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  The Lexus IS 250c is a breeze to park, has enough snap to tango through urban traffic without getting flustered, and is not a bad cruiser for longer stretches outside the city. Photo Gallery

The more time we?ve spent with this little car, the more we like it.

And that’s despite what we see as shortcomings – but which others will see as desirable features – like it being a convertible.  What’s won us over are firstly the looks, which are a further proof that the formerly staid Lexus brand is turning itself around.

And the little creature is just so damned easy to live with. It’s a breeze to park, has enough snap to tango through urban traffic without getting flustered, and is not a bad cruiser for longer stretches outside the city.

It needs a bit more engine before it could really appeal to performance fans, however. The 2.5-litre V6 is more than enough for a chic sprint, but those who want to muscle around will want more.  Likewise, in full auto mode the transmission keeps shifting up for economy when we’d rather stay in the current gear for performance.

But it’s smooth and well-behaved over most roads so far, with the exception being a run of badly patchworked bitumen on the way south that sent judders through the cabin.  We’re more inclined to blame the roadbuilders than the carbuilders on that one, and it didn’t mar our growing affection for the IS 250C.  Just such a pity it’s a convertible.

Lexus IS 250C

Price: from $79,900 to $99,900
Engine: 2.5-litre V6
Power: 153kW/6400revs
Torque: 252Nm/4800revs
Transmission: six-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Performance: top speed 210km/h, 0-100km/h 9.0s
Economy: 9.3L/100km
Emissions: 219grams/km