Lexus annoys me...

[Apoc]

...because of their lineup choices. In my neverending quest not to get stuck with my S4 forever I'm constantly noticing cars I really wouldn't mind driving. I like the looks of the IS250 but like the A3, I don't like the configuration options availble.

If I want AWD, I have to get an auto.
If I want manual, I can get RWD.
Oh but wait, the IS250 only has 204hp.
If I want mo' powa I can get the IS350.
It's only RWD, which is fine, but oh wait... it's an auto.

Yes I know I don't need more than 204hp to drive 8 miles round trip. Conceptually I just have a problem having the same amount of horsepower as the '98 Prelude I had in college. Does that make me a snob? Probably... but I don't care.

Maybe I'm just not the target market for these sort of cars?

[ScottyB]

Maybe I'm just not the target market for these sort of cars?

that's what i would have wrote if you didn't write it yourself.

you sound like the kind of guy BMW wants in it's showrooms

[.RJ]

you sound like the kind of guy BMW wants in it's showrooms

Time for a Z4 coupe.

[Apoc]

True dat. The problem is I'm a badge whore and I don't like the looks of any of the cars that meet my desires. M or S fo' lyf!

[HAULN-SS]

CTS...the direct injectin v6 with a manual ($1900 option) = rwd & 304hp in the same price range

[Apoc]

CTS = ugly

That and I'll likely die having never owned an American car.

[HAULN-SS]

hrmm..you some kind of snob?

[ViPER1313]

Different strokes for different folks, although I don't see how you find the CTS-V to be a bad lookiing car.

Personally, I wish more people were self-proclaimed brand whores so I could get a CTS-V for that much cheaper in a few years.

[HAULN-SS]

shit i wasn't even talking about the V..which is going to be retarded after this year..so don't worry, you'll be able to get a current model V for cheaper pretty soon.

[Apoc]

hrmm..you some kind of snob?

Does that make me a snob? Probably... but I don't care.

I just haven't seen an American car made in the last 30 years I'd like to drive.

[Jeff]

300C in AWD with an automatic...h8r. Plenty of power...lots of luxo...and that lifetime powertrain warranty (non-transferable of course)

[Apoc]

automatic

I'm sorry... was what you said after that important?

FWIW, the 300C is one of the few American cars I like the looks of.

[Jeff]

you said if I get an AWD it would need to be auto.

EDIT- wait...that's what you meant was wrong with Lexus...you could not get a manual AWD. Sorry, I misunderstood you.

[Apoc]

Yeah... maybe I'm jus old-fashioned but I like having a clutch.

[Jeff]

I heard that. I'm hoping the C will get a 6-speed once the Challenger comes out and they have the trany ready for the LX platform. I love driving my grandparents C...I will probably buy it (or make it my demo) after a graduate.

[WRXtranceformed]

Uh hi??? IS-F!!

It has according to Lexus: "the worldÔÇÖs first eight-speed direct sport-shift transmission with paddle shifters that snaps quickly and crisply between gears, upshifting within a tenth of a second." Technically it's an automatic, but read on:
"a new torque converter lockup control allows the engineÔÇÖs power to be directly relayed to the transmission in second through eighth gears, accelerating with the responsiveness of a manual transmission. With its advanced shift control, the transmission is capable of incredibly precise throttle ÔÇ£blipsÔÇØ on downshifts to help match the engine rpm to vehicle speed."

I appreciate liking a manual tranny, but some of the world's best supercars use hybrid automatics. Me personally, I'll never own another manual daily driver. My next project car? Sure.

[Goodspeed]

Haha, I tried to rally MM to like the IS-F but I failed miserably, and I see why now...there's just no need for a hydromaticsuperfluxgeegollywilligers automatic in a "sporting" automobile, a manual will do just fine. As Apoc said, I just don't see where Lexus is trying to go with that. Most old people will go for another Lexus model with an auto, and most enthusiasts will want a simple, honest manual trans

[WRXtranceformed]

FWIW, the AWD IS250 I had as a loaner car for a while wasn't terribly slow. It was about on par with my IS300, and I had the automatic version so I imagine the manual would be a little more responsive and slightly quicker. It would be more than enough power to get you around town.

[CaptainHenreh]

"a new torque converter lockup control..."

I appreciate liking a manual tranny, but some of the world's best supercars use hybrid automatics.

Lee, some of the worlds best supercars do in fact have automatic transmissions...but they don't have torque converters. If it's got a torque converter, it's a shitty automatic and I don't care who makes it. It's shitty.

But you guys know how I feel about Toyota. They are DEAD to me until they find their balls. Even the souped-up Aussie Supercharged Camry is propelled by an autotragic. They make beautiful engines, but they don't understand enthusiasts anymore. I guess there's no money in it, and Toyota's all about the bottom line.

[Apoc]

there's just no need for a hydromaticsuperfluxgeegollywilligers automatic in a "sporting" automobile, a manual will do just fine.

That pretty much sums it up. I'm not trying to go 0-100 as fast as I can, I just want something that's fun to drive around town and on highway trips. So much these days is controlled by a computer that a clutch pedal is just one thing I refuse to give up. I don't really have a problem with auto-manual clutches, I just don't want to drive one.

Audi does the exact same thing on the A3 and it annoys me. Manual is only available in the 200hp FWD model and if you want a AWD or the 250hp you get both, but it's an auto. I would buy an A3 in a heartbeat if the more powerful engine came in manual.

I really don't get it. I mean won't the people who want the more powerful engine be more likely to want a manual? I guess their thinking is the people who want manual probably are younger and won't be able to afford a 250hp/AWD vehicle while the people who get the 250hp/AWD are older posuers?