Video: Lexus IS250c a threat to BMW…

04 Oct

Posted by carversation as 3-Series

BMW 3 series is the most popular luxury entry level model. While BMW has a desirable 3 series convertible and Mercedes-Benz gives us the CLK cab, other carmakers such as the Audi or the Lexus don’t have any cabriolet models.

So, Lexus decided to make the Lexus IS250 a convertible. I feel the car can never be compared to a bimmer, but it’s a start for Lexus and it clearly shows that there is still a market for convertibles and some new “players” are coming into the game as well. Too late? Time will tell.

Article By CARversation.com

7 Responses

oneill3

October 4th, 2008 at 2:29 am
1

Aren’t you forgetting the Mercedes CLK?
Gragop

October 4th, 2008 at 10:07 am
2

Sorry - I just don’t see this as a true competitor to the 3 Series. Why? Well, for starters, BMW buyers usually prefer to buy attractive cars that don’t look oblong and grafted together from two models. Second, with the design obviously being rushed I can’t imagine that the car is very good on the whole(read body flex, rattling, etc.) I think this model will be an absolute flop or at least depreciation like a rock within a year of sale.
Horatiu B.

October 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
3

@oneill3: You’re absolutely right, edited. Thanks
oneill3

October 5th, 2008 at 4:15 am
4

Good work
Mike

October 5th, 2008 at 7:36 am
5

Not an unattractive automobile, and Lexus has a fine reputation so I’m sure they’ll do well with this one. You could even argue they did a better job integrating the roofline with the top UP than BMW did in the E93. The worst part IMHO is the huge, tall rump; not as bloated looking as their (Toyota) Solara or SC430, but man!… I’ll bet that deck lid behind the rear passengers is 8″ higher than BMW’s. I applaud BMW for demanding that the engineers–their own and top maker Edscha Group’s–accomplish the folding metal feat while keeping the rear deck lid low.
sean fukumama

October 5th, 2008 at 11:58 am
6

The Lexus IS in my opinion has more of a feminine appeal versus BMW which has more of a masculine appeal. So there for, more men tend to buy the more aggressive look. Take, the 5 series for example. Nothing girly about that. and the 6 series, and ALL the late M models. BMW has always had a masculine luxury to it. Nothing feminine or fruity about the designs, the models has always look aggressive, bold, powerful and draws attention. What haters!!
Dustin

October 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
7

I agree that they have done a much better job with the top up than BMW has done. I still can’t get over how bad the 3 series convertible looks with the hard top in the up position. However, this looks too much like an SC430. I think the IS250/350 are pretty nice looking cars, but this looks more luxury than sporty. No thanks