2007 Lexus SC 430 Review
The SC is a luxury hard-top convertible coupe, first introduced in 1991. In 1992, it was voted Motor Trend’s “Import Car of the Year,” and often appeared in Car and Driver’s “Ten Best” during the mid-’90s. In 1996, it received a slight increase in horsepower. Lexus didn’t replace the original SC until 2001, a testament to its advanced design. It received a slight update in 2006, adding new wheels, a new grille, additional colors, and the addition of the limited Pebble Beach Edition.
The BuyingAdvice Team Says:
The Lexus SC is a fun ride for those looking for a sunny-day vehicle. Its long model cycle proves the effectiveness and forward-thinking of Lexus’s engineers. The competition has finally caught up, though, leaving the current SC looking somewhat dated and heavily overpriced. Lexus quality is still there, and the design still turns a few heads, but we’re hoping to see a new model soon.
What’s New For 2007:
What is the Predicted Reliability:
J.D. Power gives the SC perfect ratings for overall manufacturing and design quality. Problems that affected the first-generation SC include an improperly grounded radio antenna, problematic shifting, emission issues, faulty thermometers, defective hinges, excessive oil consumption, and suspension noise. However, that covers the entire nine-year run, with most of those problems affecting the earlier models. It was recalled once in 1996-97 for short circuiting. So far, the new SC has only had issues with trouble shifting out of park and problematic trunk latches, with no recalls. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles. Expect above average reliability.
Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:
Crash test scores are not available. Anti-lock brakes, brake assist, front side airbags, front knee airbags, tire pressure monitoring, and stability and traction control come standard.
Pros and Cons:
Pros
+ Automatic hardtop
+ Lexus quality
+ Fun to drive
Cons
– Side airbags only cover the front
– Aging design
– Lack of space
Head-To-Head Competition:
The Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class costs $11,000 less and has a seven-speed transmission. However, its engine is smaller than the SC’s at only six cylinders, and it lacks the SC’s navigation system, CD changer, and side airbags. The Porsche Boxster costs $10,000 less, but also has a smaller six-cylinder. In addition, the Boxster lacks an automatic transmission, navigation system, CD changer, and AC. If the SC is just out of your price range, you might consider the Mazda MX-5 Miata for nearly $40,000 less. It only has a 2.0-L, four-cylinder engine, but it too is RWD, gets slightly better gas mileage, and offers a fun, top-down driving experience.
What Others Are Saying:
“Both the SC 430 from Toyota Motor and the SLK-Class from DaimlerChrysler are handsome, premium convertibles, although the Lexus’ starting price is $22,000 higher than that of the SLK-Class. However, until recently, the price difference didn’t seem to be critical: At this time last year, the Lexus was making the Mercedes eat its lunch. Now, things are the other way around.” – Forbes
“Is the SC430 just a rich person’s toy? Maybe. But if you have the kind of disposable income that can put you in a car like this, and you already have a more practical vehicle in the garage, go for it. This is the stuff that dreams are made of, and after all, don’t you deserve it?” – The Family Car
“The SC 430 may not be the most powerful or sharpest-handling car in its field, but it certainly qualifies as a significant entry in the luxury coupe and convertible market. Although popular, the SC 430 is no longer unique in this segment, with other attractive hardtop convertibles such as the Cadillac XLR and Mercedes-Benz SL offering their own brands of image, performance and appeal.” – J.D. Power
Read more about the 2007 Lexus SC 430 at the Lexus manufacturer web site.
