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2010 Lexus IS Convertible: First Drive
2009 IS250C Released in Paris

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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.
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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
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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...
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Mad_Science
06/12/09

@sos10: And be worth every penny.

At least to me.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Mobius
06/12/09

@DonLuc: Along similar lines, I'd rather have a Miata than this. Passengers be damned.
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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.
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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).
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Ben Wojdyla
06/12/09

@TwinTurbo Gokart: A manual in the IS250C is available.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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pauljones
06/12/09

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