lexusdog

iTrader: (1)

What do you guys say are the major drawbacks with having a SC430 as a daily driver. Any issues with putting the top up and down a few times a day? I have an 04 LS430 currently and was thinking about switching it up to a SC430. Any issues that you guys can think of offhand? I sometimes drive about 300-400 miles a week so one of the concerns is comfort for sure. Any thoughts? Please let me know know what you think. Thanks!

mrblister

I only use my sc430 for pleasure drives only when I can put top down I put it away for the winter. My daily driver is a 2004 Lexus gx470

FlopTop04

One draw back on the SC430 as a daily driver is the low profile tires. They are 40 series and if you aren't used to the short profile and pay attention, you will dent some rims and get possibly a few tire sidewall bubbles. Other than that, the SC430 is great daily driver. Gas mileage will probably be over 22 MPG for your type of driving. The convertible top should be fine with that type of usage. Best to be fully stopped and on level ground when going up or down. Just keep the leaves out of the pivot arm area.

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

As far as comfort, I have both an 06 SC and a 15 RX and I prefer the seat support and comfort of the SC. I doubt you would have an issue with the SC. I do use mine as a daily driver. You may notice that the respondent that warned against tire issues is not from the south. Roads are far rougher in the NE than in VA where I am and Florida where you are. I have never had an issue with the rims.

Jabberwock

We have both LS430 and SC430. The LS430 is bigger, more comfortable, smoother, quieter, and safer (more airbags, fixed metal hardtop, bigger wider protective frame and crush zones, etc) than the SC, and it gets better gas mileage. We use the LS for daily driver and also for most long trips as there are few better and safer road trip cars ever made than LS430 (not that we feel at all unsafe in the SC).

The SC430 is our low mileage fun car mostly used with the top down for early morning and sun down/evening fun runs in and around town.

OBP

Have never driven an LS but my SC430 was a daily driver from about 2010 through 2015. It works perfectly well as long as you do not need to carry more than one passenger. I now mix up daily driving between a small SUV, the Benz CLS and twice a week I take the SC out for some exercise. If I had to work with the SC as my daily driver again, I think it would be just fine as long as you manage your expectations when it comes to family hauling duties. Other than that, I like the compact size of the SC a lot and have been able to manage all its small known weaknesses.

lexusdog

iTrader: (1)

Thank you for the input guys. I really just like the look of the SC430 and the hardtop convertible for those sunny Florida days. I like the LS430 as well and have owned four of them, but I am still in my 30's and single so I figure that the SC430 might look a little nicer. I parked next to a SC430 the other day that had the top down and I was very impressed to say the least. The look of the car is very unique and it still looks like a newer vehicle. The problem is I would prefer to keep my LS430 for long trips but I currently only have one parking spot, so unfortunately the LS will have to go.
It seems as if the SC430 should be a nice daily driver and a solid all around cruiser, I appreciate all of your responses.

texsexlex

iTrader: (3)

...if it's possible to own both, I say go for it !!!! I own an Sc & have owned an Ls also......and this is just my opinion.....I would drive the Ls as my daily & take the Sc out on the "fun" outings. My Sc was may daily for 6 yrs & I didn't have an issue with driving it everyday, but when I started doing mods, I chose to take it off the street. Now that I don't drive it everyday, it's almost like an extra treat, to jump into it & go for a ride/drive. I think if you were to drive the Ls everyday, the Sc would be your "special treat" when you wanted that change of pace. Either isn't a bad choice, but the Ls is hard to beat for everyday comfort

jzdulexus

I happen to have both cars for my daily commute--- a 06 LS430 and 07 SC430, and I take SC nine out of ten times. Since they are the same engine and the same transmission the ride and feel are as close as you can get between a luxury sedan and sports coupe with so much difference in size. SC will feel quicker, firmer and easier to handle, and IMO it probably suits 30s single person driving style better too. I am in my 40s and I prefer SC to LS as my commuter car any day if there is not a lot to carry around and no more than two people in the car. The mileage is just slightly better with SC but SC is just a lot more fun to drive around. If the car is in good condition and you fix all the wind noises with some silicone drops it is as quiet as LS430 with top up. And I have top down a few times a week year around in Southern Ca.
The big draw backs with SC are that it needs a backup cam installed, it doesn't have parking assist and key fob, and you need to put in a spare tire in the trunk for long road trips.

lexusdog

iTrader: (1)

Thanks for the responses guys. I wish I could keep the LS as well but my current condo in Florida only allows me one parking spot. I have been driving a few different LS430's for the past few years and it is a great car that is probably the most comfortable and most reliable car I have ever owned. I am just looking for something a little bit sportier but with the same drivetrain and reliability as the LS. It is good to see that many of you guys are indeed driving these cars on a regular basis.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I have an LS430 and an SC300. I know it's not an SC430 but I have considered selling my LS and getting an SC430 or Supra for the same reason. The LS is a great every day car as I daily drove one for the past four years. The SC430 is probably the only Lexus of that era that can compete with luxury of LS430. I felt like an old man when I first got my LS at 22 so I understand the need for a sporty car.

If you don't mind losing the extra space of the LS then I say go for it. The SC430 is a fantastic car and is a good replacement for an LS. If there was way to keep the LS and have the SC that would be ideal.

1trkpny

I wish I could agree with the idea of SC430 over LS, but I don't. The SC is a great car but the LS is superior in almost every way. Interior room, comfort, quiet, mileage, ingress and egress. I am older but the LS isn't an issue for a 30 something. Have what you want and don't worry about the rest of it. Just an opinion.

1trkpny

And I miss the sunroof for non summer days.

riknchar

I have a 2006 SC430, and up until a month or so ago, I also had a LS600hL. Most days, I would drive the LS over the SC. The LS was definitely smoother, quieter, and more spacious. On nice sunny days, though, I really enjoyed driving the SC430. On snowy days (or even some rainy days), I ended up driving my Dodge Ram 1500 4WD truck to keep both Lexii from getting crudded up. Yes, I'm pretty spoiled ;-)

I traded my LS600hL in on a 2017 Genesis G90 (amazing car), and have been using that one for my daily driver (except, again, on warm sunny days, when the SC430 can't be beat).