2006 LEXUS SC | JTHFN48Y569001385
2006 LEXUS SC | JTHFN48Y569001385
Lot details
Vehicle details
Vehicle specifications
1
~$65,000
Engine: 4.3L naturally aspirated V8
Torque: 417 Nm
0–100 km/h: ~6.2 s
Despite its grand tourer nature, the Lexus SC 430 offered respectable straight-line performance thanks to its smooth and torque-rich 4.3-liter V8 borrowed from the LS 430. The engine delivered linear acceleration with a refined growl, reaching 0–100 km/h in just over six seconds. It wasn't tuned for aggressive launches, but for effortless highway merging and cruising with grace and confidence.
Handling was deliberately soft, favoring comfort over precision. The double-wishbone suspension soaked up imperfections, but road feedback was filtered and steering feel remained light. Body roll was present in corners, and while stability was high, engagement was modest. The car was happiest at high-speed cruising, where its rigid chassis and wind-cheating shape made it a refined long-distance machine.
The SC 430 was never intended to challenge Porsches or AMGs. Its mission was different: blending Japanese reliability with European-inspired style and the serenity of a luxury convertible. It excelled as a serene open-top GT — a vehicle for quiet confidence, not track-day theatrics. Its uniqueness lies in its rare fusion of bold design, supreme build quality, and an uncompromising focus on cruising sophistication.
Body Styles
The SC 430 was a two-door, four-seat retractable hardtop coupe-convertible — one of the first premium cars to feature a fully automated metal roof. With the top up, it resembled a sleek and minimalist coupe with pronounced rear haunches, short overhangs, and a teardrop-shaped roofline. With the roof down, the car transformed into an elegant roadster with smooth proportions and integrated roll hoops.
Its compact dimensions emphasized elegance rather than aggression. The long hood, gently arching beltline, and cab-rearward layout echoed classic grand tourers, while the sculpted rear deck housed the folding mechanism without disrupting visual balance. Inside, space was optimized for two adults, with rear seats serving as occasional storage or luggage extensions.
Model Name Meaning (Manufacturer)
The “SC” in Lexus SC stands for “Sport Coupe,” aligning with the brand’s naming conventions that emphasize clarity and hierarchy. The SC line was positioned above the IS and GS in terms of exclusivity and luxury, bridging the gap between Lexus sedans and more expressive, lifestyle-oriented models. It was meant to represent a flagship personal coupe — refined, relaxed, and prestigious.
Body & Interior Colors and Rims
The Lexus SC 430 was offered in an upscale range of exterior colors, including sophisticated tones like Mercury Metallic, Black Onyx, Millennium Silver, Indigo Ink Pearl, and Twilight Amethyst. Special editions introduced deeper hues such as Matador Red and Flint Mica. Pearl coats and metallic finishes dominated the palette, highlighting the sculptural curves under different lighting.
Interiors were lavished with semi-aniline leather in Ivory, Saddle, Black, or Camel, complemented by real wood veneers in Bird’s Eye Maple, Walnut, and Eucalyptus. Each interior was hand-finished, with rich stitching, chromed switchgear, and a unique analog clock set into the dashboard — a signature Lexus detail. Some limited trims added two-tone leather schemes and unique badging.
Standard wheels were 17-inch multi-spoke alloys with polished or machined finishes. Later models featured redesigned five-spoke wheels with a more modern, cleaner look. Though restrained in design, the wheels contributed to the car’s timeless aesthetic and aerodynamic efficiency.
Top Expensive Options
- Mark Levinson Premium Audio System: $2,500
- Wood & Leather Steering Wheel Package: $1,800
- Navigation System with DVD Maps: $2,100
- Adaptive HID Headlamps: $1,400
- Polished 18" Chrome Alloy Wheels: $2,200
- Soft Close Trunk Lid: $900
- Custom Leather Stitching Package: $1,000
- Heated & Ventilated Front Seats: $1,200
- Pearl Coat Paint Finish (Millennium Silver): $800
- Premium Floor Mats with SC Embroidery: $400
vs Competitors
Compared to its contemporaries like the Mercedes-Benz SL500, BMW 645Ci, and Jaguar XK8, the Lexus SC 430 offered a uniquely serene alternative. While it lacked the dynamic sharpness and brand cachet of its European rivals, it outclassed them in long-term reliability, craftsmanship consistency, and day-to-day usability. The SL was more athletic, the BMW more driver-focused, and the Jaguar more charismatic — but none matched the SC's quiet composure and build quality over a decade of ownership.
The SC 430's insulation, drivetrain refinement, and cabin materials reflected Lexus’ meticulous approach to luxury. Though often critiqued for its soft handling, in its intended role as a luxurious grand tourer for relaxed top-down cruising, the SC excelled with clarity of purpose and unwavering execution. It stood as a peaceful outlier among sharper GTs — more comfortable, more discreet, and far more durable.
Fun Fact
The Lexus SC 430 served as the official pace car for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach from 2001 to 2007. While not known for racetrack prowess, its presence at such an event underscored Lexus’ effort to rebrand itself with a sportier image in the U.S. market. Ironically, it became more iconic in certain luxury lifestyle circles and pop culture — even making appearances in shows like The Sopranos — than on racing podiums, further cementing its status as a symbol of understated prestige and effortless elegance.