The Lexus SC430 came and went, and nobody noticed. On sale in the UK for almost a decade, the SC430 is one of those cars that never made an impact, despite being very desirable for a number of reasons. While it was no looker and it left driving enthusiasts cold, the SC430 featured that legendary Lexus build quality and reliability, with silky smooth performance and surprising usability. Used values are now on the floor, ensuring Lexus' first coupe-cabrio is well worth a look if you want something quirky for the summer.
Key Dates
3/01: The SC430 goes on sale with a 4.3-litre V8 only.
9/04: A facelifted SC430 comes with suspension revisions and upgraded multi-media.
11/05: A more comprehensive facelift brings restyled grille, bumpers, lights and wheels. There's also a new electronically controlled six-speed automatic gearbox, while adaptive front lights provide better illumination.
Lexus SC430 (2001-2009) Checklist
- The SC430 is extremely well built, so despite the car having been introduced in 2001, few fault patterns have emerged. The problems that seem to crop up the most frequently, but which are really down to age, wear and tear or lack of use are...
- Batteries go flat, and jump starts can be tricky.
- Tyre pressure monitors can go AWOL.
- Front tyres can wear unevenly, while rears can wear quickly.
- Replacing bulbs can be difficult, so check they're all working.
- Rattles from the roof when up is probably down to a loose cable within the operating mechanism.
We Like
- Refinement
- Power and performance
- Build quality
- Standard kit
- Neat roof design
We Don't Like
- Mediocre handling
- Pointless rear seats
- Awkward styling