2007 Lexus SC430 test drive

When the handsome Lexus SC430 made its debut in 2002, its retractable hardtop made it a novelty; most convertibles used traditional soft-tops. But several automakers have since joined the retractable-hardtop revolution, most in the last year or two. So how is Lexus' grand dame of the folding-tin-top set holding up against its newer rivals? My wife Robin and I took the 2007 Lexus SC430 on a 1,500 mile road trip to find out. $66,150 base, $66,590 as tested. EPA fuel economy estimates 19 MPG city/25 MPG highway.

Little about the Lexus SC430 has changed in the three years since I last tested one, let alone in the five years since it was introduced. Not that I blame Lexus -- they pretty much got it right the first time, so why make changes? A 2006 refresh brought refinements to the styling, with the most noticeable change being new taillights with LED bulbs (link goes to photo). The subtle beauty of the SC430's shape remains mercifully unaltered, for which I am grateful -- I am a big fan of the SC430's graceful lines, and I think it looks great top up or top down. And while the Lexus badge definitely earns respect, the car manages not to look overly pretentious. Like a fine piece of furniture, it just fits in.

Along with last year's facelift, the SC430 received some tweaks under the hood: Its five-speed automatic was replaced by a six-speed, and the engine was detuned slightly from 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque down to 288 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. There's no noticeable difference in acceleration, but EPA fuel economy estimates improved slightly; the SC430 requires premium fuel, so every little bit helps.

Top operation is, naturally, fully automatic; there are no latches to twist or tonneau covers to fit. The SC's occupants need only touch a single button, and within 25 seconds the SC430 makes the transformation from metal-roof coupe to open-air convertible (or vice-versa).

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My test car's interior was everything I expect from a luxury car cabin -- except for the color. Whose idea was it to order black leather seats in a convertible? Parking the car for more than five minutes with the top down led to seared backsides when we got back in. And every time our suntan-lotion-laden hands, arms and shoulders came into contact with the leather, they left unsightly white spots (which, lucky for my reputation at Lexus, cleaned up easily). The available tan interior is a much better choice for top-down motoring.

Other than the color, all is bliss, thanks to thick, high-quality plastics, fabrics, carpets and cowhides. A half-cord of wood trim adorns the interior, including motorized wood panels that drop down to cover the stereo and navigation screen. The dual-zone climate control system uses buttons rather than the dials I prefer, but big, clear labels make the system fairly easy to operate. Furthermore, climate and stereo controls are completely independent of the standard navigation system's touch screen -- yaaay! Bummer that the stereo has no input jack for an MP3 player.

Trunk space is usually a problem in retractable hardtops; the SC is no exception. A fabric cover slides into place to denote how much room is devoted to the roof. The leftover space is small and oddly shaped. Optional run-flat tires ($400) eliminate the need for a spare tire which frees up lots of trunk room. If you plan on road-tripping in your SC, you'll want this option.

Under the hood is the same 4.3 liter V8 that has powered the SC430 since its outset. Even with last year's slight drop in power, the engine has plenty of scoot for passing and is reasonably economical for a V8; we averaged around 25 MPG on the open road and low 20s in town. Though the SC430 is intended for relaxed touring, the handling has a distinctly sporting bent: The steering is pleasingly direct and when pushed the SC430 bites aggressively into the curves.

Why haven't I mentioned the SC430's back seat? Because I tried sitting in it, and I'm doing my best to block out the memories. The back seat -- and I use that term loosely -- isn't even suitable for small children. The backrest is vertical and there's virtually no legroom, even with the front seats adjusted for a short driver like me. The SC430 is, for all practical purposes, a two-seater.

Now that retractable hardtops are less of a novelty, the SC430 has a hard time justifying its lofty price. The Mazda MX-5 Miata offers a retractable hardtop for less than half the cost, and considering the SC430's oddly-shaped trunk and nearly non-existent back seat, the Miata isn't really any less practical. The Volkswagen Eos offers Germanic road manners and a kid-friendly back seat. It's also overpriced, but not to the degree that the Lexus is. The two-seat Mercedes-Benz SLK230 offers just as much brand-name cachet as the Lexus; the Volvo C70 may not command the same respect but it offers plenty of luxury, four proper seats and a lower price tag.

The SC430 really is a lovely car, a wonderful vehicle to take on a romantic getaway for two (provided both pack light) and a joy to wheel about town. The only upside to its lofty price tag is the SC's exclusivity. With so many attractively-priced retractable hardtops now on the market, that's something I don't expect will change any time soon. -- Aaron Gold

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