Here’s why the Lexus SC 430 gets no respect

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Жыл бұрын

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In this episode I provide the history of the Lexus SC 430, a coupe/convertible with a retractable hardtop. The SC 430 began in 2001, however it was preceded by the SC 400 and SC 300 that started in 1992 as a coupe. But although the coupe's sales were decent at its start, they dropped considerably over the next few years, leading Lexus to revamp the car to be a convertible for 2001. Despite its V8 power, it didn't drive like a sports car. That, along with its bulbous shape that had to conceal the hardtop when stowed, lead to many disliking the car, especially on the show Top Gear, which pronounced it as the "worst car in the history of the world" in 2012, 2 years after the car ended production.

Пікірлер: 385

@sha22276 Жыл бұрын

Car journalists want aggressive looking cars, thats why every crossover today looks like it is suffering from constipation.

@mrgurulittle7000 Жыл бұрын

😂

@Jeromeromesheltonrecordspolice Жыл бұрын

Lmfao

@hidesbehindpseudonym1920 Жыл бұрын

😂

@woodrow_mayes Жыл бұрын

In reality, it's actually the dominant market of Asia, specifically China. They love aggressive faced vehicles

@dewarkhodern9990 Жыл бұрын

@@woodrow_mayes Both. The Journalist and Asia

@DavidHall-ge6nn Жыл бұрын

I once drove a friend's SC430 from Atlanta to Dallas in one day. Incredibly quiet, comfortable car with a luxurious interior, plenty of power, and very good road manners. I liked it very much. It's a shame it was so homely. It wasn't a sportscar, it was a grand tourer. And a good one.

@divinehatred6021 Жыл бұрын

Some people just falsely assume that everyone dreams of a hypercar... and that everything thats lower than a 500hp is "slow".

@Epotheros Жыл бұрын

It was basically Lexus' attempt at making a Ford Thunderbird. Unfortunately for them, the personal luxury coupe segment had been dying a long a slow death by the time they introduced the SC400 and even more so with the SC430. Most people didn't really want a comfortable, torquey, 2+2 car anymore.

@hellocar123 Жыл бұрын

@@divinehatred6021i hate those people so much that i would happily get rid of them first if there was a purge

@CarsofGlasgow Жыл бұрын

I owned one for years & I agree, its very quiet and comfortable

@dontran8578 4 ай бұрын

I got 2005 still here love it

@DrCharlesMontague Жыл бұрын

I ran an import repair center for years where I suffered dealing with the owners of many types of aging luxury convertibles such as Mercedes SLs, Jaguar XKs, BMW 6-series, etc. I will happily take an SC430 instead of all of those 😂. Also, as much as I adore Top Gear, that segment where they beat up on the SC430 and even compared it to a Tiburon was one of the worst segments they ever did.

@zarakdurrani7584 Жыл бұрын

Almost seems as if they had been paid by a certain German company to do it.

@danielchristopherdc Жыл бұрын

@@zarakdurrani7584 seems that way

@Trendyflute Жыл бұрын

Most segments with Clarkson in them have aged incredibly poorly. Dude is an outdated bore.

@a.c.4732 10 ай бұрын

@@zarakdurrani7584 you mean those with the highly reputable emission ratings ? 😉

@zarakdurrani7584 10 ай бұрын

@@a.c.4732 yes, that company that was personally vouched for by chancellor Hitler himself

@xraider927 Жыл бұрын

You forgot to mention another thing: The SC430 was also a race car in Japan, courtesy of the Japan Super GT.

@josagen Жыл бұрын

I'll never forget the TOM'S SC430 sponsored by Petronas from 2008-2013. Quite a simple yet eye-catching livery.

@pervertt Жыл бұрын

Long after Clarkson has retired into a nursing home, and Top Gear reruns have disappeared from our TV screens, there will still be a few SC430s purring on our roads. I haven't driven an SC430, but I do know someone who has owned one. He wasn't a sports car driver, and his fleet of 7 cars at the time included a BMW 7 series, a Mercedes S Class and a Jaguar of some description. He considered the SC430 to be his favourite car.

@danielchristopherdc Жыл бұрын

This 💯

@jlcii Жыл бұрын

The irony that Jeremy Clarkson refers to the SC430 as the worst vehicle in the world, while having praised, of all vehicles, the Range Rover- the ACTUAL worst vehicle in the world.

@johnnymason3265 Жыл бұрын

Actually, the Yugo is the worst car ever made. The SC430 is certainly in the top 10 of the worst cars ever.

@BobbyDeniroX Жыл бұрын

@@johnnymason3265range rovers are total crap and the uk journalists always big them up

@danielchristopherdc Жыл бұрын

@@johnnymason3265 wrong.

@josagen Жыл бұрын

I was legit surprised when THAT was ranked above the goddamn Audi Quattro and McLaren F1 as the greatest car ever made ... 💀💀💀

@rrrogster Жыл бұрын

And you're right the Range Rover has to be near the top of the list for least reliable vehicles ever built. Why they are still being built is way beyond me.

@redskinjim Жыл бұрын

mine has 153 thousand on it and runs killer and gets looks everywhere 20 years later!..Everything works still

@1mzfe Жыл бұрын

I think it was incredibly unfair for Top Gear to name the SC 430 The Worst Car, especially when you consider how reliable the SC 430 was.

@charlie_nolan Жыл бұрын

I greatly enjoy watching Top Gear but they have had some asinine opinions from time to time, a couple others that I can think of is hating the VW bug and any electric cars. Also Jeremy’s strange hatred of bicycles

@petayV8 Жыл бұрын

Yeah, and all the cars they like/praise and now in the junk yard . Literally

@TheMuzikall Жыл бұрын

It’s a on par with anything from Europe from that era

@paullacey2999 Жыл бұрын

Yes while they babble endlessly about pointless unreliable supercars.

@gerarduspoppel2831 Жыл бұрын

they probably got a lot of money from the competition to do that

@janetkopper3507 Жыл бұрын

Haters be hatin, the sc430 is a delight to drive ! I own one and love its style and comfort. It is pretty quick too😊

@redskinjim Жыл бұрын

nothing but envy from everyone who sees it let the haters hate....i love it though mine has a 153 thousand

@kenxiong6830 Жыл бұрын

SC430 is an under appreciated car. This thing is stupid reliable and amazing to drive. It was never meant to be a sportscar but a boulevard cruiser

@thecrowflies 10 ай бұрын

Sure. Just has SC for sports car/coupe in the name. But ya. Wasn’t intended

@duquem0421 10 ай бұрын

@@thecrowfliesyeah the corolla se is also a sports car because it has sports edition in the name.

@Ben-jw9nt 10 ай бұрын

Problem is, they compared it to sports cars, and it isn't a sports car, its a GT, and that's something it's very good at.

@Rascofresco11 Жыл бұрын

You know the SC was innovative in so many ways. If I remember correctly it's the only hard top convertible that's actually reliable and has some grunt under the hood.

@antwanmcclain8909 Жыл бұрын

I think people were disappointed that it was more tailored for older people. Even the ones I see today are driven mainly by older people. I've known a lot of people that called it's predecessor, specifically the SC300 as a Supra in a tux.

@cyberdrakon Жыл бұрын

grunt? severely underpowered at 288 hp. Both the SLK32 (350 hp) and SL500 (302hp) had folding hardtops with more power.

@baoquoc3710 Жыл бұрын

"some grunt under the hood" *BMW 430i convertible with 280 horses yet 100kg lighter*

@PermacultureLongboarder Жыл бұрын

I am of the complete opposite mindset. In fact I think they should have done two lines. One to support performance enthusiasts with a standard 330 hp v6 turbo and another line with an automatic 4 180 HP gas saving design. The v6 would have gotten like 22 mpg and the 4 likely 30+, would have worked with those hybrid looking rims as well....

@baronvonjo1929 Жыл бұрын

I just saw a SC 430 on the highway. It was GOLD it was literally shining so bright and stood out so much because it was literally reflecting all the light. It was kimda pretty. 7:15

@johnh8268 Жыл бұрын

I considered the SC430 against the SLK230 Kompressor in 1999. I ended up buying the SLK and keeping it for many years. I often wonder if I would have liked the SC430 better. The Mercedes held up well over the years without too much maintenance.

@richsackett3423 Жыл бұрын

Probably about the same tbh

@rickymack2611 Жыл бұрын

I'v never been one to put much stock in anything Jeremy Clarkson says

@wranglercody8422 Жыл бұрын

He’s always been a pretentious a hole.

@S-T-E-V-E Жыл бұрын

Yeah I think that goes for most motoring Journalists spoiled by driving Ferrari's and Bentleys and get a free expensive car to 'long term test' every year! But at it's height in popularity if Jeremy Clarkson said a car was rubbish people were embarrassed to drive it! 😂

@99Lezard99 Жыл бұрын

smart decision. clarkson has a record of fairly dumb views in retrospective

@antwanmcclain8909 Жыл бұрын

I still see a lot of these on the road. I love these cars.

@ianberry5562 Жыл бұрын

I hope these stay slept on! I want to get one in a few years!

@oneviwatara9384 Жыл бұрын

You can getting one now for less than 15k

@Jonnymg4 5 ай бұрын

Same, I'm getting one for $3200 this week!

@worldwindcomics Жыл бұрын

I have an SC 430, and I absolutely love it.

@tonybrown6775 Жыл бұрын

I worked at a Pontiac dealership at time when those came out you could get 2 to 3 G6 convertibles to one Lexus

@MissingLinkGTRS Жыл бұрын

Yeah the Lexus was expensive and they still are but it’s worlds apart from a mid 2000s GM product

@IsaacLoven Жыл бұрын

But the Lexus would run 3x longer than the G6

@tbamagic Ай бұрын

That like comparing Timex watches to a Rolex! Duh??

@boowiebear Жыл бұрын

Top Gear are wrong on this. Calling the SC430 the worst is absurd. It might have missed the mark but still has many redeeming qualities.

@mss627 Жыл бұрын

That's hilarious for prats who routinely championed the absolute crap coming out of England. How many Jaguars of that era are still on the road? How about Land Rovers? Shuddup!

@danielchristopherdc Жыл бұрын

It’s like they were paid to trash the Lexus

@MichaelOKeefe2009 Жыл бұрын

The Pebble Beach Edition SC430 was made because it was a prize for those LAGPA Golf torunaments.

@negativeindustrial Жыл бұрын

I’ve got a SC300 swapped into a Soarer GT-T clone using the 1JZ-GTE Twin-Turbo engine. I love that car so much.

@hippopominy9 Жыл бұрын

Unfortunately car reviewers only positively review cars based on two things...how fast it can go in the straight line and how closely it handles to a BMW everything else that our car does well is ignored

@tresgriffin8242 Жыл бұрын

Agreed. Like, I just recently bought a Honda CR-V Hybrid and there are reviewers who are "brake torquing" it to see how fast the 0-60 is, and I'm like "Sir...this is a Honda CR-V. Nobody interested in this car is doing that."

@hippopominy9 Жыл бұрын

@Tres Griffin that's 😂 I mean the customer that's getting a hybrid is probably more interested in its fuel economy than its speed

@king20a6 10 ай бұрын

BMW high oil consumption, 1.5T 3 cylinder 10l/100km.

@signalfire6691 7 ай бұрын

Or they want it to be a speed demon on the track. Great way to get a ticket or get dead.

@willbelasco Жыл бұрын

I always liked the SC, and notice them on the road. I live in the north east, and I see them on an uncommon basis! That original SC 400 in particular, and in a manual would be a unique car to own. I’ve never driven an SC though.

@ramberghini072 Жыл бұрын

Did the 400 come in manual? I thought it was only the 300.

@braveladder1682 Жыл бұрын

The sc300/sc400 are shocking practical and reliable grand tourers, and still surprisingly affordable today. I have a family member still daily driving a sc300 with 260,000 miles, and it runs and looks great to this day.

@rrrogster Жыл бұрын

I owned a SC300 with the inline 6 cylinder. That engine was truly amazing. It had to be expensive to make because the engine had to be built on a separate dedicated line. I actually had to look at the tachometer several times upon startup just to make sure the engine was running. It was that quiet and smooth. Toyota/Lexus engineering at its finest.

@bananas8779 Жыл бұрын

6:34 you can buy regularly updated map data disc to this very day.

@saabstory69420 Ай бұрын

Really? Where?

@makpack Жыл бұрын

I've got one. Happy to show you how the top works!

@laowhy86 Жыл бұрын

Fascinating breakdown. Great channel.

@robertocastellanos9140 Жыл бұрын

Keep doing what you’re doing dude. I can tell how much effort you put into these videos. You’re only gonna get better.

@aerocabin Жыл бұрын

The inspiration for the folding top came from an earlier variant of the same car, the 1989 MZ20 Toyota Soarer Aerocabin, of which only 500 were produced.

@mikemc330 Жыл бұрын

I always look forward to these videos. Awesome!

@Cheesesteakwithfriedonions Жыл бұрын

These cars are still going for 17k to 20k

@James-sir Жыл бұрын

I drive a sc430 everyday I luv it

@davidlittle4971 Жыл бұрын

I just seen one the other day where I live ,God ,still a beauty,always did love the design 👍👍👍♥️♥️♥️

@mattheweburns Жыл бұрын

I always wanted an SC 400 with a manual transmission. It’s like everything the Celica had but better.

@OllamhDrab Жыл бұрын

Beastly heavy, though.

@Maplecook 10 ай бұрын

I own both an SC400 and a 1997 Celica. I can tell you that they are two completely different cars. I won't say one is better than the other. They scratch different itches. I love them both.

@TheJetJONES Жыл бұрын

There was also a game, the Lexus SC430 was featured: The Getaway (2002): It was one of the gang cars by either the Collins Gang, or the Triads... 🤔

@12345....... Жыл бұрын

I forgot how unwatchable top gear was

@thomaspaine5601 Жыл бұрын

I own one. It is beautiful. I love it.

@demogaming8895 Жыл бұрын

Naming this the worst car in the world was easily Top Gear's worst take ever. After driving so many hyper exotic fast cars the SC 430 must've felt too boring for them I guess?

@S-T-E-V-E Жыл бұрын

The 2007 BMW 3 Series Convertible Hard Top was also considered odd looking and out of proportion, they didn't sell well and are dirt cheap these days compared to the Coupe! The Peugeot 306 CC sold like hot cakes in the UK though and was a very desirable car in it's day as was the Mercedes SLK and the BMW M4 Mk2! It's funny that some Manufacturers could make a Hard Top look good but on others it looked distinctly like an afterthought!

@davinp Жыл бұрын

There was also the Toyota Camry Solara which sold from 1998-2008 and was canceled after the 2nd generation. A convertible was offered

@toddaulner5393 Жыл бұрын

Been in one, it was really nice!

@tbamagic Ай бұрын

I've owned 3 Solaras- 1 hardtop and two convertibles. All were wonderful cars.

@Where_is_Waldo Жыл бұрын

SC300/SC400 shared a platform with the Mark IV Supra, you showed a Mark III Supra.

@dewarkhodern9990 Жыл бұрын

Correct. MK4 A80 Supra, and literally the Lexus SC 300 shared the 2JZ to the Supra

@Where_is_Waldo Жыл бұрын

@@dewarkhodern9990 I wonder if anyone ever made a Mark IV Soapra. I like the way the Mark III Supras look with the Soarer front clip.

@ruzzelladrian907 Жыл бұрын

The SC second generation looked really pretty. Tragic that people listened to Jeremy Clarkson.

@tbamagic Ай бұрын

I'm happy they did! That way, I was able to get mine for a GREAT price!

@josagen Жыл бұрын

Toyota fielded the Lexus SC430 as the Supra's replacement in the Japanese Super GT racing series, so that alone makes me respect the car a lot. I believe 3 championship titles by different Toyota teams (2006 and 2009 with TOM'S, 2013 with Cerumo) were under the SC430's belt. I know Super GT is a silhouette-based GT sports car racing series, but still...how cool is that? To see the "worst car in the world" kick ass with Nissan Zs/GT-Rs and Honda NSX-GTs.

@danielchristopherdc 10 ай бұрын

Loved those JGTC SC430’s! They’re in Gran Turismo 5 I believe

@Gabe_Pictures Жыл бұрын

Request: Hyundai Tiburon

@DEIFAN Жыл бұрын

Well thanks to you, you brought the value up

@christopherlastname7638 Жыл бұрын

I detailed these new in Naples fl. They sold a bunch of them and they were vary nice it was like a Bentley

@signalfire6691 7 ай бұрын

It's been called the Poor Man's Bentley.

@BlastinRope Жыл бұрын

Can you imagine if the sc400 came in manual? The world would be a different place

@KaiPonte Жыл бұрын

I have a '93 SC400 that I plan to manual swap. Just need the time.

@TheBishop12 Жыл бұрын

5:38 they only put the backseats to alter the classification from Sportscar (higher insurance costs) to a 2+2 coupe

@fuglyJEW Жыл бұрын

Those rear seats are hilarious :D

@martymiller4300 Жыл бұрын

The rear seat headrests must have been included as spares in case something went wrong with one or both of the front seat ones.

@signalfire6691 7 ай бұрын

It's for grandchildren or more likely, golf clubs. The 4 seat designation made it cheaper to insure.

@Hargan Жыл бұрын

In Europe, after the SLK, Peugeot made the 206cc bringing hard top convertibles to lower budget buyers. After that in the early 2000s, every mainstream hatchback basically received the folding hard top treatment. The few you mentioned, as well as the 207, Renault Mégane, Vauxhall/opel Astra and Corsa (badged as a Tigra), Mitsubishi Colt and Nissan Micra

@alexsaffamerica Жыл бұрын

There was also the Renault Wind, which was a Twingo convertible, but that was released in the early 2010s.

@Hargan Жыл бұрын

@@alexsaffamerica ah yes, the wind was late to the party

@ophirmayer1 Жыл бұрын

Starred in the beginning of terminator 3..respect all around

@speedcrane 19 күн бұрын

Im a Lexus SC owner and also a mobile crane driver...I still have nightmares after watching that film

@tylerloveday9615 Жыл бұрын

After 15 years of flashy BMW’s. I’m on the hunt for one of these because it’s clearly superior

@danielchristopherdc 10 ай бұрын

The only intelligent choice 🫡

@tbamagic Ай бұрын

I own a 2006. Its a "Rolex on wheels". Absolute dream. Refined, comfortable, quiet and SMOOTH. No, its NOT a "sports car". Its a country club, wine country tour, ride out Cal Route 1 grand touring car. So please stop comparing it with Mustang GTs, Ferraris, etc.

@CarlosGuzman-bq8fr 11 ай бұрын

I loved ❤this episode. Great stuff. Can you do an episode on the 1999 Toyota Solara. I had this car. By far one of the nicest cars I've owned. Mine was a pearl white with tan leather. Gorgeous 😍 car. Similar to the Lexus.

@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer Жыл бұрын

Disrespected Toyota coupes along with 430… Paseo, Solara, TC, echo coupe.

@javigar133 Жыл бұрын

I love Top Gear, and I couldnt agree and disagree so much about one car. On one hand, love It, on the other, jeez mate... I still want one

@JK061996 Жыл бұрын

The SC 430 was also featured in Mean Girls

@thumperjdm Жыл бұрын

The hardtop SC400 looks so much better than its convertible replacement car.

@tbamagic Ай бұрын

Nah, i don't think so. The SC400 is a nice car. But its a totally different concept.

@paulhansen7667 Жыл бұрын

I still want one.

@user-hn5ft5jg2m Жыл бұрын

You should do a video on the ls430 from the early 2000s

@alpaljl Жыл бұрын

Yes! I second this. A video on the LS 400 & 430 would be awesome!!

@jaimerioux1214 Жыл бұрын

I saw a Lexus SC430 yesterday.

@jaymorris3468 Жыл бұрын

Lovely looking car imo, could have done more with the front to match the awesome shape of the rear, a little more aggressive.

@litesaber54yi3 Жыл бұрын

to tthis day when ever i see one, which is often bec they are bullet proof, i want one more and more

@Pillowbiter84 Жыл бұрын

Another great Saturday night video.

@ottovonbismarck7094 Жыл бұрын

How about the dodge D series and B series of trucks and vans?

@S-T-E-V-E Жыл бұрын

Here's a fun fact about the Focus Convertible! They had such a hard time of getting the fold away roof to work without leaking they had released the new Face Lifted Focus by the time owners took delivery a year later than promised, in fact many had cancelled their order by the time they were delivered! I was buying a Focus RS Mk2 at the time and the dealer told me the story!

@Vicus_of_Utrecht Жыл бұрын

Enjoyable fan-fiction, thanks OP

@S-T-E-V-E Жыл бұрын

@@Vicus_of_Utrecht Fan fiction? What are you talking about?

@Vicus_of_Utrecht Жыл бұрын

@@S-T-E-V-E I just enjoy people that make up things for a good story 🤗!

@MarkGelderland Жыл бұрын

Always liked the SC 430

@randycrawford7442 6 ай бұрын

I have an 06 and after 18 years owning it I still love driving it

@Gazzitas Жыл бұрын

I find it pretty ironic that Lexus would produce both Top Gear's worst ever and best ever car (the LFA, of course).

@watchmanonthewall14 Ай бұрын

Twenty years ago, a friend of mine let me have his 430 for a couple weeks while he was on a business trip. It thought I was going to love it, but it was just OKAY. Handling was only fair. It was slightly under powered. There was more road noise than I anticipated. The biggest problem was the low profile tires, which made for a rough ride. THAT was a deal breaker for me.

@Liza-hn1cr 2 ай бұрын

I was grateful enough to get a 2002 sc430, 70k miles on it for 8k. I know this car will last me another 10+ years, that’s why I love this car. Reliable truck engine and looks amazing🫶🫶

@michaelking4578 18 күн бұрын

If everyone loved the SC430 I probably wouldn't have been able to buy mine. Today you don't see late model year versions on the road very often. I love mine and bought it primarily as a road trip car.

@alpaljl Жыл бұрын

Well, the SC will outlive all the competition. But I still prefer an LS. I feel very claustrophobic in small cars.

@anthonyrivera4735 Жыл бұрын

Please do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup

@tommycreamer2001 Жыл бұрын

Was wondering if you could do the first generation Chevy trailblazer?

@jlr194 Жыл бұрын

I remember the first time I saw that car was in the Terminator Rise of the Machines movie.

@joshdozier4496 7 күн бұрын

Had a 2004 sc430. Put 105k miles on it. Miss it everyday

@y2kazan868 Жыл бұрын

I always liked it, and the MonoBlock wheels.

@driveintherain Жыл бұрын

Top Gear had its time when there weren't any decent car shows, but just remember it's a show made by British people with cars in it. It's like the Fast and Furious movie series.

@gbrkura4467 Ай бұрын

This SC430 is a car that was carefully finished by TOYOTA and is already over 20 years old, but it still has the performance to show active driving. If you find a good used SC430, you can overhaul the engine and reupholster the interior and drive it for another 20 years. In Japan, enthusiasts are buying them back and the price is gradually increasing.

@walterg902 Жыл бұрын

You need to make a video on the Mitsubishi/dodge/Plymouth pick up trucks & SUV's.

@wadeguidry6675 Жыл бұрын

I think they look cool.

@that_camo_bronco_guy Жыл бұрын

Completely unrelated but what song is this in the background? I swear ive heard this before joining a fivem server/main menu

@Just-a-guy926 Жыл бұрын

Could you please make a video of the Acura Vigor

@patrickedwards6191 Жыл бұрын

Shoutout Greensboro, NC on the Navigation portion! Clearly taken at Flow Lexus!

@nathancook1404 Жыл бұрын

I've seen some of Top Gears Episodes before and I do Like some shows from the United Kingdoms, as for the Lexus there is a Matchbox Version of the ls400, & the gs430, even Hotwheels made some Casting based around the Lexus RC F GT3, & the Lexus SC400.

@thecianinator Жыл бұрын

As much as I disagree with the top gear crew, I'm kind of happy that they trashed this car because it means you can now get a rear wheel drive V8 two-door coupe that will never break down for $10,000.

@robertmiller1442 Жыл бұрын

You are right about the quality but___ Have you checked the prices of a good low millage SC430 they start around $25,000!!

@DUNEATV Жыл бұрын

This channel is like a drug for car enthusiasts!!!

@snakehandler87 Жыл бұрын

Excellent car

@jasonlax2102 Жыл бұрын

The rear seats were made for insurance purp

@lordmaul3 Жыл бұрын

The Lexus SC400 known as the Toyota Soarer in Japan. I think the Japanese variant is much cooler. A popular modification for tuners was converting their SC400 into the Japanese version.