Lexus SC 430 - Why are these bizarrely rubbish?

[Gorvid]

Help me understand something.

Here is a Lexus SC 430:





It's a quirky design, but not ugly in a bad way, I don't think.

It's made of bombproof granite (isn't it?) and has the super reliable Lexus engine?

It's a 4.3 litre V8 (so can probably be made to sound good) and yet it has roofless fun AND a completely leather and wood infested cabin.

Not shockingly fast, but swift... we all LOVE the LS 400 so why is this reliable, quick, quirky, comfortable V8 roadster / cruiser completely crap?

I don't get it.

[Krikkit]

Personally I hate the styling - that front end is so dull and forgettable, not something I want in a V8 roadster.

[kambites]

I don't think it's a crap car as such, just a crap sportscar.

I haven't driven one, though.

[louiebaby]

Gorvid said:

It's a quirky design, but not ugly in a bad way, I don't think.

It's made of bombproof granite (isn't it?) and has the super reliable Lexus engine?

It's a 4.3 litre V8 (so can probably be made to sound good) and yet it has roofless fun AND a completely leather and wood infested cabin.

Not shockingly fast, but swift... we all LOVE the LS 400 so why is this reliable, quick, quirky, comfortable V8 roadster / cruiser completely crap?

I don't get it.

Will you kindly stop drawing attention to what could well be on my purchase list in a couple of years. The less people interested, the lower the prices. Thanks.

[Raddors]

Top Gear said it was crap. Therefore gospel.
Ive got nothing against them

[Codswallop]

I have a disturbing liking for somewhat naff and tacky Americanised interiors, so I quite like it

Main problem reported by reviewers was an overly hard ride, which did not give any handling benefits in return.

[ajb85]

Can't quite remember but was it not the ride/handling that was slated by the journos? Didn't do sports, and didn't quite make a top-notch GT car either. I love quirky design but can't get my head round this one, it is not muscular looking nor particularly sleek.

[CampDavid]

It's not really sure what it wants to be. It's kind of an LS430 doing an impression of an MX5. It's like you're Dad getting into rap music.

People, in general, like a simple concept. An LS430 is a large comfy barge. A Ka is a small, cheap car. The SC is errrrr......

Be tempted when they hit the 1-5 barge thread

[jbi]

It's not rubbish... it's a very well built machine, but it simply can't replace the gap left by the original soarer IMO

[Ozzie Osmond]

jbi said:

It's not rubbish...

With respect, a sportscar/GT which doesn't look right or drive right is most definitely rubbish even if it's been engineered to the standards of the space shuttle.

Initial sales were driven off the success of Lexus saloons and excellent brand reputation. Regrettably the SC 430 lives among the factors which have led to decline of Lexus in the UK. People who bought "the Emperor's expensive new clothes" soon looked like idiots and felt like idiots, something few wealthy people enjoy. Mercedes SL now has the territory to itself - again (bar a tiny handful of 6 series BMWs).

[SuperHangOn]

They don't look that ugly anymore. The average hatchback is worse now.

[RedLeicester]

jbi said:

It's not rubbish... it's a very well built machine, but it simply can't replace the gap left by the original soarer IMO

Thank christ it doesn't look anything like that.

[jbi]

Ozzie Osmond said:

With respect, a sportscar/GT which doesn't look right or drive right is most definitely rubbish even if it's been engineered to the standards of the space shuttle.

I think we are having the wrong expectation of the car considering the it's predecessor. It was marketed at the "casual" american commuter who wants style, and an open roof.

It sold very very well in it;s target market which sadly is not a pistonheads target market at all. I doubt the prospective buyers could even tell you what kind of engine was under the bonnet, let alone appreciate it's pedigree.

Wiki said

At its launch, the SC 430 was marketed as the "jewel of Lexus", and as the marque's first convertible, was intended as a more ostentatious addition to the Lexus lineup.[18] Reviewers from Car and Driver magazine praised the SC 430 for 2002 as "an unqualified success", calling it "comfortable, fast, smooth, and quiet" with "all of the virtues expected in a patrician roadster.

wiki also said

In 2004 and 2005, J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Survey awarded the SC 430 as the highest ranked premium luxury vehicle.[22][23] Kelley Blue Book gave the SC 430 its Best to Hold Value Award in 2002.[24] In June 2004, a custom-designed Carolina Herrera SC 430 was shown at the Madrid Motor Show.[25] The special edition SC 430 CH used a 'Testa di Moro' body color, with matching interior leather and carpeting, along with designer logos on the wheels and door sills.[26] A line of accessories was also developed for the vehicle.

So the car, despite being worse than it's predecessor from our point of view, actually was a far more successful car, as shown by the way it held it's value.

[jbi]

RedLeicester said:

jbi said:

It's not rubbish... it's a very well built machine, but it simply can't replace the gap left by the original soarer IMO

Thank christ it doesn't look anything like that.

This is a track car...

can you see the SC430 being used as a drift machine?

[EDLT]

Ozzie Osmond said:

decline of Lexus in the UK.

Are you sure, I see far more new ISs than old models?

[Mr2Mike]

I'm struggling to find a single redeeming feature in the styling; it's quite amazing but Toyota seem to have made it both ugly and bland at the same time. The front looks like a melted Ford Scorpio, the sides are slabby, and the arse is fat. Even the wheels are hideous.

[Luke.]

Year for year, they seem to be more pricy than a Boxster. Which is odd. Thought they'd be far cheaper.

[kambites]

Luke. said:

Year for year, they seem to be more pricy than a Boxster. Which is odd. Thought they'd be far cheaper.

Well they're much rarer, I suppose. I don't think it's really a worse car than the Boxster, just one aimed at a very different type of buyer. I'd have thought the Merc SL would be the most obvious comparison.

[ajb85]

Looks like the SC is going in the 'Room 101' of iffy cars from the last two decades. It'll be in good company alongside the likes of the Ford Scorpio and Nissan Serena.

[thebigmacmoomin]

jbi said:

can you see the SC430 being used as a drift machine?

They use it (well a few years ago anyway)in the Super GT races in Japan, what used to be JGTC.