Finally this car is getting some recognition. I had a 2012 6spd manual and had it for 5 years! When I bought it in 2017 nobody knew it existed because only the manual IS300 and ISF were popular. I’m in Canada and I had the most bare boned IS250, no leather, power seats, sunroof, heated seats, back up camera, rear shade etc it was kinda unique. I believe it shares the same transmission from a Tacoma of the 2000’s, so it isn’t a dedicated tranny for this car, and because of that the shifting wasn’t that great. Throw is long and the car jolts every time you shift. The car handles extremely well and feels well balanced around corners, esp since its RWD. The design of it still holds up with modern cars and pretty much every date I’ve picked up complimented the car lol
The IS250 6MT has the RA62 and the Tacoma has the RA63. Similar but different transmissions. If it’s strong enough for a truck, it should hold up in a car eh! My IS250 6MT is hard top and cloth manual seats too. 333k kms so far. I’ve had mine for about 6 years. I love it.
Is that petrol? Which country are you in? I'm in the UK and have been trying to get a 2010+ manual petrol IS250 for a while. I saw one ever, but missed my chance to buy it. I think manual petrol Lexuses tapered off pretty severely towards the end of the 2000s.
This is the best review of the six speed manual transmission Lexus IS250 on the Internet. This car has really needed some attention and it’s great to finally see some recognition. It is a very rare car, only 3,421 were made in the US.. It’ll be the last car I ever drive. Lexus should really offer an IS350 6MT. They already did with the Toyota Mark X GRMN, but 350 units were sold only in Japan.. there are some great engine swaps possible with this car, the 3GRFSE and 2GRFSE bolt right up to the RA62. A few have done 1JZGTE and 2JZGTE swaps too. the Y38 diff from a BRZFRSGT86 bolts right up too. . I’ve had my IS250 6MT for about 6 years. Got my 2GRFSE to swap in. It’s a hard top with cloth manual seats, no options. Thanks for the great video.
There'll be a public write up on that detail on the Gentlemen's Lexus IS Enthusiast Club on Facebook soon. But from my understanding so far a check engine light is all that happens. They still drive.
@@zacapps5029 Jeff Lange who did the first LHD manual 350 swap used an unprogrammed 2GR ECU and was put into limp mode. He said he was only able to get 40% throttle.
Absolutely love my manual IS250 😁 Installed a solid lightweight chromoly flywheel and a larger, sprung, clutchdisc. Made the car feel a lot more nippy and shifts much nicer. Also threw on a throttle controller for some extra throttle response. Will try to keep this car for a long, long time
I've always liked this gen IS 250. I debated between buying the IS 250, WRX, G35, Acura TSX recently. The things I didn't like about it were: 1. It's almost 3700 lbs for a 200HP car 2. I would've preferred a inline 6 instead of the V6. 3. Driving it felt a little floaty compared to the WRX, TSX. But I still think it's a nice car.
Almost a Japanese BMW 325. The IS is underrated and overlooked. I've said it before, Toyota can build a great car when they want to, they're just too conservative to really go all out. Toyota should have put some more resources into Lexus F when they had a chance to really build the brand. The IS500 is great but imagine if it had the benefit of years of performance tuning to get on the M3's level.
It’s such a shame seeing these cars that should be made available in manual transmissions to begin with, not be available anymore for our future generations.
Like you, I’m just happy to be driving a manual IS250 but this 2.5 liter engine and transmission is not as inspiring as the first generation IS300 manual. It makes a good daily car with a more luxurious ride. If you want more fun, the IS300 is the car you want. It’s an eargasm!
For anyone looking at a 250 don't get the manual, its awful, the engine is much better suited to the auto. The car is amazing though. smooth as silk with the auto tranny and pretty much bullet proof if properly looked after.
Love to see reviews of cars I driven on a daily basis, and this review is pretty accurate. Even though I don’t like my car as being described as average.
Wow, I really like this car, I actually want it! It's relatively modern, V6 (an inline 6 would be sweet), manual transmission, it's a Lexus (looks classy and sporty) and has the legendary Toyota reliability. But the real clincher for me was the fact that it's a late 2000s car with factory built-in ashtrays! And more than one! 😝My 2003 Corolla has zero ashtrays (unless you count the removable ashtray that wobbles around in the cupholder).
@@LeSwexy You don't always need a V8. An inline 6 is well balanced and with modern technology could be made as powerful as a V8. And I just like the sound a V6 or inline 6 makes.
@@wigletron2846 Oh right, there really isn't any difference man haha, you must have just driven a smoother 6cyl car/s that happened to be a inline 6 but honestly there's no inherent difference haha. But god I love a Barra, best i6 on the planet.
Mines it's automatic , would love to have a manual transmission on it , I love the way the center controls looks , but hate using them . Love the fact that it has an ashtray. The back seat it's really bad for big person like me but glad I'm always driving , just right.
My beloved Cadillac STS V8 got smucked by a drunk driver last month. It was an auto but I've been looking for a decent 6 speed sedan, and they are very hard to find! It's not too tough to get a Mustang with a stick, but a sedan is another story. Especially in a mid-size - but there are some 5 Series BMW's and G35 /37's. Every year the number of manual cars decrease in sales.
I have an 06 IS250 Manual that I swapped a 3GR-FSE from my brothers wrecked 06 GS300. Only makes 240hp but, it’s just enough with the 6spd manual. I have IS300 badges now and people stop me all the time asking about it then I tell them the story lol
This generation of Lexus IS 350 with flappy paddles (RWD, of course) is on my wishlist. I don't like the spindle grill design of the past decade or so. The only question is whether I get that or an Infiniti G37.
inifity has worse reliability but a much more loved engine in the tuning community so idk if you want a daily grab the IS350 if you want a car to dick around in and be a menace get a g35/37
It's a lot easier to find an unmolested and we'll services IS350 than a clean G37. Both are solid but the Lexus will almost certainly be more reliable long term.
I own one of these in the absolute top trim with the X Package. I will say it’s the worst manual i’ve ever driven, and that’s probably because it uses the same transmission as a Toyota Tacoma. I find the rev hang the biggest issue for sure. You will go from 1st-2nd and actually be waiting several seconds for the revs to come down (this due to the heavy pickup truck flywheel). For anyone buying this model year IS, definitely just get the is350 as you gain an extra 100hp.
Its such a shame that the manual is's are not made anymore and that the older ones are so hard to find. Id be driving one over a bmw if i could find a deal on one. I had a jzx100 and the parts i needed for the manual swap would have cost me more than the old bmw i got so sold the jzx. Some day when im rich ill have another straight 6 manual rear drive sedan.
I had a 2014 IS 250 with the automatic. It was decent off the line and got up to speed pretty quickly, but the cornering was legendary. I never got close to the edge of its cornering limits but I shudder to think how much more I would have to push it to get there.
I mean, it's tiny for a v6 at just 2.5L. if you increased the displacement to 3.0 it would make 246hp which is pretty on par for semi sporty v6s of the time. I have a 2010 Mazda3 2.5 I4 which makes 168hp from the same displacement so an extra 37hp is not bad at all, especially since it's a little older than my car.
@@paulm6481 well their low production sports models like the rcf500 where they only make like 8-10,000 a year they could offer it. all they need to do is use a manual trans bellhousing bolt pattern and reprogram the ecu to use a manual transmission. there are countless companies who make transmissions and will sell them their products.
@@mromatic17 Yes but those companies do not have to worry about fuel economy standards and myraid of government safety regulations with various components. At the scales we are talking about, making manuals becomes costly. BMW has succumbed to it. After Camaro, I doubt GM will have any manuals. We are left with Mustangs. And a few smaller Japanese cars.
@@Lsutton04_ hmm thats so stupid that they don't offer it at very least as a special order option especially on their F sport models. you can get pretty much any BMW model with a manual even the most bland models like a 325i.
@@mromatic17 Because Bimmers are big sellers in Europe where manual still has a fairly significant presence. Lexus on the otherhand, mostly sell to NA and East/South East Asia where manual is either uncommon or the the local car culture isnt as developed as Europe and so ppl that can afford a Lexus rarely want manual. Japan is only place where I can see the IS/Altezza manual do well; and unfortunately owning a car in Japan ismt exactly as easy as in Europe or NA.
@@eight-cloudspurple5871 yeah thats true its still super expensive to get a drivers license in europe and drive over there. hell gas is like $8 a gallon plus all the taxes and everything else. not to mention their taxes are like 50%!
Toyota made an IS350 6MT but they called it a Toyota Mark X GRMN, had the 2GRFSE and RA62 and only 350 were made and old sold in Japan. Also there’s been about 6 or 7 IS350 6MT swaps made so far. Check out River City Rally Team. They are RALLY RACING TWO IS350 6MT’s!
this is the one of mid 2000s car that still looks great and modern, doesn't look so old.
The more the world and the country is in constant turmoil, the more I find your non political, non controversial content appealing. Thanks, Zach.
I second that. With everything being politicised or over-politicised, it's refreshing to not hear anything about all of that nonsense.
It’s a fucking car review.
@@mybrotherjames8579ikr
It's a car review dude
Finally this car is getting some recognition. I had a 2012 6spd manual and had it for 5 years! When I bought it in 2017 nobody knew it existed because only the manual IS300 and ISF were popular. I’m in Canada and I had the most bare boned IS250, no leather, power seats, sunroof, heated seats, back up camera, rear shade etc it was kinda unique.
I believe it shares the same transmission from a Tacoma of the 2000’s, so it isn’t a dedicated tranny for this car, and because of that the shifting wasn’t that great. Throw is long and the car jolts every time you shift.
The car handles extremely well and feels well balanced around corners, esp since its RWD. The design of it still holds up with modern cars and pretty much every date I’ve picked up complimented the car lol
The IS250 6MT has the RA62 and the Tacoma has the RA63. Similar but different transmissions. If it’s strong enough for a truck, it should hold up in a car eh!
My IS250 6MT is hard top and cloth manual seats too. 333k kms so far. I’ve had mine for about 6 years. I love it.
How is it for Winter Driving and Driving on ice?
Compare to a FWD car.
@@sambalekouy7298 I park my IS250 6MT in the winter and drive my DCLB8' 4x4 Tundra
I got a 2008 is250 manual widebody bagged
I have a 2011 IS250 manual 6 speed. Bought used in 2014 w 40K miles. I'm up to 174K miles. Absolutely LOVE my Lexus.
Is that petrol? Which country are you in? I'm in the UK and have been trying to get a 2010+ manual petrol IS250 for a while. I saw one ever, but missed my chance to buy it. I think manual petrol Lexuses tapered off pretty severely towards the end of the 2000s.
Does you're have the 'marble noise' issue that other 250 manual owners are having?
This is the best review of the six speed manual transmission Lexus IS250 on the Internet. This car has really needed some attention and it’s great to finally see some recognition. It is a very rare car, only 3,421 were made in the US.. It’ll be the last car I ever drive. Lexus should really offer an IS350 6MT. They already did with the Toyota Mark X GRMN, but 350 units were sold only in Japan..
there are some great engine swaps possible with this car, the 3GRFSE and 2GRFSE bolt right up to the RA62. A few have done 1JZGTE and 2JZGTE swaps too. the Y38 diff from a BRZFRSGT86 bolts right up too. .
I’ve had my IS250 6MT for about 6 years. Got my 2GRFSE to swap in. It’s a hard top with cloth manual seats, no options.
Thanks for the great video.
You're planning to 2GR swap? How are you going to get the ECU to handle the manual transmission?
There'll be a public write up on that detail on the Gentlemen's Lexus IS Enthusiast Club on Facebook soon.
But from my understanding so far a check engine light is all that happens. They still drive.
@@zacapps5029 The engine will run in limp mode. You need to trick the engine to thinking its in gear otherwise you’ll run at reduced power.
@@kevinerdem5434, it doesn't go into limp mode. It drives. Check out the Gentlemen's IS Enthusiast Club
@@zacapps5029 Jeff Lange who did the first LHD manual 350 swap used an unprogrammed 2GR ECU and was put into limp mode. He said he was only able to get 40% throttle.
Absolutely love my manual IS250 😁 Installed a solid lightweight chromoly flywheel and a larger, sprung, clutchdisc. Made the car feel a lot more nippy and shifts much nicer. Also threw on a throttle controller for some extra throttle response. Will try to keep this car for a long, long time
I can confirm the rev hang was terrible but i mean i guess it makes sense for comfort rather than performance
I've always liked this gen IS 250. I debated between buying the IS 250, WRX, G35, Acura TSX recently. The things I didn't like about it were: 1. It's almost 3700 lbs for a 200HP car 2. I would've preferred a inline 6 instead of the V6. 3. Driving it felt a little floaty compared to the WRX, TSX. But I still think it's a nice car.
The 350 is better than 250.
If you want a straight 6, then one of the few choices is a BMW. Nothing wrong with a V6 though.
Almost a Japanese BMW 325. The IS is underrated and overlooked. I've said it before, Toyota can build a great car when they want to, they're just too conservative to really go all out. Toyota should have put some more resources into Lexus F when they had a chance to really build the brand. The IS500 is great but imagine if it had the benefit of years of performance tuning to get on the M3's level.
It’s such a shame seeing these cars that should be made available in manual transmissions to begin with, not be available anymore for our future generations.
Since 2014, a manual was only offered in the SE trim of the Toyota Corolla, so it can be hard to find a manual Corolla
Much better looking than the newer current Lexus models
If you modernized this cars front grill, headlights, and taillights it looks awfully similar to a brand new one
I would get this instead of an e46 any time
My boy finally got one to review!!
Nice looking car, LOVE that it's a manual!
Like you, I’m just happy to be driving a manual IS250 but this 2.5 liter engine and transmission is not as inspiring as the first generation IS300 manual. It makes a good daily car with a more luxurious ride. If you want more fun, the IS300 is the car you want. It’s an eargasm!
Yes as a manual 2is owner, it makes little to no power and the rev hang is bad too but never been happier
@@imreeflexx1878 Rev hang is really bad but at least it’s a cheap manual car with Lexus quality. Rather have this over the automatic.
It looks great, it the prior gen straight six was a legend.
In the center console there's a optional cup holder that is bigger
Had one! Found it a bit on the slow side. But very solid on the road but not as fun as an e46 323i I used to own.
For anyone looking at a 250 don't get the manual, its awful, the engine is much better suited to the auto. The car is amazing though. smooth as silk with the auto tranny and pretty much bullet proof if properly looked after.
yup 100% agree on that. Worst manual trans i’ve ever driven
Love to see reviews of cars I driven on a daily basis, and this review is pretty accurate. Even though I don’t like my car as being described as average.
my neighbor has one of these and it's such a cool car to drive.
Wow, I really like this car, I actually want it! It's relatively modern, V6 (an inline 6 would be sweet), manual transmission, it's a Lexus (looks classy and sporty) and has the legendary Toyota reliability. But the real clincher for me was the fact that it's a late 2000s car with factory built-in ashtrays! And more than one! 😝My 2003 Corolla has zero ashtrays (unless you count the removable ashtray that wobbles around in the cupholder).
Why would an inline 6 be sweet? It's still 6 cylinders.
@@LeSwexy You don't always need a V8. An inline 6 is well balanced and with modern technology could be made as powerful as a V8. And I just like the sound a V6 or inline 6 makes.
@@LeSwexyinline 6 engines are incredibly smooth, much smoother than a V6.
@@reallyrandomrides1296 I didn't say anything about v8s
@@wigletron2846 Oh right, there really isn't any difference man haha, you must have just driven a smoother 6cyl car/s that happened to be a inline 6 but honestly there's no inherent difference haha. But god I love a Barra, best i6 on the planet.
I have an is250 rwd 2012. But it an automatic. Its pretty fun to drive around
In the final years of the 2is, around 11-12, they have a second cup holder if you slide the center console
I got the last one off the lot in Hawaii. I might hold it forever.
Mines it's automatic , would love to have a manual transmission on it , I love the way the center controls looks , but hate using them .
Love the fact that it has an ashtray. The back seat it's really bad for big person like me but glad I'm always driving , just right.
My beloved Cadillac STS V8 got smucked by a drunk driver last month. It was an auto but I've been looking for a decent 6 speed sedan, and they are very hard to find! It's not too tough to get a Mustang with a stick, but a sedan is another story. Especially in a mid-size - but there are some 5 Series BMW's and G35 /37's. Every year the number of manual cars decrease in sales.
can you do a review on a 7th gen accord
I have an 06 IS250 Manual that I swapped a 3GR-FSE from my brothers wrecked 06 GS300. Only makes 240hp but, it’s just enough with the 6spd manual. I have IS300 badges now and people stop me all the time asking about it then I tell them the story lol
Nice built bud! Swap a Y38 LSD from a BRZFRSGT86 to completely change the car. 4.1 gear ratio. Bolts right in. It’ll wake up the car even more.
@@zacapps5029how long does it take to install one?
@@haxsl8397 depends on you. But 1-4 hours.
The reverse lock out reminds me of the shifter in my Volvo 240.
Love my 07 6spd, just hit 120k on it 🙌🏽
Shrek is love, Shrek is life lol These IS's were my favorite Lexus's other than the SC300
This generation of Lexus IS 350 with flappy paddles (RWD, of course) is on my wishlist. I don't like the spindle grill design of the past decade or so. The only question is whether I get that or an Infiniti G37.
inifity has worse reliability but a much more loved engine in the tuning community so idk
if you want a daily grab the IS350
if you want a car to dick around in and be a menace get a g35/37
Hard to find an unabused Infiniti, Lexus though driven much more conservatively so make for better used car purchase.
@@paulm6481 I was just thinking about how every g37 you see now has been modded out
It's a lot easier to find an unmolested and we'll services IS350 than a clean G37. Both are solid but the Lexus will almost certainly be more reliable long term.
Wait you’re in Naperville!!?? So am I, maybe I should submit my car 😂❤
Do it
I Have a 2is manual in australia:) Thanks for this review!
I was soo hoping it would be the 2gr-fe under there but it isn't thr IS350 never came manual! Would have been so much better!
I own one of these in the absolute top trim with the X Package. I will say it’s the worst manual i’ve ever driven, and that’s probably because it uses the same transmission as a Toyota Tacoma. I find the rev hang the biggest issue for sure. You will go from 1st-2nd and actually be waiting several seconds for the revs to come down (this due to the heavy pickup truck flywheel). For anyone buying this model year IS, definitely just get the is350 as you gain an extra 100hp.
It's not the Tacoma transmission
@@fishjohn014 yup. Same exact transmission.
@@fishjohn014 I also just learned now it is the same transmission as in the FJ cruiser
Does anyone know the part number for the manual transmission of this model? I'm trynna swap my 2007 to manual but wanna use compatible parts
Its such a shame that the manual is's are not made anymore and that the older ones are so hard to find. Id be driving one over a bmw if i could find a deal on one. I had a jzx100 and the parts i needed for the manual swap would have cost me more than the old bmw i got so sold the jzx. Some day when im rich ill have another straight 6 manual rear drive sedan.
Buy my 08 6 speed, also I have a jzx90, best cars ever made
I love my lexus! Fun fact, the lexus first aid kid saved my friends finger after he got cut with glass!
The Lexus is 300 is nice little sedan hope Lexus 300 more power 500 horsepower
I had a 2014 IS 250 with the automatic. It was decent off the line and got up to speed pretty quickly, but the cornering was legendary. I never got close to the edge of its cornering limits but I shudder to think how much more I would have to push it to get there.
"205 hp, for a v6 it's pretty nice" bro what?
I mean, it's tiny for a v6 at just 2.5L. if you increased the displacement to 3.0 it would make 246hp which is pretty on par for semi sporty v6s of the time.
I have a 2010 Mazda3 2.5 I4 which makes 168hp from the same displacement so an extra 37hp is not bad at all, especially since it's a little older than my car.
Very cool
No wonder this thing didn't sell. Slow v6 that takes only premium when a Camry gets the same power and feel
completely different chassis, and fwd. But yes, the 2.5 v6 is very slow
Was it this or the ISF?
edit: man I could've sworn the ISF was offered with a manual but it doesn't seem like it was
100k is close
The last manual was the 2010 is250C
Cool Fairweather car
I’d like to see the backseats next time 😔
They're tiny! not much room back there for adults
The rear seats are cramped for adults but still good quality with rear vents and cup holders
love it love it
My dream car 😍😊
transmissions from the tacoma.
People are asking up to 20k for these things, and they are so not worth that.
Jeez where do you live😭
In uk most are manual transmission and they are cheap I don’t get why uk cars being manual is cheap
Tacoma transmission
1:53 - Thank god you pronounced diesel correctly once again as die-suhl, Zack! (Not like those other people who mispronounce it as die-zill).
Boom shrek lol
Shrek :) Nice one
SHREK!!!
Shrek
i really don't know why they cant make the isf or the rcf500 with a 6 speed manual.
Because as he says take rate is so low. Just not t worth it for car manufacturers to make manual and sell 1,000 a year.
@@paulm6481 well their low production sports models like the rcf500 where they only make like 8-10,000 a year they could offer it. all they need to do is use a manual trans bellhousing bolt pattern and reprogram the ecu to use a manual transmission. there are countless companies who make transmissions and will sell them their products.
@@mromatic17 Yes but those companies do not have to worry about fuel economy standards and myraid of government safety regulations with various components. At the scales we are talking about, making manuals becomes costly. BMW has succumbed to it. After Camaro, I doubt GM will have any manuals. We are left with Mustangs. And a few smaller Japanese cars.
does anyone know if they made the IS350 in a manual too?
No, but there have been a few custom swaps
@@Lsutton04_ hmm thats so stupid that they don't offer it at very least as a special order option especially on their F sport models. you can get pretty much any BMW model with a manual even the most bland models like a 325i.
@@mromatic17 Because Bimmers are big sellers in Europe where manual still has a fairly significant presence. Lexus on the otherhand, mostly sell to NA and East/South East Asia where manual is either uncommon or the the local car culture isnt as developed as Europe and so ppl that can afford a Lexus rarely want manual. Japan is only place where I can see the IS/Altezza manual do well; and unfortunately owning a car in Japan ismt exactly as easy as in Europe or NA.
@@eight-cloudspurple5871 yeah thats true its still super expensive to get a drivers license in europe and drive over there. hell gas is like $8 a gallon plus all the taxes and everything else. not to mention their taxes are like 50%!
Toyota made an IS350 6MT but they called it a Toyota Mark X GRMN, had the 2GRFSE and RA62 and only 350 were made and old sold in Japan.
Also there’s been about 6 or 7 IS350 6MT swaps made so far. Check out River City Rally Team. They are RALLY RACING TWO IS350 6MT’s!