But for every gain there's a trade off, and in this case it's the ride - the
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| The most visible of changes, new 18-inch wheels are beautiful, but lowprofile runflat tires give it a lumpy ride. (Photo: Justin Couture,Canadian Auto Press) |
big 18-inch wheels come wrapped in very low profile runflat tires with extra-stiff sidewalls. Under most circumstances, the SC is typical Lexus smooth, feeling like it's hovering just above the road's surface, and over minor road imperfections the ride is still pretty good. But drive on a road that hasn't been paved in the past few years, particularly ones littered with potholes and expansion joints, and the ride gets lumpy, the sharpness of impacts increasing with speed. It's a trait that surprised me, and one that I didn't expect, given its suppleness on smooth tarmac. New models supposedly ride better than old ones, thanks to monotube dampers that provide better isolation, but the ride's choppiness can be blamed on the runflat tires.
And you must be thinking that with a firm ride, two doors, sweeping A-pillars and big wheels the SC 430 is a sporty vehicle. Unfortunately, you'd be wrong; this territory is best covered by the remarkably good IS.
In general, the three-spoke part wood and leather rimmed steering
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| So, it's not a performance machine, but the SC430 has a lot more up its sleeve. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
wheel doesn't provide a whole lot of communication or steering feel, although, its frictionless action experiences almost zero pollution from the road's surface. Grip from the wide tires is plentiful, and the chassis, with its previous-gen GS-series DNA is competent and secure-feeling, although the Lexus' exclusive VDIM electronic driving partner prevents any serious exploration of the car's outer limits. As its exterior styling suggests, the SC really makes the most sense in California or Florida, where it's completely at home on the mirror-smooth, six-laned expanses they call boulevards. The enjoyment you get out of the SC isn't so much delivered while behind the wheel, but rather because it's so relaxing to drive, and it makes you look perfectly fashionable when you pull up to the restaurant valet.
