Is a replacement convertible on the way???
01-23-18, 08:47 PM
#1
Moderator
Thread Starter
Is a replacement convertible on the way???
We all know our SC’s ended production in 2010, the replacement LC is now just a coupe, but some might consider it a third generation SC. While a coupe really doesn’t interest me, a state-of-the-art convertible would be very tempting. Even for an old guy with a bum ticker....
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...still-possible
https://www.motorauthority.com/news/...still-possible
Last edited by VVTiBob; 01-23-18 at 09:03 PM.
01-24-18, 12:14 AM
#2
I mean they came out with the Lexus IS-c in 2010 to 2015. That’s the only other coupe hard top convertible lexus has made. And honestly I’ve only see a handful on the road. Maybe lexus doesn’t see a big enough sales market for that type of vehicle in the future.
01-24-18, 01:27 AM
#3
The SC was such a unique car -- small, luxo, cruiser hard-top convertible. There was nothing like it at the time and there's been nothing since with the possible exception of the Mercedes SLK.
01-24-18, 04:36 AM
#4
Moderator
Thread Starter
For those vey reasons I believe Lexus will reintroduce the “SC” convertible. To compete in the luxury cabriolet share of the market as pointed out buy the author of the article from AutoExpress.com.
Since this article originated in the UK, I’m surprised it wasn’t compared to Jaguar’s Type F, but then it’s difficult to make comparisons between ideas and cars which already exist.
Last edited by VVTiBob; 01-24-18 at 04:49 AM.
01-24-18, 06:58 AM
#6
Moderator
Thread Starter
You know, Mrblister I was just looking at SC prices nationwide. Even with very high mileage they are holding their prices and lower miles ones are doing much better. I believe my 02 could stilll command around 15k (bought for $17300 in 2009) with a buyer who appreciates maintenance and updates, especially tech upgrade. Really says something about build quality IMHO.
If Lexus does come out with a new LC convertible, I suspect the SC’s will take a temporary dip, then come back and climb higher as an high end alternative to what will probably be $110K convertible. Just my 2cents though.
If Lexus does come out with a new LC convertible, I suspect the SC’s will take a temporary dip, then come back and climb higher as an high end alternative to what will probably be $110K convertible. Just my 2cents though.
01-24-18, 09:36 AM
#7
Pole Position
I think car companies release models based on what their competitors are doing.
I don't see competing car companies releasing a lot of Convertibles.
If you think about it, the SC was released about the same time as the Z3/Z4, the SLK/CLK, the Crossfire, the miata, and the boxster were released.
Now it seems like car makers are focused on Hybrids and electric cars. A car with the top down really hurts the gas mileage. The power draw to raise and lower an electric convertible top would drain a battery pretty fast, reducing the number of miles it could drive in a day.
I don't see competing car companies releasing a lot of Convertibles.
If you think about it, the SC was released about the same time as the Z3/Z4, the SLK/CLK, the Crossfire, the miata, and the boxster were released.
Now it seems like car makers are focused on Hybrids and electric cars. A car with the top down really hurts the gas mileage. The power draw to raise and lower an electric convertible top would drain a battery pretty fast, reducing the number of miles it could drive in a day.
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01-24-18, 10:37 AM
#8
Lead Lap
The Crossfire didn't come around until 3 or 4 years after the SC430.
It kind of baffles me that a car company will spend XX amount of $$ on a new car and then not advertise it much or at all. Then sure enough a few years later they cancel it for lack of sales. I've seen this happen several times. Unfortunately, it seems like the SC430 is a victim of that habit also. Of course, it didn't help that Lexus practically didn't do any updates to the car in the 10ish years that it was in production, other than minor tweaks here and there around 2005/2006 & 2009 or 10. With some updating on a number of items (especially electronics), they could have kept this car special and in the public's eye and create more than just a niche following.
It kind of baffles me that a car company will spend XX amount of $$ on a new car and then not advertise it much or at all. Then sure enough a few years later they cancel it for lack of sales. I've seen this happen several times. Unfortunately, it seems like the SC430 is a victim of that habit also. Of course, it didn't help that Lexus practically didn't do any updates to the car in the 10ish years that it was in production, other than minor tweaks here and there around 2005/2006 & 2009 or 10. With some updating on a number of items (especially electronics), they could have kept this car special and in the public's eye and create more than just a niche following.
01-24-18, 11:36 AM
#9
Moderator
Thread Starter
While a refresh can come at any point during the car's life cycle, this happened in 05 with minor upgrades to the NAV system, (Gen 2/3 to Gen 4) a face-lift usually comes in the middle to help prolong the design and keep it fresh in the face of competition, this happened with the 2006 model year (head and tail lights, front bumper cover/grill) and again in the final years, (mirrors, cabin electronics). Kinda perplexing if they knew they were ending the product line.
Meanwhile, a redesign starts a car's life cycle over again. The SC430 was a redesign of the SC300/400 which only lasted four model years. Short for the Toyota/Lexus standards, but introduced an in demand feature the convertible. The redesigned and rebadged LC replaces the retired SC after a long interlude. And, I agree, the lack of updates to the electronics during a period of rapid advancement hurts sales of the SC IMO. But this is another reason, or maybe I’m just hoping, a couple years of a LC coupe then voliá a new convertible.
Meanwhile, a redesign starts a car's life cycle over again. The SC430 was a redesign of the SC300/400 which only lasted four model years. Short for the Toyota/Lexus standards, but introduced an in demand feature the convertible. The redesigned and rebadged LC replaces the retired SC after a long interlude. And, I agree, the lack of updates to the electronics during a period of rapid advancement hurts sales of the SC IMO. But this is another reason, or maybe I’m just hoping, a couple years of a LC coupe then voliá a new convertible.
Last edited by VVTiBob; 02-03-18 at 08:32 AM.
01-24-18, 01:25 PM
#10
Flipping through the channels, sometimes I'll stop on the Barrett-Jackson auction and am simply amazed by the prices fetched for a pretty run-of-the-mill cars from my youth. So when you add the fact that the SC430 is not run-of-the-mill at all -- indeed, very low production -- I gotta think that they will become collectible with the timeless styling and the V-8. Especially collectible would be an even rarer SC like a Pebble Beach model with maybe insanely low miles like under 10K.
01-24-18, 03:27 PM
#11
Flipping through the channels, sometimes I'll stop on the Barrett-Jackson auction and am simply amazed by the prices fetched for a pretty run-of-the-mill cars from my youth. So when you add the fact that the SC430 is not run-of-the-mill at all -- indeed, very low production -- I gotta think that they will become collectible with the timeless styling and the V-8. Especially collectible would be an even rarer SC like a Pebble Beach model with maybe insanely low miles like under 10K.
02-05-18, 09:15 AM
#13
Pole Position
Is this the worst kept secret? Kinda looks familiar....
https://www.clublexus.com/how-tos/sl...ful-hair-dryer
https://www.clublexus.com/how-tos/sl...ful-hair-dryer
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