Pros: Lexus quality and reliability, unique styling, comfortable and fun to driveCons: Avg EPA mileage, no trunk, spare tire. Unusable bakc seat
Best in class if you are looking for a well behaved comfortable roadster. Not the sportiest amongst its peers, but certainly the best overall quality and value. The sc430 has been designed from the ground up as a convertible and has minimal wind buffeting and noise with the top down. Top up it is quiet and luxurious in the cabin with the best stereo system around. Fully equipped in its base configuration, its ready to go. I would buy mine again in a heartbeat
I have always been a huge fan of lexus vehicles and every year they impress me with the new models and the improved models. keep up the good work.
Overview
On cold, rainy days, the Lexus SC 430 looks like a neat sport coupe. But when the sun comes out, press a button and the retractable hardtop drops within 25 seconds, transforming the SC 430 into convertible.
Top up or top down, the SC 430 is a silky smooth sports car. Its smooth character extends from the four-cam V8 to the five-speed automatic to the supple suspension. Its styling looks upscale and refined. Its interior is as comfortable as it is beautiful. Indeed, the Lexus SC 430 is a classy luxury car for two people dressed to the nines. Poise can be maintained while enjoying an evening on the town. It is, after all, the flagship luxury sports car from Lexus, the company that redefined luxury cars.
In spite of its luxurious overtones, the SC 430 delivers surprisingly good performance. With rear-wheel drive and a 4.3-liter V8 that puts out 300-horsepower, it can run head to head with the Mercedes SL 500 and Jaguar XK8. Its stable at high speeds and, though soft, its suspension is well controlled on winding roads, on-ramps and off-ramps.
Interior Design and Special Features
The interior is the highlight of the Lexus SC 430. Beautiful to look at, the cockpit is filled with real wood and leather, and spring-loaded wooden covers can hide much of the center stack. From a more practical standpoint, however, the SC falls a little short. Owners will find that the trunk doesnt offer much room, as it holds just 8.8 cubic feet of cargo. Ordering the optional run-flat tires and ditching the spare bumps the trunk size up to 9.4 cubic feet. Keep in mind that these numbers are with the top up; with the top retracted, luggage space is very scarce. Additionally, the SCs undersized rear seats are basically just for show rather than actual use.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with a panic-assist feature and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are standard, as are seatbelt pre-tensioners and side-impact airbags. The Lexus convertible also comes with traction control and stability control. The optional run-flat tires allow the car to be driven up to 100 miles at 55 mph without air pressure.
Powertrains and Performance
The Lexus SC 430 is powered by a 4.3-liter V8 engine.. It produces 288 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. Its connected to a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Zero-to-60-mph acceleration comes in at around 6.5 seconds.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
Though available in just one body style and trim level, the Lexus SC 430 convertible comes packed with luxurious amenities. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, adaptive HID headlights, a navigation system, supple leather seats with driver and passenger memory functions, an astounding 240-watt nine-speaker premium audio system, a sophisticated climate control system and either birds eye maple or walnut trim. With a press of a button, the aluminum-alloy roof rises to provide shelter from the vagaries of the environment. Once closed, the top seals tight to transform the SC 430 into a hardtop coupe possessing superior structural rigidity and little wind noise while cruising down the freeway. Options on the SC 430 include run-flat tires, a rear spoiler and a limited-edition Pebble Beach package that includes unique exterior and interior-trim coloring and a custom two-piece luggage set.
Driving Impressions
The 4.3-liter V8 allows the 2006 Lexus SC 430 to leap from nearly any speed. It climbs to redline with no discernable strain. The exhaust note is nearly imperceptible, a trait thats either pleasing or disappointing depending on your point of view. The suspension setup echoes the traits of the drivetrain, filtering out every bump and ripple in the road in an attempt to maintain civility at all times. This, in turn, results in less road feel and reduced driver confidence when pushing the SC 430 hard through corners.
2006 Lexus SC 430 Summary
The 2006 Lexus SC 430 is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury convertible, available in one trim only, the Convertible.
Upon introduction, the SC 430 is equipped with a standard 4.3-liter, V8, 288-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
The 2006 Lexus SC 430 is freshened for 2006.