2006 Lexus SC 430 Review
Price: $33,791





+30
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Long list of comfort and convenience features, beautifully finished interior, silky V8 engine, retractable hardtop, Lexus quality.
Cons
- Sparse cargo space, cramped (and nearly useless) rear seats, doesn't inspire anything more than leisurely cruising.
What’s new
For 2006, the Lexus SC 430 receives a new six-speed automatic transmission and adaptive front headlamps. Updated exterior styling includes a new front fascia, wheels and taillamps. Inside, the SC gets a new gauge cluster, shift plate and revised trim.
Edmunds says
Though not particularly invigorating to drive, the 2006 Lexus SC 430 counters with a serene top-down experience for a price considerably less than the competition.
For sale near Columbus, OH
34 listings
- $16,900great price$6,177 below market
- 64,346 miles
- 3 accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 8cyl automatic
- Tower Auto Sales (161 mi away)
- Heated seats
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
RETRACTABLE HARDTOP CONVERTIBLE, V8, ONLY 64,000 ORIGINL MILES!!! VERY RELIABLE, BEST COLOR, GREAT SERVICE HISTORY, Fully Serviced And Detailed Befo...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHFN48Y169007569
Stock: 7569
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-29-2025 - 139,104 miles
- 8cyl automatic
- Carl's Auto (244 mi away)
- Heated seats
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Upgraded Headlights
- Power Driver Seat
Close
Located in Blountville, TN
2006 Lexus SC 430 RWD 2dr Coupe * 4.3 V8 139k Miles * More than a 1-owner with a Clean CARFAX * 4-Passenger Seating * 18'' Alloy Wheels with SENTURY t...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary Unavailable.
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTHFN48Y269007905
Stock: 007905
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 05-27-2025
Vehicle overview
Now in its fifth year, the SC 430 is the first and only Lexus convertible. The SC name dates back to 1992, when the first Lexus coupe debuted. The SC 300 and SC 400 coupes were decent cars, though sales decreased alarmingly over the years as the platform aged and younger and more modern luxury coupes sprang up. Beyond that, consumers shopping competing models could choose between a two-door with a solid roof or a ragtop for open-air motoring on sunny days. The Lexus SC came only with a fixed roof. After nearly a decade on the market, during which time precious few updates were made, the car was allowed to fade quietly into the sunset.
The Lexus SC 430 is far from bland, though not quite as palatable to conservative tastes. A radical departure for the normally staid manufacturer, the SC 430 has been dubbed the "jewel of Lexus," and has been penned to appeal to your emotional right-brain side. Designers drew inspiration by lolling about France's Cote d'Azur, studying the architecture and familiarizing themselves with the lifestyle of their target customers. The normally reserved automaker has taken a risk here, and the SC is the most radical styling exercise ever to wear a Lexus nameplate.
On the inside, the Lexus SC 430 presents a glorious display of perfectly crafted wood trim, supple leather and all the high-tech features you would expect in a high-end luxury vehicle. The Mark Levinson audio system, in particular, is a delight. For top-down motoring, the SC's power-operated hard top can be quietly lowered in about 21 seconds and is perfectly airtight when raised. Our only real problem with the SC's setup is the miniscule trunk. With the top down, there's not much room for anything in back, so be prepared to travel light. Despite having gone five years without a major redesign, there's a lot to like about the 2006 Lexus SC 430. Those who like the car's exterior styling and leisurely approach to handling dynamics will likely be smitten. Other luxury convertible shoppers, however, might find more athletic competitors to their liking.
Performance & mpg
The Lexus SC 430 is powered by a 4.3-liter V8 engine.. It produces 288 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It's connected to a six-speed automatic transmission that drives the rear wheels. Zero-to-60-mph acceleration comes in at around 6.5 seconds.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with a panic-assist feature and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) are standard, as are seatbelt pre-tensioners and side-impact airbags. The Lexus convertible also comes with traction control and stability control. The optional run-flat tires allow the car to be driven up to 100 miles at 55 mph without air pressure.
Driving
The 4.3-liter V8 allows the 2006 Lexus SC 430 to leap from nearly any speed. It climbs to redline with no discernable strain. The exhaust note is nearly imperceptible, a trait that's either pleasing or disappointing depending on your point of view. The suspension setup echoes the traits of the drivetrain, filtering out every bump and ripple in the road in an attempt to maintain civility at all times. This, in turn, results in less road feel and reduced driver confidence when pushing the SC 430 hard through corners.
Interior
The interior is the highlight of the Lexus SC 430. Beautiful to look at, the cockpit is filled with real wood and leather, and spring-loaded wooden covers can hide much of the center stack. From a more practical standpoint, however, the SC falls a little short. Owners will find that the trunk doesn't offer much room, as it holds just 8.8 cubic feet of cargo. Ordering the optional run-flat tires and ditching the spare bumps the trunk size up to 9.4 cubic feet. Keep in mind that these numbers are with the top up; with the top retracted, luggage space is very scarce. Additionally, the SC's undersized rear seats are basically just for show rather than actual use.
2006 Lexus SC 430 models
Though available in just one body style and trim level, the Lexus SC 430 convertible comes packed with luxurious amenities. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, adaptive HID headlights, a navigation system, supple leather seats with driver and passenger memory functions, an astounding 240-watt nine-speaker premium audio system, a sophisticated climate control system and either bird's eye maple or walnut trim. With a press of a button, the aluminum-alloy roof rises to provide shelter from the vagaries of the environment. Once closed, the top seals tight to transform the SC 430 into a hardtop coupe possessing superior structural rigidity and little wind noise while cruising down the freeway. Options on the SC 430 include run-flat tires, a rear spoiler and a limited-edition Pebble Beach package that includes unique exterior and interior-trim coloring and a custom two-piece luggage set.
Compare 2006 Lexus SC 430 trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart

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Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$259/mo for SC 430 Base
SC 430 Base
vs
$164/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Lexus SC 430 Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Great mid life crisis car!
5 out of 5 starsmichaelbatesrealtor@gmail.com, 04/11/2016
2006 Lexus SC 430 2dr Convertible (4.3L 8cyl 6A)
The Lexus SC430 is an extremely misunderstood commodity in the automotive community. I have owned over two hundred cars and owning two of these has been an utmost pleasure. Solid reliability and silky smooth quietness and virtually year round convertible use capability with lovely HVAC and heated seats. My first one took me to 165k miles before a newer example with only 50k miles drew … my attention away. In the middle I owned a G37 Convertible which was very noisy and harsh compared to the lovely SC430. Don't think of this car as a sports car, this car is a luxury touring car. I'd honestly go anywhere in it. These cars have aged well and I receive compliments daily, fit and finish are next to none, Toyota maintenance costs are reasonable as I have the car serviced at the Toyota dealer. Float down the highway with the stereo on and let your stress fade away...
Put the top down and go
4 out of 5 starsMike Ashurst, 12/05/2015
2006 Lexus SC 430 2dr Convertible (4.3L 8cyl 6A)
The car is easy to drive and everything that counts is easy to do or figure out quickly. The speed may be too much for the cornering so you learn quickly how to use the transmission to break. The run flat tires are terrible so get rid of them immediately. The automatic aspects of putting the top down are outstanding; in 20 seconds you are ready to go. The comfort and details are what you … would expect from Lexus. A definite buy. UPDATE 2017: Still loving the car. A great benefit of small cars is they are easy to wash and wax, every month I update the finish with a detail wax spray. I always get compliments on this car. UPDATE 2018; 86K mileage, runs great and still fun to drive. Be prepared for mileage replacements to start, can be expensive.
Been a dependable car, but needs to be driven.
5 out of 5 starsjames fong, 09/01/2017
2006 Lexus SC 430 2dr Convertible (4.3L 8cyl 6A)
I found the best way to keep this car reliable is to keep a battery tender on it if it's not driven for more than 5 days. There is a parasitic drain that nobody seems to be able to fix. Other than that, I have not had any problems with this car. It's a blast to drive.
I've driven the car a few thousand miles since my last review and have not had any problems. I did receive a recall … notice to get the passenger side air bag replaced again. When I brought it in, the dealer found the power steering pump was leaking and it was in need of motor mounts. Since it needed a new timing belt, I have the water pump and everything done at the same time. Hopefully my car won't need anything else done for a few years.
It's still a blast to drive this car!
Maui cruiser
4.88 out of 5 starschrisinmaui, 07/07/2006
2006 Lexus SC 430 2dr Convertible (4.3L 8cyl 6A)
Unbelievable ride, grace and class. Run flat tires are silent even with the top down. I have never owned or driven anything like this. Looked at all other options but there is no equal for the money in elegance ride and overall feel. This car is made for running tropical moonlight nights with the top down. Top up it is not recognizable as a convertable. My only wish is gas mileage … was a littee better, getting 19mpg @ 2000 on the odometer.
2006 SC 430 Highlights
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $65,355 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $259/month |
Seating | 4 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 8.8 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Warranty | 4 years / 50,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the SC 430 include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
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