2008 Lexus SC vs 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL Class

2008 Lexus SC

2009 Mercedes-Benz SL 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 Coupe 6.0L AMG Black Series

Style	MPG City	MPG Hwy	Invoice	MSRP
SL-Class 2-Door Coupe 6.0L AMG Black Series	11	18	$278,070	$299,000
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 5.5L V12	11	18	$129,363	$139,100
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 5.5L V8	13	21	$91,605	$98,500
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 6.0L AMG	11	18	$181,071	$194,700
SL-Class 2-Door Roadster 6.2L AMG	12	19	$125,550	$135,000

Show Only Differences

Pricing

Invoice Price

$57,728

$278,070

Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price

$66,355

$299,000

Monthly Payment Estimate

$1106 / month

$4983 / month

The Car Connection's Take

TCC Rating

7.6

Read Our Full Review

8.4

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.

The SL’s new look isn’t to everyone’s liking, but in AMG guise, it’s now more punch than paunch—and a worthy stealth Ferrari-chaser.

TCC Likes

Folding hardtop
Luxurious cabin
Smooth powertrain

Crisp handling and absorbent ride
Great seats
Class-leading safety

TCC Dislikes

Bathtub styling
Sunken seating
Teensy rear seats

Styling can look dated
Feels heavy in tight maneuvers
Top restricts trunk space when down

Fuel Economy

City

16 mpg

11 mpg

Highway

23 mpg

18 mpg

Vehicle

EPA Classification

Sub-Compact

2 Seater

Interior Dimensions

Second Leg Room (in)

27.1

Front Head Room (in)

37.2

37.7

Passenger Volume (ft³)

75.0

50.0

Second Hip Room (in)

49.5

Front Shoulder Room (in)

53.8

54.0

Second Head Room (in)

33.9

Passenger Capacity

Second Shoulder Room (in)

46.6

Front Leg Room (in)

43.6

42.9

Front Hip Room (in)

55.7

56.9

Exterior Dimensions

Liftover Height (in)

- TBD -

Width, Max w/o mirrors (in)

72.0

- TBD -

Track Width, Front (in)

61.0

61.8

Min Ground Clearance (in)

5.6

- TBD -

Length, Overall (in)

178.5

180.8

Height, Overall (in)

53.1

51.1

Track Width, Rear (in)

60.4

61.4

Wheelbase (in)

103.1

100.8

Cargo Area Dimensions

Trunk Volume (ft³)

8.8

15.9 (7.2 w/top down)

Brakes

Front Brake Rotor Diam x Thickness (in)

11.7 x - TBD -

15.4 x 1.4

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 -

14.2 x 1.0

Brake Type

Pwr

Rear Drum Diam x Width (in)

Disc - Front (Yes or )

Yes

Fuel Tank

Fuel Tank Capacity, Approx (gal)

19.8

21.1

Steering

Turning Diameter - Wall to Wall (ft)

- TBD -

Steering Ratio (:1), Overall

17.4

- TBD -

Turning Diameter - Curb to Curb (ft)

35.4

36.2

Steering Type

Pwr Rack & Pinion

Lock to Lock Turns (Steering)

3.3

2.6

Tires

Rear Tire Size

P245/40ZR18

P325/30ZR20

Rear Tire Order Code

Front Tire Size

P245/40ZR18

P265/35ZR19

Spare Tire Size

T145/70R17

Compact

Front Tire Order Code

Spare Tire Order Code

Trailering

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Tongue Wt. (lbs)

Dead Weight Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

- TBD -

Wt Distributing Hitch - Max Trailer Wt. (lbs)

Weight Information

Base Curb Weight (lbs)

3840

4345

Wheels

Front Wheel Material

Aluminum

Spare Wheel Material

Steel

- TBD -

Front Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

19 x 9.5

Spare Wheel Size (in)

Compact

- TBD -

Rear Wheel Material

Aluminum

Rear Wheel Size (in)

18 x 8.0

20 x 11.5

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

6.0L/- TBD -

SAE Net Horsepower @ RPM

288 @ 5600

661 @ 5400

Engine Type

Gas V8

Bi-Turbocharged Gas V12

Fuel System

SFI

SMPI

SAE Net Torque @ RPM

317 @ 3400

738 @ 2200-4200

Engine Order Code

Mileage

EPA Fuel Economy Est - City (MPG)

11 (Est)

EPA Fuel Economy Est - Hwy (MPG)

18 (Est)

Fuel Economy Est-Combined (MPG)

14 (Est)

Transmission

Trans Type

Fifth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.73

0.83

Trans Description Cont. Again

Drivetrain

Rear Wheel Drive

Reverse Ratio (:1)

2.95

3.16

Second Gear Ratio (:1)

1.96

2.19

Trans Order Code

Final Drive Axle Ratio (:1)

3.77

- TBD -

Fourth Gear Ratio (:1)

1.00

Trans Description Cont.

Automatic w/OD

Sixth Gear Ratio (:1)

0.58

First Gear Ratio (:1)

3.30

3.60

Clutch Size (in)

Third Gear Ratio (:1)

1.35

1.41

Seventh Gear Ratio (:1)

Summary

Vehicle Name

Lexus SC 430

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class

Body Style

2-Door Convertible

2 Door Convertible

Suspension

Stabilizer Bar Diameter - Rear (in)

- TBD -

Suspension Type - Front (Cont.)

4-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

Emissions

EPA Greenhouse Gas Score

1 (Est)

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