Here’s why the Lexus SC 430 gets no respect

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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.

[@Sha-Ayo]

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

[@mrgurulittle7000]

😂

[@Jeromeromeshelton]

Lmfao

[@hidesbehindpseudonym1920]

😂

[@woodrow_mayes]

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

[@dewarkhodern9990]

​@@woodrow_mayes Both. The Journalist and Asia

[@DavidHall-ge6nn]

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]

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

[@Epotheros]

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]

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

[@CarsofGlasgow]

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

[@dontran8578]

I got 2005 still here love it

[@jlcii]

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]

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

[@BobbyDeniroX]

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

[@danielchristopherdc]

@@johnnymason3265 wrong.

[@bam_henry]

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

[@rrrogster]

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.

[@mss627]

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]

It’s like they were paid to trash the Lexus

[@DrCharlesMontague]

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]

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

[@danielchristopherdc]

@@zarakdurrani7584 seems that way

[@Trendyflute]

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 Dude is an outdated bore.

[@a.c.4732]

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

[@zarakdurrani7584]

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

[@1mzfe]

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]

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]

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

[@TheMuzikall]

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

[@paullacey2999]

Yes while they babble endlessly about pointless unreliable supercars.

[@gerarduspoppel2831]

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

[@xraider927]

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

[@bam_henry]

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

[@janetkopper3507]

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]

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

[@redskinjim]

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

[@rickymack2611]

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

[@wranglercody8422]

He’s always been a pretentious a hole.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

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]

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

[@kenxiong6830]

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]

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

[@duquem0421]

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

[@worldwindcomics]

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

[@johnh8268]

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]

Probably about the same tbh

[@demogaming8895]

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?

[@Cheesesteakwithfriedonions]

These cars are still going for 17k to 20k

[@Rascofresco11]

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]

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]

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

[@baoquoc3710]

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

[@PermacultureLongboarder]

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....

[@Ben-jw9nt]

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.

[@James-sir]

I drive a sc430 everyday I luv it

[@boowiebear]

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.

[@hippopominy9]

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]

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]

@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]

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

[@signalfire6691]

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

[@antwanmcclain8909]

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

[@ianberry5562]

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

[@oneviwatara9384]

You can getting one now for less than 15k

[@Jonnymg4]

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

[@thomaspaine5601]

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

[@MichaelOKeefe2009]

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

[@baronvonjo1929]

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

[@tylerloveday9615]

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

[@danielchristopherdc]

The only intelligent choice 🫡

[@willbelasco]

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]

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

[@braveladder1682]

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]

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.

[@pervertt]

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]

This 💯

[@snakehandler87]

Excellent car

[@sleepyhollow783]

Top Gear was/is wrong. Plain wrong.

[@tonybrown6775]

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

[@MissingLinkGTRS]

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

[@IsaacLoven]

But the Lexus would run 3x longer than the G6

[@tbamagic]

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

[@Gabe_Pictures]

Request: Hyundai Tiburon

[@MarkGelderland]

Always liked the SC 430

[@12345.......]

I forgot how unwatchable top gear was

[@Where_is_Waldo]

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

[@dewarkhodern9990]

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

[@Where_is_Waldo]

@@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.

[@bliglum]

I legit lost all respect for Clarkson and Top Gear when they named the SC 430 as "The Worst Car Ever". Sure, it fell short of it's goal in many ways. But it was still a quality, well built, reliable car!

[@jpm1544]

Neighbor has a very clean mid 00s Thunderbird - Clarkson simps hate on it bc Clarkson did (ain't supposed to be a canyon carver, y'all) RWD V8 2 seat Drop top for regular ppl money and it's "worst ever" ok

[@bananas8779]

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

[@saabstory69420]

Really? Where?

[@manthony225]

I'd love to have an SC430. And I've always hated Top Gear.

[@siphotos3282]

To the funny thing is is there a far worse cars in this for the money this car really wasn’t that bad for the money at all

[@davidlittle4971]

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

[@MissingLinkGTRS]

I actually like the SC430 tho

[@skbuydens7717]

The Lexus is a good car. The Jaguar although fun to drive is a piece of junk.

[@wadeguidry6675]

I think they look cool.

[@makpack]

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

[@laowhy86]

Fascinating breakdown. Great channel.

[@malcolmnicholls2893]

Actually a good car. 25 second roof folding - so what?

[@Gazzitas]

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

[@tbamagic]

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.

[@bam_henry]

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]

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

[@negativeindustrial]

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.

[@ruzzelladrian907]

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

[@tbamagic]

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

[@christopherlastname7638]

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

[@signalfire6691]

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

[@BlastinRope]

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

[@KaiPonte]

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

[@halfemptyfox]

I think the SC430 is absolutely beautiful, and I love that it's more about luxury than the sports, so uhhhhh.....

[@aerocabin]

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.

[@alpaljl]

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

[@ottovonbismarck7094]

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

[@grabir01]

Great car!! Wish I had one.

[@mattheweburns]

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

[@OllamhDrab]

Beastly heavy, though.

[@Maplecook]

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.

[@S-T-E-V-E]

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!

[@user-hn5ft5jg2m]

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

[@alpaljl]

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

[@javigar133]

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

[@MyGuyJustinH]

I really loved the Lexus SC 430

[@thumperjdm]

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

[@tbamagic]

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

[@robertocastellanos9140]

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

[@ophirmayer1]

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

[@speedcrane]

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

[@hailstorm1986]

The 1988-1992 Pontiac LeMans was the worst car ever..

[@JK061996]

The SC 430 was also featured in Mean Girls

[@TheJetJONES]

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... 🤔

[@Wild1KY]

I will take ur “worst car” & pass ur BMW & Mercedes in the shop! This car manufacturer is for those with an IQ above 110

[@jaimerioux1214]

I saw a Lexus SC430 yesterday.

[@thecianinator]

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]

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

[@vaccinatedanti-vaxxer]

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

[@davinp]

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

[@toddaulner5393]

Been in one, it was really nice!

[@tbamagic]

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

[@EdgyNumber1]

One of motoring's best kept secrets.

[@MacGregor.]

They are still nice to see. Never cared about the British point of view. Although Being a detroiter. Detroit union carpenter. Good design transcends borders.

[@gregdelarosa]

nice car

[@kennethrosario6706]

Sc was a great car

[@jaymorris3468]

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

[@TheBishop12]

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

[@TsukinoseRiho]

Bruh, I like use this car on Midnight Club 3 also Gran Turismo

[@paulhansen7667]

I still want one.

[@kennethswain6313]

Was the top the biggest drawback to the SC? How was it mechanically? Lexus has always had a great reputation for reliability

[@thecianinator]

I've never heard of a Lexus hardtop malfunctioning. I test drove the SC430 and ultimately bought an IS350C a couple years ago, that holding roof hasn't given me any trouble either.

[@chrismaina1830]

Very bloody reliable

[@danielchristopherdc]

Super reliable

[@4MATICbenz]

I never truly understood the hate that was heeped on this car from the automotive press. It's mission was to be a luxurious grand tourer for the wealthy West Palm Beach retiree set; a mission it nailed very well. I never understood the styling critiques, either. The one thing about this car that was pathetic and worthy of shame was that utterly useless rear seat. I'll side with the reviewers on that one.

[@danielchristopherdc]

Rear seat was only put in for cheaper insurance

[@anthony_rivera4735]

Please do a video on the Ford Explorer sport trac pickup

[@Eddie-yc5yd]

The Lexus by far has the best reliability of any hardtops.

[@fuglyJEW]

Those rear seats are hilarious :D

[@martymiller4300]

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]

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

[@litesaber54yi3]

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

[@Val-mm5gd]

Ron Jeramy should stick to fish and chips

[@mattheweburns]

Bulbous look? How about the new beetle or Audi TT?

[@LOS41510]

Stop!!! The Toyota Soarer began life in 1980 as a coupe alternative to its chassis & mechanical twin, Toyota Supra. It also came in a 4 door which we all know as the Cressida here in the states

[@tabryis]

To call the supra it's mehanical twin is awfully charitable

[@tommycreamer2001]

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

[@lordmaul3]

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.

[@Hargan]

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

[@Hargan]

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

[@jasonlax2102]

The rear seats were made for insurance purp

[@padroooo]

I just saw a silver one yesterday.

[@datsunmadman]

I want one for hwy cruises

[@Rembrandt18]

It's wild to keep calling that the worse car in the world

[@redneon06]

Kia Sephia or Yugo wasn’t the worst car?