DougIsaacs

Really useful replies, thanks guys

Very informative Whirlio, ta very much. I agree totally, if you want reliability buy Japanese and not German. My previous Honda went for 9 years without a single issue. My BMW I've just sold, and my wife's Golf, have both been in the garage at least once a year for non scheduled problems.

Fair enough, it's the only review like that so I guess you're right.

Good news 😄 Anyone with technical knowledge of auto transmissions comment on the idea that locking the torque converter will wear the planetary clutches, as suggested in that article quote I posted above?

Hi all, I'm new to this forum and a wannabe IS F owner (current funds don't allow!) Anyway, I've always been interested in the IS F since launch and people always quote 'Lexus reliability' when reviewing it. Is it as reliable as a 'normal' Lexus? Are there any common issues? I read this in a review recently that I thought was interesting: "Once you’re rolling, the torque converter locks and all shifts are absorbed by the planetary clutches. Honestly, if the transmission came from anyone else but Toyota I would describe it as “a grenade waiting to happen,” but I haven’t heard any reports of it being anything other than reliable. Every shift, however, feels like bloody mechanical murder and it makes driving the car in wet conditions a bit of a challenge. The clutches engage with a “bump” and if you’re already at the limit of traction you are going to have a chance to become acquainted with the I’m-off-no-wait-I’m-really-on-but-waiting-for-you-to-screw-up stability control. The electronic leash on this call pulls tight and it can kill forward progress around a racetrack like an arrester hook." thetruthaboutcars.com anyone any thoughts on this? Have the transmissions proven reliable? Are the shifts that harsh?