Overview & Reviews

Lexus has earned a well-deserved reputation for turning out utterly refined luxury vehicles. The hallmarks of this brand are a quiet, well-crafted cabin, a plush ride and commendable performance from powerful, nearly silent engines.

Lexus began out of a desire by parent company Toyota to create a world-class luxury car brand. Groundwork for Lexus was laid in the mid-1980s, when the company began tapping U.S. focus groups in an attempt to define design concepts best suited for American consumers. Hundreds of prototypes were built and tested on Germany's autobahn and on U.S. roads.

In early 1989, the company unveiled its first two models (which would debut for the 1990 model year) -- the entry-level ES 250 sedan and the flagship LS 400 sedan. The LS 400 was lauded by both journalists and consumers alike for offering a stellar luxury-car experience, with a remarkably silent cabin, superb build quality and a refined V8 engine. At the same time, the LS was priced considerably lower than smaller, lesser-equipped, six-cylinder European rival luxury sedans.

By the early 1990s, the Lexus brand was expanded to other markets, including the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. More models were added to the lineup, including the SC 300 and SC 400 coupes and the brand's first luxury performance sedan, the GS 300. By decade's end, the company had added SUVs (in the form of the LX 450/LX 470 and RX 300) and had sold more than a million vehicles in the U.S.

The first decade of the 2000s saw Lexus proving itself a trend setter with the launch of many hybrid-powered versions of its vehicles such as the RX 400h and the GS 450h. And by 2011, Lexus even introduced a world-class supercar, the LFA.

In the years since its inception, the Lexus brand has distinguished itself time and again in quality and reliability surveys. The brand's vehicles may not offer as much passion as some Teutonic rivals, but for drivers interested in vehicles that emphasize quality, dependability and comfort, the Lexus marque is hard to beat.

User Reviews:

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  greatest car ever owned - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By rrehfe - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I have owned them all and by far this is the best. Porche, Mercedes, BMW, Audi, Jaguar. BEST CONVERTIBLE AND BEST PRICE.

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  My Lexus - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Gradwell - January 24 - 10:00 am

  It is the best car i have driven. Very comfortable. Back seats are too small for use but how often do we need them? The nicest interior of any car we saw.

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  Grammy drives a Lexus SC 430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By grammychild - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This car has been my one splurge, and it has been worth it. I love this car, and I love seeing more women driving it. This back seat area is small, but Ive gotten my grandchildren back there easily, and my shopping bags. I love the 8 cylinder because it gives it so much pick up. I love the hardtop because I feel safer than I would with a cloth top. There is no better exterior design; the interior design is luxurious; Ive had another Lexus, and I love their reliability. Its a man magnet! I never get tired of watching the hardtop going into the trunk with a push of a button. Its a love fest!

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  A Really Unique Ride - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Melinda Massingale - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Thus far I love my new vehicle. It is comfortable and sporty looking. When playing the radio, the stereo does not seem quite as dynamite as my LS 400 that I use to have. This may be bacause it is in a smaller space with fewer speakers. The sound is good but not as good. I can tell that the paint is going to scratch really easy. I have indigo blue (or it may be that it shows up more on darker colors). Overall I love the car and I would buy it again in a heart beat. It is a smooth ride with all of the classy features.

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  Juice Mobile - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By Juice21 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My wife and just bought the Lexus SC 430. We bit the bullet. Boy are we glad. It is everything we exected. The performance is fantastic. The looks you get every day is incredible. People just stop & look & kids scream "love you car". It is so quiet with the top down. The speaker system is better than my Bose at home. The scary thing is that it is not satisfied at going 70 or 80 miles and hour. We love it!

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  Lexus 430 conv - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By siggy99 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Excellent performance vehicle. Slightly sluggish until the engine kicks, then watch out. Gas mileage better than expected (21 miles per gallon average). Sharp looking car with the top down. This vehicle gets plenty of stares.

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  Excellent price for a fantastic car - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By parvissalehi - January 24 - 10:00 am

  What can i say it is the most car for the money

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  sc430 - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By mikey15 - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I love driving this car every time I get into it.

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  love the car-hate the tires - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By ctjim52@aol.com - January 24 - 10:00 am

  very nice car in all ways,but tires and wheels are a problem.run flat tires can not be fixed--very stupid,also wheels are a little week for the way the car rides.

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  DRIVING A DREAM - 2004 Lexus SC 430
  By billinhbg - January 24 - 10:00 am

  My 2004 Absolutely Red SC-430 is a dream to drive. It performs with outstanding agility and finese. As a coupe it is a typical Lexus, quiet, refined and quality build. As a convertible it is an eye-catching drive to drive. Some of the best hours f my day are spent in the drivers seat of this suberb vehicle. With a red exterior and a saddle interior ot a day goes by without several people commenting on its beauty. The "envy" factor has many eying the machine from near and afar. Its quick and agile off the line and eats the vast majority of vehicles alive with its outstanding engine and drive train combination.