2002 Lexus SC 430 consumer reviews

I've owned Mercedes, BMWs, Jaguars and this is by Far the most luxurious, comfortable and the most enjoyable car I've ever owned. I would recomend it to my best friend!

Looks new, too bad they don't make them anymore, Lexus needs to design a new body style bring it back for!

I purchsed this car used and love everything about it. I would never own another car other than a Lexus. The best on the streets!

The SC430 is the most refined luxury coupe in the main stream automotive world. Its powerful, comfortable and extremely reliable. Its the best sports coupe available hands down.

I absolutely love this car. I used to not be a fan of Lexus, but then I bought a 1999 GS400 (still have because it is still awesome). When I was financially able to handle an 'extra' car, I had to have one of these. I did not even consider soft tops. I could ramble about the reliability and features, but you can read that anywhere. Instead, a few considerations for negative reviews you might come across: (1) the rear seats are NOT worthless. I am 6'. My wife 5'5". My two boys, 11 and 9, fit fine in the back seat. No, we won't take a 6 hour drive in this car with kids, but runs to the games or beach or store or whatever we do 95% of the time, it works. And, when we want to take it just the wife and I, the back seat holds PLENTY of luggage while the trunk holds the roof! Can't do 4 adults, though. But, what hardtop convertible can? Those are just now starting to hit the market in 2010...and priced accordingly. (2) Get rid of the run-flat tires. The SC suspension is the same ACCLAIMED suspension of other Lexus models. The SC I bought had some really wide 20" rims that I thought I would be taking off immediately becuase of noise and ride harshness. To my utter surprise, these are quieter and smoother than my GS with 18's. I am still trying to figure that out. Yes, you will be without a spare. But, consider, how many flats have you had? Your neighbors? Your friends? Tires are very reliable, and will rarely surprise you with a flat if maintained. And, on the rare occasion you do get a flat while driving, chalk it up as a mechanical failure and call a tow truck. (3) If you prefer a more sporty, more BMW-like ride, simply convert all the front bushing to polyurethane. The car handles great, and cost is low. I've done this to both of my Lexus. (4) For those critical of the looks, all I can say is change the OEM wheels. There are tons of online pictures. The car will tend to look 'boaty' with the original OEM wheels. Since you are changing out the OEM tires anyway, might as well get some wheels that have more offset and fill the wheel well a little more.

Is it a sports car? Or is it a luxury car? In my opinion, the SC430 is a sporty luxury car. It will never compete with the likes of the BMW M3, but it's not supposed to. The SC430 announces that you have arrived. The exterior design is pure elegance - one that has now endured practically unchanged through 8 model years. This car handles like a dream - with assertively powerful acceleration from its 300hp V-8. The drawback of that fantastic engine, of course, is its thirst for premium fuel. In city driving (with lots of stops and starts), I'm averaging about 14MPG. Fortunately, I have a Civic Hybrid to use as my daily commuter car. But on weekends, the Lexus comes out, the top goes down, and I get to take advantage of the fantastic Southern California weather. In a city where Mercedes, BMWs and Jags are a dime-a-dozen, my SC430 still holds its own. It's not as much of a head-turner as it was when it was introduced, but I still love to walk up to it and know it's mine.

This is by far he best vehicle I have owned! Jaguar & Cadillac were more comfortable, G35 coupe was OK, BMW 330ci was a little more fun to drive, but none have the complete package... Superb luxury, effortless, smooth acceleration, add world's most reliable engine, and you got one beautiful luxury sports coupe-convertible. Impressively quiet with top down at highway speeds(no engine noise or wind). This is really the ultimate convertible for those who can afford it! BMW's Z4 has better handling just like a Corvette does, but both have harsher ride, neither as comfortable or as queit as Lexus, and both definitely cost more to maintain than this car! In few years I'll get LS460L, it will depreciate to $25K or so, now that is world's best luxury sedan!!!