Prestige open-top motoring just got more affordable. Now for the waiting list...

The Lexus IS250C may be designed to make the most of clear blue skies, but it's set to cause a storm. The Japanese maker's most affordable droptop since the $174,000 SC430 flagship - and first challenger to the hugely popular BMW 3 Series convertible - went on sale in Australia this week, but the first two month's allocation of cars has sold out. Little wonder: the price of the Lexus range ends where the German rivals start.

The starting price for a BMW 3 Series convertible is $97,121 plus dealer charges and on-road costs; for the Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible it's $103,689. But the starting price of the Lexus is almost $20,000 less than the competition. As reported earlier this month, there are three models in the IS250C line-up, ranging from $79,900 to $99,900 plus dealer charges and on-road costs.

It seems the drop-top Lexus has already made an impact, with the company claiming four out of every five orders received so far being made by customers who've never bought a Lexus before. "We've seen a number of Porsche Boxsters traded-in, as well as the usual European brands," says the boss of Lexus Australia, John Roca.

"This car has really taken us by surprise. The demand has been pretty much instant and we're getting seriously worried about how we'll be able to meet demand. "To get customers who are new to the brand is really important to us, because it gives us a chance for more people to have the Lexus customer experience."

It's a good thing summer is still a few months away. Order a new Lexus IS250C convertible today and you may just be able to take delivery before the start of the open-top season.

Source : http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2009/prestige-and-luxury/lexus/lexus-convertible-lures-new-breed-15995