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BY ANDY ENRIGHT

Introductionword count: 176

Despite their forays into the compact executive and luxury 4x4 markets most still associate Lexus with the production of big, technologically advanced luxury saloons. When Toyota's luxury division announced that they were planning on bringing an open topped car to market that would rival the Mercedes SL most took the threat seriously. Unfortunately the Sc430 never really proved itself up to the task of taking the fight to the big Mercedes and as a result used values for the few that did sell are distinctly reasonable. There are many cars that seem a bit of a duffer when new but make interesting used cars second time around and the SC430 fits into this category with a significant caveat. Although you'll save a packet on the car's new [price, used values are still falling fast., making a used SC430 a pretty pricey companion on a pence per mile basis. As long as that's clear upfront and you know the nature of this vehicle there's no reason why you shouldn't find a well looked after example rather enjoyable.

Modelsword count: 11

Models Covered: SCS430: March 2001 to date (4.3-litre petrol 2dr coupe/convertible)

Historyword count: 211

The SC430 arrived amid a blaze of publicity in March 2001 but initial test drives proved that Lexus had one eye firmly on their biggest market - the US. With its comfy seats, enormous stereo, prodigious thirst and lazy power delivery, the SC430 didn't translate too well to the UK market. One of the criticisms of the original version of this car was that it was too soft for European tastes and remedial action came at the tail end of 2002 with a package of handling changes. The suspension was re-tuned and incorporated different springs and dampers: as a result, say the engineers, the car responded more crisply, yet ride quality and refinement were as good if not better than before. These changes failed to turn the SC430's fortunes around and they remain a rare sight on our roads. In mid 2004, further changes to the suspension were introduced in a bid to boost UK sales and at the same time there were various hi-tech specification upgrades. Then late 2005 saw a very mild facelift, so mild that the layman would be extremely hard-pushed to tell the pre and post facelift cars apart. Look for a set of revised 18" alloys along with slight modifications to the grill, bumper and headlamps.

What You Getword count: 490

The shape is probably how the Audi TT would have turned out if it had been left in the clutches of a California Design Studio for too long, big bulbous and unthreatening with just a hint of low rider in its Y chromosomes. It's eye catching in the sort of way that makes other drivers spark up a conversation with you at traffic lights before you nod politely and render them insensible with megadecibels of the Mark Levinson stereo. The top is one of those irritatingly clever electronic origami numbers that no matter how many times you watch it operate, you can never quite work out how it manages to coordinate itself. It takes 25 seconds in all to do its party piece. Lexus haven't stopped with the roof either. The stereo system and satellite navigation also have covered panels that electronically whirr into place. Perhaps the SC430's kerb weight of 1740kg is partly explained by the fact that it hauls around more electric motors than you'd find at a Steven Hawking lookalike convention. Take the stereo system. Mark Levinson Audio, a company based in Middletown, Connecticut has gained a serious reputation amongst hi-fi buffs over the last few years. Naturally the opinions of bearded folk whose idea of nirvana is a double diffusion MOS-FET in the transept stage may not normally concern us, but we think they may be onto something here. Nine speakers are linked to that Sizewell-B amplifier driven by an AM/FM radio cassette and 6-disc CD changer to truly devastating effect. The air conditioning system is also self-indulgently intelligent. It can adjust the airflow and temperature automatically, knowing when the hood is up or down, and adjusts according to speed and outside temperature. On cold days when you're running with the hood down it realises that pools of cold air will form around the footwells and the lap and will direct a warm blast towards these areas. It even understands wind chill factor and takes this into account. Interior quality is, as would be expected from Lexus, impeccable. A great deal of thought has obviously been paid to ergonomics and design, with the only noticeable quibble being the way that when trying to adjust the stereo, it's quite easy to hit the climate control buttons. Aside from this, the story's all good. When pondering the wood cappings that are featured on the fascia, Lexus turned to the expertise of the Yamaha musical instrument factory to learn how to mould, bend and coax wood into all sorts of complex shapes. It obviously takes a great deal of time, money and expertise to make wood look like plastic, but Lexus have pulled it off. The leather interior, available in black, saddle tan or ecru appears similarly money-no-object and the seats, whilst wider than the Rio Grande, are supportive comfortable and infinitely adjustable. You even get an illuminated scuff plate that glows gold by day and red by night.

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