2010 Lexus IS250 Convertible Review

The vehicle reviewed was the 2010 Lexus IS250c Convertible

Oh, yeah, a stick shift! My first reaction to the wine red coupe in my crosshairs was really positive. A few years ago during a tour through the Porsche factory one of the guides predicted the demise of the manual transmission and, based on my recent test vehicles, that prediction was appearing to come true.

Add to that the fact that Lexus vehicles are known for being more for those who might not describe themselves as enthusiasts and my reaction was even more enthusiastic to this machine. But there, in front of me, was a Lexus IS250 with a six-speed manual transmission. So, I got in my ride and made my way off, but not without first dropping the top. Oh, the two-door IS250 is a convertible, too! This will be a good day.

What’s Hot

Each of the big luxury car companies that serve the US seems to have its own niche. BMW, for example, really caters to enthusiasts so a Lexus that approaches this group of customers might be seen as moving in to BMW’s neighborhood. I felt it was my duty to spend lots and lots of time on twisty roads with the top down and the wind on my hat. No hair here, unfortunately, just the memory thereof.

The IS250 is new for 2010 and is the smaller Lexus to offer a metal top that retracts into the trunk, much like the high-zoot SC-430. Offered at a price more mainstream folks will appreciate, this Lexus features a 2.5 liter V6 engine which most buyers will mate to the six-speed automatic, but a few of the six-speed manual tranny cars are out there and I was driving one.

In typical Lexus fashion the IS250 offers permanently backlit gauges that are really easy on the eyes. The driver of this car should pay a bit of attention to the tachometer, in particular because the six-cylinder engine is so smooth and unobtrusive that it’s easy to overrev it.

If you’ve got an eye on the gauges, a yellow ring illuminates warning you that the engine is going to reach its rev limit (I didn’t check to see if it went red).

In that range is close to where I tried to keep the engine as I did thorough testing in the hills above Lake County. With plenty of roads that would do any car commercial proud, the Lexus was my willing companion in a test of gravity, physics and g-forces.

All the while the Lexus maintains its dignity and composure. As much as the V6 gives, you really want to push it further hoping that somewhere under the hood is a bit more muscle. The engine is so smooth, you don’t think you’re working it very hard even at the red line. There is an IS350 which offers a full liter more displacement.

The tested IS250 sported 204 horsepower and 185 lb-ft. of torque which is enough to make the 3450 feel agile, but the IS350 has 306 horsepower and 277 ft-lb. of torque so I would imagine that would come nearer to rocket ship status. The tested IS250 is a nice weekend in the country car, simply put. Maybe some classical music on the stereo?

Top up or down, the Lexus feels solid and smooth. The people who work in the quality control department at Lexus earn whatever bonuses they get. You can easily listen to conversations with the top down. This is a sophisticated car.

What’s Not

While going forward is the name of the game, backing up is truly a challenge, particularly with the top up. A royal challenge. If any car ever needed a backup camera, this is that car. With the thick pillar and the rear-seat headrests you almost want to elicit the help of a spotter if you have to back out of a parking space.

In Summary

While this car isn’t particularly fast, it is a fun car for weekend getaways while also being a good transport for more the mundane business of getting around town. There are beautiful lines on the outside, accented by a paint job that looked so deep I wanted to get my bathing suit and dive in.

But would I put this car in my own driveway? Maybe not. I’m a bit rough around the edges and appreciate things like rumbly V8 engines and the beauty of two black stripes on the asphalt. As such, this car might just have a bit too much class for me.

Instead of being the kind of car that seems to egg you on when an opportunity to demonstrate bad behavior comes along, this is a nice country club car. While the car is a beautiful example of engineering, it’s almost too homogenized to be a sports car for an obnoxious guy like me.

So, while it definitely has the key to move into the BMW’s neighborhood, the parties at the BMW’s house are going to be memorable, include beer and some behavior that you hope wasn’t photographed. There will be tea and biscuits at the Lexus household, nothing more. At least it’s not the Mustang’s house, where there’s hard liquor and women leaving their unmentionables behind. Not that I was there, mind you. 

Visit the Lexus IS250c Convertible Photo Gallery . 

This article was written by Anthony B. Barthel , Curbside's publisher.