Any Info on IS350 Coupe Convertible

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Mar 7, 2007 | 07:53 PM

DropTopGal

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From: Boca Raton, FL

Any Info on IS350 Coupe Convertible

Hi guys and gals...
There has been speculation online about an IS350 or IS500 Coupe Convertible for 2008, but nothing solid that I have seen. Does anyone have any info?

My "play car" is an 05 S2000 and I'm ready to trade it for another convertible. I know that BMW will offer the new 335i and M3 in covetible form, but what about Lexus and the IS line?

Thanks...

Mar 7, 2007 | 08:49 PM

AM1

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if it ever happens you can bet on a few things........it will cost at least 7-10K more then all its competition...the production numbers will be really really low for no apparent reason, and it will do the exact opposite all the other competetiors do in terms of features.

Mar 8, 2007 | 08:31 AM

PhilipMSPT

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Quote:

Originally Posted by DropTopGal

There has been speculation online about an IS350 or IS500 Coupe Convertible for 2008, but nothing solid that I have seen. Does anyone have any info?

No info yet.

If a convertible (and coupe) does become available, Lexus will most likely give it with the 350 engine. I doubt that they'll give the IS-F the option for a hardtop convertible because of possible extra weight, and because insurance premiums would skyrocket for the IS model line-up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AM1

I don't know why it would be $7-10k more than the competition. The BMW 3-Series is known to be about $5k more than the IS in general, and although Infiniti does not have a convertible, we can't speculate if they have the engineering know-how to make a hardtop convertible (they do know how to make ragtop convertibles, as seen with the 350Z).

Production numbers are low to keep resale value high. Because of the low(er) demand for coupes/convertibles, they always plunge in resale value. Keeping production low keeps Lexus prices "luxurious". For example, if you check out the SC430, after 5 years, the car's resale value is about 60% of its original MSRP price (2002 MSRP was $62k, and it now typically sells for $35k). Typical resale values of coupes/convertibles usually plunge to 30-40% after 5 years.

In terms of features, I don't see how Lexus does "the exact opposite." Lexus provides customers with what the general population wants, not what a small group of enthusiasts want.

Last edited by PhilipMSPT; Mar 8, 2007 at 08:41 AM.