2005 Lexus SC 430 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Lexus' upper-crust convertible loses its Lexus Link assistance system, but otherwise sees only detail changes for 2005. The SC 430 features a power-retractable metal roof and a small rear seat intended for occasional use, mainly by kids. Its 4.3-liter V8 and 5-speed automatic transmission come from Lexus' flagship LS 430 sedan. Standard are front side airbags, ABS, antiskid/traction-control system, tire-pressure monitor, 18-inch wheels, leather/wood cabin trim, navigation system, and premium Mark Levinson audio. Options include rear spoiler and run-flat tires. The optional run-flats have all-season tread, the base tires performance tread. For 2005, the SC 430 gets revised shock absorbers and a navigation system with more-detailed screen graphics and a larger DVD database.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Offering more power and style than typical Sporty/Performance vehicles, Premium Sporty/Performance Cars usually cost much more and have more comfort and convenience equipment. Two-passenger convertibles and 4-seat coupes rule the roost in this class.

Our Best Buy is the Chevrolet Corvette. Our Recommended picks include the BMW Z4, Chrysler Crossfire, and Mercedes-Benz CLK.

News

Despite sluggish sales and an aging design, the SC 430 is expected to hang around through model-year 2008 with no interim changes of consequence. What happens after that is anyone's guess.

2005 Lexus SC 430 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Cargo room

Quietness	Rear-seat entry/exit

Handling	Rear-seat room

Build quality

Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
7	7	8.1

Takeoffs seem lazy, but SC gathers speed fast--test car did 6.2 sec 0-60 mph--and is a relaxed cruiser. Silky transmission generally responsive, but sometimes hesitates to downshift.

Fuel Economy

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
4	4	4.4

Our Chicago test cars averaged 16.6-18.6 mpg. A California test car logged 18.5, despite performance tests. Premium-grade fuel required.

Ride Quality

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
6	4	4

Mainly an easy rider, but with hard-edge jitters on patchy pavement and some wander along grooved surfaces. Optional run-flat tires with stiff sidewalls make ride even harder. Body shows minor top-down quiver on rough roads, but is closed-coupe solid with top up.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
8	7	8.6

Agile for a luxury tourer, despite slightly numb steering. Antiskid/traction system a safety plus. One test SC wandered slightly in simulated panic stops, but distances were short, nosedive minimal. Run-flat tires require frequent steering correction at highway speed.

Quietness

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
7	6	3.9

Top-up, SC matches or beats most luxury coupes for refinement, despite some low but audible wind rustle and coarse-pavement tire thrum. Top-down wind buffeting among lowest of convertibles we've tested.

Controls

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
7	7	6.2

Navigation screen angles to suit ambient light, but can still wash out. Steering-wheel audio-volume buttons a bit obscured. No problems otherwise. Retractable top smooth and quick, up or down. Sumptuous, beautifully crafted cabin features real wood, soft leather, discreet brightwork.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
7	7	5.6

Comfortable 10-way power seats are set low, hampering entry/exit and, for some drivers, visibility; they're also too flat for good lateral location in fast cornering. Ample leg room, but top-up head room just adequate for 6-footers.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
1	1	.4

Scarcely any space or comfort on token "seat," which is best used for small parcels and pets.

Cargo Room

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
2	2	2

Almost none with the top stowed, barely enough for two on a long weekend with top up and careful packing. Run-flat option omits the spare tire to add 0.6 cu ft, a poor trade for the harsher ride.

Value within Class

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
5	4	4.6

SC 430 is a posh, pleasant, semisporting convertible with the extra security and convenience of a power metal roof, plus Lexus' highly rated customer service, workmanship, and reliability. It isn't cheap, but some rivals with similar power and features cost more.

Total Score

Base	Base w/run-flat tires	Class Average
54	49	47.8

Scores for all Premium Sporty/performance Cars

Low Score		37
Average Score		47
High Score		59

2005 Lexus SC 430 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 02/11/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 2-door convertible	$63,575	$55,308	$650

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

4.3-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning w/automatic climate control, interior air filter, power steering, power tilt/telescope wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated 10-way power front seats w/power lumbar adjustment, memory system (front seats, steering wheel, mirrors), center console, cupholders, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/automatic day/night and passenger-side tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Mark Levinson AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, navigation system, trip computer, outside-temperature indicator, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, power-retractable steel hardtop, illuminated visor mirrors, rear defogger, universal garage-door opener, variable-intermittent wipers, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, wind deflector, xenon headlights w/washers, fog lights, 245/40ZR18 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Pebble Beach Special Edition
Base	$2,700	$2,244
Unique interior and exterior trim, special wood interior trim, garment bag, rear spoiler, run-flat tires.

Preferred Accessory Pkg.
Base	$194	$116
Cargo mat and net, wheel locks.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
Base	$440	$352


Run-flat tires
Base	$400	$320

2005 Lexus SC 430 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Lexus SC 430 2-door convertible

Wheelbase, in.	103.1

Overall Length, in.	177.8

Overall Width, in.	72.0

Overall Height, in.	53.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	3840

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	8.8

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	19.8

Seating Capacity	4

Front Head Room, in.	37.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	43.6

Rear Head Room, in.	33.9

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	27.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.3 /262

Horsepower @ rpm.	300 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	325 @ 3400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	18/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Lexus SC 430 2-door convertible

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	6/70,000	8/100,000 on RX 400h hybrid-related components. In CA, hybrid components are covered by a 10/150,000 warranty.

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: rear-wheel drive

< 2005 Lexus SC 430 Photos

Also in the 2005 Lexus SC 430 Review:

Lexus SC 430

Lexus SC 430 Road Test

Lexus SC 430 Prices & Equipment

Lexus SC 430 Specs & Safety

Lexus SC 430 Photos

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