2005 Lexus SC430 Convertible Review and Test Drive by Bill - Auto Europa Naples

Offered for sale is this immaculate SC 430 Folding Hard Top Convertible from Lexus, a 2005 model in remarkable cosmetic and mechanical condition, with 65K miles. Finished in Midnight Emerald over Ecru leather, this well maintained Florida car has been very lightly used, dealer serviced, and garage kept since new. It is powered by a 300HP 32-valve V8 engine coupled to a smooth 5-speed automatic gearbox. Amenities include power windows, power central locking, power seats, cruise control, AM/FM/Cassette/CD Changer, Navigation, real wood trim, Power Leather Seats with variable heating, and more. This car is immaculate inside and out, beautifully styled, and sure to be a future collectible.

[@LuckysMotorcycles]

If it wasn’t for “Top Gear “ pooping on this car , I probably wouldn’t be able to afford one !

[@nmikloiche]

I think all the Lexus SCs are amazing cars. I've fell in love with the SC300/400 when I was in high school and they were and still are one of my dream cars. Then Lexus, decides to bring the SC line out of retirement and gives us this more mature, immaculately styled, stunning 430. And, I don't think the 430 needs to blow away other sport roadsters, because its a Lexus and to me, that means superior quality, amazingly reliable, incredible focus on every single detail, and timeless styling, and I think when the hard top is up, its just as good looking as when it is down. Anyone who complains that this car is terrible can donate it to me.

[@RevLexus]

they really are great cars

[@cyusiorg629]

Lc500 is the evolution of the sc line. Incredible cars just very pricy

[@rosannawatson6898]

I have a 2005 SC430 with 22,800 miles. She runs like a champ. A real beauty!

[@Menace2DaComments]

that car will last for another 400,000 miles for damn sure.

[@homma409]

It looks contemporary... if someone says it is 2016, it would be a reasonable guess

[@davidmagen415]

I have a 2002 SC430 w 42k on it. I really love it . Rides like a dream it’s a keeper

[@KirkKreifels]

We get these in for service all the time...but no one ever trades them in! I can't wait to review one!!!

[@xavierramirez330]

@I'm David Hasselhoff its actually really reliable i have not seen problems with these mine is 2002 with 160,000 miles and still works great

[@arcmiro8125]

@@xavierramirez330 do you have any problems with it along the way? Im planning to buy a 2004 model with 160000km on it.. thank you in advance

[@xavierramirez330]

@@arcmiro8125 no it's a great car just make sure you do the timing belt if it has not been done in a while keep the clear coat wax. all the leather lubricated if the wood panels do not open force them open and put oil on the hinges and it should work fine that happened to mine. Works great now. It's almost like this car fixes it self.

[@axemanners6643]

@@xavierramirez330 that sucks, timing belt instead of chain. That's like a $1,000 job at least.

[@davidmagen415]

@@arcmiro8125 no problem with the top. Works great . The leather work is top notch

[@maximumsecurity9411]

Clarkson is a liar! It's a beautiful car, very underrated!

[@nickrapitis4896]

Jeremy Clark does not know cars. This is one the best cars in the world and the prettiest.

[@243wayne1]

These automobiles are absolute show stoppers. Beautifully crafted, smooth V8 power. Will last a lifetime. Proud owner of a 2008 SC430 with 6,400 original miles on it.

[@comfynlux5695]

243wayne1 I have an 08 too. Omg wish it only had 6,400 miles. That practically brand new

[@AmayiaWaldon]

How much is the maintenance?

[@swansong007]

POP QUIZ.....Can anyone tell me whaT movie the Lexus SC430 starred in a major box office hit movie. The year was 2003.

[@wayneonpark]

@@swansong007 Terminator!

[@tz230]

Terminator for sure, when I saw that girl in it I said I am going to purchase it

[@Digital_Ken]

I own the 05 Pebble Beach Edition. Interior, exterior and drive is top quality for its time. People are always surprised that its a 2005 model. Used to own 02 year model too. Can't get rid of it.

[@mannyj4751]

A friend of mine bought one and I went with him to pick it up. I got to drive it home and I thought it was exciting. All that power and smooth drive was beautiful to drive. I'd buy one some day if I could 😎

[@wpeneyra]

You can do it!

[@norbukunchen5407]

Jeremy Clarkson, host of the British TV show Top Gear, rated it the worst car in world. This makes absolutely no sense to me.

[@MS-wb5mf]

Don't pay any attention to what Jeremy Clarkson say's, he despises American cars and refuses to acknowledge that the great Packard's and Duesenberg's ever existed and never mentions the cheap British cars like Vauxhall and all the others; the only car he thinks is worth a shit is the Bugatti Veyron, he is in no way a competent automotive reviewer. The Lexus is perfectly ok.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

The Japanese engineers, just amazing wizards 👏

[@LOYALLUTON]

Brilliant review mate,i live in England and you hardly ever see this model on the road,but there are a few for sale and once i,ve got the cash together im definatly getting one,i love top gear and Jeremy clarkson and the others say alot of things just joking around and its obvious he did,nt mean that this car was the worst in the world, Every owner reviews i,ve read online say its the best car they,ve ever owned.

[@neilwheeler8503]

Hi Bill from the UK, I have only recently found your reviews due to my first SC430 arriving this week, I have been waiting for 3 years to get one. Fell in love with the car and can’t wait to experience driving one. Bill you are an absolute star, so funny yep full of information. Hope you are well and enjoying life, Best Wishes

[@offthegrid4925]

I love these cars, they just look so good

[@8ballmashups293]

I want this car sooooo badly it’s not ok she’s a beauty

[@rEdHoUsE_1969]

Beautiful & VERY underrated grand touring coupe ...

[@henryzhang9915]

truly beautiful car, never go out of date.

[@Princefrancis2]

Or out of style

[@high0338]

ITS TIMELESS 😊

[@bellarose8511]

It’s a really sweet car no doubt about that! 🥂

[@805NAVE]

Beautiful. I’ve always loved the styling.

[@xwagner76]

Fun video. Love the SC430.

[@RevLexus]

me too, I really like mine

[@rustyp5810]

Congratulations, that is one pampered car...I have a 2006 PEBBLE BEACH edition....tiger eye exterior and beige on the dark side, interior...never have trouble...beautiful riding car.

[@aybee63]

Should've mentioned that you can almost not hear the engine even when they drive past! Super quiet and handles like its on rails! But soothe as. A real cruiser for all weather.

[@Ben-jw9nt]

Mercedes sl of that period? Water leaking into the trunk, battery fires, BCM, plus all the other issues, is why the lexus sc430 is always the best option, your getting uber reliability, and comfort, that will always be the best option in my opinion

[@JG-fj6kd]

We have one in red. We love ours. We put 20 inch staggered rims on ours because I hated the look of the factory wheels. But it is fun to drive and we get lots of great looks and comments on it when we drive it...We put dual Magna Flow exhaust and a KN intake on it which really helped the engine come alive and sound more sporty..We LOVE OUR SC430

[@daved3948]

I'd like to hear and see your sc430. I currently have a 2004 Gs430 and I love it.

[@skip741x3]

just took one out for a test ride after being very dissapointed with an earlier sc400 and not really wanting the huge wallowing chassis of an LS... gotta say, if you like the ls series but Dislike the hugeness and ponderous weight, you Will like the later sc430.. it feels positively small inside, coupelike, in a Good way..not claustraphobic, just more like a proper cockpit, lean and luxurious.. its not a boat like the crazy long nosed, overly stretched sc400 is...I was coming outta a ford probe gt and this interior felt as compact as That but light yrs more quality... theres Plenty of hp, 300 i believe and it revs as well... the letdown for me was vague and really Odd feeling steering though it may just have been that particular example...

[@robertdavis5714]

Always enjoy your real strait forward honest reviews. Going to look at SC430 for sale today.

[@Mr.Higginbotham]

My neighbor has a soon to be divorced wife with a pearl white one. Nice car.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Ahhh, yes ...I see the emerald green now ...real nice colour

[@GranMastaDee]

Bill just has this inherent distaste for Japanese cars that he has difficulty hiding. I drive a W140 now because I'm even older than Bill but I raised 2 kids in a Toyota Previa LE/SC: All Wheel Drive, TRUE mid-engine, Super-Charged, Dual A/C 6-leather-seater (9 CDNS) that I would often hook a camping trailer up to and drive up and down the Rockie Mountains here in Cool-Clear Colorado w. a towing capacity of 3500 lbs. Bill barely takes enough time to take a shit on it and keep walking. No reason, just a. "meh". - The SC400 was alright but I did prefer the 2nd gen. GS400 when it came out as 'The fastest sedan in the world' back in '98 which to Billy-Ball-Buster would be a 2 seater plastic outhouse.

[@thomastalks3841]

Love these cars!

[@JM-tb1fp]

It's the worst car for the people who only care about social status or brand name etc... Gorgeous, well-built, & reliable vehicle from Lexus. The predecessor of LC500 convertible. Elegance in this car goes against the criticism that some people make.

[@TheBishop12]

Midnight Pine Pearl🌲was only offered 2002-2005 out of the 02-10’ USDM run. My favorite color is green so I’m a bit biased but I think it looks just a little better, more expensive, with the Saddle (Brown) leather vs Ecru (White). You need a lil brighter shade of green to pair well with White.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Excellent narration Bill ...looks terrific in black ⚫

[@michaelcrockette3881]

people saying worst car probably mean most disappointing car. I happen 2 like it.

[@rossking3]

Very informative video. Very nice. Thank you.

[@michaelunity7796]

Cars now are nothing more than I pads on wheels. The tech in them is overwhelming. The over saturation is what causes accidents. Blind side detection and a rear camera is enough for me. Regular maintenance and timing belt is all this car needs done . You can't get a 05 Porsche and say that . Fast cars are for those that love making attorneys richer. Love the Lexus.

[@juliet4093]

That is 100% not what causes accidents

[@herbertlyles190]

I love your car Rew funny knowledge owner sc430 , enjoy all your Rew all car's whatch those fly's Lol

[@robertjosan]

How’s the headroom with the top down for a tall guy like myself at 6’3”?

[@ScricyWestside]

This is a poor mans bentley. well built. reliable.

[@mhess427]

Not quite the bespoke construction of a Bently, but having driven one extensively, I can say this is an extremely well-built machine.

[@boomboomboom111]

ITS LEXUS,YOU JERK.POORMAN LIKE YOU EVEN DONT HAVE ANY OF THOSE CARS

[@FROOB202]

But the Bentley owner ends up poorer than the Lexus owner :P

[@redhood-os5bn]

But Bentleys end up being worth less

[@nickwilczynski3684]

@@redhood-os5bn not just 'worth less' but borderline 'worthless'!!

[@Matt_from_Florida]

Of all the variable valve timing systems Honda and Toyota are supposed to be the most reliable. Honda was the first manufacturer to offer VVT on the market. It patented their VVT and thus Toyota had to come up with their own design (different than Honda). Like all VVT's it is imperative to use the correct weight oil and do your oil changes on time, because the oil is the hydraulic medium which moves the cam onto the second set of lobes.

[@jeffreyhartwig4965]

We by that I mean my wife loves her 2002 sc430. We ran over a nail but had run flats on it still. Took us home no problem. Buying tires on this gem is not cheap lol 😂

[@VintageRKO]

Prices are going up for these thanks to the LC

[@RevLexus]

I love the LC, my next car after im done with my SC

[@alanjohnson2528]

the seats are squeaking coz there pushed to far back and rubbing on rear seat

[@MAHARDWAY]

Bill is my favorite used car salesman .... NO BULLSHIT !

[@rbarnard264]

It’s more like a Bentley droptop comparison

[@ag3957]

Makes me want to move to Florida.

[@RevLexus]

Great video Bob, I think I have watched all your SC430 videos haha! They are great cars, I love mine!

[@michaelking4578]

I'll take it.

[@bryanclark7608]

What a car, and what a channel, even though this probably sold long ago, it's still great for informational purposes. One of my favorite car channels too, its fun to see how the powerful, fussy, ultra-stressed other half are living. You have me laughing every single video. Kudos.

[@henryzhang9915]

Im a bmw m3 owner, I so much want to trade with this car, any advice?

[@jesuschrysler]

just do it! dump your car and buy one of these. we got rid of the wife's 545il after 5 years from new, because of maintenance cost. she loves her sc430. fun, reliable, comfortable, and a toyota! it will run forever! and anyone will work on it at a realistic rate per hour.

[@gogutzy]

Faberge egg.

[@kinggreatness4343]

Nice car 🚗

[@chiefoso1428]

very ignorant what you said about canadians. only a fool stoops low to stereotypes, very unprofessional of you

[@aaronrodriguez1410]

🤣

[@partnerhvac6131]

It’s a joke lighten up

[@gogutzy]

It's a classy gem.

[@s.m.whiteII]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@mrjjthor]

These are great cruising cars with subjective styling. They are also low maintenance if your a DIY person and pretty reliable. However, I doubt they will ever become a collector.

[@tommyd.743]

Like I always say: Opinions are like ass holes. Everyone has one and Jeremy Clark is one. 😀 Nice car. Being an old man, been bouncing between one of these and a last gen T-Bird for a retirement toy.

[@countvond233]

Ditto. 430 all the way.

[@tommyd.743]

@@countvond233 Your probably right. Have a Lincoln currently as a daily driver. Nice car, but not too impressed with the quality.

[@SpiderCollector000]

@@tommyd.743 These are much more reliable than the Tbird.. I am on a forum for Lincoln LS and that model along with Jaguar S Type, and the Tbird are all the same mechanically.. They are very finnicky and things break regularly on them that really should not.. I pick up a 09 SC430 and I have put work into it and its not stock anymore, and quite glad I went this route!

[@dgriffin6074]

Timing belt replacement at 33,000 miles; a bit early isn't it?

[@reallynotpc]

I may be weird, but I fancy one of these. Drove one once, when they were still available new.

[@beaversfamilymoviesbeavera6689]

Amazing arsome car that is fast

[@anthonyharris1441]

I have the Soarer edition this car rocks how can you not like this car.

[@johnwillyn]

i'm just here for my ( GOOD MORNING!)...

[@olunelum1]

Very nice and a detailed video!

[@godblesskhrishna1247]

Nice video & Nice car Keep it up .

[@felixf4378]

Beautiful car, not of fan of the poop colored wood.

[@norbertcardenas1876]

Loved your review so much I got my wife a 2005 Peeble Beach. Who am I kidding a got it for me! She does look great in it. I do agree though- if Buick would have built this as a Riviera they most likely would have mounted a chrome wire rim tire in the trunk lid- which would give it an even classier look.

[@toyotadiy1497]

OK I know why you pronounced cadillac as cadimac. You pronounced LS as MS.

[@aceone4006]

Those must be the smallest rear seats I have ever seen in my entire life! Even a small dog would have a hard time fitting in the back there.

[@realestniggaout]

Lol ever been in a mustang? Or Infiniti convertible?

[@lukeskywalker1574]

Not a very popular car over here in the UK. I can count on one hand how many Ive seen since the car was launched. And as luck would have it, the ones I have seen have been in that sickly gold colour :/ Lexus are a good brand with a great following over here, just not this particular car, and the CT200, both those cars let down the Lexus name.

[@toms_garage]

Great video Bill

[@Kev27RS]

This one looks really nice! 👏 Never understood why the guys at TOP GEAR said that this was the worst car ever... ?!

[@Dulc3B00kbyBrant0n]

probly cuz they expected it to be sportier

[@TateReggie]

Thanks!

[@ezimdanielchukwunwike531]

No leg room for the back seats

[@805NAVE]

Can you guys ship this out to California? How expensive would it be?

[@countvond233]

Buy it and have a carrier service bring it. I bet less than $1500 for the haul. Worth it, given your market there.

[@alanjohnson2528]

i own a first year car 65th klms , anyone that drives them loves them,its not fast, but not slow, smooth as silk

[@gushaman]

I love your videos! Been watching for years. Thanks!

[@nickwilczynski3684]

I just don't love this. It inspires nothing in me. I'm sure these are all over the place in Naples but... Man, I just don't feel anything for this.

[@shawnpark7620]

most comfortable car I've owned and I've owned a lot...and stereo sound is excellent.

[@Bonniroo]

How much?

[@luisgarza7999]

✌️😎🍺

[@nopda4095]

my father bought it for me as my first car for 3k dollars but its too fucked up like really the chairs are torn and the leather is fucked as well and most of the moveable thing dont work like the cup holder dosnt fold in and the lights dont work and its outer light got a lot of holes in them and there are missing chunks of the light plastic and its has over 300000 KM and for some reason the past owner didnt tell us there was no air filter for the engine so the poor engine was choking for who know how long yet its drive really well and its fun to drive yeah it kinda noisy but i am sure af that the past owner or owners really treated the car poorly edit: i dont really like the colour its gold brownish and its kinda suck but i cant really change it so i am stuck with it

[@nopda4095]

update almost fookin crashed today because and idiot didnt check before changing lines but not gonna lies the brakes worked fine even though i had to evade the car but the brake gave me time to change diraction and its still work fine

[@aaronrodriguez1410]

But porsche is reliable mate

[@JMaggs31]

A car dealer that doesn't know what VSC is?

[@brianlee1570]

Very nice SC! :)

[@DaveWaterdish]

This guy is awesome! So funny

[@Kauffman578]

How reliable is this car?

[@BernonCars]

90’s Volvo wagons were some of the best!

[@wizarath]

Is250c/350c is a better choice imo. This is a car for ppl in their 50s

[@keythedon8555]

I’m really debating & having a hard time between this & the Is250/350

[@MrCarGuy]

Lexus had touchscreens in the 90s and GM had touchscreens in the 80s.

[@foxxlohf8953]

MrCarGuy20 Lexus came out in the 90s dumbass

[@Kev27RS]

@@foxxlohf8953 The first LEXUS came out in '89!

[@cl9_616]

Soarer had it in the 80s

[@utubejoe11]

Clarkson said that this is "the worst car in the history of the world, all things considered.". I drove one and found the ride harsh and the handling horrible. Transmission was rubbish as well. Engine and material quality good.

[@mmcin719]

Really, the gearbox in my 2002 SC430 has shifts that are all most undetectable, I also had it serviced by a transmission expert. The suspension probably needed new shock absorbers as they are an item that does wear out. As for Clarkson, he his no more than an attention seeker. The SC430 is a great car.

[@clarencekillian6438]

Own an 04 since 06 with 82,000 miles... never had any problems with it...I’ve owned Buick, Olds, Cadillac, BMW, Mercedes and four Lexus...drive it once a week and love it...runs good and sounds good...plenty fast enough...SC 430...love it...

[@czrider6300]

DAMN FLIES!!!! 🤣