Hey everyone, I'm new to the board. To fill you in, My list of cars has gone like this: 560sl, sc400, ml430, x5 4.4 -- ok, so now i want to buy a new car. I'm thinkin convertible, and I like the sc430 a lot. this would be my biggest car investment to date so I'm really looking at all the options... m3 doesnt intrest me, mb clk dosnt really either, my dad has the new sl55 which i am in love with, so the sc430 is my close substitute. The thing is I really like the looks of the new Z (i know huge price difference), whats everyones thoughts on choosing b/w the 2?

 

It will depend on what you need... luxury or sport, SC430 or 350Z Roadster.

personally I think you should tell your dad to buy a new SL600 and give you the SL55.

 

Welcome to the club sc430z......

If these are your only worries... LIFE IS GOOD...

I've had the same thoughts on the Z and the SC430 although i don't plan to purchase until next year. I have a GS and IS right now. I have heard many say that the ride on the 300 is harsh, the sound system pititful and it doesnt have a rear seat. Not that the SC has a huge one but hey you can fit a kid or a car seat back there and if no kids.. maybe a suitcase or a couple of bags. The interior on the SC is gorgeous, retractable hardtop-super tight, coupe and convertible best of both worlds. Perfomance wise they are both fast, but Lexus has the status the Z doesn't. Look at the Gallery at some of the SC430s with 19 or 20" wheels and aerodynamic kits... once you trick them out like that you can park next to any MB SL and represent just as strong but for about 25,000 less and better reliablity. (Former Benz owner myself-they aren't what they are cracked up to be). Also, the Z will always be compared with its Infinity Counterpart which has a nice wide stance and back seat , i just don't like the headlights and front grill. To me the SC is in a class by itself.

If money is not an issue get the SC... its a no brainer.
If you are ballin on a budget go with the Z.

Neither one is anywhere near their full potential bone stock.. so factor in money for appearance modifications.

.... I got carried away below...The Z is a SMART choice but its all about what you and your wallet likes.

 

Mercedes SL55Amg:

List Price $113,970

Horsepower: 493

zero to 60: 4.5 sec

MPG: 14/20

 

Lexus SC430 Top Down (with wheels & kit)

 

Lexus SC 430 (With Kit and Wheels)


List Price $63,575 (stock)

Horsepower: 300

zero to 60 : 5.9

MPG : 18/23

 

Nissan 350 Z..

List Price $ 33,788 (Touring)

zero to sixty 5.7 (Car & Driver)

MPG : 20/26

 

wow, thanks for the replys, i really appreciate it. The past bmw board I was on was never this helpful.
what you guys are saying definetly makes sense, I dont see what the kits are about though.... I would definetly do rims which is something I have never done, but would definetly do on this car. I would also do some debadging. But the best part is this... I have put about way too much money into of audio and visual aftermarket equipment in my x5, I cant wait to have the SC with the amazing mark levinson, I wouldn't do anything to change it and that will be so nice!

 

I think comparing the Z to the SC is like apples and oranges. I feel like the Z is a cheap car, and it has to be. It is appealing to Z car loyalist and they had to keep the price down, because of past failures like the 300Z, Supra, RX7....they just didnt sell. Those cars however were groundbreaking, where I think the Z is not. I know nothing about reliability or anything, although I think if Nissan made lawnmowers it would use that 3.5 liter V-6.

Its a hard decision, but its easy when one is half the price of the other. As for the sound system, I feel your pain. I had about $5000 worth of stuff in my old car and although sometimes I wish there was a little more bass in the SC I never have to worry about this or that as i used to. Also I heard sounds in the SC that I never heard before in my old car, truly amazing.

 

After i sold my GS300, i got a e46 325ci and also picked up a slk230 recently...

I would stay away from MB by all means due to all kinds of annoying small problems and i am now thiking about going back to lexus and get a sc430.... i'd say go for lex if you want the crusing the blvd style and go with the z if you are gonna autox it

 

I just got rid of my SLK and got an SC. The SLK was ok but Mercedes is a horrible company to deal with. I had a lot of problems with the car and they are like vampires they suck your money anyway you can. As far as the interior goes on the mercedes I must say it is very disappointing . I think Daimler Chrysler has gotten to them

 

I have a 03 Maxima SE (third Maxima) and 99 GS400 is my second Lexus. The materials used, built quality and service of Lexus are better than Nissan. In addition, just love the power of the V8. The SC430 gives the option of open-air and a metal roof. I would get the SC430 instead of the 350Z.

 

I hear you Bobs SC, I got rid of my SLK 320 5 days ago to get a SC. 2 wks after I got the SLK, the microchip malfunctioned and whenever the top comes down, I have to restart the engine to get the top back up. And with the microchip messed up, everything controled by it was messed up too. I had a very well lit dash board coz most of the malfunction lights came on - traction, airbag, etc. I complained all the way to the regional manager and the only thing he said was: " That is why we give our customers a 5 year warranty." as if that was a big bonus driving a MBZ. I laughed at him and said :" Hyundai has a 10 year warranty, I should trade the SLK in for one of those" and I hung up.

Mercedes is so old school, just because they had once been the most prestigious car company, they think they can still do that by making crappy cars and the consumers would have to take whatever they throw out. Talk about sound system, the car was 50k and it only came with a tape deck. The only think cool though, which I have not found in any other make is they have an anti-tow button. But from this point, the only MBZ I would consider would be a SL55, otherwise, no more MBZ for me.