Automobile Mag. Convertible Comparo: 328i, G37, IS350C, C70

[GFerg]

Still, there are no clear-cut winners or losers in this group of contenders. The Volvo is the odd car out - a front-wheel-drive turbo five in a world of rear-wheel-drive, normally aspirated sixes - but many buyers won't care. Meanwhile, the Lexus, the BMW, and the Infiniti are differentiated less by the quality of their execution than by the subtle contrasts in their underlying philosophies. I continue to ponder this issue as I lounge on a bench in Heisler Park, a sleepy green space tucked away from the traffic on PCH. As I watch the waves crash down on the jagged rocks extending out from the beach, I decide that this is what retractable hardtop convertibles are designed for - embracing the environment and soaking up the scenery rather than driving from point A to point B or setting fast time of the day on stages 2 or 3. By this standard, all four of these cars are winners.

http://www.automobilemag.com/feature...son/index.html

[PhilipMSPT]

I don't think many buyers of heavy hardtop convertibles want sport over function.

I guess all these cars function well for what they are, which is to drive in style with a tan. It ends up being a matter of taste and cost...

[RXSF]

not much of a comparison if nobody wins

[encore888]

Some choice quotes:

Originally Posted by Automobile Magazine

By all of the measures that matter most to prospective owners, the Lexus was very good, and it offers a winning compromise of style, performance, and utility.

That seems the closest to declaring the winner as this article indicated. I like how they went into the strengths and weaknesses of each, and provided a more neutral assessment than some other publications.

The IS350C features the most sumptuous interior in its class, with all the easy-to-use ergonomics you'd expect from a Toyota. Cowl shake is minimized, and although we don't have the numbers to back up this claim, the IS seemed to be the quietest cruiser with the top up.

Not only does [the Lexus IS-C's] roof retract faster than those of the competition, but the electric motors are specially configured to make the operation smoother and more elegant. Like BMW, Lexus opted for a two-tier approach, with the IS250C targeted at bargain hunters and the IS350C designed for serious players. The silky 3.5-liter V-6 in the pricier car makes 306 hp and the most torque in this comparison - 277 lb-ft - yet it's priced to compete with the 328i rather than the significantly more upscale 335i. No wonder Lexus expects to sell 1600 convertibles a month.

We'll see if they're right...the review was very complimentary towards the IS-C, even though they had a black-black interior which seemed difficult to photograph. In the magazine, the quote on the 'elegant' and fast hardtop open process was printed extra large.

...and I love Laguna Beach!

[1SICKLEX]

YEah the IS-C did very well here.

[montgb]

"All 4 of these cars are winners"

Weak! Take a stand, Automobile Magazine, and pretend like you're not at the mercy of advertisers!

On a side note, it was good to see that the IS350C was well reviewed.

[Faymester]

Everybody won, the IS-C just won a little bit more.

I'm not sure why they used the IS350 but the Bimmer 328 ... that's not really how those two line up.

[RXSF]

they did it based on price since the IS350 starts at around the 328's price

[Faymester]

Originally Posted by RXSF

they did it based on price since the IS350 starts at around the 328's price

Ah, sorry I missed that one.

In that case, even better for Lexus


edit:
Here in Canada - starting
IS250C: $52,100.........................IS350C: $60,400
328i: $55,600.............................335i: $65,600