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2010 Lexus IS C
November 18, 2009 By Brian Alexander, Road Test Editor
2010 Lexus IS 250C 
2010 Lexus IS 250C
DriverSide Overview
Nine years after the debut of its entry-level IS sports sedan , Lexus is taking the door count down by two and chopping off the roof. Simultaneously. Unlike most car companies, who build dedicated sedan and coupe models and produce a drop-top version a few years later, Lexus has decided to do both at the same time. A trick folding hardtop roof has allowed the IS C to be two cars in one, though unfortunately it doesn’t fulfill both roles as competently as some of its more focused competitors. Sure, the car drives as well as the IS 250 and 350 sedans currently on offer – and that’s no easy feat – but aesthetically it’s a bit bulky and misshapen in the same way a puppy has awkwardly oversized legs and feet. Part of the reason for this is Lexus’ insistence the IS C utilize a folding hardtop, the other the decision to leave some usable trunk space for when the top is down (unlike the Infiniti G37 Convertible, which has enough space for an extra pair of socks and a stick of gum). Lexus has made up some ground on the competition when it comes to pricing, however, firmly placing the IS 250C below the oh-so-vital $40k mark. Plus, your friend probably won’t look so cool when his golf clubs are hanging out of the G37’s backseat, will he?
2010 Lexus IS 350C 
2010 Lexus IS 350C
What's to Like
Despite the added weight of a folding hard top, motors and bracing, the IS C has managed to retain its driving composure – top up or down. A properly spacious trunk when the top is up that leaves room for more than a bottle of water when the roof is down definitely adds to buyer appeal as well. Revisions to the navigation menus bring some much-needed order to the user interface.
What's Not to Like
With the top down, wind has a tendency to buffet forward from the rear seats. This isn’t a problem on a warm day, but even in mildly cold weather it can feel too drafty. There is some backseat space, but any potential passengers will be treated to a wind bashing so brutal they’re likely to get out and walk.
The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
Despite the loss of its structurally integral roof, the IS C manages to maintain all of the comfort and drivability of the standard IS sedan. This has been achieved through heavy use of reinforcement bracing, which, along with the 15 motors added to raise and lower the folding hard top, has conspired to add between 350 and 400 lbs to the convertible’s curb weight. The result is a ballooned-up car that never feels truly fast, even with the optional 306 horsepower V-6 engine. It is, however, a generally comfortable, quiet place to be. In other words, it’s exactly like the IS sedan. If using a clutch to swap the gears yourself sounds appealing, the 2.5-lite...