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Memo to Snyder: Don’t stop the radical reforms now!Lexus IS Convertible is smooth operator … without snow
March 9th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Jill Ciminillo
I had tiptoed through the snow via tire treads in our driveway, daintily making my way to the shining blue beacon in my parking spot in high-heeled shoes and a skirt.
After sliding into the driver’s seat with a sigh and a shiver then shaking the snow off my shoes, I punched the start button, rubbed my hands together and pulled into the alley. I had gotten halfway to the unplowed street driving down my unplowed alley when it occurred to me: I was driving a rear-wheel drive (RWD) Lexus IS Convertible in about 6 inches (and falling) of Chicago snow. And I was wearing 3-inch heels and a skirt.
Of course, I didn’t have any back-up boots and pants in the car. And just as this thought flitted through my mind, the rear wheels hit a groove. And stayed there.
Well, sh**.
As is usually the case in these instances, I did have someplace I needed to be. So, I crossed my fingers that 1) I could rock myself out of being stuck, and 2) it would stop snowing soon so that the fact that I wasn’t going to run back up 3 flights of stairs in 6 inches of snow while wearing high heels and a skirt to get back-up boots and pants wouldn’t be a mistake.
Luckily both 1 and 2 proved to be true, and I made it to and from my appointment with only a minor, momentary, heart-stopping incident.
While I think the little Lexus is stunningly beautiful and drives well on dry pavement, it is not quite the snow bunny that the Audi A5 Convertible is. You see, the A5 has an all-wheel drive option (AWD); the IS Convertible is only available with RWD.
But if you have around $50K to spend and you don’t have to drive it in snow, there is much to recommend the IS Convertible.
First, I’m a huge fan of the hard convertible top. Lexus, who has been doing this for a while (think SC), does this very well. While the top seams on the BMW 3-Series are clunky, and the Chrysler Sebring seams are junky, Lexus manages to blend the convertible top hinges into the overall rooflines, giving a sleek and blended appearance.
Though the IS sedan has been around for awhile, this is the first model year for the convertible version, which is a coupe rather than a sedan.
The interior of this little cutie suited me very well as a petite driver, but I have to wonder how someone on the larger side of life would feel. The seats hugged my ribs, all the controls and gauges were within easy reach, and I could easily rest my arm on either the armrest or the window sill. Unfortunately, my only other passenger that week was a friend who is about my height. And four of us could fit in this vehicle easily. Four—or even two!—of anyone else? Well, you’d have to see for yourself.
I liked the interior appointments on the IS Convertible test vehicle, and while they aren’t as attractive as, say, a Cadillac, I did appreciate the upgrades included with the optional Luxury Package. A few of my faves: the illuminated scuff plate, heated and cooled front seats and adaptive headlights.
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As soon as the IS Convertible hit the cleared highway, it was fun to drive, and I played with maneuverability and mergabilty. The test vehicle was an IS250, with a 2.5-liter V-6 engine, and the 204 horsepower was plenty enough for this 3,814-pound vehicle. For a little extra kick, the IS350 adds 102 horsepower, and gets those 0-to-60-mph times in the sub-6-second range.
The test vehicle had a base price of $39,660 and added more than $7,000 in options, including the 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires ($720), the Luxury Package ($3,055) and the navigation system with premium Mark Levinson audio system ($3,890).
I wasn’t overly enthralled with the navigation system. Not only did it have a difficult time recognizing my voice with verbal commands, but it also took circumlocutious routes to get me from point A to point B—even when I would try to get it to send me in a different direction by taking a known route. The problem with the packaging, however, is that you can’t get the premium audio system or the Bluetooth connectivity without the navigation. And those two items almost make the $4K package worth it.
Plus if I were going to get the 18-inch alloy wheels, I’d probably opt for performance tires instead of all-season. Then, if I lived in a snow-bound locale, I’d also invest in a set of Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires, and change them out seasonally.
Overall, I do like the IS Convertible, but I think it’s a bit pricey for what it is. Unless Lexus is intending to come out with an even smaller car (a la Toyota Yaris), I think the pricing on the IS has gotten a tad ridiculous. It should start somewhere in the $25K range (rather than the $32K range) for the base version with a manual transmission, and I’d love to see the convertible starting at $35K. Oh, and some of those packages should be broken up a bit better. What if I want Bluetooth and nothing else?
Hey, it could happen.
All I’m saying is, if you’re going to spend $50K on a hardtop convertible, think BMW 328i. The seams may be clunky, but it drives like a dream.
This week’s test car is a Nissan Altima. For more automotive coverage and up-to-date raves and rants on Jill’s car du jour, be sure to visit her car blog, Drive, She Said.
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That’s a very nice writeup! I’ve been test driving hardtop convertibles and the A5. I’m yet to find that one that’s perfect for me and I can afford, but I’m still looking and waiting for a perfect deal.
I drove the Infiniti G37 convertible, it looks amazing and is nice inside, but there is no trunk space with top down and I didn’t enjoy how it drives nearly as much as I thought I would.
I drove the 328i convertible, and I agree with you, the drive was amazing, but for 50k, you basically get a 20k cockpit. It looks like a BMW from 10 years ago inside, old looking dashboard, stereo, etc. But man can that car drive.
Then I went to the Audi, I personally prefer the hardtop convertibles, but I thin the A5 coupe is one of the best looking cars out there, so I had to go look at the convertible. It drives well, although I wish it had a 6 cylinder engine and not 4. It’s a soft top, so not quite as cool looking as the hard tops, but you do get a much bigger trunk because of it, lighter car so you can get I think 31 or 32 MPG on a highway, and you can actually open and close the top while driving up to 30 MPH.
I still have the Volvo C70 to try and I’ll even consider the Chrystler Limited Hardtop, I don’t think it’ll touch the others in the driving experience, but it is the cheapest hardtop option, so if by the time my poor Mitsubishi Mirage 2000 with 185k miles totally dies I can’t quite swing the BMW or Audi price tags I might have to settle for something less, but I still really want a convertible. Here in Florida driving with the top down can be done most of the year.
I actually disagree with you about the Lexus IS looks though, it didn’t even make it on my top 5 list because quite frankly I think it’s the ugliest one of the bunch. But I guess that’s why we all have opinions.
Hi, Roman:
Thanks for your comment … I noticed that a lot of the hardtop convertibles you mention are on the luxury end of the scale. But you do mention the potential of test driving the Chrysler, so that makes me think you’re open to another option. Have you looked at the Volkswagen Eos? It’s been a few years since I’ve driven it, but i really liked it. It’s on the smaller side of the spectrum, but it had a very peppy engine, and the test car had a 6-speed manual transmission that I loved.
Good luck with your quest to find a hardtop convertible. Definitely essential in Florida!
We didn’t get a production version of the Concept CS, but it looks like things are going to go a little less disappointingly with the recently unveiled BMW Gran Coupé. Elements from the rakish four-door are will first appear on the 6 Series coupe and convertible, and the Gran Coupé’s cues are expected to “turn up all over the BMW range in the next few years.”
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