As someone who is involved in product development in the past there are several reasons to keep things hush. As a manufacturer you never let anything out until you are ready. Believe me you see what they want you to see and they want you to react just as you are here. If you believe they take these prototypes outside thinking no one will see them, then it must be nice in your little world. These come out from secure site at planed points. You do not see a new model until they are ready for you to see it. They do this so sales of the current model are not stalled. New models can go out earlier because they can only help generate hype not hurt the current version. If you are seeing the LF-A early that is because they plan to bring it out as a new model. That is not to say the SC may not just go away (look at the Celica). So my belief is the LF-A will be it’s own model (the Lexus supercar) and the SC may either die or come back new as a $45k-$65K middle model. The New LS has opened the door for a $100K plus price point for the flag ship. Look at the Mercedes product line and you may see your answer. I think a $110K LF-A would undercut it’s competition and beat them with a superior product.).

 

Whoa! Didn't want to turn this thread into an argument. I just wanted to do some homework to see what I really want and came here to ask if anyone knew anything about the future of the current SC430 model....nothing else, and also to see what you guys/gals think about the SLK. From the posts, the answer is obviously ---- who knows?




It's funny that you mentioned the SLK is too small and overpriced. It seems to be the right size for me, I'm a petite 5'2. Overprice....yes! But that's how all MBs are so I'm not surprise. Many people commented that the SC430 is small as well....overpriced - it's Ok. I'll probably end up just leasing it since it will be my weekend fun car and won't be putting in too many miles. I still like the SC430 more and don't mind taking the plunge next year. My husband, on the other hand, likes the SLK more and is talking me into the SLK because the style is newer. I got a few input from SLK owners and they seem to enjoy their ride. As for the IS500 or whatever it will be called, I really don't want one. I don't see the point of having two IS's even if one is a convertible. The look will probably be too similar.

 

No, not really. I took the risk with both the 2006 2IS and 2007 ES this year....so not really. Lexus is still working on the bugs of the new ES. The 2IS is fine....I bought it after the seatbelt recall.

 

I think only future buyers should care about the SC redesign, since the absolute great majority of current SC owners won't buy another one (me included), so why bother?
And even if I was contemplating a new one, I wouldn't base any decision on a thread like this. Either buy the car now, or wait until official word if you must have a new one. But the waiting game is stupid to me. If you need (or want) a car now, are you going to wait 2 years? And then you have the issue of cost: it may cost 25-50% more, and you'd pay to the roof the first year, not to mention dealing with the potential recalls and nagging issues.
If you're ready to buy a car, buy what you want and what you can afford, and forget about when a car is going to change, because they'll ALWAYS be changing. Later.

 

Dude have you ever heard of sarcasm? Its kind of like saying "why wouldn't the sun come up tomorrow?". I'm not saying I don't think the sun is coming up. In my first post, I'm just saying that in the history of the world cars, that the more expensive coupe (read SC) will always sell less than the lower priced 4 door (Read Corolla). Its a fact and I was just getting on you for stating something so obvious. Nothing more.... I'm sorry...

And as far as this thread goes.. Yeah, I'm with ELP. Good point on the price, maybe Lexus/Toyota may bump the SC into a different bracket, like way lower in to the IS range (hope not but thats what Nissan did for newer Z) or higher into the 911 range (again hope not) but again, no one knows. Until we see a review of in Car and Driver its all internet wife's tales.

I remember when the new IS was coming and people said they even saw a IS430 rolling around and that Toyota said forsure there would be a coupe. Uh huh... Good stuff..

 

Im going to Japan tommorow. I am going to check out the Toyota World place. I will ask them whats the haps with the new SC haha

 

why is that?

 

I think you need to look at and drive the new SL550. If you get the SLK get the AMG version because of resale value. Good luck, I'm sure you will look good in any of them.

 

Absolutely check out the new SL 550. It's nice with the extra HP. I still love the SC, but the SL 550 makes a strong argument. I just bought an SL 55 AMG. It has plenty of power, but still doesn't have the quality feel of the SC. The powertrain is out of this world, however!!!! Good luck on whatever you decide to get.

 

Doc congrats on the SL 55 AMG, what a car Can you discribe how the SL 55 AMG doesn't have the "quality" feel of the SC? It might make some of us poor guys that can't afford the AMG feel better about driving the SC 430.

Thanks

 

congrats on the car man, awesome!

definitely the sc430 doesn't have close to the kind of power and handling, in that department the sl550 goes all the way

 

Guys-I posted a ton of spy photos on previous threads if you want to see more than just the spy, masked photos, these are from auto shows. There are LF-A, LF-S and the IS photos. Do a search, ha ha. Based on all the research I have done, it appears that there is just a LF-A and a IS500 or IS460 convertible/coupe. With the Supra coming out (we do know this for sure), why would Toyota/Lexus make something based on the Supra platform in a convertible, when you can steer customers towards the IS Coupe or the LF-A? Now, I don't necessarily agree with that, because I would love to see a SC version of the sharp new Supra, but don't you think we would hear some buzz about it by now, especially considering that we have seen and heard so much about the LF and IS and Supra already? Maybe they are waiting...maybe there will be no more SC. I actually am a sucker for discountinued cars...I've owned a Supra, MR2, Rx-7, 300ZX and Prelude before. All extinct at one time, and all but one (sniff, sniff poor rotary engines) came back. I seriously doubt they will have all four coupes in the Toyota arsenal. They have learned from the days of the Corrolla, Paseo, Supra, Celica, Tercel and MR2 days. Too many coupes-not enough buyers=extinction. I think this time around they will keep giving us small, limited doses of these great cars we love and not try to saturate the market like Pontiac or GM. Oh, and on the question about the SLK or the SL...definitely don't hesitate to go for the promotion. The SL is the gold standard in luxury convertibles. I just can't afford it. I had a 1991, but the repair costs ate up my $40k/year salary. AC compressor, dryer and condenser were over $2,000!!! OUCH. You have to think about MBZ dependability vs Lexus/Toyota. For the money, I'd buy a pre-owned SC and a pre-owned LS or pre-owned new bodystyle GS.

 

The leather in the seats aren't as buttery soft as the SC. The stereo is nice, but no Mark Levinson. The I'd rather have the non-usable backseat of the SC than the parcel shelf in the SL 55. The SL does have ventilated seats, satellite radio (why can't Lexus get that in the SC?!?!), massaging seats, WAY more power, WAY nice exhaust note.

There are a lot of people complaining about the roof of the SL creaking and squeaking. I haven't experienced it, but it seems to be an issue. I never heard a peep out of my SC roof. Road noise in the SC seemed quieter, but it's hard to remember 3 years removed. SL is much quieter than my NSX however, and that's nice on long trips.

I'm worried about reliability after having a Lexus and an NSX. They were trouble free. Anyway, that's my $.02!! Take care.