is250c - Jalopnik

posts about #is250c more →
2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive

Your version of Internet Explorer is not supported. Please upgrade to the most recent version in order to view comments.

Dsmvwl Admin Promote to frontpage Approve user Ban user ×

DoctorNine
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
I guess I have to confess. I do have transmission control anxiety. I have to have a manual. This is not negotiable. Sorry, Lexus.
Reply

DoctorNine was starred DoctorNine was unstarred

albertofreire
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
That price is a rip off.... it a toyota....

I would get the previous release of the M3 used for half that price and be twice as happy driving it around...

Thats a Solara with a Lexus badge
Reply

albertofreire was starred albertofreire was unstarred

sos10
06/12/09

@albertofreire: until you break down... which will happen.. more often than you wished for... and in the end might cost you more than a new Lexus...
Reply

sos10 was starred sos10 was unstarred

Mad_Science
06/12/09

@sos10: And be worth every penny.

At least to me.
Reply

Mad_Science was starred Mad_Science was unstarred

Mad_Science
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Lexus gets it.

Lexus understands that the vast majority of people paying ~40k for a car (especially a convertible) want it to be "really nice". They want perfect worksmanship, top-notch materials, and a quiet, smooth comfortable driving experience.

They don't want character, they don't want "road feel", they don't want weighty steering, and they never even learned to drive a stickshift.

They "had a Pontiac as a rental once and it was terrible". "Lincoln? Isn't that an old-man car? You know, those big black taxi things".

...and that's why I have no use whatsoever for their products.
Reply

Mad_Science was starred Mad_Science was unstarred

Tanshanomi
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Oh my goodness -- I am finding both a folding hardtop convertible and a Lexus worth considering for the very first time.

Okay, there, it passed.

Wow, that was freaky.
Reply

Tanshanomi was starred Tanshanomi was unstarred

somnambulance
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
I wanted an IS 300 because I LOVED the Altezza in Gran Turismo 4. But in reality used IS 300's are really overpriced. I was looking for one from around '02 and couldn't find any for under $14K. So I bought a 2000 V70 R for $6000 instead.

P.S. The IS 300 SportCross (station wagon) is a really nice-looking car.
Reply

somnambulance was starred somnambulance was unstarred

FlakJack
06/12/09

@AtomikB: I lusted for the SportCross first time I saw one. Attractive, hatchback-like proportions and much more flexible than the sedan. Then I researched and learned they were only built with an auto tranny. The hell?
Reply

FlakJack was starred FlakJack was unstarred

Mobius
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Quintessentially Lexus. Which means lots of moms would be buying this. And I never will.
Reply

Mobius was starred Mobius was unstarred

combat chuck
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Nice choice of backdrop for the photos. Is this the luxury convertible for the discerning, suddenly-rich redneck who still buys his hooch at the old wood-slatted liquor store?
Reply

combat chuck was starred combat chuck was unstarred

Deartháir II
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Ahhh, now it all makes sense, you had to drive that Corolla with the Fusion grille in order to get some seat-time in a convertible.

I'm trying to like a Lexus so I can cease getting yelled at by my Toyota-fan friend, but I just can't. The lines are all wrong, there's no harmony to the lines, there's no passion or romance to the design. This is not a car designed by people who love cars, this is designed by people who wish to make a transportation device that is capable of competing with other similar cars in a particular segment.

I guess what I'm saying is, I feel sorry for you, Wojzilla, because you probably ain't gettin' much play if you're drivin' around in this thing.

You know what you need? A Lincoln Continental. Say, a '64? That'd get you some play. Oooh, yeah.
Reply

Deartháir II was starred Deartháir II was unstarred

pauljones
06/12/09

@Deartháir - Now with more SingoFinger™!:

It needs to be painted Celestial Black Metallic, with a Saddle Tan interior. Under the hood should be a supercharged 5.4 liter Triton V8 backed by a six-speed auto.

I'm still undecided on the wheels and the gauges.
Reply

pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred

Maymar
06/12/09

@Deartháir - Now with more SingoFinger™!: Hey! I bet if you were driving one of these, you could get any middle-aged upper-middle class woman you wanted! In fact, I'm pretty sure all Lexii come equipped with one from the factory.
Reply

Maymar was starred Maymar was unstarred

DonLuc
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
I'd rather have a Mini Cooper S convertible than this. Rear legroom be damned.
Reply

DonLuc was starred DonLuc was unstarred

Mobius
06/12/09

@DonLuc: Along similar lines, I'd rather have a Miata than this. Passengers be damned.
Reply

Mobius was starred Mobius was unstarred

FlakJack
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Those racer-boy wheels have no business on that blobby, Accord-esque body. Carrying forward the theme of the day: this is one convertible nobody wants to dragon.
Reply

FlakJack was starred FlakJack was unstarred

TwinTurbo Gokart
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Can you at least get a 6-Speed with the 2.5L engine like you can with the RWD IS250, or are you stuck with the slushbox?

Lexus really needs to offer the 6-Speed on the IS350 as well as the AWD variants of the 250 and the 350 (although RWD is my preference).
Reply

TwinTurbo Gokart was starred TwinTurbo Gokart was unstarred

Ben Wojdyla
06/12/09

@TwinTurbo Gokart: A manual in the IS250C is available.
Reply

Ben Wojdyla was starred Ben Wojdyla was unstarred

SlowMo (actually, there's no E on my R)
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Is the backseat worse that the sedan? If so, did all of the length go to the trunck so they could fit the retractable hard-top?

My boss had an IS and it had the worst rear seat legroom I have seen since my friend's 2-door Elantra.
Reply

sos10
06/12/09

@SlowMo -the anti-star: true. The IS is a very nice car to drive, but the legroom in the rear is a joke.. but then it is in most cars of that segment.. don't know if it's any worse than a BMW.
Reply

sos10 was starred sos10 was unstarred

Boosted Lego Wagon
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Just like your Mom, it looks ungainly from the rear, especially with the top down.

They could have called it the IS-Fugly.
Reply

Boosted Lego Wagon was starred

pauljones
06/12/09

@boosted-lego-wagon -> now boosted to 350hp: Thankfully, Wes gets his good looks from his dad (see my avatar).
Reply

pauljones was starred pauljones was unstarred

Elhigh
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
It appears to be vying for the old Sebring spot. The old SC had the gigantic JLo booty and was if nothing else at least visually distinct in that regard. This is like a big box of store brand vanilla. Sure it may be a fine performer, but the only way anyone's going to notice it is by the tire squeal.
Reply

Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred

Graverobber
06/12/09

@Elhigh: My first thought was damn, that looks like a Sebring from the back. This thing made a more awkward transition to convertible than Chastity Bono will to Chaz Bono (zing!), and pales in comparison to the Infiniti G37, at least in the looks department.
Reply

Graverobber was starred Graverobber was unstarred

Elhigh
06/12/09

@Graverobber: I'm glad it wasn't just me that saw it. I mean shoot, nice engine and all but c'mon - dress it up.
Reply

Elhigh was starred Elhigh was unstarred

Sloop_John_B
06/12/09

In reply to 2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
Raging deal? Seriously people, 43k is a LOT of cashola. That's cash that I will NEVER spend on a new Lexus "IS that wants to a BMW" convertible. Where do we get off thinking that 38k is even remotely acceptable for a vehicle of this nature? Low 30's is where it should concievably start.

Then again...maybe I'm totally missing something here and the Lexus IS is a car worthy of a 43k price tag.
Reply

Sloop_John_B was starred Sloop_John_B was unstarred

Ben Wojdyla
06/12/09

@Sloop_John_B: Raging deal for the segment. If you want a lux convertible that'll get out of its own way and can be tossed into a corner, you're talking mid 40's starting price from the competition.
Reply

Ben Wojdyla was starred Ben Wojdyla was unstarred

Earlier discussions Other discussions Show all discussions Show featured discussions only Start a new discussion

#is250c

Jalopnik

SUBSCRIBE TO Jalopnik

2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive

Login

Reset Password

Register

Submit Your Comment