REPORT: Lexus preparing soft-top SC430 successor
2009 Lexus SC430 Pebble Beach Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
While the Lexus IS C is enjoying strong early sales and the luxury Toyota marque prepares to launch a version with the 5.0-liter V8 from the IS F, the top-of-the-line SC 430 grows increasingly irrelevant and long-in-the-tooth. However, contrary to reports that surfaced this time last year – 'tis the season for convertibles, after all – Lexus is indeed planning a successor to the range-topping coupe-cabrio.
Reports indicate that, far from the IS C replacing the aging SC 430, a clean-slate successor to the big roadster is in the planning stages. Because the SC has been around so long, Toyota's designers and engineers are reportedly going back to the drawing board. What they're apparently coming up with eschews the current model's complex folding hard top – one of the first on the market after the Mitsubishi 3000GT VR4 Spyder and Mercedes SLK – in favor of a simpler, lighter folding soft top.
With a new SC 430, an IS F convertible and a potential LF-A roadster all in the pipeline, the forecast looks sunny for Lexus.
[Source: Car and Driver]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Clay Garland 10:03AM (7/09/2009)
Thank heavens they've managed to keep those dashing good looks.
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jhjacobson43 10:07AM (7/09/2009)
In SoCal the ONLY people driving these things are wealthy, upper middle-aged white women - normally blond.
Soft top = step backwards. Can't see Toyota doing that.
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Vetmstr 10:17AM (7/09/2009)
Its not just SO CAL. White blond suburban women around the USA 'rejoice'
zamafir 12:26PM (7/09/2009)
step backwards? That's why all the fun cars use them right? soft tops are lighter and today provide just as much sound insulation as hard tops, are a lot less complex, and lighter.
oh. wait. toyota. nm. Lightness and fun don't matter. yeah it'd be a step backwards for them to join such ludicrous examples as the A5/S5 cab, various Bentleys, Lamborghinis, etc. Full speed ahead. The IS is such a looker anywho, I'm not sure how they SC successor could improve. Excuse me while I go outside and fondly admire a solara.
jhjacobson43 3:30PM (7/09/2009)
Zamafir,
Sorry, they are not quieter. Have owned six soft-top covertibles, none of which was quieter than the coupe counterpart. They are much better than in the past, but, no, they are not quieter. Sorry. Of course you can make the agrument for the Bentley but those few cars can hardly be considered mainstream. Good friend has a 2001 MB320 soft top...it's still not as quiet as a '95 Mustang 2-top Cobra I owned. Soft tops are dead as a a stump. Ford is looking at a folding steel roof for its next model Mustang.
As for fun, guess that's why the new BMWs, Mazdas, MBs are folding steel roofs and a hard top option is available for other "fun cars."
Yes, the folding steel roof is more complex, but as time goes on engineering will make it less so and the weight will be less too. And yes, for the people that race or time trial their cars, well, they are not in the convert market anyway. For them every pound represents a longer time and they won't compromise. The big stumbling block for the steel roof is the cost. Frankly I was surprised to see the Mazda have the steel roof as an option for that reason. But once again engineering and time marches on and costs will come down. There are too many pluses with a folding steel roof vs. a soft top. To me the biggest down side is the fender bender in the rear with top down $$$.
As for looks, well that's totally subjective. One man's meat is another's..... Thankfully we have a choice.
P.V. 10:09AM (7/09/2009)
Huh. I was under the impression that the IS C would replace the SC.
In this case, what will be the IS C and SC's respective competitors?
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Avinash machado 10:11AM (7/09/2009)
I think that the SC will compete with the Mercedes Sl and the outgoing Cadillac XLR.
Other Man 1:17PM (7/09/2009)
It's more like a temporary replacement. The SC is much more expensive and (was) more prestigious in its day, competing with the 6-Series and SL-Class, whereas the IS C battles the 3-Series and C70 end of the market.
I think Lexus should instead build a GS coupe and convertible (GS C?) from the upcoming redesigned GS. Like the SC, it would have different styling and interior bits, but same platform and maybe come V-8 only to, like the 6-Series, allow the company to charge more over the sedan.
Avinash machado 10:13AM (7/09/2009)
Oops. I meant Mercedes SL. Sorry for the typo.
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el-indiano 10:47AM (7/09/2009)
well you got it right with the caddy xlr. you would have more fun driving a milk truck than the two of those.
the sl is in a different class, price wise and performance.
but then again if you going to drop 100k on a sl550, why not get an r8?
Serge 11:39AM (7/09/2009)
@el-indiano
So... you think the 440HP Supercharged XLR-V is a slow boat? Last time I checked it pulls off 60mph in 4.4 seconds and has enough cornering grip to satisfy anybody who buys a hard-top convertible... I personally think the XLR is attractive and distinctive enough on the outside, plus the all leather interior in the V is very nice.
I believe the XLR-V (and STS-V) are the first production cars to have the supercharger down between the cylinder banks... starting a good trend, with everyone sinking all types of compressors down low between the cylinders...
Ignorance is bliss, I guess...
Protzenegger 11:50AM (7/09/2009)
@ el-indiano: Because the R8 costs $20-40K more than the SL500, and doesn't come with a folding hardtop.
zamafir 12:28PM (7/09/2009)
@Protzenegger - I would have balked at your comment before sunday, after watching clarkson I guess that folding hard top is crucial to the SL crowd.
PJ 10:34AM (7/09/2009)
That's a relief. The SC wasn't that competitive in its class even when it was new, and that was seven years ago. Lexus moved fewer than 2,000 in MY2008.
I always thought it was a strange follow-up to the first-generation SC/Soarer, which was really a masterpiece for a car that debuted in 1991.
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UCJR 10:20AM (7/09/2009)
It's always looked like a slightly bloated cousin to the last-gen Audi TT to me. Never been a fan.
The SC400 was awesome, though.
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dwightB 10:54AM (7/09/2009)
Meh, I own an SC400, it's ok. It's lowered on staggered 19's, true dual exhaust, etc... It's a nice car, but no SC430.
My mother got an SC430 for her birthday though and I am absolutely OVER my SC400 because of it, lol. I've drive the car maybe, twice, but after the first time, I fell in LOVE with it.
Ever since I drove it, I realized what I wanted my next vehicle purchase to be. Problem is, the one I want, they ONLY made 600 of, so it's probably going to end up being a nationwide search. Funny enough though, there was one less than 100 miles from me and relatively cheap when I FIRST started looking for them. I really should have jumped on it, because I have only seen ONE for sale since, and this was back in March.
It's the 2005 Pebble Beach edition. Black Diamond (basically just a black pearl) with red pimento interior, black birds eye maple interior trim. Effing GORGEOUS combination. Gotta find one, lol!
Here are some pics. I really don't care if people here hate them. They're not a car for everyone. :)
http://images.cars.com/supersized/DMI/164697/062940.jpg
http://images.cars.com/supersized/DMI/164697/062940.03.jpg
http://images.cars.com/supersized/DMI/164697/062940.21.jpg
Sam 11:28AM (7/09/2009)
@dwightB There are two of them (SC430PB) in Austin, TX. I own one of them. ( ; It's a nice car but it's definitely a chick's car. It drives like a heavy Buick. My old 05 TL out performed it in every way except acceleration.
I recommend Ebaymotors. I saw a few on there last year. I got mine from Dallas.
zamafir 12:33PM (7/09/2009)
"It's a nice car but it's definitely a chick's car. It drives like a heavy Buick"
Thanks :). It's refreshing to read comments from owners who take a balanced look at their cars and get why most wouldn't care for them, though there are clearly positive attributes somewhere that made it a worthwhile purchase for you.. That'd be one of my bigger gripes right there though, I've seen about 99% women driving it, 1% gay men. So the boulevard cruiser handling and typical owner audience are about as far from enthusiasts as you can get, which is why I think a lot of people hate on it.
dwightB 12:44AM (7/10/2009)
Sam, your TL = 4 door = fail IMO. I am NOT a fan of many vehicles with more than 2 doors. All I need room for is myself and whatever woman I decide to spend my evening with, lol.
And before you try to jinx me, I have no children and plan on getting a vasectomy in the near future, lol!
John 10:28AM (7/09/2009)
I don't believe the bit about using a soft top. A folding hardtop is the price of admission in these luxury convertibles, and I find it highly unlikely that they wouldn't continue to use one. No doubt they will make it lighter, simpler, faster, better, etc.
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