I bet this would be hard to complain about

"Bryan doesn't drive a 1M" (bryantakespictures)
03/08/2019 at 09:51 • Filed to: None

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That 12 year old car has aged very well. I think the 2005 -2008 time period will be a mini golden age when we look back. Still lots of NA engines to choose from, big screens on the dash were still optional, plenty of safety, and better styling than the late 90's and early 2000's.

Oh yeah, and you could get a Lexus with a manual transmission.

DISCUSSION (35)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:07

They say that the 2.5 has problemssssss. It’s too bad the IS350 was auto only.

bob and john > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/08/2019 at 10:09

mine has been fine...125K miles now

bob and john > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:10

ehhh. unles syou are a manual die hard...and stick in these wasnt the greatest.

I ahve the Auto AWd version. its a decent car. reliable, 80% of the driving experiance of a german car with 5% of the problems

WilliamsSW > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/08/2019 at 10:12

Besides being slow as molasses?

Milky > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:12

Except this the timeframe where a lot of cars only had CD players. New cars at least have aux inputs.

In the future the screen resolution won’t be great but you can play music and not have to burn CDs like its fricken 2006 and your on your way to warped tour because you’re angsty as fuck but you’re still a good person and you’re just trying to find that right mix flipping through that catalog but its really damn distracting and holy crap just tapping on a screen is easier.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:12

It’s SO slowww

Future Heap Owner > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:14

I totally agree about that vintage of cars being a sweet spot.

Arrivederci > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:15

Owned an IS250 with a manual. The 2.5L V6 is trash and the manual they put in there is trash. Worst car buying decision of my life.

punkgoose17 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/08/2019 at 10:17

The only complaint I’ve seen about the 2.5 is people wanting more power.

That is not a problem for me.

syaieya > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:18

While that generation of car has aesthetics in its favor, that era for the vast number of cars also had questionable interior materials and rough music compatibility. So many cars were cd/radio only with no easy outside options.

For those issues alone the late 90s early 2000s and early 2010s have more cars that just click with me

punkgoose17 > Arrivederci
03/08/2019 at 10:19

Please explain because I like the above car, but I have no experience with them. Why are the 2.5 V6 and the manual trash?

bob and john > Milky
03/08/2019 at 10:21

it has an AUX input

HammerheadFistpunch > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:21

I'm mostly happy with my 08 Lexus. aux input, dvd changer AND a tape deck. oh yeah. i like the look of my 97 Toyota better but the ergo and quality is way better on 08

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Arrivederci
03/08/2019 at 10:25

Worse than Taco Bell?

Milky > bob and john
03/08/2019 at 10:25

*was referencing the whole time frame

bob and john > syaieya
03/08/2019 at 10:26

but this one has an aux input, so it wins :) other then being so slow

bob and john > Milky
03/08/2019 at 10:27

also, there are kits to put in a double din unit. i’m SERIOUSLY considering it for mine

Future Heap Owner > Milky
03/08/2019 at 10:30

That’s pretty easy to fix, at least on Lexus/Toyota cars. The Grom Audio aux kit is about $80 and all you gotta do is pop off some dash panels and plug it in the back of the CD changer.

Now, Volvos in this timeframe... that’s another story.

Future Heap Owner > Future Heap Owner
03/08/2019 at 10:31

It’s also before everyone started squishing their greenhouses into tiny slivers.

Milky > bob and john
03/08/2019 at 10:34

I wonder how much that market will/has declined.

Milky > Future Heap Owner
03/08/2019 at 10:37

*remembers trying to do something on friend’s Taurus*

Kinja'd!!!

Future Heap Owner > Milky
03/08/2019 at 10:39

Yeah, very frustrating to ride in, for sure.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 10:45

I love backup cameras tho

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > punkgoose17
03/08/2019 at 10:49

Well if there’s one thing I care about, it’s definitely speed as you know.

bob and john > Milky
03/08/2019 at 11:00

not alot actually. it was developed...3 years ago?

Arrivederci > punkgoose17
03/08/2019 at 11:02

The 2.5L is woefully underpowered. The IS250 weighs about 3500lbs and with 0nly 204hp and 185tq, it’s really slow. Additionally, it’s an earlier DI engine, so carbon buildup will be an issue over time.

I believe the manual transmission they used is out of the Tacoma - throws aren’t great, it feels clunky and clutch engagement was always crap. Pair that with a seriously underpowered engine and it’s just not a great drive.

The transmission/clutch was so bad, I took it to Lexus multiple times (car was CPO) and multiple techs just said “that’s the way it is.” It was so bad, that when I went to trade it in, every dealer that drove it dinged me thinking it needed a new clutch/TOB/something, despite zero slip once it engaged.

Piece of shit drivetrain, but the rest of it was immaculately built. Pay a bit more and get the IS350. Yeah, it’s auto only, but the 2GRFSE is a peach.

Arrivederci > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/08/2019 at 11:03

Taco Bell is much less frustrating, even with the time spent on the toilet.

Under_Score > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 11:06

My car is from the end of that era. I still have conveniences like keyless entry with push button start, Bluetooth audio and calling, and a backup camera in the rear view mirror, but no touchscreen, no safety systems. Because I’m terrible with corners and size, those cameras could be cool in the future, but the more I think about it, the more I like that simplicity.

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Arrivederci
03/08/2019 at 11:15

Thanks for the info

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > syaieya
03/08/2019 at 11:17

Yeah, I forgot about the no aux and no bluetooth issue, even though I had that problem with 2 cars from that time period. That’s a more solvable problem than removing an ugly screen, though.

Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!! > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 11:26

That era is really appealing to me. It’s not loaded up with tech, cars are generally a bit smaller with bigger windows , but still have the safety gear and readily available parts. That IS looks great, but I did not enjoy the IS250 of that vintage that I test drove new at a dealer. The clutch sucked. Power was OK-ish, but I didn’t like the manual.

syaieya > bob and john
03/08/2019 at 11:29

I couldnt find it in the pictures, but that was a weirdly uncommon option for awhile. Ipod connection was everywhere but if you just wanted a line in youre out of luck in most cars.

punkgoose17 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
03/08/2019 at 12:10

hahahahaha : -)

Bryan doesn't drive a 1M > Eury - AFRICA TWIN!!!!!!!
03/08/2019 at 13:01

That seems to be the consensus here. I haven’t driven one, but it doesn’t sound as great as I had assumed.

Josh - the lost soldier > Bryan doesn't drive a 1M
03/08/2019 at 13:52

The second-gen IS is probably the best looking of the lot. Shame they didn’t make a manual IS 350 or IS F, but I have a soft spot for that sweet 2UR-GSE.

When I was a wee lad, I wanted an IS 250 with a manual. I'd still love to drive one someday.