Consumers Reports reviews SC430
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Pit Crew
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From: Florida
Consumers Reports reviews SC430
In the new issue, it only gives the car a fair review but it is the only one recommended. They do not like the handling, tight cockpit, and "fidgety" ride but love the controls, fit and finish., and reliability.
Last edited by abbeyrd; Aug 31, 2006 at 09:23 AM. Reason: add items
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Florida
If it's recommended its their top rating. Sounds like they don't like cars in this grouping (SL500, SC430,etc.) handling and ride are a personal thing and all of us decided that before we bought. Bottomline it is a Lexus with Lexus quality and dependablity.
i can understand what they don't like about the car though, it's indeed the "shortcomings" for this car. but then again, most of them i think the buyers are aware of them already before purchasing
If Consumer Report wants a car with a lot of room with great performance and handling, then they want something like the 5-Series.
However, the SC430 stands as a different car altogether. People who buy this car don't care about the room (it's not what the car is for) nor do they want aggressive driving capability (it's not what the car is for). The SC is all about smoothly cruising with the top down while being envied by other drivers and pedestrians.
That's is why the SC is "highly recommended." Because it makes you look DAMN good!
However, the SC430 stands as a different car altogether. People who buy this car don't care about the room (it's not what the car is for) nor do they want aggressive driving capability (it's not what the car is for). The SC is all about smoothly cruising with the top down while being envied by other drivers and pedestrians.
That's is why the SC is "highly recommended." Because it makes you look DAMN good!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 2
From: Da Bay
ditto. very well put phillipmspt. 
i bought the car because it was a Lexus and that was the bottom line.
i did not know about handling or performace capabilities of the car from the get go but the luxurious comfort, cruising, gadgets and smoothness was enough to get it.
After that, you mod the car to improve and receive your personal satisfaction of better handling and performance, if you wish to.
i bought the car because it was a Lexus and that was the bottom line.
i did not know about handling or performace capabilities of the car from the get go but the luxurious comfort, cruising, gadgets and smoothness was enough to get it.
After that, you mod the car to improve and receive your personal satisfaction of better handling and performance, if you wish to.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 603
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From: New Jersey
they didn't say the car was bad.
they said compared to the ones tested it had less power ( it did in its price range 65k to 100k)
as for room most all where rated the same in terms of room rear room except the BMW 6 (BMW received an so-so review)
they did say the cockpit did sit a little more high than others and it does and that it did have less leg room than the others and it does as well but the leg room the car i think is more than adequate for me at least (I'm 5'9" tall).
most all others where running on run flats as well. minus the jag and cady i belive both whom scored lower .
basically what won the car over was reliability and finish .the other name brans could not be recommended due to reliability
so compared to the other cars that cost more the car did very well !
they said compared to the ones tested it had less power ( it did in its price range 65k to 100k)
as for room most all where rated the same in terms of room rear room except the BMW 6 (BMW received an so-so review)
they did say the cockpit did sit a little more high than others and it does and that it did have less leg room than the others and it does as well but the leg room the car i think is more than adequate for me at least (I'm 5'9" tall).
most all others where running on run flats as well. minus the jag and cady i belive both whom scored lower .
basically what won the car over was reliability and finish .the other name brans could not be recommended due to reliability
so compared to the other cars that cost more the car did very well !
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Driver
Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Illinois
"The Lexus SC is the boulevard cruiser of the bunch. It has an impeccable interior and has demonstrated excellent reliability in our survey, allowing us to recommend it. But the SC isn't game for driving with enthusiasm. A harsh ride doesn't befit a luxury car. With a base price of $65,355 it is the least expensive car of the group. Run-flat tires, a rear spoiler, and a few other odds and ends brought the price up to $67,084. - Consumer Reports, Oct. 2006, p. 21.
Note that in the "Predicted Reliability" rating (p. 21 chart) of all cars rated that the SC was the only car to receive "EXCELLENT". None even got the next highest rating ("very good"). Indeed, both Corvettes and the Mercedes-Benz SL550 were rated as "Poor".
As to the criticism of a "harsh ride", turn down the "run flats" for Michelin Pilot Sport tires and this problem is solved. Like the other cars rated, the trunk and rear seat space (if applicable) is virtually non-existent.
Aside from the SC 430, the eight featured "ultra high-performance and luxury sports cars" featured are the Porsche 911 Carrera S, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Mercedes-Benz SL550, BMW 650i coupe, Jaguar XK convertible,Cadillac XLR base and the Dodge Viper SRT10.
Other non-featured autos cited were the Porsche Boxster 2.7, Mercedes-Benz SLK350, Chevrolet Corvette convertible, Nissan 350Z Grand Touring, BMW Z4 3.0i and the Lotus Elise.
My conclusion is that the SC 430 is easily the best of all as long as you refuse the run-flat tires, acknowledge that trunk and "rear seat" space is negligible and are not bent on racing through the Rockies at 150 mph.
Note that in the "Predicted Reliability" rating (p. 21 chart) of all cars rated that the SC was the only car to receive "EXCELLENT". None even got the next highest rating ("very good"). Indeed, both Corvettes and the Mercedes-Benz SL550 were rated as "Poor".
As to the criticism of a "harsh ride", turn down the "run flats" for Michelin Pilot Sport tires and this problem is solved. Like the other cars rated, the trunk and rear seat space (if applicable) is virtually non-existent.
Aside from the SC 430, the eight featured "ultra high-performance and luxury sports cars" featured are the Porsche 911 Carrera S, Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Mercedes-Benz SL550, BMW 650i coupe, Jaguar XK convertible,Cadillac XLR base and the Dodge Viper SRT10.
Other non-featured autos cited were the Porsche Boxster 2.7, Mercedes-Benz SLK350, Chevrolet Corvette convertible, Nissan 350Z Grand Touring, BMW Z4 3.0i and the Lotus Elise.
My conclusion is that the SC 430 is easily the best of all as long as you refuse the run-flat tires, acknowledge that trunk and "rear seat" space is negligible and are not bent on racing through the Rockies at 150 mph.
Last edited by PBEchicago; Sep 6, 2006 at 06:01 AM.
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From: FL
If you really care about what any magazine says you probably will never wind up in this Lexus. The SC has never won a review based on general things that we owners look for in our vehicles. If you like it that is all that matters. You are the one paying for it after all. Magazines don't have to pay the bills since they are a business.
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Pit Crew
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From: Florida
I am interested in the reliabillty and quality of the vehicle. Of course, I am interested in other factors as well (driveability, etc). I buy my cars, not lease them. This one, I knew I was going to keep for more than the 4 years which is how long I had kept my previous cars. I knew going in that it was not a sports car despite the SC tag. For me, it was the quality and Lexus history that sold me the most. This is my 3rd Lexus. We wanted another convertible after the 2002 BMW 325cic (which was a fantastic driving car).
But we wanted a hardtop convertible in which we could fit beach chairs, luggage, etc. in (thanks to the back seat) and was more of a luxury car and this one happened to fit the bill. Yhe other hard tops did not allow you the opportunity to pack other items along that I needed to. I was just surprised at the so- so write up in Consumers. I knew that it was going to come out on top in the quality and reliabilty area.
But we wanted a hardtop convertible in which we could fit beach chairs, luggage, etc. in (thanks to the back seat) and was more of a luxury car and this one happened to fit the bill. Yhe other hard tops did not allow you the opportunity to pack other items along that I needed to. I was just surprised at the so- so write up in Consumers. I knew that it was going to come out on top in the quality and reliabilty area.
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