbo and 300/300 like the 335 i would have gotten it..but maybe in the next years lexus will come out with a turbo 350

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by FutureHendr1x

i was cross shopping as well. i test drove both 200t and 350 and the power was just not there for me..the 350 felt really slugish, my GTI was faster im pretty sure, but with the 335 the power is nice

Lexus is no match for BMW as far as performance goes. They even get crappier gas mileage. The quarter mile and 0-60 times aren't even in the ballpark.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

They are using same engine since 2005 with zero performance tweaks and made all current cars heavier. I mean it's a nice engine, but they could have at least squeezed some more horses from it

The 200t and 300 are new drivetrains/engine, but are no comparison to the 330i and 340i. The 200t is more like the 320i in performance but costs more and eats more gas.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Lexus is no match for BMW as far as performance goes. They even get crappier gas mileage. The quarter mile and 0-60 times aren't even in the ballpark.

Originally Posted by bimmer456

The 200t and 300 are new drivetrains/engine, but are no comparison to the 330i and 340i. The 200t is more like the 320i in performance but costs more and eats more gas.

I mean the top of the line 350....

3IS chassis and suspension got some good reviews, it would be nice to see that with their ISF/RCF V8.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

I mean the top of the line 350....

3IS chassis and suspension got some good reviews, it would be nice to see that with their ISF/RCF V8.

The 330i and IS350 would be neck and neck in a drag race and the IS350 is slower than the 340i. It would be nice if they would bring back the ISF with the updated engine in the GSF. That engine originated in the ISF but was not as powerful in that application. It's got less power than the M5 but would do well in the ISF vs. the M3 with a little massaging and that awesome exhaust note.

[jmull3r]

i think once they come out with the 4IS, the 200t needs a rework in terms of performance because every person with a 200t has gotten a tune to even keep up with a 328i/330i which then it can, but that is just annoying to pay more money for the performance that should be there just to begin with. i think the next IS300 should have the current 350 engine to keep up with the 330i and the TTV6 they put in the LS500 for the IS350, which i think will most likely happen, lexus makes beautiful cars with great exteriors and interiors, but if they want to be performance oriented then the power just needs to be there

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by jmull3r

i think once they come out with the 4IS, the 200t needs a rework in terms of performance because every person with a 200t has gotten a tune to even keep up with a 328i/330i which then it can, but that is just annoying to pay more money for the performance that should be there just to begin with. i think the next IS300 should have the current 350 engine to keep up with the 330i and the TTV6 they put in the LS500 for the IS350, which i think will most likely happen, lexus makes beautiful cars with great exteriors and interiors, but if they want to be performance oriented then the power just needs to be there

Exactly. It looks like the new 2018 Camry is getting a power bump finally and looks awesome, even has quad exhaust, so looking forward to what they are going to do with Lexus. The Lexus line is seeing some updates to the F line so hopefully the IS drive trains will be improved as well.

[jmull3r]

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Exactly. It looks like the new 2018 Camry is getting a power bump finally and looks awesome, even has quad exhaust, so looking forward to what they are going to do with Lexus. The Lexus line is seeing some updates to the F line so hopefully the IS drive trains will be improved as well.

i have a feeling the LS500 TTV6 will be dropped into the performance 350 models, like the IS, GS, RC, and RX. the 2018 camry is the first one i actually would consider driving because of the power and the looks, they definitely made a nice car. The only F model that may be worth looking into is the future LCF which is supposed to be pushing 600 hp, but lexus' problem is never enough torque on their models to make the car feel fast instead of it being somewhat fast without you noticing