There’s something joyful about a convertible. Whether a Jeep Wrangler or a Geo Metro, unencumbered access to the open air is a freeing thing, and while many of us have dreamed of nice convertibles, many of the high-end ones can be maintenance headaches. Many, but not all. These days, you can buy a Lexus SC 430 and be cruising in drop-top luxury for less than the price of a gently used Honda Civic. Balling on a budget with the psychological reassurance of Lexus reliability. Doesn’t that sound nice?
Wait a second, didn’t Top Gear call the SC 430 the worst car in the history of the world? Sure, a spin-off special of a self-described “pokey little motoring show” may have bagged on Lexus’ first power-retractable hardtop, but context is important. For $62,875 in 2004 money, it was hard to love the SC 430 over admittedly more expensive competition like the Jaguar XKR, the Mercedes-Benz SL, or the Porsche 911 Cabriolet.
However, add two decades, and the slightly frumpy Lexus is absolutely worth a second look. Sure, an XKR may be sharper, but as far as older comfortable convertibles to own, there’s a good chance the SC 430 has it licked.
What Are We Looking At?
Around the turn of the new millennium, Lexus sought to replace its SC sports coupe with something that could compete with the Mercedes-Benz SL and Jaguar XK8 in the posh grand touring convertible segment. As this sort of vehicle carries a distinctly continental attitude, one designer set out on what may or may not have been a vacation of sorts. As reported by the Athens Banner-Herald:
Chief Exterior Designer Sotiris Kovos sought design inspiration in a location renowned for high-end luxury — the French Riviera. He spent several weeks there observing people and products to gain insight into truly luxurious lifestyles.
I’m sure that some important research was done on this trip, but it also has to be one of the best career maneuvers of all time. Don’t lie, all of us would do the same damn thing if we could. Anyway, after Kovos’ trip to the Côte d’Azur, the SC 430 team sat down and made a plush, V8-powered grand tourer. It had a power-retractable hardtop, the 4.3-liter V8 from the plutocrat-grade LS 430 sedan, wood, leather, and all the miscellaneous luxury goodies you could shake a stick at.
However, not everything in the history of the SC 430 is rosy. It promptly lost a Car And Driver comparison test against a first-generation Mercedes-Benz CLK convertible. Awkward. However, there are two reasons for that, as explained in the article.
So why does the Lexus languish in the runner-up spot? It comes down to two elements: styling and vehicle dynamics. Both fall into the realm of the subjective, and there’s no doubt that our responses to this car don’t necessarily reflect the market at large. In fact, the only car in recent memory that’s attracted more positive attention during a road test is the Audi TT. Nevertheless, our own responses to the SC430’s styling and dynamics were uniform and unanimous: very nice, but not for us.
The Lexus isn’t exactly a sporting car. Sure, it has plenty of power and a claimed zero-to-60 mph time of 5.9 seconds, but ride quality on early models fitted with run-flat tires is a bit harsh, and handling is more akin to a three-piece suite than a sports car. However, ditch the runflats, pack a tire inflator kit, and the Lexus becomes an excellent daily driver, adequately equipped to eat up highway stretches and cruise around town with the top down.
Once that mesmerizing electromechanical contraption has done its thing, you’ll get to enjoy the sunshine among luxuries like a nine-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, auto-dimming exterior mirrors, a power-adjustable steering column, and a wood-grained steering wheel. Oh, and did I mention that the leather front seats are extremely comfortable?
A few improvements arrived in 2006, when Lexus fitted a six-speed automatic transmission in place of the old five-speed and sorted out the ride quality, but this isn’t a vehicle that received many drastic changes throughout the years. After all, the final model year of the SC 430 marked the last time a new car was sold in America with a standard tape deck.
How Much Are We Talking?
Of course, despite the luxury badge, many of these SC 430s are reasonably priced. A well-equipped four-year-old Honda Civic currently goes for about $20,000, and there are a ton of SC 430 examples to choose from under that price cap. Take this 2002 model year car that sold on Bring A Trailer in December for $19,680. It was owned by one family since new, had just 47,000 miles on the clock, and looks remarkably clean underneath.
Speaking of low-mileage examples, this 2005 SC 430 with 77,000 miles on the clock sold on Bring A Trailer last month for $15,250. Sure, it may have some odd cosmetic add-ons, but stick-on headlight trim, an aftermarket grille, and aftermarket wheels all fall into the camp of reversible alterations. I’d call this one well-bought.
If you aren’t particularly fussy about year or mileage, there are some serious bargains to be had. This 2002 model with 128,300 miles on the clock recently sold on Cars & Bids for $9,000, which is downright cheap for a car of this caliber. Sure, it’s not cosmetically perfect, but a few little scrapes make it a great example to just drive the crap out of.
Speaking of higher-mileage examples, this facelifted 2006 SC 430 with 163,400 miles on the clock sold last October on Cars & Bids for $12,000. The wild part? You wouldn’t be able to tell how much it’s been driven just by looking at it.
The leather seats are free of cracks, the blue paint still gleams, and even the plastic headlight lenses appear to be in decent condition. Whoever owned this thing took fantastic care of it, and as a result, it still looks like a $60,000 car.
What Goes Wrong On An SC 430?
Good news: This is a Lexus, meaning that unlike the high-end European competition, it’s a fairly robust car. The 4.3-liter V8 is rock-solid, as are both automatic transmissions, as is pretty much all the body hardware. The one notable exception is that power-retractable hardtops are complex pieces of kit, so if proper lubrication and care are neglected, four-figure repair bills aren’t out of the question. However, it’s worth noting that many top components can be sourced second-hand, which should lower the cost of fixes.
The only other thing to watch out for is the brake booster pump going bad. It’s a fancy electrohydraulic pump that costs around $800 for a new part, and is a known sore spot on these cars. On the plus side, it’s easy to diagnose, throwing its own trouble code when it starts to go bad.
If you’re looking to buy an SC 430, see if the seller has maintenance records for the brake booster pump, along with the critical timing belt. Even if a vehicle isn’t at the timing belt mileage interval yet, rubber tends to go brittle after 20 years, and you don’t want your pistons to kiss your valves. If neither of these items have been done, they can make for good negotiating points on a private sale, or encourage you to mentally lower your maximum bid on an auction car.
Should You Buy A Lexus SC 430?
A used Lexus SC 430 is a fairly smart buy as far as aged luxury cars go. So long as premium gasoline is relatively cheap, you can get a well-appointed, reasonably comfortable convertible for sensible money that you can depend on every day of the year. It even has a pair of tiny rear seats for a dog, luggage, or exceptionally friendly passengers. Think of the SC 430 as a slice of one-percent life now affordable by many. Sure, a four-year-old Civic may be cheaper to run, but the Lexus is near the bottom of its depreciation curve, and it certainly feels a bit fabulous. As far as sensible used four-seat convertibles go, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than this.
(Photo credits: Cars & Bids, Bring A Trailer)
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I find these to be deeply unattractive. I’m sure they are a pleasure to cruise in, but I would not own and I don’t think I’m the target audience, either. Much like the R129 SL, I rarely ever saw one driven by a man in their heyday.
Can confirm that it makes a great “affordable” third car. My wife and I bought ours when she was around 4 months pregnant. It’s the best adult decision we could have made at the time. Growing up my mom daily drove a 3rd Gen Supra in the midwest with two kids for a decade, so I understand the “we’ll make it work” mentality of car ownership. Also if you go back to the Top Gear reaming episode of the SC, they reamed the Z8 in that same episode. It’s safe to say that they got it all wrong on that episode.
While I worship at the altar of the LC500 and Lexus in general, these have never really appealed to me personally. A neighbor has one and I’ve just never been able to get over the awkward proportions. They kind of look like a 996 911 cabrio that’s been eating nothing but deep dish pizza.
I also don’t like the fact that they don’t sound like much of anything stock. If I’m getting a V8 drop top I want the engine to sing loudly and proudly. To be fair these wake up a fair amount with aftermarket exhausts, but stock they’re completely anonymous. Add in the fussy hardtop and you just kind of wind up with a package that’s neither here nor there.
I don’t think this car really has all that much of an identity. It’s just kind of…there. It wasn’t exciting then and it isn’t exciting now, and I actually think the prices on these are too high for what they are. The fact that nicer examples are in the 20s is silly to me, and I’ve even seen low mileage ones for more than that.
Don’t get me wrong-if you want a cheap luxury car a used Lexus is essentially your only option if you want an easy ownership experience. If you just want a carefree affordable cruiser you could do a hell of a lot worse than this. They just don’t excite me at all, and I don’t think Lexus really figured out how to bring emotion and thrills until the ISF was introduced (and eventually followed by the LFA). And honestly, if you want a Japanese V8 that 5 liter is a whole hell of a lot more exciting than the 4.3.
Agreed. I’d rather have an earlier SC300/400 or something later like an IS coupe or LC500
I’ll periodically look at these and R129 SLs for a potential top down cruiser. I don’t tend to think BaT is a place to find value, and forget “Cars and Bids” exists, so I’m rarely looking there. In general, it seems like the bottom for these already passed and the nice examples are getting pricier.
You can also buy an XLR for this price, and while they have their own problems they at least clear the bar of not being hideous to look at.
Hideous isn’t the word I’d use, but the XLR is definitely its own kind of ugly.
I really like the SC430. I’ve seen a few with some suspension tweaks and they sit really nicely. Sound pretty great with an exhaust delete too. Not sure I’d go that far, but certainly something more free-flowing so it sounds more V8-like.
Girl I went to college with had gotten one for her high school grad present brand new. It was cool but like top model German cars, they had very rate of depreciation. Japan mission to be like Germans accomplished
The ceiling is a bit low, so not for people with long trunks or necks, unless the top is down. The wheels are easily replaced, and there are many tasteful aftermarket wheels that look great on a SC430.
They are fast, with no doubt, but also heavyish – it’s no Miata, but it’s not intended to be. Weak spots are the headlight relay boxes, which are a bit pricey, and for some reason mine seems to attract rocks to the windshield.
Geez, though, one percenter… I spent less than fifteen grand on mine, including the new wheels and tires, and that was with 52,000 miles… it does get lots of compliments. It’s a very comfortable car for long trips, fantastic on a warm summer evening, and lousy for the rear passengers, which it should never, ever have, since there is no place for their legs below the knees.
I have always truly, madly, deeply hated those giant fuckin dinner plate wheels. I wouldn’t buy a 20k one for 10k. It’s frump on wheels, but the wheels are also frump.
Plus, power top replacements are nontrivial financially, even as DIY. There’s a reason my right rotator cuff is at the brink of extinction, with Z4’s top teaching me that “down” is much easier than “up.”
Thomas almost had it correct in the third paragraph describing it as: “slightly frumpy”. I agree it appears “frumpy”, although not with the degree being “slightly”. Personal opinion, as I never have cared for the design. From what I understand, the handling is mediocre at best, although Lexus reliability should be stellar. Would likely make a great Popemobile.
Love convertibles in general, and have wanted a folding hardtop for a long time. I like how these look, would love that V8, but also they look like anyone of height would be cramped or virtually laying down with the top up, ruling out the wife and I.
Since I’ve only ever seen these but never been in one, anyone over 6′ ridden or driven one that can throw out a thought on this line?
Right now we’re looking for a truck (have the need of hauling home supplies), but hope to get back in a convertible eventually as a weekend cruiser.
5’11” and ridden in all 4 seats. Front two are great. Back are for children. Overall I was unimpressed with the dynamics- it felt like a convertible designed for my dad (and the one I have experience with is owned by my uncle).
Solve your truck and convertible problem in one shot- Jeep Gladiator
OMG. Mogadon on wheels. Just no.
Do you have enough electrons in your Photoshop to fix this design?
It took Lexus 16 years to fix!
How they went from the SC300/400 design to this is mind boggling.
Having driven one, count me as a fan. No, it is not a sports car. But the V8 is strong and smooth all the way to redline, it’s comfortable as hell for two people, and I found the interior trim to be classy.
The wife and I are in our 50’s now. One of these would make a lot of sense for us as a weekend car.
The first one in the series that’s actually worth buying. Toyota makes the best cars 🙂
LOL no way a Toyota is the worst car ever
These are rather poor from a handling dynamics POV, but they are great top down cruisers that run forever. Most of them were second cars, so even rust belt examples are generally free of corrosion. For someone looking for a reasonably priced reliable ride that can drop the top, a used one of these should be at the top of the list. As for Clarkson’s rant – this just doesn’t fit his use case. He likes fast, great handling cars, which this isn’t. That doesn’t make it bad. It just makes it not for him.
I really like these a lot and almost bought one last year, but I needed a bigger back seat, so I went with a Solara instead.
Same here for the back seat, but I bought a Pontiac G6 GT because folding hardtop. I love it as a cruiser.
Seems like this would be kind of cross shopped with a G37 Convertible and a 335i Convertible. I drove both the SC and G37 and they are wildly different. Neither one is better per say, just different. I did like the G37 more.
I’ve got my eyes set on either the SC or G37 convertible in about 2 years. Or I may for even more a cruiser with a 9-3. My fear is I’ll drive near redline more in G37, and get myself in trouble with the law on the way to work.
Can Adrian please tell me why I have never liked the look of these? RWD V8 convertible ticks quite a few boxes.
They’re REALLY ugly with the top up. Top down is a whole ‘nother story.
Suppose that is saying something from a person with a fondness for late poptop pontiacs. 😉
Top up looks like a person wearing a baseball helmet ice cream bowl on their head.
If this, at all, came with a stick-shift, I would go to bat for this car.
That being said: Sorry, give me a GS430 or LS430 of the same era and I’ll just bag it and put it on nice rims.
“Bag it and put it on nice rims”… this sounds like a terrible idea. Give it a fantastic polishing and leave it in those nice thick side-walled factory wheels/tires.
Despite what we’ve been told to think, I have always loved these. I thin they look absolutely terrific inside and out, Lexus killed it with these and they have aged very very well.
I think they’re one of those cars that look better now than they did when they came out. I also feel the same way about the early 2000s Bangle BMWs
I agree with the BMWs; the Bangle era looked hideous but have actually aged pretty well. I always thought the SC was a sharp looking car though, but I do think it too has aged really well.
‘Looking better than current BMWs’ is a low bar for a Bangle era car to clear, but yeah, I know what you mean.
I’ll come up to bat and say that I like these and do actually want one, but not badly enough to actually get one at their current price. They need to get just a little bit cheaper before I’d be interested.
I still believe that most of the current hate around these is because “Clarkson said so” and people misunderstand what this car, and the SC line in general was supposed to be. So many people, at least the people I hang out with think the SC was some cool sports car because they’ve seen Z30 SCs/Soarers getting drifted and maybe remember Ueno’s old D1GP Soarer if they’re old like me.
But the SC is and always was intended to be a personal luxury coupe/grand tourer and was never a sports car. The only reason they were even sort of popular as a drift car in Japan was because you could get a turbo manual one there. The SC430 wasn’t terribly sporty because it wasn’t supposed to be.
I feel like I’m far more mod your car friendly than a lot of people here so my hypothetical SC430 wouldn’t stay stock. I think these look really cool lowered on cool wheels and that’s mostly what I’d want to do with mine. It’d be a fun cruiser that’s a bit different.
I never got why anyone thought this was supposed to be a performance vehicle. It should be pretty obvious just by looking at the SC that it was never meant to be a sports car. Even the older Supra-based SCs were more of touring vehicle despite some pretty good performance under the hood.
For sure. Something like Leon Hardiritt Ordens and an Aimgain kit on an SC 430 would rule hard.
I actively avoid V-8 interference engines with timing belts, so no thank you.
Think about that. You’re avoiding a Toyota because you’re worried about engine reliability.
No, I don’t want to own a car that requires a $1400 maintenance every 60k.
More like $1000 every 100k miles, which is still a significant cost.
For a V8 in a modern luxury car, I would say it’s still relatively low.
Personally, I would prefer a timing chain as well, but thay wouldn’t deter me here.
I like how these look, except for the stock wheels. They’re too small, making the car look like one of those cheap matchbox knock-offs with a plastic barbell for the wheels/axle.
I’ve never felt these needed bigger wheels at all. The 18s look fantastic and are a bit of a nod to MB monoblocs with a bit more detail.
No. They’re just too ugly. Ich-thyological!
I never liked these, mainly due to the unfortunate proportions and weight, but that engine is worth the price of admission. My buddy transplanted one into a Porsche 914.
Hah, I am giving storage space to an early 928 with the same swap, sadly no-one seems to want it,odd car heaven is beckoning (aka Steve and his flatbed).
He did WHAT, now? Jesus.
When he finally got all the computer inputs faked it was a rocket. He’s an engineering professor and he assigned it as a lab assignment to his students!