Late Night Confession

"AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s)
09/20/2016 at 02:32 • Filed to: None

As fun as a manual transmission is, I would much rather have an automatic luxury sedan as a daily driver in traffic. In fact, I really want a VIP Lexus IS250 F-sport. Come at me oppo.

DISCUSSION (40)

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 02:41

Personally I get the automatic luxury car as daily driver idea. At least if the rest of the car (steering, brakes, suspension, etc.) feel well and firmly attached to the appropriate bits and provide good feedback.

And I definitely prefer that to the same car with a half-assed manual and lousy clutch (I’m looking at you, early-2000s Mercedes C-Class!)

RPM esq. > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 02:42

Yeah that seems very reasonable.

Nauraushaun > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 03:37

Manuals are upsetting in traffic. But that’s why I choose to live away from traffic, and commute a million hours to work every day :(

But I get you is what I’m saying.

Except those Lexii are gross :(

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 04:04

You wont need it anymore...

Audistein > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 04:29

Why a 250 specifically? Why not a 350 or a 200t with a tune?

The IS 350 is a better vehicle in every way and barely gets worse mpg. There is no reason to get a 250 besides cost to buy, but even that’s a surprisingly small difference.

Love Lexuses though. Too many “enthusiasts” gloss right over them and it’s not right.

bob and john > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 04:29

Take it from someone who has a is250. You dont want the 250. 350 or bust

Matsayz > Audistein
09/20/2016 at 06:07

Maybe it’s the weirdly stacked poo shoots? They don’t do it for me, I'm just now years later getting over the grille

VonBootWilly - Likes Toyota, but it's still complicated. > bob and john
09/20/2016 at 06:33

This^ The 300+ hp cars get great fuel economy for the thrust they deliver too. I had an IS300 that didn’t do the job as an auto-luxo-commuter at all.

I’d honestly drive an auto BRZ86Baru before I’d drive an IS250 if I had to pick, but I’ll stick with a GS430.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 07:02

Driving a manual in traffic is ok as long as the clutch is soft.
The 505 or the A4 are no problem, the RX-8 is another story (because racecar).
I’m soon changing jobs, so I won’t have to fight traffic every day.

shop-teacher > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 07:15

I prefer an auto for my daily tooling around as well.

404 - User No Longer Available > bob and john
09/20/2016 at 07:17

As a guy with a friend with an IS 250 AWD, I concur. He totalled the 250 and got a 350 and said it was way better.

arl > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 07:18

I test drove both an IS350 and an ES350 this weekend. The IS 350 was fast, but it’s ride was way too harsh for daily driving. The ES was comfy and quick when you wanted it to be. The IS is the better looking car on the outside, but I preferred the room of the ES on the inside. The IS was tight interior-wise, and I’m a short guy.

404 - User No Longer Available > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 07:21

The two pics are from two different generations...

Though I do agree to a certain extent. I actually regret buying my 328i, and felt the 320i was a better buy. I’ll still stick to my manual though, maybe because I don’t drive to work, so don’t really mind the occasional traffic. And if anything the manual and clutch makes me feel more confident in winter, strange but true.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 07:47

As long as it’s a good automatic with real paddle shifters that don’t ignore your inputs, then I am all for it in the right car. I think to give up the actual manual though it definitely has to be a car that is fast, loud, and comfortable as hell. If the choice is there though, I would choose manual no matter what, even if it is slower and less efficient. I do actually like the styling on that line of Lexus though, it doesnt bother me in person as much as I thought it would.

functionoverfashion > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 07:47

As someone who grew up with manual everything, including special-ordered Chrysler minivans(!) I’d like to argue.... but I really can’t. Man, if you’re dealing with traffic all the time, a good automatic wouldn’t be bad. I’d probably just go full Tesla actually.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > arl
09/20/2016 at 07:56

How old _are_ you?

The ES is built for geriatrics and those wanting a plush road-appliance, the end.

Maybe look for a CPO GS instead? Then people on here won't mock you mercilessly for being Eleventy thousands years old.

jimz > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 08:17

No, I agree with you. I’ve been around long enough to know when I want a manual, and when I don’t. I learned to drive on a manual, over half of the cars/trucks I’ve owned have been stick, but Adult Life and the Real World have shown me that the vast majority of driving I do (to and from work) just plain sucks . When traffic is crawling along slower than I can idle in first gear, a manual trans is a pain in the ass.

So for now I save the whole shift myself thing for weekend trips on two wheels.

arl > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
09/20/2016 at 09:10

Gee thanks! Speak up sonny, I can’t hear you.

Unfortunately, 99% of my driving is in bumper to bumper traffic in the DC metro area where speeds are generally under 50 mph. Believe me I like fast and fun cars, but when you’re slogging along mercilessly for 1.5 hours every morning between 0 and 30 mph, a manual gets real old real fast. At least it’s not a minivan for God’s sake.

And I grew up in 80's. Now get off my lawn.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > bob and john
09/20/2016 at 09:16

Interesting. I don’t know why but I feel inclined to go on Craigslist. It might just be the next addiction.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Audistein
09/20/2016 at 09:17

No reason, I just liked the styling of the IS250 F-sport. Although I’ll admit I don’t have too much experience with the Lexus line-up so I’m not sure what the differences are aside from the engine.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > NotUnlessRoundIsFunny
09/20/2016 at 09:18

Exactly! Too many enthusiast like to shit on anything automatic and forget it’s also the entire package that counts. The rest of the car can be great even if it has an automatic.

Milky > arl
09/20/2016 at 09:19

Nothing you said was wrong, but none of that should be a surprise. The IS is a compact luxury car and the ES is an Avalon with a “L” on the front.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/20/2016 at 09:20

Yep. That’s probably why I would VIP it out and put an exhaust on there with air suspension. That’d probably be hysterical to drive in traffic and around town to get groceries.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > 404 - User No Longer Available
09/20/2016 at 09:23

I am aware they’re from different generations. I just like both of them so I used them as pics. And it was kind of hard to find VIP ISes that I liked on google images.

Occasional traffic is fine in a manual. It’s just when it’s stop and go traffic every day. That’s when it gets really old really fast.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > arl
09/20/2016 at 09:25

The GS is still an auto, gramps. It’s also not a car that says “I’ve given up. Now get off my lawn!”

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > functionoverfashion
09/20/2016 at 09:25

Exactly. California traffic is not fun in a manual. I find myself staring at the Mercs and Lexus saloons and lusting after the comfort they offer. The sound isolation is probably amazing as well. I could probably have my music set just right and have the AC on ever so slightly while slowly inching through traffic. That sounds sublime.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction
09/20/2016 at 09:26

How do you like your RX-8? I was strongly considering one but quickly realized for a daily the fuel economy and reliability would probably not be the best idea.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > jimz
09/20/2016 at 09:28

Yep. A lot of people like to suggest a manual for so many reasons except when you’re in traffic every day on a flat and straight highway it gets really old. Really fast. It’s even worse when the car is designed to be light and there is less sound deadening than an average car then it’s just loud and hot. Not so fun.

It does get super fun during the weekends like you said though so it makes up for it...for now.

Benjamin Rolland > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
09/20/2016 at 09:34

ESs fucking rule. If you buy a car so fucking oppo won’t mock you, your life isn't worth living.

bob and john > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 09:36

its not a BAD motor. its INCREDIBLY smooth and FANTASTIC for hwy driving.

its just under powered trying to move 3600lbs of Japan around. even more so with AWD.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Benjamin Rolland
09/20/2016 at 09:55

Chill out.

The ES has a place, yes. But it is not an enthusiast’s car.

As I suggested in my posts, the GS is a better choice.

And I was mostly being sarcastic about the whole thing.

Rustholes-Are-Weight-Reduction > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 10:01

I love it, despite all the time and money I put in it. It’s not the fastest car, (I had a Megane RS that was faster) but it corners really well, and everything feels so right in this car.
The steering is precise and gives a good feedback, the gear lever is perfectly positioned for fast shifts, the seats keep you in place and are rather comfortable (I have one as a chair in my living room).
The sound is just perfect, it’s not unnecessarily loud, but if you push the revs, it screams at you angrily. As if it was saying: “oh you want to go there? I’ll show you!”
It’s not suitable as a daily driver, at least where I live and with my commute, but as a weekend sports car, it is just perfect. I occasionally think about selling it, but I always change my mind as soon as I take it for a spin.

functionoverfashion > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 10:03

You need that Maybach from NPOCP the other day....

arl > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
09/20/2016 at 10:25

It’s all good.

I recognize the ES isn’t a enthusiast car. But I don’t get to drive like an enthusiast 99% of the time.

The GS is sweet. I may look at a CPO GS, but they are expensive beasts.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > arl
09/20/2016 at 10:37

A CPO GS should be about the same price as a new ES.

It would cost a little more in gas, Premium required over the ES only needing regular, the GS would also get a little less mpg. If you got a Southern car, you can get the GS in RWD. Anything from the Mid-West is going to be AWD.

I work for a Lexus dealer. I am aware of the ES role in the lineup, and it is a _very_ good car for what it is.

My dealer is not in your market, but we are probably cheaper since it is not the DC area. We have a tasty blue/brown CPO GS in our used inventory right now. If I were in your position, I would be all over that car.

If I all I did was commute in traffic, I would be okay with an ES. I'd put it in bags with some crazy wheels just for fun too. I'd still try to find a GS first though.

Wrong Wheel Drive (41%) > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 12:38

air suspension sounds complicated and scary lol.

tythegeek > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/20/2016 at 12:56

Yeah, I live in a small town where I hardly ever run in to stop and go traffic, but the handful of times I have driven my manual Fiesta in to Seattle or Portland, it has been a bit miserable. I would probably be more inclined to have an automatic car if I lived in a city with traffic.

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > Wrong Wheel Drive (41%)
09/20/2016 at 18:51

not really, I installed mine in my driveway over a weekend.

Kinja'd!!!

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > tythegeek
09/20/2016 at 19:06

It’s an interesting challenge to say the least. You do get used to it I’ll admit but there are certain days where you just wish you could cruise along home without a lot of effort.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
09/21/2016 at 19:22

I like the way the looks except for the god damn taillight snaggletooth