JIMMY

I NEED SOME HELP? I AM GOING TO PURCHASE A CONVERTIBLE BUT I CANT DECIDE BETWEEN THE LEXUS SC 430 AND THE CLK 430 CONVERTIBLE. THEY ARE BASICALLY AROUND THE SAME PRICE OF $ 65,000+
WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK OF THE LEXUS SC 430, AND WHAT IS A BETTER BUY... HELP???????????????????

karl k

CLK 430 wins re handling, ride quality.

RezaH

Unless you are hard pressed on Hard top Covertible, CLK 430 offers much more in terms of room, comfort, style, resale and prestige.


CLK soft top is very quiet and solid as well. I had mine for 2 years. No problem with the top in terms of noise, weather, etc.

lee2375

both are nice cars, but i'd love to have a conv. CLK. May get one next year to add to the coupe.

sorlo

Styling of CLK is MUCH better. I think the interior of CLK is also nicer.

Pick that, no regret!!!

Mach430

Please don't make a decision that you will regret later. The looks people get in their new SC430s are often mistaken for praise, but in fact they are curious people with one though on their minds: why? I think the new SC needs a lot better design. While the wheels can be changed, they take it to the next level and give you wheels that you have to change (For the love of God!). I'm not into lights sticking out either. The retractable hard top is cool, but why not just spend the money on a SLK32 AMG? I personally don't like SLKs, but I'd take it over an SC any day of the week.

RM11

I haven't been in a SC430 yet but from what I have seen from the outside, I say the CLK430 looks a ton better.

gab

Well I will definitely prefer a CLK but I would rather wait for the new gen CLK

backseat on the SC are for dog seat IMHO

Francis K

Try posting this on WWW.ClubLexus.COM. Very high traffic board and I gaurantee you you'll get some extensive posts and not just people saying "SC430".

SteveZ

CLK=SEXY RUGGED REAL CAR ... SC430=WEIRD SMOOTH CRUISER WITH VERY VERY COOL INTERIOR

Richard / E320

My choice would be the CLK; I belive that it is far more sexier in looks...

Basic side by side comparision

http://carpoint.msn.com/compare/choo...9965&pt=compet

Francis K

If you take a look at that comparison it really boosts it in favor of ths SC...hmmm.


Well lik I said. If you want real input, facts and statistics try www.clublexus.com and post it in the SC430 forum. It's a very high traffic board with many SC430 owners and enthusiasts.

Noah Miller

If i were you i woul definatly get the lexus. the only cons i can think of are backseat space and a little too luxurious for my taste, and the lexus name. otherwise everything is better. I myself have a clk 430 coupe and my sister has a 320 convertable. she hates it, it looks so cheap when you want to put the top down and you have to turn that thing and pop it. pluss even though i love mercedes i have to admit that the leather is a little stiff for my tatses and the lexus is really nice. a girl at my school has a red sc and sh let me drive it, i will agree that my caar drives a lot nicer and handles better and feels mcuh more sportier. The sc has a huge resale value and having a folding hartdtop! my sister is always worried that her top is going to fade and it would be nice to have no wind noise.

CLK 2001 Cab

DOn't forget the trunk. I was ready to buy an SC430 but when I couldn't fit my golf clubs in the trunk, the deal was off. My CLK 430 CAB, can handle them with just a little adjusting.

yuanja888

My CLK 430 cab can fit 2 golf clubs sets with the top down. The lexus can't even do it.

However the hartop and the reliabilty of SC will make the choice a hard one. But like all other has said about the rear seat... it's so small that it's more of a burden than anything. You can't take advantage of the carpool lanes here in the bay area because of the 3 passenger minimum.

Styling wise the clk wins hands down. Wind noise level wise clk wins when you have put up a windscreen. The SC only has that little tiny plastic piece for windscreen and it's not very effective.

SoCalCLK

The CLK wins hands down. Not only does it have more character and style than the 'Yota, it is more of a masculine, aggressive car, versus the feminine lines of the 'yota.

Brian_I.

I like the hardtop of the SC. I just don't care for ragtops. For that price range and between just those two cars I would have to say SC.

Ebrigham

The new Lexus' are supposed to be improved over earlier years with regard to handling and other driving dynamics. But still looks like a female contraceptive device IMO. YMMV.

PerformanceCLK

Personally don't care for the styling of the sc, looks like a bathtub or something. Of very minor importance, i also kind of find it odd how high up the door and window meet, like when you want to rest your arm on the top of the door it feels like you're applying deodorant.

J Lucas

I think the lexus is the better car but id buy the clk...There is nothing like a Mercedes Benz v8 coupe

1SICKLEX

I could be convinced to get a SL 55 or SL 500 over a SC 430 but not a CLK 430. I just can't justify paying that much money for a soft top convert. The CLK is more of a 4 seater, the SC 430s rear seats are luggage space and for cheaper insurance. The CLK has gorgous looks with the AMG kit, the SC 430 is pretty much love it or hate it styling.
The CLK is sportier than the Lexo (more of a GT cruiser) the SC is more luxurious. The SC is also the most reliable car in it's class.

Tough choice good luck! :p That is too funny. I noticed a lot of new cars are like this. Why? Bad design. The sides are too tall and the seats too low. The new 350Z has this problem badly.

Petie

dig up old threads much?

Scottjr2005

I had two lexus LS400's before I bought my 98 CLK320. I have to say that lexus is the most reliable car and best driving car I've ever had. I just like the looks of the benz. Other than that, they are way expensive to maintain and little things breaking will break your pocket! God I miss my lexus!

Petie

and again.....

im sure hes made a decision of some sort by now....its been three years

twestrope

I am looking for a used "fun" car, probably a 2002 model. I sold a 993 C2 last year which was a great car and probably a mistake to sell and am now looking for a relacement. I first looked at the M3 but was turned off by how similar it looks to the regular 3 series plus it sounds like the ride is really firm. Plus I am 50 and not sure I have that race car need anymore. I then moved to the CLK 430 cab. I liked the looks, the ride but was very turned off by the lack of quality in these cars. I have been reading several CLK boards over the last few months and having a used CLK almost out of warranty would make me very nervous. I want this car to be a fun reliable car not a pain to own. I have now moved to the SC430. The looks are polarizing but it's a fun car. In my search it seems the 2002 resale values are better with the SC430 than the CLK 430 cabs. The quality of the SC is a big draw for me. I even think the 0-60 of the SC beat the CLK 430 cab. I know there is more than acceleration times that need to be considered.

The other consideration for me is golf club room. The CLK wins hands down over the SC but the SC has a big enough bag seat for clubs. I used to get two golf bags (one being a staff bag) in the back of my C2 so I feel ok I can get them into an SC especially with the top down.

I may change my mind again before I finally buy but right now the SC430 is in first place.