Lexus killing the SC430

Sales of the Lexus SC have dipped considerably for the Japanese luxury brand, with only 1,230 SC 430s finding a home in the U.S. in the first six months of the year, down more than 40% from levels just one year ago.

The current generation has been in production since 2001 and is starting to show its age up against a number of newcomers in the luxury coupe and convertible markets.

Management now plan to drop the car.
Read Article

audirevolution - 7/13/2008 8:49:11 PM

+20 Boost

Its about time...
This SC (also known as Toyota Soarer) was a disgrace to the Lexus line-up. Its ugliness stuck out like a sore thumb.
Hopefully the next SC will be a classic design like the 1994 SC.

cdoke - 7/13/2008 9:33:53 PM

+11 Boost

"Hopefully the next SC will be a classic design like the 1994 SC."

I am not sure if I have mesunderstood you. There won't be a next SC- that is what they mean by "killing" it.

cdoke - 7/13/2008 9:34:32 PM

+5 Boost

...misunderstood, that is.

audirevolution - 7/13/2008 9:48:02 PM

+1 Boost

I should have been clearer. Sorry.
I meant whatever replaces the SC in the long future.

I wish Lexus would have continued their plans for the SC and make it into something that looks similar to the LF-A concept.

Bmw8ter - 7/13/2008 10:11:11 PM

-2 Boost

The SC really wasn't that bad looking. That's not to say it drove great, or was even economical; the rear seats were a joke.

cdoke - 7/13/2008 10:19:38 PM

0 Boost

Ah, I see.

HokkaidoWind - 7/14/2008 2:37:21 AM

+1 Boost

SC430 < Nissan Fairlady Z

Bill - 7/14/2008 6:27:38 AM

+3 Boost

So if Lexus is killing the SC, what will they have to compete with the Mercedes SL and Jaguar XK? Are they going to focus exclusively on sedans now or what?

w209w114 - 7/14/2008 11:28:06 AM

+5 Boost

Bill,

The SC was never a competitor to the SL.

Agent63 - 7/14/2008 8:06:40 PM

+2 Boost

Realistically the LF-A will go against the SL. Lexus needs a luxury coupe with performance and nothing better than a howling V10 powered LF-A to flagship the brand.

The ugly SC430 needs to go. I'm happy I won't see it at a dealership again.

NItePhire - 7/13/2008 8:49:28 PM

+13 Boost

It wont be missed.

KZ258 - 7/13/2008 8:56:54 PM

0 Boost

so where is agent 00K, agents? has she been posting or have i been away from this place too long?

BostonBiosafety - 7/13/2008 9:32:28 PM

0 Boost

I think she has battered bloggers syndrome...

Bmw8ter - 7/13/2008 10:17:37 PM

0 Boost

She got pretty battered after that thread on her accident. Maybe she took it personally; or maybe she is saving every last red cent to go to a far away beach that she assumes noone's been to so that she can claim she's been there, in one of her many profiles.

Chip - 7/13/2008 9:58:41 PM

+8 Boost

Sales could have remained steady had they redesigned or updated the damn thing.

You said it best in the article, it's been around since 2001, which means its dated as hell and Lexus left it sitting there, waiting to die.

The only update the car ever received was a Pebble Beach Edition and a different leather/wood combo. They never touched the "bar of soap" shape of this thing.

Lexus can only blame themselves on this one.

SteedPub - 7/13/2008 10:03:39 PM

+2 Boost

Good riddance.

All it needed to complete the look was a curly tail on its deck-lid. It totally looks like a pig on wheels.

ChicaneShooter - 7/16/2008 4:27:57 AM

+1 Boost

its worst mistake was following audi tt design cues.

bmwdrvr - 7/13/2008 10:26:16 PM

+1 Boost

i was hoping they would return it to its roots back to an original psuedu luxury sports car......the old one I really liked a toyota supra based luxury coupe low slung, nice styling, and reasonable dynamics...

bmwdrvr - 7/14/2008 11:11:03 PM

+3 Boost

deboost if you want but lets be honest the original SC was a good looking car, the current one is ugly but ill admit the SC is one of the only Japanese make cars ive ever really liked other than the NSX, RX7, Supra and the GTR

OneOfOne - 7/20/2008 2:46:19 PM

+1 Boost

'one of the only'? wtf does that mean? only MEANS one.

pushrod27 - 7/13/2008 10:30:19 PM

-11 Boost

too bad. if you're looking for a cheap summer convertible with an insanely luxurious interior as a second vehicle, then check out a slightly used SC430. it's a gas guzzler, though.

pushrod27 - 7/13/2008 10:31:08 PM

-6 Boost

I mean, it's really a gas guzzler. No car this small should burn this much fuel.

gooch - 7/14/2008 9:08:13 AM

+2 Boost

Cheap? What is "cheap" to you? Ugly as they are, they have held up reasonably well, value-wise.

tattedtwice - 7/13/2008 11:04:08 PM

+6 Boost

If ever there was a car that needed to be put out of its misery, it's this one. Much like I cant imagine anyone buying one, I cant imagine anyone missing this thing.

motor1 - 7/13/2008 11:35:16 PM

+5 Boost

Why don't they just redesign it/update it! Thats Lexus' problem! They can't be bothered redesigning it so people will like it! Are they as stupid as they look?

mpwr - 7/13/2008 11:41:26 PM

+3 Boost

file under who cares

MrGunFun - 7/13/2008 11:51:19 PM

+1 Boost

I honestly didn't know this car is still on sale.

AlexTx - 7/13/2008 11:57:16 PM

+6 Boost

MichaelTaylor will be crying......

AutoSupplies - 7/14/2008 12:44:10 AM

-1 Boost

The SC was not a bad looking car when it came out. It definitely brought a new image to car makers using the rounded hood shape. Cars like the IS, G35, even the 335i have rounded bonnets. And also added with a hardtop convertible made it quite appealing to a certain crowd. The only thing I dont understand is how could Lexus assume they would keep selling this vehicle without a new recycle in the past 10 years?

enthusiastx11 - 7/14/2008 1:09:26 AM

+1 Boost

finally, the egg is being put out of its misery.

sad that they can't even come up with a decent coupe for the brand.

enthusiastx11 - 7/14/2008 11:35:15 AM

+1 Boost

"Lexus will probably bring it back more like a 6-Series or SL550"

didn't you read the article. there will be no replacement. they are abandoning the segment.

zorbeeze - 7/16/2008 8:38:12 AM

+1 Boost

"didn't you read the article. there will be no replacement. they are abandoning the segment."

Many car makers have said that before only to go back to that segment a few years ago. GM said they would not bring back a new Camaro, a decade later lokk where we are. Lexus said they would never produce a smaller car than the IS, a couple of years later look what they are planning, a smaller car.

zorbeeze - 7/16/2008 8:38:59 AM

+1 Boost

i meant a few years later.....

tkindred - 7/14/2008 1:52:23 AM

+1 Boost

"While Toyota was originally planning to launch a replacement for the car sometime next year, inside sources have revealed to Edmunds that those plans were subsequently pushed back to mid-2011 and now, in fact, have been canceled.

The new car was meant to be based on the same RWD platform as the upcoming LFA supercar due next year."

There will be a replacement. Yeh, I didn't even know they were still selling this thing.

Dr550 - 7/14/2008 1:53:19 AM

+5 Boost

The SC430 design did not have any connection to the SC400. Believe Audi TT and MB SL confused Lexus SC430 designers about style path.

ChicaneShooter - 7/16/2008 4:39:01 AM

0 Boost

true. i once saw a tricked out SE model camry of 2 or so generations back. it looked HOT, surprisingly.

ChicaneShooter - 7/16/2008 4:48:03 AM

+1 Boost

along those lines, if you browse Low Rider magazine now and then like i do, you will note that some sows' ears WILL ALWAYS BE pigs' ears.

BUT, many an otherwise mundane car CAN be totally transformed Cindarella-like with some tasteful modifications.

JUGNU - 7/14/2008 6:06:56 AM

-2 Boost

LF-A supercar and 3 series coupe competitor is a much better idea. More resources and time should be spent on these two models. Good that they left the never popular SC430. It is so outdated.

JUGNU

Bored - 7/14/2008 6:20:09 AM

+1 Boost

it could not have come soon enough. maybe in a year or two removed, toyota will give us a supra.

enthusiastx11 - 7/14/2008 12:45:52 PM

+9 Boost

michael: you have the heart of a 72 year old woman who lives in suburban cleveland.

EL34 - 7/14/2008 3:41:50 PM

+1 Boost

lol

:-D

shabaru - 7/15/2008 1:49:17 AM

+2 Boost

the SC originally came out as a coupe... a coupe is suppose to define performance, comfort, design, and technology.... even if a coupe does not have all of these sectors covered, atleast half of it should be covered.... but sadly for this one... none were...

xj13 - 7/14/2008 7:41:30 AM

+3 Boost

I drove one once and it drove like a hippo, I run back into my 500SL so I wouldn't have to vomit, NEXT.

STJ88 - 7/14/2008 8:29:46 AM

+2 Boost

The soarer did good for 3 genarations, since 1982 they were CL/SEC competitors. Ans then some idiot at lexus made the 4th gen and destroyd 20 years of history.

EL34 - 7/14/2008 10:57:45 AM

+1 Boost

Ahh, Lexus is putting the SC430 into the trash can where it belongs!

EL34 - 7/14/2008 3:43:29 PM

+2 Boost

Talk to the hand!

Agent63 - 7/14/2008 11:48:09 PM

+1 Boost

MT you're a troll.

Whelan - 7/14/2008 11:45:33 AM

0 Boost

I am kinda glad they are axing it, it was pointless, overpriced and needed a redesign so bad it hurt.

They will just make a coupe out of the IS and offer a convertible version to compete with the 3 series ci's

SHOoff92 - 7/14/2008 12:12:39 PM

+2 Boost

Hey, maybe they'll have to finally bring out the LF-A....on second thought, I doubt it.

atomicbri - 7/14/2008 1:02:55 PM

+2 Boost

Good riddance! Hated this car from inception, the only thing it did for the market waqs to get other manufacturers to get going on hard top convertibles again.

Caraficionado - 7/14/2008 1:49:48 PM

+2 Boost

Never drove one, but can say that this car always looked tacky to me.

DogLb - 7/14/2008 3:33:40 PM

+1 Boost

I'm sure we will get something new. Problem with this car is that it was neith sporty or overly comfortable - it floadated in the middle like a typical Lexus

This car has been around for 7 years - WAAAY to long now-a-days!

DieselRules - 7/14/2008 3:51:14 PM

0 Boost

With the Taurus Sports Coupe (SC) gone, what will nearly retired mill-workers aspire to now?

FerrarisR4me - 7/14/2008 4:21:10 PM

+2 Boost

It's about time.

Denali - 7/14/2008 4:39:21 PM

+1 Boost

im so glad i own the 1st gen classic

Dr550 - 7/15/2008 12:57:24 PM

+1 Boost

BMW 635csi is a classic. 1986 M6 was a monster.

LexusLion - 8/6/2008 11:10:34 PM

+1 Boost

I have a 1st gen SC, too, great car and a trendsetter of the '90s. The Lexus SC 430 is an awesome looking car, though. I seriously doubt the legitimacy of this article, just rumors if you ask me. When I see it on an official Lexus or Toyota site then maybe I'll believe it.

LexusLion - 8/7/2008 12:01:00 AM

+1 Boost

Also want to add that if it turns out to be true, the LF-A will definitely be a welcome replacement of the 2nd gen SC and will be more like an upgraded and improved version of the 2nd gen SC: much better performance and, for the first time, competitive with supercars, like Ferrari, the GT-R, etc.

gsh23 - 7/14/2008 6:38:35 PM

0 Boost

no one is surprised there were still 4 digit sales of this barge? i see a lot on the road, granted they are the older ones with pre-LED taillights.

ubercool - 7/15/2008 7:33:47 AM

+3 Boost

Lexus SC never had a chance up against the likes of Jaguar's awesome XK series.

BMW995 - 7/15/2008 11:34:17 AM

-1 Boost

This shows the strength of Toyota. They axed the Avalon and now the SC with very little fanfare. When GM axed Oldsmobile, lawsuits, decomissioning costs, etc went through the roof. Toyota just gets rid of a model and that's it.

DieselRules - 7/16/2008 5:05:28 PM

+1 Boost

Oldsmobile was a BRAND with dealerships.
SC is just a model.
Not at all the same thing!

JudasLease - 7/16/2008 1:26:46 AM

-1 Boost

Toyota released a statement saying this article is full of monkey piss.

Bunch of dumbasses

mattman953 - 7/16/2008 5:51:48 PM

+2 Boost

It's about time! The SC430 was a decent car in it's own right, just a bit [ well very much ] long in the tooth. Never anything about it that particularly piqued my interest, but I'm not the target demographic for it anyhow.

c36amg - 7/17/2008 9:55:16 AM

+1 Boost

at last, the brains are working at toyota...