Well some of you may know I have a 2nd GEN GS and I am slowly parting out my car.. I am torn between the 06 GS430 and 06 SC430.. I never owned a convertible before and am leaning toward the SC.. Though both cars when modded correctly is PURE sickness. The colors I would get the GS430 is Black Onlyx with Cashmere Interior and for the SC430, the Black Onyx with Saddle or Ecru Interior.. I would like to here your thoughts on these 2 cars.. I know its different cars but I just can't decide..

For me here is the pro's and con's

2006 GS430
Pro's
1) I've seen the 3rd Gen hooked up and its pure sickness..
2) I have no problems with my 2nd Gen so I have nothing to worry about..
3) 6 speed tranny, new nav, more nice little features
Con's
1) Getting tired of 4 door cars.. Too much time to clean and wax etc..
2) Doesn't hold as much "prestige" as the SC?

2006 SC430
Pro's
1) I don't see too many on the road, plus I never seen any modded SC's...
2) Elegant interior(the best for lexus imo)
3) Hardtop convertible for the summer.. That is a totally new experience for me.
4) The 06's have 6 speed tranny.

Con's
1) A good deal more money
2) Trunk space. Yet I don't hold too many things but if I need to it might be a problem
3) Supposely a 4 seater but anyone sits back there will need to amputate their legs from lack of circulation.


Btw, its not like I am buying a pair of socks, its a big investment for me.

 

I know where you are at right now as I've been going thru the same questions over the past year. With me however I added the LS430 into the mix and I'm looking at '02's as opposed to '06's (lucky you) Both the LS and GS are awsome cars but I've decided on the SC because I've never owned a coupe. I've always loved convertibles especially the W208 MB CLK. With Lexus having a hardtop it made it that much easier.

The new GS is amazing. Initially I wasn't loving the new exterior design but it has grown on me over the past year. The interior is LEXUS as always. The SC430 is the best value in a convertible (hard or soft top). I just love the option and attention of roofless driving. Space is nice and the 2+2 could be better but oh well. So the SC is my pick but you can't go wrong with either. Go drive both and then ask yourself how you feel then. Good Luck.

By the way Bllack will look sick on either car (getthesc430youwilloveit)

 

well, here's what i think

- forget about the trunk space if you get the sc430. i mean, if you get that car, you know ahead of time you need something else when you need the trunk. if we don't already have the gs400, we wouldn't get the sc430
- if you want the gs, get the gs460 this fall (if it comes out). there is absolutely NO reason to get the gs430 at all, with an engine that's been around for so long, knowing that the new engine will come soon for the same body
- price wise, the market price of gs430 is around 54k? the sc430 is around 60k i assume. that's not that much of a difference i would say (considering what you are getting)
- down the road, no matter what, the sc430 is going be a lot rarer and more eye catching than the gs430 for sure. the car has been out since 02, but now when i drive my modded sc430, people still stares
- if you are 'tired" of 4 door, the sc430 is going to blow you away as a coupe, with the superb convertible feature
- forget about the 2 seats in the back of the sc430. unless it's about the insurance rate of the car, i don't even call my sc430 2+2
- the aftermarket support for the gs is going to be far better than the sc430 though. keep in mind, the sc430 market almost saturate already, i don't expect much new stuff to come out, and the current choices aren't spectacular neither. the gs430 has GREAT future and i see a lot of stuff coming out

so my bottom line? if you are strictly asking gs430 or sc430, i would choose sc430 without a second thought. but if you want more driving spirit and can wait for the gs460, now that's going to be a really tough choice

 

Modded SC430..

 

I suggest GS430.

 

Thanks guys for the quick responses...
Yes I agree that the GS has grown on me greatly after seeing the 'potential' it has when you mod it out.. In my line of work I have the opportunity to drive these cars so I know the feel for it pretty well.

You guys do make great points toward the SC... For me IMO the sc430 is not 'sporty' looking enough for me but you can MAKE IT look sporty... The price point is a 8-9k difference.. $59109 for the GS430 fully loaded and $67084 for the SC430 fully loaded.. Thats how we get it here in the east coast mainly.

 

personally i would never think of the sc430 giving me any sport spirit, it's a luxury cruiser in my eyes and will always stay that way. that's my theme of modding the car as well, making luxury and high class looking if i want a sporty coupe i would have gotten something else easy

 

If you are having such a tough time deciding between the SC430 and the GS430 ( and I agree...for you it would be a tough call as they both have RWD V8's and Lexus quality, although the SC will be a lot more fun in nice weather ) why not wait a couple of months and see how much Lexus wants for the new LS460 when they announce pricing? Unless you live in a very mild-climate area where they don't use or need salt and sand, I wouldn't recommend buying a new car in the winter anyway...especially for the kind of money these cars cost new.
Traditionally there has been little price overlap between the second-generation SC430 and the flagship LS430....both have run around 60-65K unless you bought the LS with the Ultra-Luxury package for some 11-13K extra, which puts it in the mid 70's or so.
The LS460 is an awsome car in many ways with an 8-speed transmission and an almost Maybach-class interior. If you can afford a new GS430 or SC430, the LS460, with all its new technology, may run a little more but may or may not be out of your price range...let's wait and see.
There was an enormously popular thread here on CL about its unveiling at Detroit which brought hundereds of responses from CL members. I was hoping to see it at the DC Show but Lexus instead carted both of the Detroit displays off to the Geneva show which was running concurrently. When it is available in dealerships I plan to review it.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=194927

 

I suggest buy SC430 kills Benz SL500 were overprice, BMW 650i faster any class, and new Jaugar XK not sure! My cousin had used SC430 crytal white with beige leather, SC430 sexy and classy its own!

 

waiting is not an option for you? because I am sure you know that there is going to be GS460 and it will blow GS430 away. You said that you have 2GS. So, If i were you, I would wait for the GS460. I know it's really hard to wait, because I waited for the IS350 instead of getting the 330i and I am very very happy with my decision.

 

I drove the SC430 at taste of lexus and its very disappointing, outdated. Have the feeling the SC will be redesigned soon.

Is it possible for you to wait until 07 models the GS will get the 350 engine for V6 trim and the 460 engine for V8 trim. GS330 and GS430 will be outdated once those come out, new generation engines have gigantic gains

 

SC430 will be redesigned in about 2-3 yrs perhaps but how is it outdated?? What exactly dissapointed you in the SC430?

 

I would wait for the GS460 or if there is a SC460 but from what I know the GS460 will not be coming out anytime soon... I would estimate in 1-2 years... Maybe its just the kid in me wanting a new car NOW.. ya know what I mean? Can I last that long..I don't know !

As for the LS460, I was pondering that too but its too big that it cant fit in my garage. Plus I don't want that large of a car...

 

i STRONGLY recommend you wait until this fall to make sure the gs460 doesn't come out

 

if ur planning to keep the car for no more than 3-4 years or leasing i would go with the 5-series, but i would select the GS becuz in 2-3 years i believe the sc will start its new gen while the GS will still be in its current gen till 09 or so. Why not an IS350? Seeing how you're leaning towards an SC, room factor doesnt seem to be a problem, so why not a baby GS that has the sporty factor.