2010 Lexus IS 250C

2010 Lexus IS 250C

The IS 250C, from certain angles, is no exception. To provide ample space to stow the roof and still leave a little carry-on luggage room, the entire rear end often grows out of proportion to the rest of the car. The IS C's overall length grows a little more than two inches, and it shows. It's also impossible to hide the massive cut lines for the trunk lid, which only adds to the feeling of extra mass. Then you add 400 pounds to the curb weight, and that extra mass becomes a real issue, especially in car packing a 204-hp V6.

To be fair, the car looks sharp from the front three-quarter angle, and--like all good convertibles--is fine with the top down. It also is fitted with some damn nice equipment--the super-powerful and clean sound of the Mark Levinson audio system is worth the money, along with the strong navigation system and the adaptive headlights which both do a great job of helping guide and light the way forward.

If your tastes run to luxury and you're willing to forego serious power to get everything for less than $50,000, the IS 250C is a good option.