In Defense of the SC430

"PatBateman" (PatBateman) 08/06/2014 at 00:45 • Filed to: lexus

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Earlier this evening, our fellow esteemed and respected commenter, RotaryLover, made a !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! about how he thought he loved the 2002-2010 Lexus SC430. He then drove one, and lost all faith. I did some digging, and have come to another conclusion.

Before tonight, I was totally "meh" about the car. A fun car for those that just got their last kid out of the house and wanted some kind of convertible before they had grandchildren. Then I realized that the car has the 3UZ-FE V8 under the hood. That is a damn good engine that can be coaxed to put tremendously more power to the rear wheels than it comes with stock. The 2006-2010 models come with a six speed auto that can be modded to handle extra torque.

And don't get me started on aftermarket looks. Yessir.

Basically, it's a dull car made for a dull target market that enjoyed playing cassette tapes well into this century. But there is a monster lurking just beneath the surface, and all it takes is a little work (and a little more money) for it to appear.

Also, here's a Gallardo LP 570-4 Spyder Performante I saw when I went out to eat tonight.

 V8 Rustler > PatBateman 08/06/2014 at 00:50

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There is nothing boring about a V8 RWD car.

YSI-what can brown do for you > PatBateman 08/06/2014 at 00:54

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but it ain't no 1UZ. I bet a swap won't be that hard though. #just1uzfanboi

PatBateman >  V8 Rustler 08/06/2014 at 00:54

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This one comes close enough to it (stock).

PatBateman > YSI-what can brown do for you 08/06/2014 at 00:58

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The 3UZ has a bit more torque, but I understand your preference.

Manuél Ferrari > PatBateman 08/06/2014 at 01:05

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All I saw was:

Lexus stuff

Lexus stuff

Lexus stuff

LP 570-4 Spyder Performante!!!!!

GhostZ > YSI-what can brown do for you 08/06/2014 at 01:09

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Agreed, 3UZ has a lot more compromises, to me, at least.

GhostZ > PatBateman 08/06/2014 at 01:11

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The problem is that for the cost of an SC430 being made into a performance car, you would need to spend more money than it costs to outright buy a Supra or SC300 and make that just as fast. It was a whole disappointment as a successor.

Blondude > YSI-what can brown do for you 08/06/2014 at 01:12

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#2UZ4Lyfe!

YSI-what can brown do for you > Blondude 08/06/2014 at 01:17

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Get that cast iron crap out of here!

YSI-what can brown do for you > PatBateman 08/06/2014 at 01:18

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Well is the stroke larger than the bore? The extra 0.3l may also help!

YSI-what can brown do for you > GhostZ 08/06/2014 at 01:22

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Bigger displacement doesn't always mean better as it turns out!

Blondude > YSI-what can brown do for you 08/06/2014 at 02:15

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You dream of having my durability!

YSI-what can brown do for you > Blondude 08/06/2014 at 11:11

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You dream of having my 6 bolt main bearings!

Volvo 850 > PatBateman 08/06/2014 at 11:56

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I'm not a fan of the SC430, but a damn good V8, excellent quality, and RWD automatically prevent it from being the worst car ever made or whatever Top Gear decided to crown it.

The 2004 to 2006 LS430 is my favorite application of the 3UZ. I've never thought of modding one, but that could be an awesome sleeper!