2012 Lexus IS250C: Life in the slow lane, and loving it!

If the Lexus IS has one consistent shortcoming, it must be its inherent lack of sporting pedigree. Although earning much respect with the tuning community in its first iteration (largely due to the monsterous 2JZ inline six engine underhood), the second generation has never seemed to quite get out of the shadow of its Bavarian competition, with every model from the IS250 to the high-performance and promising IS-F model being forced to play second fiddle to their slightly sportier European competition thanks to Lexus' uncompromising approach to cosseting luxury. But if that same soft, supple ride, smooth mannerisms, and relaxed attitude have all made the IS lose ground to its various stiff and spritely nemesi, they're also numbered amongst the best strengths of that same car's convertible variant, the IS250C. 

So perhaps the real issue with this car is one of identity... but who can blame the public for high expectations when a visit to Lexus' Canadian website finds the 204-horsepower IS250C sharing it's "sport coupe" classification with but one other model: the $375,000 LFA. And even if you can wrap your brain around ignoring the mind-bending logic that's required to lump that amazing mid-engined hypercar in with the IS250C, the very inclusion of the IS25-C in the "sport coupe" segment seems at least somewhat problematic, given it's a segment that's literally defined by a pair of words that would indicate a car that's endowed with both an immovable roof as well as a certain degree of quickness.

Because to be sure, the IS250C has neither of those things. Weighing 3,850 pounds  and relying upon an interesting, but woefully underpowered 2.5 litre six cylinder engine, basic physics imbue the IS250C with lacklustre accelerative properties, culminating in a 0-60 time of just over eight seconds; roughly two seconds slower than Mazda's hardly-powerful MX5. Furthermore, and addressing the second issue with calling the IS250C a "sport coupe," the removal of the IS' roof has resulted in a too-flexible chassis that, when coupled with the car's soft suspension, combine to create a general unwillingness to participate in any shenaniganry. So, even if you do manage to cajole the engine into an unlikely state of playfulness, the chassis will stamp it's feet and shake its cowl through each and every corner until you bleed off any excess momentum and resume driving like a responsible individual. 

Which is precisely when one might begin to notice that the IS250C is actually a pretty damned nice car. Left to its own devices and moving over the Earth's crust at a slower pace, its smooth ride and well-sorted noise and vibration development quickly shine through the problems that were so prevalent when hustling along, and nearly all of the shimmies and shakes that came through the steering wheel fade away into little more than an occasional tug or pull. And although it's even heavier than the sedan, Lexus has fits each IS-C with softer springs, bushings, and dampers than the sedan in an effort to minimize impact on the drop-top's inherently weaker chassis, which in turn means the car gives an even softer ride than usual. 

And it's that ability to waft over potholes, speed bumps, and other undulations with grace and poise that really is the positive side of what is often seen as the IS' biggest detractor: a lack of sporting appeal. Sure, it doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of keeping up with any of its German (or even Japanese) competitors on a track or fast-flowing mountain road, but in the far more commonly encountered arena of cruising the boulevard on a nice summer's eve, the IS250C's handsome shape, well-equipped and trimmed interior, and thrifty nature make it more than its competitor's equal. In fact, much like its closest competitor, the Volvo C70, the IS250C really reminds one of the convertibles of old; those big bateaus of a bygone era that were as good as showing you the world as they were at showing you to the world. Except, unlike those big old '59 Cadillacs and Lincoln Continentals, the Lexus IS250C promises excellent fuel economy and amazing reliability, so you can enjoy seeing the world (and being seen by it) for years to come.