Recently I've heard the IS350 is also being discontinued.
https://carbuzz.com/lexus-is-production-ends-november/
Lexus IS?
- Thread starter JHZR2
- Start date
https://carbuzz.com/lexus-is-production-ends-november/
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
They had a real opportunity with this vehicle to expand their customer base. If they had a manual option, they would draw attention. It does not matter whether they would make money or not per sold unit, but they would be the only manufacturer selling entry-level sedans with a manual. IS300? IS350? IS500? All of them with the manual option would be the subject of conversation. Even if people did not buy those models, but let's say TX350, they would feel part of something unique. And it does not matter that the BMW 3 Series is more capable, faster, and more precise; in the end, it is automatic.
Lexus lacked imagination and courage, and now it will end up with half of their lineup consisting of exploding engines and half being just plush Toyotas.
Hasn't this always been the basic premise of Lexus? Their image is all about luxury, and having to row your own gears, while cool, just does not jive well with that perception of luxury. As much as they've tried to add some sportiness to their image with a manual IS in years past, when most people think of a sporty car, Lexus isn't the first thing that comes to their mind.
There is a 2026 model. Updated with new fascia and dash IP.
I've been toying with the idea of buying my "retirement" car, and the IS350 is on the list. I'm greatly attracted by the high reliability of Lexus vehicles. To some, it's too small, but I like that. No turbo. No BMW or Audi maintenance nightmare. Plus, V6 is nice.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
But they had longitudinal products like IS, GS and LS that were not sharing platforms with regular Toyota’s. Yes engines were always behind the curve in the segment where being up to date matters.
However, last time Lexus offered manual, everyone offered manual. There was never a question which vehicle is more capable, BMW or Lexus, Audi or Lexus, or whether Mercedes was more plush. But BMW and Audi don’t offer anymore manuals. BMW only offers in M packages. People can’t buy upscale entry sedan today with manual. I would think that would be an opportunity.
Also, I think IS was best selling sedan last year. Probably because it appeals with its simplicity.
4wd
$50 site donor 2026
The subject of manual gearboxes is 10% of members making 90% of the noise … Happy with AT in our IS …
I'm in look mode now but I want to eventually get back into a car or SUV. IS 350 and M3 are on my list. I'm surprised how many people I come across that have had BMWs and even Porsche that prefer their Model 3.
I like the idea of the NA V6 in the IS 350.
My brother's BMW X3m Competition held up good for 96k. He just unloaded it for a Genesis G70 which is also very nice.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
I like the idea of the NA 350 V6 as well. And if I ever replace our Honda, a Lexus with a 350 V6 will be on our short list.
You might want to try a Model 3. I tried one and the decision was obvious. And I went for the base model which suits us just fine. All of the Tesla features, very good acceleration, decent ride and handling and a lower and (at the time) pretty reasonable price. It was cheaper than a used Lexus. If you can charge it at home and drive less than 200 miles a day, it's really convenient. And it's okay for really long trips - we've done a couple of 4,000 km trips with ours.
A combination of one ICE (for long trips) and one EV (for daily driving) would be hard to beat.
That would be the best of both worlds. I'm leaning towards M3 and then picking up a used 4WD vehicle for the small amount of off-roading I do.
I've been WFH last few years but even if that changed, I can't see it impacting the decision to go EV. Charging locations are not an issue and I could charge from home. Kinda on the fence about it. No rush...
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
IS is good sedan, but compared to 3 series, weakness in performance category are apparent.
First thing is that compared to RWD 3 series, it packs 200+ lbs more, while it is bit smaller. 2GR-FKS is good engine, but ain’t performance marvel. It has very narrow torque band up high.
Comparing to M3 is ridiculous. Comparing to M340 is not appropriate. IS350 performance wise is really in 330 league.
M340 actually performs better than IS500 regardless that on paper is 100hp short. But then BMW always underreports hp numbers. Actually their numbers resemble more WHP not HP on crank.
M3 is different league.
M3 is way more expensive. Not a direct comparison.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Of course it is way more expensive. But I didn’t compare it at all.
If performance is priority, it is not comparable at all, regardless of which engine.
This may sound sacrilegious to some on Bob, but raw performance isn't everything. If it was, we would all drive McLarens, Ferraris, Aston Martins, Koenigseggs, etc and only occasionally stoop as low as the odd AMG, M5 Competition or 911 GT3 RS.
Purchase price comes into it. So does reliability, cost of repairs, and individual needs.
Lexus isn't the highest performance vehicle in the world. But it's not over the top expensive, quite reliable, can be repaired by the guy down the street, and has space for the grand-kids and dog.
I wouldn't want a McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, or M5 Competition but I would accept a 911 Carrera. They're pretty reliable and there's room for the dog.
Purchase price comes into it. So does reliability, cost of repairs, and individual needs.
Lexus isn't the highest performance vehicle in the world. But it's not over the top expensive, quite reliable, can be repaired by the guy down the street, and has space for the grand-kids and dog.
I wouldn't want a McLaren, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Koenigsegg, or M5 Competition but I would accept a 911 Carrera. They're pretty reliable and there's room for the dog.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Guy fixing cars down the street are long gone. Lexus is not cheap car to maintain nor 2GR-FKS engine is without some potentially major problems (cylinder scoring, timing chain covers). And price if their parts, simple ones, were always an issue.
But talking raw performance, the thing is than what else? That is why I was saying offering manual in IS would offer for enthusiasts crowd something truly different which than translates into image thing.
It would compensate for other weaknesses in that category.
For example, IS500 made initially news, though it was apparent that it has performance weaknesses. It became old very fast as transmission performance is far behind anything in that class, weight distribution in not there etc.
If they offered manual in it? They would be main story, regardless of how many the sold. Even those that wouldn’t but manual would think now about that car and not something else.
But, Lexus is more set on pushing TX or GX than something fun.
Nothing is perfect but the Lexus 350V6 is (I'm told) one of the more reliable engines out there.
I agree that having a manual transmission would compensate for a lot of other things. My '81 Celica had a relatively smooth shifting 4MT (though not as good as my Accord's 6MT or my BMW's 5MT) but the 5MT on my '00 Solara V6 was notchy and prone to occasionally block on a shift into first gear. So maybe Toyota isn't that good at manual transmissions. Though that might have been due to the Solara's engine being transverse and front wheel drive besides.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
It is reliable. There is no doubt that that generation of engines has well above average reliability. FKS compared to FE is bit more complex bcs. DI, but overall, while not some torque monsters with wide rpm band, they are known quality.
IMO, put manual in it it would make up for lack of performance. It is not only about 0-60, or top speed. It is IMO more about individual enjoyment allowing driver to actually drive and operate car.
Like I said, car like that with manual would not be some top seller. But, usually they are good marketing tools.
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JHZR2
Staff member
That’s actually what was kind of neat about Lexus.
As opposed to say, Acura, Lexus actually delivered v8, RWD vehicles that were different.
The LS, GS, IS were unlike anything Toyota sold in the US market. The ES is kind of goofy to me because it is a fancied up Camry. The SUVs similarly. My brother had an old school LX450. We get all the parts from the Toyota dealer for a far lower price than an obnoxious badge engineered Lexus up charge for the same item. The RX used to offer superior MPG options to the Highlander.
There was a bit of differentiation across many models, the badge engineered ones aside.
Alas it seems like the good ones are the ones they get rid of…
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
They will leave ES I think for some time. Which means, everything strictly based on Toyota.
10yrs and they will be Infinity.
