Used 2010 Lexus IS 250 C Consumer Reviews
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Sexy yet reliable; still in LOVE
This was my splurge purchase. I wanted the SC and I LOVE the smooth luxurious ride of that car...but it's a true two seater. When lexus came out with a true 4 seater convertable, I knew I had to have it! This is my summer car truthfully as the visibility and handling in the persistently wet and gray PNW makes me hesitant to use it in the winter when the days are short and the constantly gray and stormy. It's got a tall rear end and the backup camera is essential for me. Im 5'4" and the front seats are plenty comfortable. I fit in the back just fine as well, but there's no pretending its comfortable back there. My husband is 6'2" and fits well in the front and finds it a comfortable ride. He does fit in the back, but not well. My absolute favorite thing about this car is the wind screen that prevents almost all wind in the cabin when the top is down and windows rolled up. Buy this extra accessory; it's WORTH it! It's very quiet with the top down, even on the freeway. I can talk on the phone with the top down on the freeway with no problem. I STILL love this car, even after all these years. Im still excited tho drive it!
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So Far So Good
I am a convertible guy, having owned 4 Z4's, an Audi A4 and a BMW 128. I was hesitant to purchase a hardtop, but ever since I saw this one at a DC Auto Show, I was hooked. Had to drive 100 miles to get it, but it is everything I've hoped it would be. Quiet as can be inside with the top up, great gas mileage, fantastic "goodies" including sat radio, cooled and heated seats, Xenons, starting and locking/unlocking the car without using the key. I will say this ride is much more calm than the German cars, but I was having terrible electrical issues with the German cars and I feel the Lexus will last longer. If you need lots of pick-up, go with the 350. I have gotten about 28mpg so far w/250.
It was on my bucket list
And it was worth waiting for. I went through the years of soccer mom vans and cars that matched my sensible shoes. Nevertheless, I revel in the sensibility of this car, nevermind the epa rating of the gas mileage. This does much better. I am getting 32 mpg. When I spend more time in town, that compromises into the high 20s. The wind does not whip me around, the windshield is a great design. You can carry on a conversation, even in highway driving. I am sorry I did not get the rear view camera as the backup view with the top up is compromised. This car is gorgeous, smooth driving, steering, and more. The back seat is tight and the front seat is not as comfy as the bigger sedans.
A quiet sports car with good handling
I acquired the IS250C early in 2020, with 61,000 miles on it. The good: The car came with the optional 18" wheels with low-profile Michelin tires. I live in the NC mountains where there are NO straight roads and the 250C surprised me with outstanding handling on the twisty, hilly roads in the area. It hugs the curves like my Mazda Miata did, but without all the noise. Selecting sport mode gives you a bit more punch in accelerating, but without the increased noise level you will hear from a 4 cylinder engine. With the top up, there is Zero noise from the multi-section top - no squeaks from the rubber seals, no rattles, nothing. The instruments are classic sports car design - bright white on a black background. Not so good: Rear seat legroom is extremely tight. The cream-colored leather seats do not wear well and replacements are NOT available from Katzkin. The front and rear tires are different sizes, so you can't rotate the tires to spread the wear. The engine requires premium gas. You can't easily access the center console storage compartment while driving, so there's no place to store your sunglasses. In summary - for not much more than the price of a Miata of the same vintage, the IS250C is a quiet and refined sports car that's well suited for long road trips as well. The idea that you need the IS350C's larger engine is hogwash, unless you tend to drive like you're at the dragstrip.
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Excellent automobile
This is our second IS - we traded in a 250 for this car. Fit, finish, ride comfort all are up to Lexus standards. It's quiet (much more so than the 350Z we had before the IS250) and easy to get into / out of. A little more pep would be good, but we'll sacrifice that for the gas mileage - if pep is important go with the 350C. We got rear-ended 2 months getting the car, but it's been put back together very well. Overall a great car if you want topless motoring!