http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5941899/

Like hot cakes... peeps love their Toyota/Lexus hybrids...

Junkster, who wonders how it will drive

 

Good thing that hybrid Civic is on the way

 

Just goes to show how well informed some of these guys are.

 

I think that was a typo for Accord. They did mention the TWO hybrid models (Insight, Civic) that Honda has out. Either way, it's funny.

 

On another note: Hybrids are not a "platform to eventually use with fuel cells". They have nothing to do with fuel cells at all. Now I'll

 

Yup, 9000 pre-ordered. Nuff said.

 

If you build it, they will come. I imagine a hybrid MDX would get the same response.

Good job to Lexus, though, for being the first to jump into that market.

 

If Forbes on-line I believe I read where a spokes person at Honda said that at this point Honda's hybrid system is better suited for small cars not SUV's. Correct me if I am wrong but the Lexus system if full hybrid while Honda's isn't.

 

Seems there are quite a few tree hugging future RX owners. The whole thing is such a hype - I bet they couldn't get half those numbers if Lexus put a diesel in there that got the same milage and was even cheaper.

 

I think it's more about penny-pinching than tree-hugging. I think these folks just want the SUV without the SUV-sized gas bill.

Americans have very bad misconceptions about Diesel engines. The predisposition against them will be something hard to overcome in the near future.

 

It's a Lexus! If Lexus were to build a bike they would be sold out in hours.

 

and a diesel is probably not as half as clean in emissions as a hybrid. MPG is only one of a few advantages of a hybrid. Diesel have come a long way and can get very good mpg but still emit more pollutants than a gasoline powered vehicle let alone a hybrid.

 

Yeah, Diesal here just scares people. Well 2 things, the RX 330 is the standard in it's class and already sells every single one they can build. 120k RX 330s! Priced from 36-48k!
So a RX hybrid that looks like a regular RX (no weird prius look) more hp, better gas mileage is a no-brainer. For people that keep the RX, the extra cost will pay off in saved gas in a couple years.

 

Its quite a dilema for toyota, having such high demand for a car, but being unable to get the product rolling out the door. This and the highlander could really lower the cost of hybrids in the near future.

 

Not really. Toyota just wants to get it right. Especially with Lexus. One reason the IS 300 manual took 1 additional year of testing. They wanted to make sure they made the right choice for durability (choosing it over the 6-speed IS 200).

 

I dunno, I think the original prius was the ginnie pig and the rx is just taking a back seat to the new prius production increase. Hey lets increase production on an ugly ass trendy fish lookin car that celebs like and delay real cars like the lexus rx and highlander.

 

I think this is a very good sign for the future marketbility of Hybrids... now we should really start to see even more efforts put into their creation... and push up the introductions to new ones much sooner.... lets hope the RDX, Pilot... Honda SUT etc... is effected by this.

B.

 

Actually, I think they got that one wrong. The IS is the only car I can think of where I prefer the auto tranny.

 

THEY got it wrong because YOU prefer the auto. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

 

Lots of other people (and magazines if you like) agree with me. That tranny just sucks.

 

No CL/TL/TSX owner can ever call anybody's tranny one that "sucks"

 

my friend there is a BIG reason why the TSX is fun to drive in the eyes of MANY car magazines, the 6MT is 1 part of that. Please, I respect your posts unlike a few here who hate on everything you say, but when you know that the TSX's 6MT is a great one, don't b.s. and say it isn't. I don't know anything about the IS300 MT, but i sure as hell know the TSX 6MT is a wonderful one.

(p.s. i HOPE you're being sarcastic, I wouldn't have to spoon feed you obvious info from reviews of the TSX about its wonderful transmission.)

 

What do CL/TL trannies have to do with TSX trannies?



That was rhetorical. The answer is nothing. Fanboy.

 

Whoa, whoa, I didn't say the TSXs tranny was not a good tranny matched to the engine. You know any joke about Acura tranny=recall.
Clearly, it matches the car perfectly

 

Your title says SMG ain't got shit on me. Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

It was a JOKE.

 

OK Maya Angelou....

So since that was a joke, then am I right about IS manuals sucking?

 

No magazine has ever complained about the IS shifter. Their only complaint might have been it is missing a gear. U know why?
Lexus took an extra year to test their 5 speed and 6 speed manuals in the 2JZ. Even though it was only slighty more powerful, 200hp 6-speed manual Altezza, they didn't want to risk tranny failure.

Though if u turbo a manual IS, you have to get the Getrag 6-speed tranny to handle all that power.

If you think it sucks, fine.

 

Yeah and it really is a shame that 2001 and 2002 Lexus IS300's can be found easily for 15k on tyhe used car market. Some 2003's go for 20k, AND THAT INCLUDES LEATHER OPTION, POWER SEATS, AT, etc, they aren't bare base-equipped. WHAT'S THE RUSH IN SELLING THEM? .

 

Uhh, aren't the recalls limited to automatics!
If that be the case then why bring up recalls?
Last I read, Acura manuals are great! Autos need a little refinement ever since being made 5 speeds.
Could explain why we haven't seen any 6 spd auto as of yet.

Anyway the last time I read about the IS's manual it was compaired to the BMW 3 and you know who had the best tranny out of that pair.

 

So you're saying that the 6-speed tranny is even worse? Interesting.

Really? Turboed RSXes don't have to change trannies. Hmmm...

I do. And so do.....

The shift lever is about a foot long.

 

Kid really. You can't even buy a car. Your 16. Carry your mothers groceries and get your head out of motor trends ass.

I am not even going to entertain u

 

Both cars have good manuals. Not sure why people took the joke about the failing trannies overboard.
And looking at TL.com, no one is immune.

 

No you mental midget. I am saying that the 6-speed in the Altezza 4-cyliner is matched to that engine and Lexus didnt just want to throw in in the IS 300 just for the sake of having 6 speeds.
Turbo RSXs are nice cars but no where in the range of a turbo IS. I can't speak for all RSXs, I don't know tranny work they actually do.
The IS shift lever is original and not that long. Of course u can buy a short shift kit.

 

I would like to see a RSX do that. Or a NSX. Or a TL. Or a CL. Or a RL. Or a TSX? Hello???

 

sniff... sniff...

I smell flames...

Junkster, who loves such threads... for like a day

 

U used to be such a nice guy Now your evil

 

I am waiting for the usual "value" or "fwd is better in the snow" or something else. All those pics are members of our club, the last ones taken at our 3rd annual Tail of the Dragon Run. The rest car shows/meets we hosted.

 

So which one's yours?

 

Not one.

 

. dude get YOUR head out of YOUR ass and calm down, I'm not here to fight. Calm the hell down and stick to "defending" your precious Lexus. BTW got anymore pictures of your Lexus army/brood type thing? btw whose the leader of the pack?