[Aztec]

Does anyone know if lexus is planning on making a 5-speed manual IS300 anytime soon??? I really like the IS300 but don't like the fact that its automatic.

 

[TEG]

I have heard that they will have a 5 speed for the 2002 model year...

 

[Retracnic]

Yeah, everybody knows that is planned for the 2002 model year. But does anybody know for sure when it will be available? My local Lexus dealer had no clue. He said probably July-Sept next year. Another dealership on the other hand said it would be more like late December or early January this year. He even wanted me to put down a deposit to hold one. I don't know about you, but I have trouble puting down a deposit on a car that doesn't even exist yet. Plus why is it that two dealerships have two completely different stories.

 

[vvtipwr]

I know it'll be available as a 2002 model. As far as a 2002 model being available in December of 2000 or early winter 2001, that's not going to happen. It'd be a 2001.5 model then.

2002 models, I assume, will roll out about summer time or early fall, just like most cars (2001 IS300 is an exception, b/c is a rollout of a new car altogether)

 

[brad]

I betcha we see a stick in December.

 

[SpectraBlueIS300]

Brad, how much?

Unless you're talking about December 2001...

 

[brad]

I am not basing this on anything other than a gut feeling, but yes, my guess is Dec. 2000.

Originally posted by SpectraBlueIS300:
Brad, how much?

Unless you're talking about December 2001...

 

[acuracing]

i highly doubt lexus will bring a manual in december. very very very unlikely, and not cost efficient. no reason to not wait until the 2002 lineup to start producing it. cars are still flying off the lots as fast as they come in. hopefully when the 2002 sticks come in ill sell my 2001 for maybe as high as i bought it if demand is still high. if not im more than sure i can sell the IS for at least 30k, then fork out another 8 grand for the manual and nav system. id hurt to have to eat the full 8 grand but i think you get what you pay for, and im paying for the fun and better things in my life. isnt life grand for a 20 year old? haha.

mike

 

[TEG]

I have heard two versions of the timeline for the manual:

2002 Model Year (July-Sep 2001)
OR
End of this year (Dec 2000)

Now a factory rep told me - "yeah 2002 model year", so I have been trusting that to be true...

*but* the rep also told me that there was no news of the rumored 1% price increase, yet it seems to have come true.

So - I don't 100% trust my "trusted sources", so that FAQ could be wrong and maybe it will come sooner.

 

[ckolsen]

Acuracing, where's the 8 grand come from? The manual should cost less, not more than the auto.

Originally posted by acuracing:
then fork out another 8 grand for the manual and nav system. id hurt to have to eat the full 8 grand but i think you get what you pay for,

mike[/B]

 

[oh-dawg]

I asked the sales guy at Lexus of Westminster and he said that on his "production sheet for the next 3 months, basically the next quarter, it doesn't show a 5-speed model".. I asked the guy at Tustin Lexus and he straight up told me "no".. he didn't even give me a soothing answer.. just "no".. and then he tried to tell me that the reason I heard that rumor is because a 5-speed is available in other markets like Europe and Asia..

 

[acuracing]

ckolsen: i was saying the worst case scenario would be that i could sell the IS for 30 k next year. i bought the car for 38k this year, so if the price were to stay the same, give or take a few hundred, then i would just pay the difference on the 2002 model. get it?

mike

 

[ckolsen]

I thought the car was $34,500 fully loaded? What did you get to bring it to $38,000?

Originally posted by acuracing:
ckolsen: i was saying the worst case scenario would be that i could sell the IS for 30 k next year. i bought the car for 38k this year, so if the price were to stay the same, give or take a few hundred, then i would just pay the difference on the 2002 model. get it?

 

[DonCorleone]

with taxes a fully loaded IS will come out to 37,9xx