The Lexus IS-C should have been a coupe.

"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck) 06/05/2019 at 22:04 • Filed to: Oh well

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You knew that the second-gen IS produced the IS-F, but did you know about their hardtop convertible? It’s true: Lexus made this to complete with, I assume, the G37x convertible and the E93. Maybe. And perhaps the Mercedes something-something. But not likely.

Badged as the IS 250C or IS 350C depending on which V6 the buyer went for, these things are pretty uncommon because no one bought them. Why did no one buy them? Well other than hovering around $46,000... It was a luxury hardtop convertible (niche segment) and it was a Lexus that wasn’t an ES350 or RX350. Not much overlap there.

Here’s what probably didn’t help: the looks with the top down...

.... And the cargo space. Not bad for an exciting McLaren, but totally awful for any car you have to drive every day. Such is the life of a hardtop convertible.

Visually, there was some promise. The rear looked good below the awful hump lid...

.... And there is some potential with the profile with the top up.

From left to right: yeahhhhhhhuhhhhh oh God why

A coupe could have been a better volume seller, fighting the G37 coupe, A5s, and lower-trimmed E92s, instead of grasping at straws in the hardtop convertible pool.

Well anyway, thanks for reading.

CB > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2019 at 22:10

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That rear roofline... that is so phoned in.

VajazzleMcDildertits - read carefully, respond politely > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2019 at 22:11

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What you’re talking about is the RC.

The RC chassis platform actually takes its midsection from the 2nd gen IS Convertible - the car you’re talking about.

Front is GS and Rear is 3IS. I figure it was a price thing.

Also, the RC’s interior space is a little lacking, even if furnished in that Nice Lexus way.

Edit: Also I think the nose is alright but many don’t

AestheticsInMotion > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2019 at 22:19

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I legitimately did not know that was a thing. From the side it makes me think of a Scion TC, which... Probably not what they were going for.

What is it with Lexus and fugly convertibles

Nauraushaun > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2019 at 22:45

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I’d just like to chime in and say this is why t-tops are better. They look better up or down, they’re simpler, cheaper, lighter and have (far) less impact on cargo space . The only downside is the effort required to remove them.

Given that a folding hardtop ruined this car and made it unsellable, maybe that one tradeoff is worth it.

WilliamsSW > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/05/2019 at 23:15

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Hardtop convertibles in general suck. They just pile on to the compromises that convertibles already make by adding ALL of the weight and taking away even moar trunk space.

 - Convertible lover

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/06/2019 at 10:43

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i think it looks better with the top down instead of up

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/06/2019 at 13:57

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The SC430 also should have been a coupe.

Regardless, both cars are freaking hideous and should be burned.

Chariotoflove > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/06/2019 at 14:37

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There’s one in my work garage. I think they look better with the top down. The G37 convertible had the same trunk struggles.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/06/2019 at 15:44

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Not even twelve hours after you post this I spot one in the wild:

E90M3 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 06/06/2019 at 21:20

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46K really isn’t bad at all, considering.