Reader Review: 02 Lexus SC430 - From "Joey X" player is a tale of what it's like to own this he calls "the most ha...
From "Joey X" player is a tale of what it's like to own this he calls "the most hated sport coupe ever." -JB
worst car in the world's history. You trying to sell a car on Craigslist after that slapped across his nickname hoodie by Top Gear. The seller of my SC430 02 had the old girl enrolled for almost a year before I came in and ripped for $ 10,000 in funny money Canadian dollars (about $ 7,0 US for now). It had 129,000 miles (not kilometers!) On it at this point and a suspicious story contains not less than three previous owners
It has been a year since I -. And I give it to the world
time for a little Q & A :.
Q. The SC430 the worst car in the world
A:. nahhh
Q. Is it a car with a purpose and defined mission
A:. Yup
Q. Have you all secretly love but can not admit that you like because of the fact that it is contrary to all perceptions of modern times to be a passionate automotive
a: Abso-lutely -friggin.
Virtually every automotive journalist ranted about the alleged sins of the SC430. It was, and probably still is the scapegoat journalists / bloggers like to use as a basis of comparison for something really horrible. Oh, you drove through the minefields in Baghdad? The SC430 rides like that. At 14 days old carcass of Hippo in the Serengeti after hyena chewed it up? can not be worse than the SC430 research.
The hell with it all. You want the truth about the SC430? You can not handle the truth! The truth would mean that the original owner who paid nearly $ 70,000 in 02 for this "statement" was not so cray-cray after all, because the truth is that was the last truly honest Lexus and they do not make them like that anymore.
say this car was defective or missing performance cars compared to X, Y or Z just shows that you do not understand its original mission. Similarly, if you take aspirin in the hope of curing hair loss and you wonder why it does not work, you miss the intended use.
The SC430 is a different beast generation SC400 / SC300 previous. It was basically a Supra 400/300 (well, a Soarer anyway) with leather and a Lexus badge slapped on the front. The mission of the 430 was different. Designed for Americans in America, the 430 only desire in life was to carry more than two fat, rich Americans across highways in absolute comfort and luxury. This means that the NVH is exceptionally controlled and the seats and materials can survive for long periods without sagging or deformation.
On the occasional times that Mr. and Mrs. Murrica-RichLardo wanted to sniff the air plebeian, they could drop the top and go for a scenic tour around the country, all without a trip to the concession in advance to remove their hardtop how they needed to do with traditional convertibles. Here.
The comparison to the Miata / S0 / SL / SLK / Boxster would take away from his purity of intention. However, all members of the automotive press did. The designers of this thing were sent to France to study yachts. What did you think they would come back with? A Renaultsport Megane RS?
Of course not. They returned with a miniature yacht. Okay, it might take a little far, but Lexus never compromise on the mission. They added all the magic ingredients to make it work. A large bullet proof, V8, vibration-free? Check. independent double wishbone front and rear? Check. Hydraulic Steering? Check. Hard top convertible to keep the plebs at bay? See. strong enough soundproofing materials to block the strongest fart can Civic rolling by on the highway? Double check! The SC430 had it all, and the greatest seats before in world history, in one package.
The outside is not too bad either. Some would say it looks like an apple fondue earth, but I would disagree with that statement. I personally believe the SC430 is the last great looking cut. With the security rules that shape modern cars all look more or less the same thing, you can tell the 430 was built in a different era. The long bonnet, long trunk and long overhangs cause the cut to stretch dimensions. The proportions of the car look right to me and it does not look more dated than the rest of the 02 competition of the era. I personally think the car looks better as then cut in convertible mode. Fluid organic lines are clearly visible with the top closed. The pictures really do not do this car justice because it has much more presence up close. This is especially true with the right set of wheels.
Of course, it was not the fastest coupe flagship for the day, she was able to turn the "Nuremberg" in a magazine worthy qualifying time. To me, though, was, and still is, the most honest Lexus vehicle ever made. Looking at the new LC500 shows how they fell from their "relentless pursuit of perfection" - all the way down to just the relentless pursuit of BMW
Admit it :. You want to love the SC430. You want to drive one. You want to ride the brilliant stereo and relax in the lounge chairs and enjoy life. You do not think you can do it without having to burn all your shirts and your annual Blipshift ChumpCar permit. Sucks to be you, is all I can say. The SC430 is absolutely a passionate car. It's just for some type of passion: one who wants to enjoy driving, even when nobody is looking. Maybe especially then.
So what do you expect? approval of Jeremy Clarkson?
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