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Long-Term Test: 2003 Lexus SC 430

Road Test

Long-Term Test: 2003 Lexus SC 430

Introduction

Published Oct 27, 2003

    2 Ratings
    It could be argued that Lexus' SC 430 is the proverbial answer to the question no one was asking. But really, what luxury carmaker worth its salt doesn't offer a luxury coupe and/or convertible as part of the lineup? Mercedes has the CLK, SLK and the pricey but delightful SL Roadster; Jaguar has the glamorous XK8 and XKR; Cadillac has the XLR; Audi has the TT and A4 Cabriolet; BMW has the 3 Series and M3 in both convertible and coupe form; and the 6 Series coupe and convertible are on the way. While certainly not luxury cars, anyone looking to spend more than $50,000 on a coupe or roadster would certainly have to throw the Corvette in just for the fun of it.

    So, there's no shortage of choices in this segment, but the SC 430 offers some features that many others don't. The V8-powered Lexus costs tens of thousands of dollars less than the Mercedes-Benz SL500 and offers much more luxury and refinement than the Corvette. Add to this Lexus' reputation for reliability and the convenience of a fold-away hardtop and we walked away from the debate with the car we thought would offer the most luxury, value and versatility in a luxury convertible.

    Locating an SC 430 wasn't all that difficult — our long-term Infiniti G35 Coupe was a bit harder to find as it is more in demand. We bought our Lexus from nearby Lexus of Santa Monica and found the experience to be pleasant and would gladly return should we require another Lexus. Being a luxury car, the SC 430 comes nicely equipped with such features as 18-inch wheels, ABS, 10-way power seats (both driver and passenger), ultrasoft leather upholstery, gorgeous wood trim and dual-zone climate control with air filtration and a nine-speaker, 240-watt Mark Levinson stereo. As a result, the options list is very short and is augmented by an equally brief list of dealer-installed options. Optional equipment on our tester consists of run-flat tires, a rear spoiler, cargo net, trunk mat and wheel locks. We did not opt for the Lexus version of OnStar called Lexus Link which would have added $1,100 to the final price.

    As expected, the first month with our SC was a trouble-free experience and we found that the topless feature was used more than we anticipated due to the ultimate ease of putting the hardtop up and down. With just the touch of a button, the roof quickly and quietly raises or lowers with no inconvenience to the driver. Well, almost no inconvenience. While it's true the top moves up or down without the driver having to get out of his/her seat, you do have to make certain the trunk is reasonably empty. When the hardtop stows itself, it uses precious trunk space to do so. If anything large or bulky is already in the trunk when putting the top down, it is at risk of being crushed. With the top down, the remaining trunk space is very limited and borders on Mazda Miata-like dimensions. On the other hand, this quote from the logbook shows that all hope is not lost when looking for storage areas: "Storage space in the glovebox and center console are fairly sizable."

    A V8 is a must in the premium sports car segment and the SC 430 doesn't disappoint. The 300-hp, 4.3-liter engine is the same motor that powers the larger LS 430 and GS 430 sedans, though the LS 430 offers 10 fewer ponies. While not up to the hang-on-for-dear-life standard set by cars like the Mercedes SL and Chevy Corvette, the Lexus provides more than enough power and delivers it in a wonderfully smooth and unobtrusive manner. Handling is mildly sporty, but clearly the SC 430 is biased more toward comfort than razor's edge handling. Body roll is noticeable, but this month's editor expects that most luxury car buyers will find the balance between luxury and sport to be perfect. The run-flat tires make for an extra bit of firmness in the ride, especially over potholes, expansion joints and rough pavement.

    Traveling with the hardtop up, one is hard-pressed to find any evidence that this is a convertible. The ride is quiet with virtually no wind or road noise making its way into the cabin. Surprisingly, the interior is also reasonably quiet with the top down. The terrific Mark Levinson stereo can still be enjoyed even when the SC is configured for open-air touring. The only thing that makes the top-down experience less than enjoyable is the noise generated by heavy traffic — but if there's an open road, this car is a great weekend tourer.

    One of the real draws for a car like this is the luxurious interior. Everything is covered in wood and leather and, in typical Lexus fashion, the interior materials are high-quality in both look and feel. Our tester has a black-on-black color scheme and it gives both the interior and exterior a sportier and somewhat more masculine look.

    The front seats are comfortable and supportive, but the backseats are mostly for show. One of our staffers commented, "The rear seat is better described as a storage shelf for small packages. However, with the passenger seat moved up quite a bit, I was able to get my son and his required car seat back there."

    While most controls are well placed and easy to operate, we did find the fuel door and power trunk releases hard to get to as they are located on the lower left side under the parking brake release. Additionally, the memory seat presets are positioned on the driver door in such a manner that some drivers bump them when exiting the vehicle, which can cause the seat to move forward depending on how the presets are set.

    For the most part, the new Lexus has garnered only praise. After a long weekend spent with it, one editor made this logbook entry: "My initial reaction is that the car is fabulous. I've already gotten more use out of the convertible top than I ever expected. The ride is very smooth and comfortable, and the interior is very luxurious. The stereo system is very high-quality and can be enjoyed even with the top down." Much praise focused on the ease of use for the convertible. "The SC 430 is really a great car as a hardtop on a convertible. The transition from one to the other is easy and convenient."

    While some find the SC 430's handling to be short of what a sporty car should offer, others are pleased with its performance. From the logbook: "The SC 430 has been criticized for its ride quality, but my experience is that the ride is comfortable and smooth." Already "smooth" seems to be the word of the day when it comes to describing the SC's on-road characteristics.

    So this is clearly the honeymoon phase of our Lexus long-termer; luckily we'll have it for a while to see how it stacks up when pressed into use for everyday commuting, weekend trips and occasionally as a hauler for very small families. Something tells us that the limited top-down trunk space is going to get really old. Still, our early complaints are few and we can't wait to get in a few top-down road trips before the weather turns cool.

    Current Odometer: 1,465
    Best Fuel Economy: 19.0 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 17.1 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 18.2 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    March 2004

    In this month's update, we will focus on the SC 430's ability to survive and thrive in the demanding luxury coupe market. The foundation of the SC 430 is that of a luxury coupe, and at the end of the day, even in Southern California where the sun is shining most of the time, the vehicle has to stack up in a very competitive price bracket where well-to-do buyers have plenty of choices.

    The luxury experience with the Lexus SC 430 begins the moment you open the driver-side door. While the vehicle has a rather low profile, it is relatively easy to slide into the finely stitched leather seat. The 10-way power-adjustable driver seat (and passenger seat as well) molds around the driver to create a very comfortable driving position. One editor wrote in the logbook, "I'm not the trimmest guy in the world and the SC 430's driver seat is still very comfortable for me. Additionally, the numerous power seat adjustments allowed me to get the seat in a position that was comfortable for the numerous stops and starts associated with a Southern California commute. I only used the heated seat feature once, to take the edge off a somewhat damp and cool morning, but I'm sure this feature is more critical in colder climates."

    The lower lumbar seat adjustment also came in handy as our editor noted, "After a long day at the office, my posture seemed to change and the lumbar adjustment allowed me to get myself in a comfortable, well-supported driving position."

    Once comfortably seated, the luxury experience in the SC 430 cockpit continues. The wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel has a clean, upscale appearance and feel to it, and it integrates well with the wood trim on the doors, shift knob and center console. The instrument panel in front of the driver is not overly flashy (no flashing lights or unnecessary bells and whistles) and has three distinct and symmetrical binnacles — speedometer, tachometer and fuel and temp gauges (combined). The center console is a well-executed combination of wood and stainless steel and, like the gauges, is simply and efficiently designed.

    Our editor took note of the hideaway features approach used for the navigation, cupholder and front power point. "Oftentimes as technology advances and we want more and more features available as we drive, the interior cabin can get cluttered with distracting navigation systems, overflowing cupholders and numerous accessory cords," he observed. "The SC 430 does an excellent job of making these features available, but keeps them integrated into a very upscale design until they are needed. Then, with the touch of a finger, they appear and disappear as required."

    Our editor tried to capture the essence of the overall interior feel of the Lexus by saying, "The cockpit can best be described as form-fitting, not small or cramped like one might anticipate when looking at the vehicle from the outside. It reminds me of a comfortable pair of leather gloves."

    The final component in the SC 430's luxury experience is its premium-grade Mark Levinson stereo. The nine speakers and in-dash six-disc CD changer produce an excellent sound experience regardless of your taste in music. As with the items described earlier, the audio display unit in the console is elegant and very simply designed. Our editor wrote, "There is no mystery to the features or control layout of the Levinson audio unit. It is well marked for ease of use and truly puts out some incredible sound. The fully encompassing sound wraps around you and makes the cabin feel like a small sound stage."

    Thus far, we have been fairly complimentary of the SC 430, but it's not without a few drawbacks. The backseat is virtually unusable for anything other than a small bag or package. With the front seats set in a comfortable driving position, the rear legroom is completely gone, and if the front seats are reclined even just a little bit, the rear-seat space disappears altogether. Our editor reports, "The cockpit is truly comfortable, but the SC 430 should basically be considered a two-passenger vehicle."

    The other interior element that was a bit of a problem was the seatbelt harnesses for the front seats. They are anchored too far back in the cabin and can be difficult to reach and pull forward. As our editor wrote, "In the driver seat, I was completely unable to reach the harness with my left hand and reaching completely across my body with my right hand was difficult if I was wearing a jacket of any type."

    So, as we weighed all the positives and the few negatives, it seems the SC 430 has passed its first test — providing the type of experience we believe most folks expect from a luxury coupe.

    Current Odometer: 5,032
    Best Fuel Economy: 17.2 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 14.9 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.8 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    June 2004

    Our last write-up on the SC 430 focused on the vehicle's attributes and worthiness as a luxury coupe in a very competitive segment. We've since had the chance to put the SC 430 through its paces as an open roadster and test this convertible's "hardtop" design.

    It may sound a bit unusual, but we felt it was important to start by rating the appearance of the SC 430 as a convertible with the top up. Most convertibles, in their effort to appeal to our sense of freedom, are designed to look their best when the top is down. Their sleek lines and open cockpits are molded to catch our eye and appeal to our youthful desire to jump into the vehicle and cruise off along the beach. However, no matter where you live or how often you get to enjoy the car with the top down, the fact remains that most of us use our vehicles for everyday transportation. Consequently, we drive with the top raised for a significant amount of the time. While many convertibles fall short in this area, with lumpy, unmatched roof lines, the Lexus SC 430, because of its retracting hardtop design, sacrifices nothing in appearance when the top is up. Our black SC 430 has a sleek and low profile that looks great with the top up and turns as many heads as a coupe as it does as a convertible. Our editor summed it up by saying, "It really didn't matter if I was planning to drive the SC 430 with the top up or down, because the car truly looks great either way. There are absolutely no appearance sacrifices when the top is up."

    Now that we have reviewed the vehicle's appearance with the top up, it's time to jump in and determine if the operation of the retracting hardtop is as easy as Lexus makes it appear in its commercials. Turns out, it is. Lowering the roof was a very easy two-step process that took a total of about 10 seconds. Our editor described his experience as follows, "It had been a while since I had driven a convertible, so it almost seemed too easy. The first step was to make sure the top storage compartment in the trunk of the vehicle was pulled out and latched in place (this prevents the top from being put down and potentially crushing items in the trunk). The second and only other step was to press and hold the button on the center console. It is truly a one-touch operation, as you hold the 'open' button down until the top is fully retracted and enclosed in the trunk and the button stops flashing. No latches or clamps to release. Within a few seconds the top is quickly, quietly and efficiently folded into the trunk."

    Putting the top back up is equally as easy (and greatly appreciated given that a sudden weather change can dampen the convertible experience) and can be done quickly with one touch of the same button on the center dash. The simple-to-operate retracting hardtop is truly the foundation of the convertible experience provided by the SC 430. You can switch from stylish hardtop to sexy convertible with the simple push of a button. Our editor wrote in his notes, "I let my 16-year-old daughter operate the retracting top with a 30-second explanation, and she fell quickly in love with the SC 430's ability to morph from coupe to convertible at the push of a button."

    As we expected, the al fresco version of the Lexus offered all of the same satisfying driving characteristics as the coupe version. Yet, sunlight seems to accentuate the fine appointments and quality workmanship of the cabin. The finely crafted leather and the polished wood inlays provide a very upscale look and feel from inside the cockpit. Our editor commented, "Even with the top down, the cockpit of the SC 430 feels almost form-fitted. I felt at one with the car."

    The Lexus also maintains its solid ride and handling characteristics with the top down. "The convertible ride is extremely consistent with the luxury feel that the SC 430 delivers as a coupe with the top up," our editor noted. "The smooth and powerful acceleration combined with the solid handling make a trip along the coast with the top down a true pleasure. In addition, the cabin remains relatively quiet with the top down, as there is very little wind or road noise. In light traffic, the Mark Levinson audio system comes through loud and clear, adding to the pleasure of enjoying the open sky."

    Still, there are a few drawbacks to the SC 430. The backseat remains virtually unusable as anything other than a shelf to store small packages. In an attempt to expose his three-year-old son to his first experience in a convertible, our editor strapped a child safety seat behind the front-passenger seat, and while it did fit, it rendered that front seat virtually unusable. Our writer noted, "Bottom line, the Lexus SC 430 is a great two-passenger vehicle. When I added the child seat, I lost the use of the front-passenger seat, limiting the joy of this open car to me and my son."

    In addition to that limited space in the backseat, the storage of the convertible top takes up about 75 percent of the usable space in the trunk. From the logbook: "With the top down, I could get my two bags (gym bag and briefcase) into the available trunk space or my golf bags and clubs on the weekend, but that was about it." Cargo space is not a strong point for the SC 430 when in coupe form, and it becomes even more limited when the top is occupying a large portion of the trunk.

    Overall, though, we believe the ease of use of the retracting hardtop, the luxury interior appointments and the smooth, secure top-down ride make the SC 430 a fantastic two-passenger convertible. Virtually no competitor can match its combination of power and amenities in this price range. We look forward to continued enjoyment of the SC 430 in convertible form.

    Current Odometer: 6,895
    Best Fuel Economy: 17.8 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 15.1 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.9 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    September 2004

    If you have been following our articles on the Lexus SC 430, you know that we have been challenging this drop top to stand up to the test of being both a "world-class" coupe and convertible. So far we've found the SC's level of luxury more than satisfying, as it has proven to be a truly enjoyable experience in both coupe and convertible form. The 4.3-liter, V8 engine provides consistently smooth and powerful performance in virtually any driving situation. The only negative comments voiced so far have been directed at its occasionally harsh ride, a concern we attribute mostly to its low-profile, run-flat tires.

    Plenty of warm California sunshine this summer gave us ample time to enjoy the top-down version of our SC 430. The "one-button" coupe to convertible transition is extremely easy and efficient and can be completed in about 15 seconds from the driver or passenger seat — provided you don't have anything bulky stowed in the trunk. As one driver wrote, "I hopped into the car at about 5:30 after work and with the quick push of a button had the hard top stored away and was out enjoying a beautiful late summer afternoon."

    Although convertibles are associated with a hedonistic lifestyle, we found the SC surprisingly practical. From the logbook: "I had a number of errands to run over the weekend, but the weather was beautiful and the SC 430 allowed me to enjoy the great temperatures while I was driving from point to point. Whenever I stopped, I merely closed it up with one switch and all was secure inside."

    The only negative comments about the Lexus as a convertible have been focused on the limited storage and cargo space when the top is down. "The usable storage space in the trunk is very limited when the top is down. A golf bag or a couple sacks of groceries are about all the SC 430 can handle. Of course, if hauling things around was my primary mission, I guess I'd be driving an SUV."

    After rolling up the miles all summer, it was time to take the SC in for a service visit. We called the nearest Lexus dealership and were somewhat surprised to get a hold of a live human being on the other end of the phone. After making appointments for various cars in the fleet, we've grown accustomed to the automated call systems of most dealerships in the area. Needless to say, we were pleased to get an operator right off the bat and we promptly scheduled a visit the next day.

    We arrived at the dealership early the next morning for our 8 a.m. appointment and found a crowded service write-up area restricted by the small size of the dealership. To Lexus of Santa Monica's credit, the staff appeared very prepared to deal with the traffic flow and had a number of service writers positioned to meet each customer. We were greeted by Oscar, our service advisor, and an additional gentleman who took our vehicle as Oscar showed us into the write-up area. To our pleasant surprise, all the paperwork had been prepared ahead of time, and we only had to spend a few moments discussing the 5,000-mile service process.

    We already had an idea of what it entailed as we had looked it up beforehand in the Edmunds.com maintenance calculator. Oftentimes, this level of preparedness causes some nervousness on the part of the service writer, but Oscar didn't try to sell us extra services and the entire write-up process was done in no time. Oscar asked when the vehicle was needed back, and we told him anytime that day would be fine. He committed to have the service done by noon which, by the looks of the service drive when we arrived, seemed overly optimistic. Sure enough, we received a call from the dealership at about 11:15 a.m. that the service was complete. We even received a second follow-up call at 11:45 to confirm that we knew the vehicle was done and ready for pickup. Certainly, our experience to this point had been very positive, but the best was yet to come. Upon picking up the vehicle we were informed that the dealership policy was that the first scheduled maintenance was free — a $130 value, excluding tax — and that the staff had hand-washed the vehicle on the inside and out.

    So while taking your vehicle in for a scheduled maintenance can be like going to the dentist, this visit was quite painless and demonstrated that Lexus of Santa Monica scores well when it comes to supporting the world-class Lexus lineup with first-class service.

    Current Odometer: 8,235
    Best Fuel Economy: 18.2 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 14.9 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.8 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    December 2004

    As we enter the winter season, our opportunities to take advantage of the "one-touch" convertible top of the SC 430 are greatly reduced. With no more early evening cruises along the ocean to enjoy, many might assume our Lexus would lose much of its appeal. So with the hard top locked down firmly in place, this month's article will scrutinize the SC 430 as an everyday luxury coupe.

    While from the outside the cockpit might appear cramped, once seated within, it becomes quickly apparent that the space is more "form fitted" than confined. One editor, who comes in at nearly 6 feet and over 200 pounds, was quoted as saying, "I'm not the sleekest guy in the world and I had no trouble getting in and finding a comfortable driving position." Of course, the backseat is another matter and is best used as a parcel shelf.

    Adding to the enjoyment of our long-termer are the generous luxury appointments, such as the wood-and-leather-wrapped steering wheel with its integrated audio controls and the stunning Mark Levinson stereo system with nine speakers and in-dash six-disc CD changer.

    As the ML stereo has long been a staff favorite, the logbook was filled with praise for the audio system. "The Mark Levinson stereo system produces unbelievable sound quality that richly fills the cabin. It makes listening to your favorite music or the big football game a real pleasure, and the controls are well marked and simple to figure out."

    We are also impressed with how Lexus is able to fit all the high-end luxury features into this car without having a confusing and cluttered control panel. From the logbook: "With luxury cars, we are oftentimes hit with sensory overload or extreme clutter, but Lexus has done a top-notch job of balancing functional luxury and space. And the hide-away features keep the cabin appearance clean and elegant."

    Another impressive quality of our Lexus is the refined yet potent powertrain. Punch the gas and the SC 430 accelerates rapidly and smoothly, whether from a stop or when jetting onto the freeway. With such effortless power, you need to keep an eye on your speed as one staffer remarked, "I often found myself on an open freeway looking down and seeing 80 mph."

    While the run-flat tires can present a somewhat bumpy ride over rough road surfaces, the SC 430 always feels in touch with the road, and overall the ride is pleasant.

    One final attribute keeps coming across loud and clear, the Lexus' top-notch build quality and everyday reliability. As we approach the 12,000-mile mark, we have not had a single mechanical, cosmetic or operational defect with this vehicle, and the SC 430 continues to give us a well-crafted feel of comfort, luxury and solid performance every time we drive it.

    Current Odometer: 10,934
    Best Fuel Economy: 17.6 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 15.1 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.8 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    March 2005

    Style, luxury and versatility are certainly all characteristics we would use to describe our Lexus SC 430 experience, however, in the vehicle ownership cycle there comes a time when maintaining the product and dealership service experience must live up to the enjoyment of driving the vehicle. We've had our Lexus for a little over one year, so it was time to make sure we had the recommended maintenance done.

    The service experience essentially has three components that affect an owner's satisfaction: the care provided for their vehicle, the treatment at the dealership and cost. Generally, the first phase of the maintenance experience starts with calling the dealership's service department and making an appointment. The result of this interaction goes a long way to setting satisfaction levels with the experience. For example, if your call is handled promptly, you're going to initially be satisfied, as opposed to being on hold for a long time or wading through multiple voice prompts, which is bound to leave you aggravated.

    When our editor first contacted the dealership, he was greeted by an automated call system and ultimately found his way to the service department. The woman who greeted him was pleasant and asked about the nature of the call. After a brief discussion about the one-year maintenance schedule, our editor chose a 7 a.m. appointment that was described as the "first of the morning" and the best case for "getting in and out quickly." An appointment was scheduled for the following morning and we felt pretty good about things thus far.

    Upon arriving at the dealership at about 6:50 a.m. our editor was surprised to see a long line of vehicles and no one from the dealership available yet. After waiting for about 10 minutes with the congestion only getting worse, our staffer decided it was better to pack up and reschedule for another day.

    A second call to the dealership lead to a direct discussion with a service advisor (Daniel) and after explaining our initial experience, Daniel scheduled an 8:30 a.m. appointment to avoid the 7 a.m. rush. Upon arriving at 8:30 a.m. our editor was pleasantly surprised to see an open service drive and Daniel waiting to do the maintenance write-up. The process was orderly and professional and took only a relatively short period of time to discuss the service and get an estimated price, $395.

    Because the price seemed relatively high (even for Los Angeles) our editor asked for a detailed explanation. Daniel explained that the one-year maintenance involved an engine oil and filter change, tire rotation, air filter diagnosis, transmission and differential fluid replacement, as well as an inspection of the brakes, tires, battery, belts, hoses and parking brake.

    Although it still struck us as expensive our editor begrudgingly approved the estimate and was off to work. It should be noted that a rental car and a shuttle service were offered, but because the dealership is very close to the office our editor chose to walk. We were promised that the car would be done by 12 noon and received a call at 11:45 that the service was complete and the car was ready for pickup. Upon our arrival, the dealership had the car washed and ready and the final tally on the bill was $423.53.

    Reviewing the maintenance schedule in the owner's manual, we discovered that a couple of items on the bill were things that Lexus does not require at this mileage, such as the transmission and differential fluid change. And there was also the typical small stuff that adds profit for the service department, such as brake and fuel injection cleaner. Tallying up the parts and labor for these items, it became evident that we probably would've saved $100 or so if we knew this beforehand. We've run into this before with our long-termers when we brought them in for service, and have usually avoided this extraneous expense by stating what we wanted done (after reviewing the owner's manual), rather than letting the service advisor "advise" us.

    So, in evaluating our Lexus' scheduled maintenance experience, we would give it a "C+" grade overall. The initial annoyance involved in our first visit to the dealership as well as the high price of the work performed showed us there's some room for improvement in Lexus' "relentless pursuit of perfection."

    Current Odometer: 12,895
    Best Fuel Economy: 18.5 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 15.2 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 16.0 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: $423.53
    Problems: None

    Road Test

    June 2005

    If you have been following our updates on our long-term Lexus SC 430, you understand that we believe Lexus has seriously challenged the concept of the soft-top convertible. This combination luxury coupe/hardtop convertible provides a wonderful balance of luxury coupe comfort and performance with a "one-touch" convertible experience that is unmatched by any other vehicle in its price range. However, as is often the case with things that seem almost too good to be true, there are trade-offs required when you embrace the SC 430. This month's article will deal with one of the primary decisions you face in equipping a Lexus SC 430 for the road.

    Before we jump into the meat of this discussion, we should set up the restrictions that make this choice one for careful consideration. Unquestionably, trunk space, and storage space in general, in the SC 430 is at a premium. Now we know this car wasn't designed to provide SUV-like cargo capacity, but virtually all of the storage space provided in the trunk area is consumed by a briefcase and a gym bag, or a few bags of groceries, or a golf bag. So you get the picture, not a lot of room for your stuff.

    Now, to the subject of our article, the run-flat tires on our SC 430. Because the SC 430 in our fleet was equipped with run-flat tires, we were able to maximize available storage space. No spare tire storage (temporary or full-size) is required and our editors get the added peace of mind that if they should "get a flat" they can count on the run-flat tire to get them to a facility to get the tire repaired. So, that's the good news — no reduction in the already limited trunk space by the need for a spare tire, and relative "peace of mind" that if something happens to one of the tires the run-flat option will get you safely to an appropriate location for repair.

    Now, the trade-off. The run-flat technology is based on an extremely rigid sidewall construction that allows the tire to run without air in it but also makes for a stiffer ride due to the lack of cushioning effect that a normal tire provides. The result is a very rough ride that directly transmits even the slightest road irregularity directly to the cabin. One of our editors described the ride as follows: "The ride on the optional run-flat tires is downright harsh. Small potholes and minor bumps in the road are extremely jarring, regardless of the tire pressure. After cruising over one of these road hazards at a relatively low speed, you involuntarily glance down at the tire-pressure warning light to make sure you haven't bent your rim and/or broken the bead."

    In order to validate our concern over the rough ride provided by the run-flat tires, we did a bit of research and checked out several forums and found that a large number of owners were taking their chances with regular non-run-flat tires. In fact, two employees of Edmunds.com who owned SC 430s changed out the tires. One employee reported, "Many Lexus SC 430 owners had recommended Michelin Pilot Sport A/Ss or PS2s, but I opted for the much less expensive Pirelli PZero Neros. And, boy, was I glad I did! The ride is now exactly what you would expect from a sporty luxury convertible — firm, yet still compliant. The difference is almost night and day. Gone are the squirrelly 'tracking' behavior and the jolts that were transmitted through the steering wheel. Of course, without a spare, you'd better make sure that your AAA membership is paid up, but you'll be glad you made the switch."

    So the choice is clear: Added safety and peace of mind? Or the ride comfort of a true luxury coupe? The votes are in and the owners have spoken…you can't beat a comfortable ride in a stylish luxury coupe.

    Current Odometer: 14,549
    Best Fuel Economy: 18.3 mpg
    Worst Fuel Economy: 15.4 mpg
    Average Fuel Economy (over the life of the vehicle): 15.9 mpg
    Body Repair Costs: None
    Maintenance Costs: None
    Problems: None

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