Which looks better? Lexus SC (1st gen) or MB SEC?

MichaelTaylor submitted on 03/26/2008 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 6:42 AM
from: www.autospies.com

Tags: Which looks better? Lexus SC (1st gen) or MB SEC?

I was wondering why Lexus had such a modern looking car in the early 1990s and MB still relied on something that looks like it came from the 1970s.

So I want to know which car do you think is better in design?

My vote goes to the Lexus. It is clearly so much sleeker and sporty looking plus it has the better interior and ride. A truly modern car.

Comments:

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Agent009 - 3/26/2008 8:53:28 AMView My AgentSpace

-6 Boost

In this case I think the nod goes to the Lexus, one of their better styling designs.

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Shredmo - 3/27/2008 4:28:03 PM

+3 Boost

What is up with people creating user names similar to others user names. Who is the real GoObama user?

mscottc1 - 3/27/2008 8:13:46 PM

-4 Boost

Who the hell cares? They both stand for the same Toyota/Lexus crap, aparently. And both seem to be "for" a candidate who supports so many things that we as "car people" should be freaked out by (oh, I don't know, like maybe the entire concept of working hard to get somewhere in life & be able to purchase the car we want to drive as opposed to having our hard-earned wealth re-distributed in a socialist manner)....

spruce_rd - 3/28/2008 9:06:59 AM

+3 Boost

mscottc1, you are absolutely correct.
Wealth (money) redistribution will kill this great country.
Obama = total ineptitude

mscottc1 - 3/28/2008 5:47:31 PM

-2 Boost

WTF!?! Who is de-boosting me & then boosting spruce_rd's comment agreeeing with me???? I swear you guys have gotten into the Toyota Cool-aid. How many times do I have to warn you!! IT'S POISON! IT WILL KILL YOU!

TauronB2G - 3/26/2008 8:54:49 AM

+9 Boost

SEC all the way.
T

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w209w114 - 3/26/2008 12:43:47 PMView My AgentSpace

+11 Boost

Agree, Am I the only one on this site that knows that the W126 had a twelve year production run between 1979 and 1991?

The lexus came out in the 90s! Just another typical ignorant fanboy who doesnt know jack about what he is posting.

pushrod27 - 3/26/2008 1:33:55 PM

+9 Boost

Exactly. This SEC design is from the 1970's, the Lexus was brand new for 1993. An appropriate comparison would have been with the S-class and later CL coupe.

what is the point of this moronic post?

lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 9:03:56 AM

0 Boost

what r u smokin??

lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 8:57:41 PM

0 Boost

yuk

lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 9:05:09 AM

-1 Boost

complete opposites of current mb's

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spruce_rd - 3/28/2008 9:14:51 AM

+1 Boost

"The original SC had a clean and attractive design" - complete opposite of current SC ugliness.

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Ironman273 - 3/26/2008 9:09:15 AM

+5 Boost

I would still love to have one of those SCs. Beautiful design.

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r15mohd - 3/26/2008 9:20:28 AM

+6 Boost

hey dictionary boy...it's a Lexus in America, where you are correct?

I've never seen Lexus or Toyota import a Toyota Soarer into America brand new, have you? If you cared to venture, the Soarer's came with different engine options, many different interior options as well. Though they look the same, many things the Lexus has DO differ from their Toyota brethren.

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Ironman273 - 3/26/2008 9:55:17 AM

+12 Boost

You're obviously trying to "downgrade" the Lexus by saying it's "just" a Toyota. You could just as easily say "That fully loaded BMW 335i? It's just a BMW 318d."

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Willis - 3/26/2008 2:14:48 PM

+2 Boost

Obama,

You're just as idiotic as Spellchecker. Cut it out already.

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Agent63 - 3/26/2008 2:15:40 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

GoObama you're misinformed person. The Toyota Soarer(SC) was not better than the SEC. Give me a break. There is no comparison. Just like how the Lexus SC now is no comparison to anything in it's class, never was. Now the LF-A i like.

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Targa - 3/26/2008 10:04:06 AM

+9 Boost

Agreed... this is a stupid comparison and not really what this site should be.....

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bigmotov - 3/26/2008 9:28:10 AM

-2 Boost

Classy and elegant? If a box is classier and more elegant, than to each his own I guess. I had a silver '95 SC400...LOVED IT!!! It was still purring like a kitten, smooth as ever when I gave it to my brother a couple of years back.

Spellchecker, what is your point? I don't care if it WAS a Soarer, it was still a nice vehicle...much nicer (and more reliable) than a lot of others in that category at that time. I know you have an effection for BMW (as do I and all other great vehicles), but IF a BMW was a rebadged something here in the states, I would still think that it's a nice vehicle. A nice car is a nice car.

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lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 9:05:40 PM

-1 Boost

yes yes...boxes are veerryy elegant. lol. the only box car that looks good is the scion xB or the land rovers. hot hot hot! oh, btw, have any of u seen the new land rover lrz concept? now that is cool!

adamsaf723 - 3/26/2008 9:31:17 AM

+3 Boost

The original SC was a very sporty design. I believe it has almost stood the test of time, looking better than many Sport Coupes on the road TODAY! The SEC was very classy, but most people today would find the design almost stale.

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Whelan - 3/26/2008 9:34:35 AM

+2 Boost

I like the SC, as for a car in that year range it was very modern looking. I've never been a fan of the older Benz's. Even the older S500s to me looked dull.

The latest SC430 though is getting very old and is in such desperate need of an update. I see them on the road here and there and I think they run around 60k, which to me is ridiculous for such an old design.

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Htay7500 - 3/26/2008 9:59:43 AM

+7 Boost

The sc also had a nice engine and a rare manual tranny option. the SEC was pretty cool too.

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07G35J - 3/26/2008 10:08:30 AM

-5 Boost

The Lexus.

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1995e34 - 3/26/2008 10:22:35 AM

+14 Boost

the SEC is a classic coupe that all makes should be inspired by, while the SC was one of lexus' better designs that i can say doesn't suck.

in sportier guises, the SEC is one of the more sinister looking cars ever. adorned with the amg monoblock rims, the benz still has a great visual presence. the cold war vintage benz looks both powerful and classy.

i was never in love with the original SC styling as it reminded me too much of a bar of soap. i liked it, but i much preferred the styling of the GS of those years.

the SC certainly has more sporting intentions , but didn't really back them up by only offering a manual transmission in the 6 cylinder. surely they could've snagged a few supra trannies.

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JCH335i - 3/26/2008 10:47:21 AM

+6 Boost

benz

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Designer1 - 3/26/2008 10:47:23 AM

-5 Boost

Although the SEC was always one of my favorate MB desigs, but I must give it to the SC, its has far beyond nicer look inside and out.

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answer - 3/26/2008 10:58:30 AMView My AgentSpace

-5 Boost

The first gen SC blows that SEC away.

Unfortunately though, that first gen SC also blows away the current SC.

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ErichHartmann - 3/26/2008 11:28:10 AM

+7 Boost

Top of the line SEC was the 560SEC which in Europe could reach 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds (Auto Motor und Sport 03.07.89).

answer - 3/26/2008 11:33:45 AMView My AgentSpace

-8 Boost

When I said "blows it away" I was referring to looks, which is what this topic was referring to.

Hachee2001 - 3/26/2008 11:24:10 AM

+6 Boost

It's reasonable to ask which car people prefer - both were top range coupes, similar purposes, etc (despite a big price difference). I personally loved the SEC - it was and still is one of my favorite Benz designs of all time. It was rare, handsome, clean, elegant, and luxurious. And so was the Lexus - I also liked this car a lot went it came out.

But your point that the Lexus looked so much more modern than the Benz really ignores an important fact - the SEC came out in 1982 (maybe 1981 in Europe) and was very modern at the time, and was, in fact, designed in the 70's. The Lexus was introduced in the US when, in 1991 or so? A full decade later. The SEC was replaced by a new model in 1993 in the US (perhaps 1992 in Europe). So if you're really trying to compare temporary cars, you need to use the 1993-2001 SEC/CL. Now the new SEC was no beauty, but it was very modern.

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ErichHartmann - 3/26/2008 11:29:43 AM

+5 Boost

I thought the Lexus SC competes with the Mercedes SL-Klasse? The SEC was the S-Klasse Coupe, so basically a CL.

Shredmo - 3/26/2008 11:40:20 AM

+7 Boost

This is a good comparison thread, as both cars were beauties of their time. The Merc SEC was introduced ~1981-2, that is why the styling looks '70s vs '90s.

My vote: Mercedes SEC.
In the movie Roadhouse, they featured one.
Near the end they wrecked it. That was a beautiful car. If it were still for sale new today, you could call it stale, but IMO, it is now a classic.

As far as Lexus goes, I love the original SC series, it is a great car, but IMO, it is not a classic... yet.

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bigmotov - 3/26/2008 12:25:52 PM

+4 Boost

Roadhouse! LOL! I thought I was going to be the only one who remembered that...THANKS!

1995e34 - 3/26/2008 11:59:52 AM

+3 Boost

"Most SEC owners are pimps and evil people anyway"

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85bmw745i - 3/28/2008 10:12:05 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

Hey retard there is no fake wood in an SEC. The sc was somewhat elegant but also bland. the SEC had a presence and a look that stood out and screamed power. the SC had more of the look of a silent coupe. It's okay to love lexus they make a fine car, but dam, get real and stop making stupid $hit up just because you think lexus beats everything in the world.

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StickShiftCamry - 3/26/2008 11:49:48 AM

-6 Boost

Umm, some ppl put Toyota Badges on their Lex, ppl are dumb and ignorant.

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1995e34 - 3/26/2008 12:00:36 PM

+7 Boost

if i ever owned a lexus, that's the first thing i'd do.

IVANURI97 - 3/26/2008 11:50:48 AM

+6 Boost

Prefer the Benz, back then the MB brought style and class in a elegant way. The Lexus brought in a new set of sporty style though, it's one Lexus that I actually like. However, I'd take the Benz over that any day. The Benz had the best seats too!

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no1listensanyway - 3/26/2008 11:55:42 AMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

Benz -

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Rupert - 3/26/2008 11:58:23 AMView My AgentSpace

+10 Boost

Wasn't this SEC replaced in like 1991 by the S class coupe?
I like the SEC though - but I do love 80's Mercs.

The SC looks nice, but it was never sold in Britain - a few people had grey imports from Japan but they were all badged Toyota Soarer. Good car though, from what I've heard.

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Hachee2001 - 3/26/2008 12:01:23 PM

+5 Boost

^^^^^^^my previous post, where I said:

So if you're really trying to compare temporary cars, you need to use the 1993-2001 SEC/CL. Now the new SEC was no beauty, but it was very modern.

that should have been "CONtemporary" cars!!

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EL34 - 3/26/2008 12:14:34 PM

+7 Boost

The Lexus SC to me always looked like a big giant almond on wheels :-|

The Mercedes would be the car for me :-)

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Heyhuub - 3/26/2008 12:54:04 PM

+9 Boost

The Merc, no contest.

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Czelinski - 3/26/2008 1:31:12 PM

+8 Boost

I can't believe that they've been compared.

MB, without a shadow of a doubt.

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answer - 3/26/2008 4:03:50 PMView My AgentSpace

0 Boost

Why couldn't you compare the two?

lexusis350 - 3/26/2008 1:55:33 PM

-8 Boost

I love the SC 400 so I'm going to go with that. Mercedes' in the 90s didn't look so good.

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Willis - 3/26/2008 2:12:28 PM

+2 Boost

Not to start a war, but the Lexus cars of the '90s were styling disasters. Mercedes pretty much still had great looking cars and a number of which are bound to become classics: first generation SLK, first gen. CLK and the W210 E class.

audirevolution - 3/26/2008 5:09:17 PM

+4 Boost

Then why did Lexus copy so many Mercedes design cues from the 90's?

audirevolution - 3/26/2008 5:10:49 PM

+4 Boost

Both are classics IMO.
I wanted them both when they first came out, and I still do today.
Can't say that about the new SC though (a styling disaster)

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eric452 - 3/26/2008 7:19:38 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

the benz was to boxy

the sc was more modern

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S4cabriofoxone - 3/26/2008 9:00:16 PMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

Is this really a valid comparison? The SC300 was released a staggering thirteen years after the Benz. To add, the SEC had already been off the market for a year by the time the SC appeared.

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Mercedes - 3/27/2008 2:51:56 AM

+3 Boost

Interesting. Probably Lexus' best design ever against a MB classic. I'll take the Benz, though it was designed, developed and sold best in an era long before the Lexus. The sad thing is that Lexus has absolutely nothing in their current lineup that will be considered classic. Arguably the first generation GS300, SC, and LS400 could all be considered Lexus classics, too bad nothing in their current lineup is even close.

Every single one of Mercedes' cars from that era, R129 SL, W124 E-Class, W126 S-Class sedan and coupe (SEC) are from an era in which Mercedes-Benz design was the best going. All of those MBs scream classic.

Lexus went downhill especially with blandest mess you've ever seen in the 1995 LS400 to what you see today. Mercedes-Benz meanwhile still has some real lookers in their lineup, SL, CL, S AMG, E and CLS.

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JUGNU - 3/27/2008 6:44:15 AMView My AgentSpace

-9 Boost

"Mercedes-Benz meanwhile still has some real lookers in their lineup, SL, CL, S AMG, E and CLS."

New refreshed SL is terrible(last was very good no doubt) and S class's styling is also questionable ugly bangle butt, giant wheel arches, ordinary and quite common headlights...ect

btw LX470 is a classic.

JUGNU

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Rupert - 3/27/2008 8:37:16 AMView My AgentSpace

+5 Boost

You make me laugh Jugnu.

Mercedes - 3/28/2008 2:39:51 AM

+5 Boost

Yet any one of them look better than anything Lexus has. Lexus has the most forgettable lineup of "luxury" cars this side of Acura.

It amazes me how short on facts people on this site are.

The rear of the S-Class was previewed in 1997 with the "Maybach by Mercedes-Benz" concept, years before any of this "Bangle butt" BS.

A S-Class in AMG trims makes the Lexus LS look like a Santa Fe boxcar.

Haven't seen the SL in person yet, but in most pics it looks great IMO. Funny part is that it doesn't matter, the car has always looked great for the last 50 years and continues to stomp muttholes in anything Lexus has in the convertible segment. You don't want to get started on the lame as hell SC430, a 2-door in LS430 in everything but styling, which is actually worse.

The LX470 is Toyota Land Cruiser, and is no more a classic than the first generation ES250 is.

The Land Cruiser is the only "classic" part of that badge job.

lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 9:03:30 AM

-2 Boost

the rear end of most mb's are downright ugly, in my opinion. the bmw rear ends look decades older than their frant ends.. look at the 7 series!!! uh-oh, here comes the onslaught of bmw and mb fanatics...

85bmw745i - 3/28/2008 10:14:40 PMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

yes the Toyota land cruiser is a classic.

tattedtwice - 3/27/2008 3:31:00 PM

+2 Boost

As much as I couldnt stand the sc because it looked like a discman cd player in the front, I will admit theres one thing I liked about it; both the 3 and 400 had an awesome sounding exhaust note. They did a great job on that, at least.

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S2000VS911 - 3/28/2008 1:28:52 AMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

sorry!!! different car, can't compare. both look great.

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lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 9:00:55 AM

-1 Boost

sec looks decades older than the lexus... are they really both the same model year? if they are, what is wrong with the mb design team???

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Rupert - 3/28/2008 12:17:39 PMView My AgentSpace

+4 Boost

The SEC was over 11 years old in 1992 - and it was replaced the next year. bit of an odd comparison if you ask me. Obviously the SEC looks older, it was a much older car!

lexusrox123 - 3/28/2008 9:12:09 PM

+1 Boost

if i didnt see the sc's model year, i wouldve thought it was a 96 or 97 model. definitely not a 93.

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MattB - 3/29/2008 3:48:15 PM

+2 Boost

They both have their strong and weak points. It's really just a matter of personal preference.

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lexusrox123 - 3/29/2008 5:51:52 PM

0 Boost

ls600h is the car for me.

downgrade me if u like, i really couldnt care less.

(i gaurantee the mb fanboys are gonna boost me down on this one,,,*sigh*
i wish autospies.com could change itself from the usual german vs. japan fanboy battleground. i'm not the only one sick of it, i'm sure of it...)

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MattB - 3/29/2008 6:38:39 PM

+1 Boost

This "article" had nothing to do with the LS600hL.

1BadMan - 3/29/2008 10:09:15 PM

+1 Boost

The Toyota Soarer looks better. By a lot! And it still looks good today, which is unusual for an Asian car to look good years after production has ceased! They can't duplicate the "magic" they had with the Toyota Soarer.

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	MichaelTaylor
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