- :
- 2011 Mustang GT
I'd still rather have the IS-F. I'm going on Thursday to test drive one...they're offering 'discounts' right now...
2008 Lexus IS 250/IS 350 F Sport Poor Man's IS F?
- Thread starter mikeyb
- Start date
What kind of "discounts"?
- :
- 2011 Mustang GT
Special financing and they have a demo car that has a $2000 radar system in it, for only $57k +plate.
I would go over to BMW to see what they are offering for "discounts" and "special financing" on M3s.
What is +plate? Here in NH registration is not part of the purchase price.
They have been offering that for acouple of months now. And offering 0.9% financing. But it does not look like they are offering any rebates or discounts. I think I would have to go to the local BMW center.
That is not surprising at all. I had a customer in yesterday that bought a leftover 08 M3 sedan for 50K. The local BMW center has 5 leftover 08 M3s and 4 09 M3s.
- :
- 2011 Mustang GT
Plate is dependent on price/birthdate, but figure at least $300 for this car.
I'm considering the M3 or S5 as well.
Its the samething here but you pay both town and state tax when you register the car. $300 would be a steal here. It cost me $480 to register my Altima when I purchased it back in 2005 and it was 2 years old. I bought it for $22K. So I could imagine the cost to register a IS-F here in NH. It would be either close to or over a grand. Does these cars have gas guzzler tax?
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Lexus F-Sport Accessories for IS Convertible
The Lexus IS 250C and IS 350C can now be upgraded with a host of performance-enhancing official F-Sport accessories. First announced at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show in February the parts are available to be fitted in the convertible IS models.
Starting from under the bonnet a light-weight carbon fiber engine cover is fitted to give the area a hi-tech look. A low-restriction intake that is emission legal in the whole US keeps things environmentally-friendly.
F-Sport forged alloy wheels can be ordered in either 18-inch or 19-inch size. They are finished in a dark graphite colour to give the IS that aggressive look. The front brakes can be upgraded with six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Lexus says they provide a firmer pedal feel and improve fade resistance under continued and repeated use.
Bilstein partnered with Lexus F-Sport for a set of shock absorbers that offer a performance suspension but at the same time keep the ride comfortable. A lowering spring set lowers the car by about an inch both in the front and rear.
The rear also features its own F-Sport brake upgrade which is similar to the front except that it uses four-piston fixed calipers but also drilled cast-iron rotors as well. The F-Sport rear brake set can only be used with the matching front brake set. The exhaust system is stainless steel with fully polished mufflers. It is fully emissions-compliant.
Interior articles include an F-Sport clutch set for the manual cars, a quick shifter made of aluminium, also for the manual transmission, a leather/ carbon fiber combo shift knob and nylon floor mats.
The Lexus IS 250C and IS 350C can now be upgraded with a host of performance-enhancing official F-Sport accessories. First announced at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show in February the parts are available to be fitted in the convertible IS models.
Starting from under the bonnet a light-weight carbon fiber engine cover is fitted to give the area a hi-tech look. A low-restriction intake that is emission legal in the whole US keeps things environmentally-friendly.
F-Sport forged alloy wheels can be ordered in either 18-inch or 19-inch size. They are finished in a dark graphite colour to give the IS that aggressive look. The front brakes can be upgraded with six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Lexus says they provide a firmer pedal feel and improve fade resistance under continued and repeated use.
Bilstein partnered with Lexus F-Sport for a set of shock absorbers that offer a performance suspension but at the same time keep the ride comfortable. A lowering spring set lowers the car by about an inch both in the front and rear.
The rear also features its own F-Sport brake upgrade which is similar to the front except that it uses four-piston fixed calipers but also drilled cast-iron rotors as well. The F-Sport rear brake set can only be used with the matching front brake set. The exhaust system is stainless steel with fully polished mufflers. It is fully emissions-compliant.
Interior articles include an F-Sport clutch set for the manual cars, a quick shifter made of aluminium, also for the manual transmission, a leather/ carbon fiber combo shift knob and nylon floor mats.
Press Release:
F-Sport 18 and 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels
The F-Sport forged alloy wheels, exclusively designed in a dark graphite finish, not only add an aggressive look to the exterior, but help enhance performance through increased strength and decreased weight. The F-Sport wheels require the use of spline-drive lug nuts, which are included in the available Wheel Installation Kit.
F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade
The Front Brake Upgrade provides a firmer pedal feel and improved fade resistance in repeated severe-duty use. The Brake Upgrade features six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors with a patented internal-fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are included, and the upgrade can be used with stock or the F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade.
F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade
Similar in construction to the F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade, the Rear Brake Upgrade uses four-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are also included. The Rear Brake Upgrade may only be used in conjunction with F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade.
F-Sport Shock Absorber Set
Developed in cooperation with Bilstein and available exclusively through the F-Sport Performance Accessory program, this shock-absorber set offers sport-tuned suspension dampening without sacrificing ride quality.
F-Sport Lowering Spring Set
This feature lowers the vehicle approximately one inch in the front and rear for a more aggressive appearance and a lower center of gravity. The spring set is engineered to deliver lowered ride height without bottoming out or creating a harsh ride. The sets will be specifically configured for each model and can be used with either the stock or F-Sport Shock Absorber Set.
F-Sport Sway Bar Set
The sway bar set includes larger diameter replacement front-and-rear sway bars that reduce body sway and flatten cornering. Oil-impregnated rubber bushings are also included to replace the original rubber bushings. Each vehicle's sway bar set is specifically configured to achieve the best performance.
F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace
To improve chassis stiffness under aggressive driving conditions and provide a more responsive feel during cornering, the F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace joins key rear-chassis and suspension mounting points through this tubular steel brace.
F-Sport Performance Exhaust System
This system features all stainless-steel construction with fully polished mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips. In addition to an outstanding appearance, it delivers a powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound while complying with established sound-level standards and does not affect emissions compliance.
F-Sport Performance Air Intake
This low-restriction intake and filter assembly is fully compatible with stock engine controls and is emission legal in all 50 states.
F-Sport Carbon Fiber Engine Cover
Constructed from real carbon fiber, this light-weight, durable engine cover provides a high-tech appearance under the hood. This is a direct replacement for the original cover.
F-Sport Performance ClutchSet
The F-Sport Performance Clutch Set, available for the IS 250 and IS 250C equipped with the manual transmission, increases clamping force approximately 16 percent to handle higher torque capacity and provide improved feel.
F-Sport Quick Shifter
Engineered and machined from billet aluminum, the F-Sport Quick Shifter for the manual-transmission equipped IS 250 and IS 250C decreases shift throw by approximately 35 percent for quicker and more positive shifting.
F-Sport Shift Knob
Constructed from premium leather and genuine carbon fiber, F-Sport shift knobs are sporty and offer a comfortable curved shape. The manual knob is weighted to provide a sporty and more controlled feel while shifting. Both knobs are detailed with signature blue stitching and a silver F-Sport logo.
F-Sport Floor Mats
Made from the same high-quality 18 ounce nylon carpet as the factory mats, the four-piece set is available in black with a silver embroidered "F-Sport" logo.
F-Sport 18 and 19-inch Forged Alloy Wheels
The F-Sport forged alloy wheels, exclusively designed in a dark graphite finish, not only add an aggressive look to the exterior, but help enhance performance through increased strength and decreased weight. The F-Sport wheels require the use of spline-drive lug nuts, which are included in the available Wheel Installation Kit.
F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade
The Front Brake Upgrade provides a firmer pedal feel and improved fade resistance in repeated severe-duty use. The Brake Upgrade features six-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors with a patented internal-fin design mounted on anodized aluminum hubs. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are included, and the upgrade can be used with stock or the F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade.
F-Sport Rear Brake Upgrade
Similar in construction to the F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade, the Rear Brake Upgrade uses four-piston fixed calipers and drilled cast-iron rotors. Braided stainless-steel brake lines and low-dust performance brake pads are also included. The Rear Brake Upgrade may only be used in conjunction with F-Sport Front Brake Upgrade.
F-Sport Shock Absorber Set
Developed in cooperation with Bilstein and available exclusively through the F-Sport Performance Accessory program, this shock-absorber set offers sport-tuned suspension dampening without sacrificing ride quality.
F-Sport Lowering Spring Set
This feature lowers the vehicle approximately one inch in the front and rear for a more aggressive appearance and a lower center of gravity. The spring set is engineered to deliver lowered ride height without bottoming out or creating a harsh ride. The sets will be specifically configured for each model and can be used with either the stock or F-Sport Shock Absorber Set.
F-Sport Sway Bar Set
The sway bar set includes larger diameter replacement front-and-rear sway bars that reduce body sway and flatten cornering. Oil-impregnated rubber bushings are also included to replace the original rubber bushings. Each vehicle's sway bar set is specifically configured to achieve the best performance.
F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace
To improve chassis stiffness under aggressive driving conditions and provide a more responsive feel during cornering, the F-Sport Rear Chassis Member Brace joins key rear-chassis and suspension mounting points through this tubular steel brace.
F-Sport Performance Exhaust System
This system features all stainless-steel construction with fully polished mufflers and double-wall exhaust tips. In addition to an outstanding appearance, it delivers a powerful, sport-tuned exhaust sound while complying with established sound-level standards and does not affect emissions compliance.
F-Sport Performance Air Intake
This low-restriction intake and filter assembly is fully compatible with stock engine controls and is emission legal in all 50 states.
F-Sport Carbon Fiber Engine Cover
Constructed from real carbon fiber, this light-weight, durable engine cover provides a high-tech appearance under the hood. This is a direct replacement for the original cover.
F-Sport Performance ClutchSet
The F-Sport Performance Clutch Set, available for the IS 250 and IS 250C equipped with the manual transmission, increases clamping force approximately 16 percent to handle higher torque capacity and provide improved feel.
F-Sport Quick Shifter
Engineered and machined from billet aluminum, the F-Sport Quick Shifter for the manual-transmission equipped IS 250 and IS 250C decreases shift throw by approximately 35 percent for quicker and more positive shifting.
F-Sport Shift Knob
Constructed from premium leather and genuine carbon fiber, F-Sport shift knobs are sporty and offer a comfortable curved shape. The manual knob is weighted to provide a sporty and more controlled feel while shifting. Both knobs are detailed with signature blue stitching and a silver F-Sport logo.
F-Sport Floor Mats
Made from the same high-quality 18 ounce nylon carpet as the factory mats, the four-piece set is available in black with a silver embroidered "F-Sport" logo.
- :
- 2008 Mazda5 5MT Sport w/ Popular Package
(naughty), the rest, hmmm, sedan ftw
2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport Full Test
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Speed Read
Vehicle Tested:
2010 Lexus IS 350 C 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $62,216
What Works:
Worthwhile chassis upgrades; triple-black treatment; pillarless coupe look.
What Needs Work:
Electric-assist power steering; slow steering ratio doesn't match F-Sport suspension; pricey.
Bottom Line:
Some F-Sport upgrades honestly improve performance; others are just for looks.
Featured Specs
The young man in the crosswalk seemed very insistent. For a moment we thought he was referring to the sheer number of Lexus F-Sport accessories ($12,471 worth, so indeed F-ed to the maximum) with which our $44,815 2010 Lexus IS 350C had been modified, but upon reflection we believe he was simply complimenting the pleasing aesthetic that, in his estimation, they brought to this hardtop convertible.
Struggling for the proper reply that would validate our newfound street cred, we were unfortunately possessed by the spirit of Opie Taylor. "Thanks!" we said, and we were barely able to refrain from adding, "Mister."
"True dat" and "Werd" mysteriously deserted us when we needed them most.
F-ed, Only in a Good Way
G-Money is right. This black-on-black 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport looks serious, especially with its top in place.
All the bits here are available from the Lexus catalog of F-Sport accessories, the wide selection of aftermarket-style equipment that Lexus has developed in its effort to make the IS range of cars signify speed instead of just style. Of course, style still has a lot to do with it, as these graphite-gray, forged-aluminum 19-inch wheels and low-profile Michelin PS2 tires ($2,346) are dramatized by the lowering springs ($299) and Bilstein dampers ($740). The added menace of this IS 350C's obsidian black paint makes the effect even more intriguing. All hunkered down, dark and mysterious, this is the most masculine Lexus convertible there is.
But the IS 350C F-Sport doesn't thrive on its good looks alone. Beneath the skin, the F treatment provides measurable gains in performance with only a little loss of comfort. In its standard form, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C reminded us of a rolling golf resort. Now we'll see how well it represents a high-performance coupe.
Inevitable Comparisons
Because the 306-horsepower, folding tin-top IS 350C weighs almost 800 pounds more than the equally powerful IS 350 sedan on which it is based, the heavier F-Sport convertible is naturally a little slower on the drag strip — about a half-second separates the IS sedan from the drop top across the board. Our black test car's best 0-60 time is 5.9 seconds (5.6 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and the quarter-mile elapses in 14.2 seconds at 97.3 mph. Nevertheless, this performance puts it in almost a dead heat with the 2009 Infiniti G37S Convertible.
Lexus tells us that the 60mm stainless-steel axle-back exhaust system ($1,470) from the F-Sport catalog is partially responsible, since it adds up to 1.5 percent more power, while the less restrictive intake system ($455) is ideally good for another 3 percent. In other words, $1,925 potentially buys you (are you ready for it?) almost 14 horsepower — and an exhaust note that can grow tiresome. This is a genuine improvement and what you usually get with less restrictive intake and exhaust modifications for any car, but we'd spend that money elsewhere.
Compared to the 2008 Lexus IS 350 Sedan we last tested, this 2010 IS 350C F-Sport also stops shorter by 2 feet. You can't deny that this car's F-Sport Brake package with lightweight, two-piece, cross-drilled rotors with forged six-piston calipers in front and four-piston calipers in the rear plus high-performance brake pads combine to deliver exceptional feel and fade resistance (in fact, the car's shortest stop arrived on the seventh attempt), but we're conflicted about this upgrade. The standard brakes are already excellent and that's a lot of Benjamins for improved feel and a cool aesthetic, yet the F-Sport package is what you'd want for serious high-speed work.
Money Well Spent
If you're looking to spend good money on a modified IS convertible, look no further than the $2,346 wheel/tire upgrade and add it to the $1,588 for springs, shocks and antiroll bars. The resulting $3,934 is a reasonable amount to spend on the 2010 Lexus IS 350C's chassis, and here's why.
The forged-aluminum wheels reduce unsprung weight by 21 pounds (5.5 pounds at each 19-by-8-inch front wheel; 5 pounds at each 19-by-9-inch rear wheel), plus they look undeniably cool. Combined with supple Bilstein dampers, the new springs reduce ride height by 1.3 inches in the front and 0.9 inch in the rear. The antiroll bars are 105 percent stiffer up front and 320 percent stiffer in the rear. What does this all mean? It means the lower chassis is more responsive, the handling balance is a little livelier and the tauter suspension calibration works the new Michelin Sport PS2 tires harder.
As is usually the case with such suspension kits — especially when they're applied to convertibles — we were guardedly optimistic (a.k.a. "suspicious") about this one's ability to deliver a car that works well both at the track and in the real world. But the F-Sport hardware comes through.
With a slalom speed of 68.2 mph and an average lateral acceleration of 0.89g around the skid pad, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport has improved by 1.4 mph and 0.02g respectively over the much lighter IS 350 sedan. Moreover, there's only a negligible decline in ride quality and almost no increase in road noise. What's more, the convertible's sturdy structure doesn't mind the added firmness and remains taut and rattle-free. Better grip, more control, better stance and virtually the same ride qualities. Sign us up.
Steering Committee
With this added capability, we'd like more information coming to us through the steering wheel. Part of this car's issues can be traced to the standard IS 350's electric-assist steering, which doesn't communicate changes in load or grip very well. But there's also a lack of response that feels as if it could be remedied with a steering ratio quicker than the standard car's 14.6:1.
Though the F-Sport IS convertible goes through the slalom cones at a stunning 68 mph, we have to crank the steering wheel through a half turn of lock to weave from one slalom gate to the next, and that's too much. Even during sessions of canyon carving, we were dismayed by the amount of steering lock required to negotiate tight turns. The F-Sport seems so much like a genuine sport sedan in the corners that we think it ought to steer like one as well. (Of course, we know that there's no $50 part that's going to do the job.)
Not So Effed-up After All
If you're looking for a well-mannered convertible, we'd suggest you add the $3,934 for the Suspension package, wheels and tires to the $44,815 you'll spend for a base model 2010 Lexus IS 350C, giving you a total of $48,749. From there, we'd suggest the $1,040 ventilated and heated seats — this is a convertible, after all — and the Mark Levinson premium audio paired with the navi for $3,890.
As for the rest, the $865 carbon-fiber engine cover and $95 shift knob are merely for show. The $1,925 intake/exhaust systems produce no noticeable gains in real-world performance, although you might be entertained by the pronounced intake warble and droning exhaust note. The $5,652 brake upgrade seems steep, and might be worth it if you can afford it. But for our money, spend the $3,934 on wheels, tires, springs, dampers and antiroll bars. The chassis is rigid enough to handle the added stiffness, the handling gains are measurable and the ride qualities are still well within acceptable limits.
Although you could spend a bit less money for aftermarket hardware instead of F-Sport accessories, these Lexus-built bits carry a warranty. When installed by a Lexus dealer, F-Sport parts have a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty or the balance of the new-car warranty at the time of installation (four years/50,000 miles), whichever is greater. If a dealer does not install the F-Sport parts, the parts warranty is 12 months/12,000 miles.
Convertible or Coupe?
With the exception of its 204-hp engine, we liked the F-Sport equipment on a 2009 Lexus IS 250 Sedan we tested a while back, and similar equipment impressed us this time on an IS 350C so much that we'd love to see how well the F-Sport suspension would work on an IS 350 sedan.
And until we can gather a $44,815 2010 Lexus IS 350C, a $51,525 2009 BMW 335i Convertible and a $44,765 2009 G37S Convertible together for a proper tournament, the only conclusions we can make now are that Lexus has priced the new IS 350 convertible correctly, outfitted it properly and offered truly well-developed F-Sport upgrades to give it a chance of being a real contender against such worthy competitors.
The worthiness of the 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport really comes down to the kind of car that you want it to be. If you want a great driving convertible, then be smart about choosing the kind of accessories that make the top-down experience better. And if you want a real Lexus coupe, a car that makes a statement about performance, then make your IS as effed-up as possible, dawg.
Vehicle Tested:
2010 Lexus IS 350 C 2dr Convertible (3.5L 6cyl 6A)
MSRP of Test Vehicle: $62,216
What Works:
Worthwhile chassis upgrades; triple-black treatment; pillarless coupe look.
What Needs Work:
Electric-assist power steering; slow steering ratio doesn't match F-Sport suspension; pricey.
Bottom Line:
Some F-Sport upgrades honestly improve performance; others are just for looks.
Featured Specs
- 306-hp 3.5-liter V6
- Six-speed automatic transmission
- Convertible top deploys in 20 seconds
- 68.2-mph slalom performance
The young man in the crosswalk seemed very insistent. For a moment we thought he was referring to the sheer number of Lexus F-Sport accessories ($12,471 worth, so indeed F-ed to the maximum) with which our $44,815 2010 Lexus IS 350C had been modified, but upon reflection we believe he was simply complimenting the pleasing aesthetic that, in his estimation, they brought to this hardtop convertible.
Struggling for the proper reply that would validate our newfound street cred, we were unfortunately possessed by the spirit of Opie Taylor. "Thanks!" we said, and we were barely able to refrain from adding, "Mister."
"True dat" and "Werd" mysteriously deserted us when we needed them most.
F-ed, Only in a Good Way
G-Money is right. This black-on-black 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport looks serious, especially with its top in place.
All the bits here are available from the Lexus catalog of F-Sport accessories, the wide selection of aftermarket-style equipment that Lexus has developed in its effort to make the IS range of cars signify speed instead of just style. Of course, style still has a lot to do with it, as these graphite-gray, forged-aluminum 19-inch wheels and low-profile Michelin PS2 tires ($2,346) are dramatized by the lowering springs ($299) and Bilstein dampers ($740). The added menace of this IS 350C's obsidian black paint makes the effect even more intriguing. All hunkered down, dark and mysterious, this is the most masculine Lexus convertible there is.
But the IS 350C F-Sport doesn't thrive on its good looks alone. Beneath the skin, the F treatment provides measurable gains in performance with only a little loss of comfort. In its standard form, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C reminded us of a rolling golf resort. Now we'll see how well it represents a high-performance coupe.
Inevitable Comparisons
Because the 306-horsepower, folding tin-top IS 350C weighs almost 800 pounds more than the equally powerful IS 350 sedan on which it is based, the heavier F-Sport convertible is naturally a little slower on the drag strip — about a half-second separates the IS sedan from the drop top across the board. Our black test car's best 0-60 time is 5.9 seconds (5.6 seconds with 1 foot of rollout like on a drag strip) and the quarter-mile elapses in 14.2 seconds at 97.3 mph. Nevertheless, this performance puts it in almost a dead heat with the 2009 Infiniti G37S Convertible.
Lexus tells us that the 60mm stainless-steel axle-back exhaust system ($1,470) from the F-Sport catalog is partially responsible, since it adds up to 1.5 percent more power, while the less restrictive intake system ($455) is ideally good for another 3 percent. In other words, $1,925 potentially buys you (are you ready for it?) almost 14 horsepower — and an exhaust note that can grow tiresome. This is a genuine improvement and what you usually get with less restrictive intake and exhaust modifications for any car, but we'd spend that money elsewhere.
Compared to the 2008 Lexus IS 350 Sedan we last tested, this 2010 IS 350C F-Sport also stops shorter by 2 feet. You can't deny that this car's F-Sport Brake package with lightweight, two-piece, cross-drilled rotors with forged six-piston calipers in front and four-piston calipers in the rear plus high-performance brake pads combine to deliver exceptional feel and fade resistance (in fact, the car's shortest stop arrived on the seventh attempt), but we're conflicted about this upgrade. The standard brakes are already excellent and that's a lot of Benjamins for improved feel and a cool aesthetic, yet the F-Sport package is what you'd want for serious high-speed work.
Money Well Spent
If you're looking to spend good money on a modified IS convertible, look no further than the $2,346 wheel/tire upgrade and add it to the $1,588 for springs, shocks and antiroll bars. The resulting $3,934 is a reasonable amount to spend on the 2010 Lexus IS 350C's chassis, and here's why.
The forged-aluminum wheels reduce unsprung weight by 21 pounds (5.5 pounds at each 19-by-8-inch front wheel; 5 pounds at each 19-by-9-inch rear wheel), plus they look undeniably cool. Combined with supple Bilstein dampers, the new springs reduce ride height by 1.3 inches in the front and 0.9 inch in the rear. The antiroll bars are 105 percent stiffer up front and 320 percent stiffer in the rear. What does this all mean? It means the lower chassis is more responsive, the handling balance is a little livelier and the tauter suspension calibration works the new Michelin Sport PS2 tires harder.
As is usually the case with such suspension kits — especially when they're applied to convertibles — we were guardedly optimistic (a.k.a. "suspicious") about this one's ability to deliver a car that works well both at the track and in the real world. But the F-Sport hardware comes through.
With a slalom speed of 68.2 mph and an average lateral acceleration of 0.89g around the skid pad, the 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport has improved by 1.4 mph and 0.02g respectively over the much lighter IS 350 sedan. Moreover, there's only a negligible decline in ride quality and almost no increase in road noise. What's more, the convertible's sturdy structure doesn't mind the added firmness and remains taut and rattle-free. Better grip, more control, better stance and virtually the same ride qualities. Sign us up.
Steering Committee
With this added capability, we'd like more information coming to us through the steering wheel. Part of this car's issues can be traced to the standard IS 350's electric-assist steering, which doesn't communicate changes in load or grip very well. But there's also a lack of response that feels as if it could be remedied with a steering ratio quicker than the standard car's 14.6:1.
Though the F-Sport IS convertible goes through the slalom cones at a stunning 68 mph, we have to crank the steering wheel through a half turn of lock to weave from one slalom gate to the next, and that's too much. Even during sessions of canyon carving, we were dismayed by the amount of steering lock required to negotiate tight turns. The F-Sport seems so much like a genuine sport sedan in the corners that we think it ought to steer like one as well. (Of course, we know that there's no $50 part that's going to do the job.)
Not So Effed-up After All
If you're looking for a well-mannered convertible, we'd suggest you add the $3,934 for the Suspension package, wheels and tires to the $44,815 you'll spend for a base model 2010 Lexus IS 350C, giving you a total of $48,749. From there, we'd suggest the $1,040 ventilated and heated seats — this is a convertible, after all — and the Mark Levinson premium audio paired with the navi for $3,890.
As for the rest, the $865 carbon-fiber engine cover and $95 shift knob are merely for show. The $1,925 intake/exhaust systems produce no noticeable gains in real-world performance, although you might be entertained by the pronounced intake warble and droning exhaust note. The $5,652 brake upgrade seems steep, and might be worth it if you can afford it. But for our money, spend the $3,934 on wheels, tires, springs, dampers and antiroll bars. The chassis is rigid enough to handle the added stiffness, the handling gains are measurable and the ride qualities are still well within acceptable limits.
Although you could spend a bit less money for aftermarket hardware instead of F-Sport accessories, these Lexus-built bits carry a warranty. When installed by a Lexus dealer, F-Sport parts have a 12-month/12,000-mile warranty or the balance of the new-car warranty at the time of installation (four years/50,000 miles), whichever is greater. If a dealer does not install the F-Sport parts, the parts warranty is 12 months/12,000 miles.
Convertible or Coupe?
With the exception of its 204-hp engine, we liked the F-Sport equipment on a 2009 Lexus IS 250 Sedan we tested a while back, and similar equipment impressed us this time on an IS 350C so much that we'd love to see how well the F-Sport suspension would work on an IS 350 sedan.
And until we can gather a $44,815 2010 Lexus IS 350C, a $51,525 2009 BMW 335i Convertible and a $44,765 2009 G37S Convertible together for a proper tournament, the only conclusions we can make now are that Lexus has priced the new IS 350 convertible correctly, outfitted it properly and offered truly well-developed F-Sport upgrades to give it a chance of being a real contender against such worthy competitors.
The worthiness of the 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport really comes down to the kind of car that you want it to be. If you want a great driving convertible, then be smart about choosing the kind of accessories that make the top-down experience better. And if you want a real Lexus coupe, a car that makes a statement about performance, then make your IS as effed-up as possible, dawg.
BMW M3 and Lexus IS-F.
- :
- 2011 Mustang GT
Skip the IS-F and get the M3 or S5.
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