Does anyone else dislike the IS Convertible?

[Raza]

Am I the only one who still prefers a softtop? With the exception of the SL and XLR there's not many hardtop verts that I like.

No, you're not.

I think we are though.

[CJ]

They both have their places. 





I'll take mine in dark blue with a 6-speed manual, please.

[2o6]

Hardtops are OK, but IMO soft tops look classier. Also, hardtop verts' usually have to distort the proportions to get the top to fold into the car, and it ends up looking awkward. It's especially bad on B and C segment cars.

The Focus is OK



Megane is the best looking



Astra is OK

[Raza]

I like the Eos.  But I still think it looks awkward with the roof up and it can't get around the fact that as soon as you put the top down, you lose all luggage space.  And space is probably why you bought a FWD four place over a RWD two seater in the first place.

[Hachee]

I can't believe how all those cars look so similar.  And all dull, IMO, including the Eos.  And for the record, I like "plain" looking VW's, like the Golf and last-gen Passat, but the Eos just looks wimpy to me. 

Speaking of soft top 4 seaters, I'm eyeing a 95 E320 Cabriolet, but just not sure if I have the guts to bite.

[nickdrinkwater]

They both have their places. 





I'll take mine in dark blue with a 6-speed manual, please.

The rear is too long for the front.

Hardtops are OK, but IMO soft tops look classier. Also, hardtop verts' usually have to distort the proportions to get the top to fold into the car, and it ends up looking awkward. It's especially bad on B and C segment cars.

The Focus is OK



Megane is the best looking



Astra is OK

If you're actually claiming they look decent, you've obviously never seen them in person!

[Tave]

The rear is too long for the front.

The front is too short for the rear.

It does have a stubby nose, but I still rather like it. Then again I like the long rear deck of the 350Z roadster.


I think it would be boring if every car shared the same proportions.

[cawimmer430]

Ah, I see. Yeah, Lexus doesn't sell the '350 engine here except in the GS I think. We don't even get the RX350 anymore, only the hybrid.

[Submariner]

I can't believe how all those cars look so similar.  And all dull, IMO, including the Eos.  And for the record, I like "plain" looking VW's, like the Golf and last-gen Passat, but the Eos just looks wimpy to me. 

Speaking of soft top 4 seaters, I'm eyeing a 95 E320 Cabriolet, but just not sure if I have the guts to bite.

Realllllly?  My dad has a 95" Cabriolet.  White with a black top. 

While bulletproof mechanically, it's a car you baby, not one you drive through the winter.  Keep that in mind.

[ChrisV]

Raza, I like soft tops, though the hard top is easier to make secure when leaving it parked somewhere, and more weathertight, at least for a few years.

but I actually like the BMW 335 convert. Perfect lines with the top down, a nice sweep to it.






But I also like how it keeps the Hoffmeister kink and a decent coupe roofline with the top up...





Of course, by the time I could likely afford one, that over-complex hard top will likely have so many failure points....

[Hachee]

Realllllly?  My dad has a 95" Cabriolet.  White with a black top. 

While bulletproof mechanically, it's a car you baby, not one you drive through the winter.  Keep that in mind.

Oh yeah, I know.  It would be a third car for us.  The first is used by my wife every day, and I barely use the second car - maybe 2500 miles per year.  The E320 Cab would never be used in winter, and I doubt I'd put more than 1000 miles on per year...which is why it's a little hard for me to justify this purchase!

[Raza]

Raza, I like soft tops, though the hard top is easier to make secure when leaving it parked somewhere, and more weathertight, at least for a few years.

but I actually like the BMW 335 convert. Perfect lines with the top down, a nice sweep to it.






But I also like how it keeps the Hoffmeister kink and a decent coupe roofline with the top up...





Of course, by the time I could likely afford one, that over-complex hard top will likely have so many failure points....

I think it looks awful; like a small child put the roof together with Legos when it's up (and somewhat poorly, I might add).  With the top up, it looks not only like an ugly latch on hardtop, but an ugly latch on hardtop that someone has broken in a few places and then taped back together.  It's far more jarring in person than in pictures as well.  And when it's down you lose the trunk and it still doesn't look good (but that's got little to do with the fact that it's a hardtop convertible, and more with the fact that it looks like a 3 series coupe).  

And I still don't buy the security line, I'm sorry.  It's at least just as easy to break a window as it is to cut a soft top, and hardtops take 30 seconds or so to put in place or stow, so that adds another minute to every trip.  It's not much, I know, but you probably know as well as I do, if not better, that it can feel like ages of wasted time.  

I just don't like them.  I think they're ugly and I like having a trunk with the top up or down.  I've considered an SLK as a replacement for my departed Boxster, but I can't justify the luggage space should I ever want to drive anywhere with the top down (which I do) and take luggage (which I also do from time to time).  I could fit five to six cases of water in my Boxster whether it was a cold day or a hot one, and I would be surprised if you can do that in a hardtop convertible.

They're billed as all weather, all purpose convertibles.  That is, unless it's nice out and your purpose is to drive with the top down and use your trunk for anything larger than USB thumbdrive.

[Submariner]

Raza, I like soft tops, though the hard top is easier to make secure when leaving it parked somewhere, and more weathertight, at least for a few years.

but I actually like the BMW 335 convert. Perfect lines with the top down, a nice sweep to it.






But I also like how it keeps the Hoffmeister kink and a decent coupe roofline with the top up...





Of course, by the time I could likely afford one, that over-complex hard top will likely have so many failure points....

SL's have had very few problems with the hard tops.  Same goes for the first generation SLK's, which date back to 1998.  I wouldn't worry too much...

So for the 3, they did a fantastic job of blending the roof with the car.  It's easily the most natural looking roof of any hard top four seat convertible in production.

I said production because I know you would bring up the Ford Galaxie and scold me for not appreciating it. 

[the Teuton]

The Galaxy Skyliner also had a single-piece roof.

But no, I do think the 3er cabrio looks awkward from a couple of angles.  There's a C70 on our lot right now at work, and I think it's gorgeous from every angle but the direct rear.

[93JC]

Galaxie.

[the Teuton]

Galaxie.

That was a 'muh bad.'  I knew that.

[93JC]

S'aright. There is such a thing as a Ford Galaxy. It's a European minivan, not uber-schwanky hardtop convertible.

[cawimmer430]

S'aright. There is such a thing as a Ford Galaxy. It's a European minivan, not uber-schwanky hardtop convertible.

Feel the power! 




^This is the facelifted version of the first generation by the way, not the current one...^

[the Teuton]

It looks like a Focus...got stung by a bee.

[93JC]

You would know.

[the Teuton]

Indeed.

[Eye of the Tiger]

Focus is to Galaxy, as Impreza is to ________.


Clue: lesbian lumberjack

[the Teuton]

Focus is to Galaxy, as Impreza is to ________.


Clue: lesbian lumberjack

...or the Exiga?

[2o6]

Focus is to Galaxy, as Impreza is to ________.


Clue: lesbian lumberjack

Exiga.

[68_427]

No, you're not.

I think we are though.

I too would rather have a soft top.

[jadewolf123]

I too would rather have a soft top.

I too prefer soft tops too hard tops.

[Byteme]

It looks wrong, top up and top down. The G vert' looks great top down, and kinda bad top up. The IS convertible looks wrong at every angle.


Also, I absolutely HATE the ads for it. What do they even mean?

I've never really been a fan of overpriced Toyo..........ah, I mean Lexus.

The commercials show the car is just right for those hip guys and gals on the go who are better than the rest of us.  And it's not that easy to vault into a convertible and quickly drive away, at least not in any of the convertibles I've owned or driven   

[the Teuton]

I too prefer soft tops too hard tops.

Some people just need surgical assistance, and when you're British and have lots of money, that's what you do. 

Selma is amazing.

[ChrisV]

SL's have had very few problems with the hard tops.  Same goes for the first generation SLK's, which date back to 1998.  I wouldn't worry too much...

So for the 3, they did a fantastic job of blending the roof with the car.  It's easily the most natural looking roof of any hard top four seat convertible in production.

I said production because I know you would bring up the Ford Galaxie and scold me for not appreciating it. 

I agree with you.

The Galaxy Skyliner also had a single-piece roof.

Actually not...



The roof folds in the middle. The Skyliner retractable was in '57-59, and based on the Fairlane full size, except in '59, when the Galaxie trim level was added at the top of the range.

[BimmerM3]

The ISC is not a good-looking car, this is true.

Handsome convertibles reached their zenith with this car:

Incorrect.







Though, to be fair, it's not a true 4 seater.