Merged (not closed)...odd...I am sure I saw this rendering here...

 

I believe the next SC should rival the modern CL and 6 series bring it to it's original large coupe design. Pics for proportions caparisons (long hood short trunk).



8 series fits the bill more than the old 6 series

 

Next SC needs to be beautiful and kick much butt. SC F is nearly mandatory to me.

 

I think I speak for most 1SC owners when I say I really wanted to like the 2SC. I test drove it several times and even recently looked at some CPO's. But it just doesn't have the feel of the 1SC. It was sporty and fun to drive (yes, the exhaust growl when I first test drove it in 1993 was startling. I expected the silence of the LS). The 2SC either pounded your rear (with the run-flats) or wafted like the LS, but never as fun as the 1SC.

I would really like a big, proper coupe from Lexus. I've been waiting for one for a very long time. I'm at the point of just getting the CL or maybe waiting for the rebirth of the S-class coupe from MB.

Most manufacturers know big coupes don't sell. They never really have. But the big guys have them because they are halo cars. SC's stay in the market place unchanged for a decade, so during those years, they do make back the R&D. (As an aside, there was a news article stating how the last OEM factory cassette deck was offered in the SC430).

Lexus always modeled itself after MB, not BMW. Let the future GS-C and the IS-C fill the niches below and let the SC gain an identity. It could remain a high-end coupe/convert like the SL (which really is an odd-man-out sort of. It has no sedan equivalent in MB's lineup). If it does, I really hope lexus comes out with a coupe version of the LS (sort of like the S/CL relationship). And I'll buy that.

 

Is c
gs c
SC
ls c

do it Lexus!

 

Lexus should use the older design of the 1SC to make a new model, just like Dodge and Chevy did with the Challenger and Camaro.

 

I'm not quite sure there's room for both an SC and GS coupe. Unless you go the Mercedes route where they have the SL which is a 2 seat roadster and also have the E class coupe. I'd be thrilled to have more coupe options but I think Lexus will be conservative.

 

It seems most 92-00 SC owners didn't like the 02-10 SC430. My mom was a huge fan of the first generation SC. She still has her 92 SC400 which is in flawless condition. She tried to like the SC430, but couldn't get herself to. She ended up buying a Mercedes CL550, which she is happy with. She had a friend back in 04 who sold her SC400 and got a Mercedes CLK500 because she to hated the SC430 design. Lexus needs to look back at the first generation SC and take more styling from that. The new 6 series is beautiful... take some hints from that Lexus. If the SC is brought back in the right way, it could potentially be huge for Lexus.

 

I have a '92 and I loved the SC430 up until the day I drove one. Then I was disgusted. It was to be my next car, but that changed in an instant.

They need to get it right this time.

 

This is more or less what the 2SC should have looked like:
Large sport coupe with quad headlamps and not a bathtub on wheels

 

When the SC comes back, is it going to be longer and more powerful, to compete against cars like the BMW 650i, and Mercedes CL550?

I would love for it to be large and powerful enough of a coupe to compete against those 2 classes.

Can you also imagine an SCF to compete against the M6 and CL65 AMG?!

An SCF pushin at least 450hp, real light weight, and 0-60 times between 4-4.5 seconds, will be a real contender against the likes of an M6 and CL AMG. A CL63 AMG costs $150k msrp, and the M6 msrp is $100k.

To have an SCF with an msrp of $85k-$90k, with Lexus quality and great performance, it will be a monster.

 

Good observation in regards to why many 1st gen owners don't care for the 430. Aside from it's polarizing exterior styling, many don't care for it's sedate ride. The first gen SC was deemed more sporty and had a classic coupe proportion. Had a more useful backseat and overall bigger interior dimension. The 1st gen SC which was revolutionary in many ways for it's day, had a more practical design which appealed to a broader audience. Those people may have had the financial means to acquire the newer model but are simply turned off from the newer design and its offerings.

Then of course you have many 1st gen SC owners who simply couldn't afford the newer generation and in some cases still can't. I see it right here on CL where previous generations will find reasons to hate on the newer body style up until the day they are able to buy that newer model that they disliked so much. Whether it be 2GS vs. 3GS or LS430 vs. LS460. I see it on BMW and MB forums, not to mention with friends who suddenly like the newer model once they are able to trade up. That will always exist.

I for one never had the desire to own a 1st gen SC and, as it never appealed to me. I appreciate it for the car that it is and what it meant for Lexus to create such a handsome coupe. I am of the rare bunch who was happy to see the evolution of the SC430 and all its curves and V8 only design. I know what it is and what it isn't. I'm thankful that they put what many perceive as useless rear seats, as they help in insurance costs and served me well in emergency purposes along with allowing my daughter to enjoy the ride with the top down. I don't know the final numbers for 1st gen vs 2nd gen sales but I certainly don't think it was a bust as some members have foolishly here have stated. They are indeed halo cars and were never intended to be volume cars. MB doesn't sell too many of those CL cars, as that it is not there intention or concern. Not every car is for every person and that's the beauty in having choices in life. I too am anxious to see what direction Lexus goes with the next SC and wold like to see it stay in a convertible format or at least have the option. An increased, wheelbase, MORE POWER and more suspension settings are the only things that I hope for.

What exactly disgusted you about your SC430 test drive? And I see that you eventually purchased a VW GTI. Would I be correct to assume you place a premium on a sporty, more engaging ride?

 

I think it's more likely the next SC will stay as hardtop convertible, it seems the market is bigger for this configuration than just a regular coupe at the higher price range. Look at sales number of 6-series coupe vs. 6-series convertible, and SL vs CL, the convertible sells a lot better.
I do want to see Lexus make a new dedicated two seater fix top sports car model at the higher end above every existing model though, but not more than around $150k.

Of course, a fix top IS coupe is always welcome.

 

yup i just hope they go both ways, one normal coupe and then one hardtop

 

It wasn't just a test drive. My mother owns one (2003) and I drive it almost weekly. I also do all the maintenance and repairs on it as well as filling the tank when she's low.

I am disenchanted by the ride, and the transmission.

The ride is hard, uncomfortable, and the car seems to become very unstable over bumps. It seems like the whole thing just becomes unsettled and it feels like the chassis is flopping around over imperfect surfaces. The run-flat tires suck, yes. And when I swapped them out for real tires on my mother's car, there was much improvement. But the floppiness was still there.

My second complaint is the drivetrain. You have this awesome V8, with an excellent exhaust note. However you can't utilize the torque due to the transmission tuning. It seems to shift at 1,500 rpm no matter what. That's a HUGE turn off. Now granted, I know the car is (de)tuned for older drivers so that when they mash the pedal nothing dramatic happens. I understand why they did this. But it killed the car for me.

Everything else about the car I love. The style, the clockwork roof, the stellar reliability record. All top notch. But if you like to drive, it's not your car. I understand why the car is this way, and I accept that. So I don't have one.

As for the GTI, that's just a daily driver for work duties. It's the most fun you can have in a practical package. There are currently no Toyota family of vehicles that are any fun to drive. I tried very hard to buy one at the time. I ended up going Euro. I drive my SC on the weekends.

Prior to purchasing the GTI, I test drove a 2006 SC430 to see if the transmission tuning was improved. It was slightly, however the unsettling ride was still there.

So to answer your question, yes, I like driving sure-footed vehicles with engaging rides.