For the 2006 model, a rear spoiler and spider alloy wheels are also included. Finally, Lexus had something unique against its main rivals. How many were made.. 1 Answer. [26] Chrome Lexus emblems were mounted on the back of the front seat headrests. SC-V8 Convertible 2D SC430 Popular on JDPower.com Top-Rated 2020 Family SUVs in QualityTop-Rated 2020 Small SUVs in QualityTop-Rated 2020 Trucks in QualityTop-Rated 2020 Small Cars in QualityTop-Rated 2020 Luxury SUVs in Quality The output of the SC 300 was 5 horsepower more than the equivalent engine used in the Toyota Supra.[15]. 135, The 2021 S-Class is the most advanced Mercedes ever. [12] The engine sits behind the front axles, which makes it a front mid engine rear wheel drive vehicle. Having debuted at the 2000 Paris Auto Show and entered production the very next year, the SC 430 is closing in on the decade mark and hasn't received anything that could be called a significant refresh. In July 2008, Edmunds InsideLine reported that Lexus had cancelled the next generation SC due to slowing sales. Pasted as rich text. Demand for the SC 430 has been steady decline for the latter half of the last decade. [2] Even with the SC's long production cycle, only minor exterior changes were made. It's a far cry from Erwin Lui's SC300/400 design that made it an Automobile Magazine All-Star for many years. autoevolution and the autoevolution logo are registered trademarks. The second time it saved me was my fault when I almost rear-ended a car that was turning right in front of me and again split second responses from both me and the car saved my life. 9 1/2 hours later I pulled into my driveway feeling like I could go another 9 hours. "[28], In 2004, Lexus unveiled the Lexus SC "Pebble Beach Edition", a limited-production model of the SC. It produces 288 horsepower, and will reach a top speed of 155mph. After 3 minutes down the road in the SC, my choice was made. Each Lexus SC Pebble Beach edition coupe exhibited: unique colors (changed each year), special badging (featuring the "Lone Cypress" logo) on the front fenders, center console, and floor mats. Didnt Lexus also do a Coach branded package? Lexus equipped its 2007 models with driver and passenger knee airbags, as well as an occupant sensor in the front passenger seat for airbag deactivation. Being a high-end convertible with a name for dependability, the SC430 should be a fine option. I veered to the right in a split second and my SC responded with the same split second response. Buyers in Japan, where the SC was sold as the Toyota Soarer, could order a twin-turbocharged, 2.5-liter variant of the six, but this engine was never sold in the United States, much to the chagrin of every 19-year old who wanted a cheap, solid Japanese engine to tune the hell out of. 2006 Lexus SC 430 RWD-General. Lovely to drive and very economical. Upload or insert images from URL. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaMore About Lexus Sc430, Used car specifications, history (version 2), Used car specifications, history (version 1). And, without a doubt, she will not miss any car museums while traveling. Becoming a classic is subjective, whereas value increases are factual. For context, the S-Class Coupe (C140) was priced at $91,900 with a V-8 and $133,300 with a mighty V-12 between its stately fenders (about $152,000 and $220,000, respectively, in 2020). Unlike Lexus of Westminster, the staff doesn't ignore me because I am young looking. When it comes to superior maneuverability and more explosive performance, though, German luxury manufacturers' models were a wiser alternative. Some consider this to be underpowered given the type of car it is, but despite SC literally standing for Sports Coupe, Lexus were never trying to produce an out-and-out sports car. The next year, a new six-speed automatic gearbox and adjustable headlights were introduced, as well as an improved exterior style, including new wheels and taillights, to round out the modifications. Another cause for discontinuation was the dwindling sales, and despite rumors of a successor, no direct replacement from the SC line was ever brought to the public. Lexus SC 430 News & Reviews. [44] Smartphone-size touchscreens are placed on the door armrests for additional controls. Could we have our first ever trans-Atlantic split vote? [40] A company spokesman did not confirm or deny the rumors, but called the report in the possible replacement with the introduction of the Lexus LFA as "unfounded speculation". From new the SC430 cost around $62,000 (or 51,000 in the UK) in the mid-2000s, making it an affordable alternative to the Mercedes SL, Porsche 911 Carrera, and Jaguar XK8 of the same era. The main complaint from owners is the factory-fitted run-flat tires. This is a car that was built quality first, performance second. [44] The interior features a remote touchscreen control system linked to two liquid crystal display (LCD) screens that measure 12.3 inches (310mm) in width. Just follow the factory maintenance and it should be smooth sailing. [26] The vehicle's side profile, the product of extensive wind tunnel testing, was intended to channel air around the passenger compartment at high speed during top-down driving. I ended my search at a Lexus dealership in Virginia, 465 miles away from home. The car weighs about 3600 pounds, neither particularly light by 1990s standards nor particularly heavy. How does Farmers roadside assistance measure up to competition like AAA? All of this added $3,880 to the price of your vehicle. A Lexus costs less to maintain than 1/3 of what a Mercedes SL had cost me. Lets find out. Prices have started creeping up in recent years. By the time the SCs design was frozen for production, in 1989, its designers had created a surprisingly forward-thinking coupe that accurately previewed the styling trends of the 1990s. [10] According to automotive journalist Bill Russ, the SC design was considered influential among automotive designs of the time. [53] In 2010, the SC 430 continued in Super GT competition, where the MJ Kraft SC 430 and other Lexus Team Kraft SC 430s won victories at the 2010 Autobacs Super GT at Fuji Speedway. I have a 2016 Nissan LEAF and it seems like the battery is getting less and less range on a full charge lately. we are in the minority, but im a huge fan of the pie wheels. Lexus introduced the second generation of the SC in 2000 at the New York Auto Show, and, unlike its predecessor, it was a coupe-cabriolet. [13], The first-generation SC lasted in production until 7 July 2000, over nine years, quite long compared to the other cars of the 1990s. The average cost of a Lexus SC430 is $19,000 in the USA, and 14,000 in the UK. Sign up for the latest automotive news and videosin short, everything for people who love cars. By using Regardless of what youve read before, the SC430 is a good car to own and is extremely well-built. Popular competitors: Lexus HS 250h; Jeep Cherokee; Lexus GS 450h; Lexus SC 430; Toyota Celica; Lexus GS 300; 2010. So were going to refrain from describing it as rare. While only 600 are slated for production, its dramatic design and numerous luxury features make the car even more alluring than its exclusivity. The steering rack is noticeably quicker than that of an LS but relaxed in the grand scheme of things. Extensively modified from the factory car, the engine used is a modified version of the SC 430's 3UZ-FE V8 that was also used in the Toyota Supra race car from previous years. Lexus hoped to lure Mercedes-Benz owners into showrooms, so it wisely followed in the German marques footsteps and adopted an alphanumeric naming system. Overall, Lexus has built a good reputation for reliability in the used car market, and the SC430 is a credit to the brand. A 2006 model is the best year for the SC430 if youre looking for a later car with upgrades fitted at a reasonable price, but realistically theres not a huge amount of difference between the early cars and the later cars. In this final year of production, Lexus will produce approximately 300 cars. 8 of them were Mercedes including 2 SLs. The SC430 has already started increasing in value, and is very much in demand. Lexus built on that, developed customer loyalty and started eating into Mercedes and BMW's sales figures. I dont know why, but I always liked these types of packages. Luxury was the name of the game with the SC430, and it came fitted with an impressive Mark Levinson sound system, a lavish leather interior, and a 3-part folding hard-top convertible roof. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Related: This Is How Much A 1996 Lexus SC 300 Costs Today. Garaged in the PNW and one owner. how much is my car worth. COMPLETE DIGITAL CATALOG NOW AVAILABLE In late 2005, the SC 430 premiered along with the Lexus marque in Japan. Even with its ice-cold air conditioning on full blast, the 400 is surprisingly eager to move. Minor problems (play in the lower control arm bushings, for example) arent unheard of, and the doors sometimes sag, but the SC is solid overall; remember, this is a Toyota product at the core. With the highwater mark set at 14,462 vehicles in 2002, 2009 saw just under 1000 SC 430s sold, with 720 of them in the U.S. With seating for up to four passengers, the SC had a front engine. AUCTION SET FOR 14-15 OCTOBER IN GLOVERSVILLE, NEW YORK I wonder if the clubs or knives are ever included with the car when its sold. The SC 300 was equipped with a 3.0L inline 6 2JZ-GE. Delivering a two-door, short-bodied LS was completely out of the question. [26] Safety systems ranged from traction control to vehicle stability control. The staff is always friendly and helpful. A Car and Driver's comparison review didn't understand exactly what a grand tourer in its purest form is and faulted it for its performance on the track. The chassis once again made use of double wishbones all round, a derivation of that found on the GS 430, while the SC was the first Lexus to use an 18-inch wheel. . Its unlikely that the SC430 will ever be described as a collectors car due to the number that were produced, but that doesnt mean that values wont continue rising. LS 430 Engine and Transmission Under the hood of the LS 430 is a 4.3-liter naturally-aspirated V8 engine (internal code 3UZ-FE) making 290 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque. Stylish, beautiful and comfortable it has been a pleasure to drive and even more of one to maintain. The resulting design possessed almost no straight edges, and produced a drag coefficient of Cd=0.31. It also made Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list from 1992 through 1996. While the first generation of the Lexus SC was a luxurious coupe, its predecessor was transformed into an elegant coupe-cabriolet to compete in the premium segment. That 400/300 was basically a Supra (well, a Soarer anyway) with leather and a Lexus badge slapped on the front. After nine years of manufacturing, production halted in July 2010, although Lexus continued to use them in the Super GT until the completion of the 2013 season. Review another car . Notably, the SC430's best features included a gorgeous, luxuriously designed interior, a refined V8 engine, and a sturdy body. In July 1992, the SC 300, a smaller-engined version of the SC 400, premiered in the United States. Lexus parachuted onto the automotive scene when it introduced the original LS and the first-generation ES at the 1989 Detroit auto show. Stay tuned for more details. You think its weird not because of the content but because Lexus did it. ). In production from 2001 to 2010, 72,000 Lexus SC430s were made. In 2004 and 2005, J.D. In 2004 and 2005, J.D. The 2020 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid jumps to the head of the hybrid class. When it comes to cars, she has no problem chatting about them for hours on end. The car features a retractable aluminium hardtop, all-leather interior, and 18inch aluminium wheels. Total production numbers and the numbers sold in the U.S. and Japan can be found on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_SC, The SC430 was sold in Japan as the Toyota Soarer up through 2005 but I don't see production/sales data on the Wiki page for it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Soarer. Production figures are not available for 2006 onward. These cars have been considered a bargain for a number of years, and market values are now starting to reflect the demand for the SC430. With its V8 engine, convertible top, and two-seater cockpit, the SC430 might theoretically be considered a sports vehicle, but in reality, it was essentially a high-end luxury tourer. Why racetracks are giving hybrids and EVs the cold shoulder, Rearview cameras have been around longer than you think, At $720,000, this Ferrari 550 Barchetta Pininfarina is looking for its top, For roadster lovers, Mazdas Miata is (still) the answer, National Council of Corvette Clubs lifts competition ban on E-Ray, How fast is the Corvette E-Ray? Final preparations are underway for Broad Arrow Auctions first-ever single-owner offering Passion for the Drive The Cars of Jim Taylor, offered From A Humble Start, the Corolla Grew to Become the Worlds Best-Selling Model, and Toyota Celebrates This Milestone Cars Place in Automotive History and Customers Lives [2] The LC replaced the SC lineup in 2017. Fast-forward to 2020, and the car feels deliciously old-school, yet the 27,000-mile, Lexus-owned example we tested also felt particularly special. ft) of torque, allowing the coupe to go from 0-60 in 6.2 seconds. Although the car can hustle, it would rather not sprint. One of their more recent offerings was the Pebble Beach Edition trim, which was first introduced in 2003 as a trim level on the much-maligned SC430 before being extended to the RX350, EX350 and LS600hL. For additional trunk space, as an option the SC 430 could be equipped with run-flat tires. Change car Make. The Lexus SC430 was manufactured from 2002 to 2010. Prices for these cars stay in the four-digit range forever. To retain exclusivity, the Pebble Beach trim was limited to a few hundred examples per year for each model, and its unlikely many third or fourth owners even have any idea their cars had any special significance, save for a Pebble Beach Edition badge on the outside. Extensively modified from the factory car, the engine used is a modified version of the SC 430's 3UZ-FE V8 that was also used in the Toyota Supra racing car from previous years. We arent paid for reviews or other content. [25] The vehicle platform shared elements with the GS 430 sport sedan, including variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering. [23] The resulting convertible of 1998 received character lines similar to the region's yachts, in contrast with traditional waveform lines. The SC 300 was equipped with a 3.0L inline 6 2JZ-GE. Manage Settings In 2001, Lexus decided to leave its competitors behind and offered a luxurious four-seat coupe-cabriolet. [13] Lexus' traction control system, TRAC, was offered as an option. How many Lexus SC400 were made? (Kept all original oem parts)Updated GPS/Stereo, Navigation, Bluetooth (Pioneer system). Interior is very comfortable. Additionally, customers could choose one of three interesting option packages to go along with the cars. Lexus designers from Europe and Japan worked together to create a streamlined design. Not bad for a sizable engine from the 2000s. The Lexus SC430 has a 0-60 time of 6 seconds thanks to its 4.3l V8. These days there are only a handful up for sale at any one time in Britain, so you may not be able to be as picky as you would be with other similar European cars. Start a new Lexus SC question. As a Brand Partner and Preferred Vehicle of Pebble Beach Resorts, Lexus is proud to unveil the third annual. Yes, I Really Do Need That Many Cup Holders In late 2005, the SC 430 premiered along with the Lexus marque in Japan; it was manufactured at the Kanji (Kanto Jidosha) assembly site in Japan. Lexus produced 49,538 SC400 during the 9 years it was in production, while only 33,000 SC300 were made. The first-generation SC debuted as the V8-powered SC 400 in 1991, and the I6-powered SC 300 was added in 1992. I wonder what its worth? The SC430 featured in a Top Gear DVD where Jeremy Clarkson and James May crowned it the worst car in the history of the world thanks to its very ugly styling and lack of power. These two-doors werent direct rivals, but the SC made a strong case for itself. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. I have also owned 4 lexus automobiles. Lexus SC430 convertible has also obtained ULEV emissions certification. Would the battery have degraded from their misuse or is it natural wear and tear? In 1996, the SC 400's 1UZ-FE engine design was upgraded to 260hp (194kW) from 250hp (186kW). For the 2006 model, a rear spoiler and spider alloy wheels was also included. Including a corvette and Porsche 944. SC300 buyers could choose between a five-speed manual transmission and a four-speed automatic, but the SC400 was exclusively offered with the latter. A 5-speed manual transmission was only offered on the SC 300 from its debut until 1997. In 2020, the newest first-generation SCs are nearly old enough to order a pint, and the oldest models are creeping up on their 30th birthday. [46], A series production model inspired by the 2012 LF-LC Concept is being developed under the Toyota 950A development program. Its a personal choice as to whether you like its styling and softer ride, but if you want a comfortable cruiser thats a little out of the ordinary, the SC430 is a good choice. The vast majority of those were sold in the USA. A design theme was chosen in 1997 developed by Sotiris Kovos, who in return was named chief designer. Lexus subsequently announced the production of the SC 430 model for 2009. Model. Own this car? Automakers have had a lot of interesting special edition trims over the years, and Lexus is no exception. But not every car needs to have Ferrari power and styling, and these days the SC430 is considered to have aged very well. Lexus stopped building the SC430 in 2010 due to their declining sales, and although there were rumours of a replacement, no direct successor from the SC lineage ever hit the market. [25] The coupe has four seat belts and could technically seat four, but rear-seat space is limited. Powered by Invision Community, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Soarer, Electric fan conversion melting fuses out. Year. An SC in #3 (Good) condition costs an average of $8000, a relative bargain for a luxurious, daily-drivable grand tourer that wont require you to memorize the bank-account number of your local mechanic. Does anyone know how many SC430's were made by year? As a result of the one-touch power-folding hardtop, the automobile was excellent for all-season driving, as it provided greater safety and noise reduction than a typical cloth top. You could spend more money and get less luxury from a well established European brand . Designated LF-LC for Lexus Future-Luxury Coupe, the concept two-door vehicle premiered in January 2012 at the North American International Auto Show. Incredible differences in the ride, feel and comfort. In the UK we cant see it being top of many collectors wish lists in years to come due to its relative unpopularity in the first place, but that does make it much rarer on the roads today. It was supposed to be the jewel in the crown of the Lexus line-up. The Lexus SC430 was manufactured from 2002 to 2010. and this beautifully made car is a poor copy of the TT - rounded at both ends, with a squashed top and pudgy surfacing. It's no secret that the Lexus SC 430 is getting a bit long in the tooth. The figure made the car the second-most-expensive model in the Lexus portfolio that year; the LS cost a few hundred dollars more. Write a car review . However, I would imagine that the SC400 has reached a point where the impact of color is negligible. In 1996, SC400 pricing started at $52,400 (about $86,500 in 2020). The claimed output of the V8 was reduced significantly, to 288 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, however, the acceleration remained the same. Maintenance is a lot cheaper than its competition. The SC430 has an advantage of 7.3 seconds raising the top and 3.3 lowering it. In 2020, cars pegged in the SCs segment are often so laden with features as to be daunting to drive. a reported all-new next-generation SC debuts in 2014. A Lexus sales person mentioned a figure of 8500 for 2003. But just doesnt have the gorgeous sexy looks of the SC430. This is likely down to the styling, comfort suspension, and softer steering. The Lexus SC430 has a 0-60 time of 6 seconds thanks to its 4.3l V8. By 2005, the car was already old on the premium segment, and the carmaker introduced an updated version. Its future classic status is more assured in the USA than in other parts of the world. Your comments make me want to buy one. The car platform was shared with the GS 430 performance sedan, which included variable-assist power rack-and-pinion handling. Get a Kelley Blue Book instant cash offer. The SCs cabin is simple but not a compromise. [6] The coup was going to be targeted towards the American market,[7] and the development effort for its exterior design was handed over to the Calty Design Research center in California in 1987. Most owners have changed them for regular tires, which transforms the feel of the car to what it should have been from new. [3] The Lexus SC platform was used to develop Toyota's next generation Supra, both vehicles were manufactured in the same plant.[11]. The LS400 was greeted with praise in 1989, but it wasn't perfect. Standard luxury features include Espresso Walnut or Bird's Eye Maple wood trim, a Mark Levinson premium sound system, DVD-based navigation system, and headlamp washers. Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. In 2006 the SC 430 was entered in the (Super GT) race series in the GT500 class (cars with approximately 500 horsepower).