1999 Lexus SC 400 Review
1999 Lexus SC 400 Review
View more photos
Used SC 400 for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- An attractive coupe with Lexus quality and refinement.
Cons
- While not as luxurious, the BMW M3 offers far superior performance for less money.
What’s new
The SC 400 gets minor enhancements this year including new perforated leather inserts, daytime running lights and a new three-spoke steering wheel similar to the GS series sport sedans.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1999 Lexus SC 400 2dr Coupe and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $4.68 per gallon for regular unleaded in Washington.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Washington
$305/mo for SC 400 Base
SC 400 Base
vs
$221/mo
Avg. Midsize Car
Vehicle overview
When Lexus decided to expand its lineup into the sport luxury coupe class, it did things a bit differently. First, a stylish, sexy body was penned that didn't look much like the mini chrome-barges that usually populate the personal luxury segment. Next, a creamy V8 engine was installed each driving the rear wheels and giving the car excellent acceleration. Then, a cozy interior with first-rate ergonomics and traditional Lexus opulence was created, making the car more like a 2+2 capable of carrying four in comfort.
Once the car was introduced to the public, the automotive press elevated the SC to Rolling Stones status, proclaiming it another in a string of Lexus-engineered miracles. They were right to do so; however, the past few years have seen improvements by the competition.
Recent improvements to the SC have restored some of its former glory and kept it in the hunt for serious (and affluent) coupe buyers. The SC 400 now comes with a 4.0-liter V8 that features variable valve timing (VVTi) technology and 290 horsepower. Both models offer impressive acceleration with top speeds in excess of 140 mph.
The SC 400 can be ordered with the optional Lexus TRAC electronic traction control system. This system uses a combination of throttle and brake control to keep the car from sliding and comes packaged with thermostatically heated seats.
The SC 400 is attractive and comes with the standard array of Lexus luxury and safety items. However, for the price, it seems a better deal might be made on something like a Cadillac Eldorado or BMW M3.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1999 Lexus SC 400.
5 star(94%)
4 star(6%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
50 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Best car I've ever owned
95lexus000, 09/28/2010
1995 Lexus SC 400 2dr Coupe
I purchased my 1995 Lexus sc400 a few months ago and I have never driven or owned a car that I liked more than this one. It is over 16 years old and has 130,000 miles on it but somehow it drives like new. I can tell that it will go at least 250k before anything goes wrong. I am the 2nd owner, the first owner always took it to Lexus for the scheduled maintenance. It was built in … Japan, has a smooth ride and lots of power. It is extremely fun to drive and I can honestly say that the next car I buy will be a Lexus sc400, probably 1995 to 1999 model. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anybody. I average 21 mpg!
4.88 out of 5 stars
I'm in love!
joemadre, 01/23/2012
1999 Lexus SC 400 2dr Coupe
This is my third Lexus and I've not been let down by any of them.
The SC 400 is the best car I've ever owned due to its fit and finish coupled with stellar reliability.
The greatest luxury of all is knowing you can depend on your car and it delivers.
The look is timeless, the engine bulletproof, and the comfort/performance slaps the competition like a flaccid weenie.
4.88 out of 5 stars
1999 SC400
Larry Muirhead, 04/02/2006
1999 Lexus SC 400 2dr Coupe
This car is a well built machine. Drives like the day it drove out of the dealership. No rattles/ pure, silky performance.
5 out of 5 stars
Every superlative fits
jdimicco1, 07/22/2011
1995 Lexus SC 400 2dr Coupe
I acquired this "renaissance red" beauty last year with only 58,000 miles on it. A truly incredible machine - supremely comfortable with superb performance! This car purrs along without straining at all at 80+ mph, and it's handling is absoluteley stunning - I've never enjoyed highway entrance and exit ramps so much! The original stereo (Nakamichi) was probably great when new (except for … the notorious skipping problem with the 12-disc CD changer in the trunk) but speakers were shot when I got the car - I replaced with an Alpine system. Now I'm ready to keep this sweet machine until I die...or can't find premium fuel for her any more. If you can find one, BUY IT!
We have a limited number of reviews for the 1999 Lexus SC 400, so we've included reviews for other years of the SC 400 since its last redesign.
1999 SC 400 Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $305/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 9.3 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
Consider these recommendations
Related Used 1999 Lexus SC 400 info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed 2012
- Used Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 2010
- Used Alfa Romeo 4C 2017
- Used Aston Martin DBS 2010
- Used Dodge Challenger 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2023 Audi A5
- Jaguar F-TYPE 2023
- Genesis Electrified GV70
- 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe News
- 2024 MINI Convertible
- 2024 Dodge RAM 350
- 2023 Cooper
- 2024 Dodge Durango
- 2023 Chevrolet Sportvan
- 2023 BMW X5 M
Research other models of Lexus
- 2023Lexus RX 350
- Lexus TX
- Lexus Is 350 F Sport
- Lexus LC 500H
- Lexus RX
- Lexus Ux 250H
- Lexus Ux
- Lexus Is Is 300
- Lexus Es 300 H For Sale
- Lexus LC 500
Other models
- Used Cadillac XT4 in Lansing, MI
- Used Infiniti FX35 in Pflugerville, TX
- Used Mitsubishi Outlander-Phev in Bethesda, MD
- Used Chevrolet Aveo in Temple, TX
- New BMW X6 for Sale in North Little Rock, AR
- Used Rolls-Royce Phantom-Coupe in Poland, IN
- Used Volkswagen R32 in Franklin, NC
- Used Lexus Ux-200 in Laguna Beach, CA
- Used Acura TL in Chesterfield, VA
- Used Audi A3-Sportback-E-Tron in Bridgeport, CT