2008 Lexus SC vs 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class

2008 Lexus SC

2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK Class

Select style

2-Door Conv

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
SC 430 2-Door Conv	16	23	$57,728	$66,355

Select style

2-Door Convertible 3.5L

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
CLK-Class 2-Door Convertible 3.5L	17	25	$50,685	$54,500
CLK-Class 2-Door Convertible 5.5L	15	21	$58,776	$63,200
CLK-Class 2-Door Convertible 6.3L AMG	12	18	$83,235	$89,500
CLK-Class 2-Door Coupe 3.5L	17	25	$43,198	$46,450
CLK-Class 2-Door Coupe 5.5L	15	22	$51,290	$55,150
CLK-Class 2-Door Coupe 6.3L AMG Black Series	12	19	$125,550	$135,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$57,728

$50,685

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$66,355

$54,500

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1106 / month

$908 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.6

Read Our Full Review

8.2

Read Our Full Review

TCC’s Bottom Line

The 2008 Lexus SC 430 offers a unique shape, a folding hardtop, and the Lexus experience, but the "bathtub" look is a major drawback in a class of beautiful convertibles.

If you appreciate luxury and complex engineering solutions, then you'll love the 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class.

TCC Likes

Folding hardtop
Luxurious cabin
Smooth powertrain

Variety of models, including convertible
Range of engines
Punch from 475-horsepower CLK63 AMG

TCC Dislikes

Bathtub styling
Sunken seating
Teensy rear seats

Vague, slow steering
SpeedShift transmission is speedy enough
soft-top convertible

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

17 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

25 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Sub-Compact

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

27.1

30.4

Front Head Room (in)

37.2

38.4

Passenger Volume (ft³)

75.0

81.0

Second Hip Room (in)

49.5

46.9

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.8

53.2

Second Head Room (in)

33.9

36.3

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

46.6

48.5

Front Leg Room (in)

43.6

42.0

Front Hip Room (in)

55.7

52.1

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.0

68.5

Track Width, Front (in)

61.0

58.9

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.6

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

178.5

183.2

Height, Overall (in)

53.1

54.4

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.4

58.0

Wheelbase (in)

103.1

106.9

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

8.8

8.6 (5.4 w/top down)

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7 x - TBD -

11.8 x - TBD -

Drum - Rear (Yes or )

Brake ABS System

4-Wheel

Disc - Rear (Yes or )

Yes

Rear Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

12.1 x - TBD -

11.4 x - TBD -

Brake Type

Pwr

Power

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.8

16.4

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

17.4

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

35.3

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Vehicle-Speed-Sensitive

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.3

3.0

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P245/40ZR18

P245/40R17

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P245/40ZR18

P225/45R17

Spare Tire Size

T145/70R17

- TBD -

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3840

3845

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

17 x 7.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

17 x 8.5

Cooling System

Total Cooling System Capacity (qts)

- TBD -

Electrical

Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F (Primary)

- TBD -

Maximum Alternator Capacity (amps)

- TBD -

Engine

Displacement

4.3L/262

3.5L/213

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

288 @ 5600

268 @ 6000

Engine Type

Gas V8

Gas V6

Fuel System

SFI

- TBD -

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

317 @ 3400

258 @ 2400 - 5000

Engine Order Code

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

Transmission

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.73

- TBD -

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.95

- TBD -

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.96

- TBD -

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.77

2.82

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

- TBD -

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Automatic

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

- TBD -

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.30

- TBD -

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.35

- TBD -

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

- TBD -

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus SC 430

Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class

Body Style

2-Door Convertible

2 Door Cabriolet

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

3-Link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Front (mm)

- TBD -

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Front (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Rear

Double Wishbone

Independent

Suspension Type - Rear (Cont.)

5-Arm Multi-link

Shock Absorber Diameter - Rear (mm)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front

Double Wishbone

Independent

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