Did the Lexus SC 400 come in manual?
The Lexus SC 400 did not come with a manual transmission; it was offered exclusively with a four-speed automatic across its entire production run.
Launched in the 1990s as Lexus's V8-powered two-seat grand tourer, the SC 400 was designed for refined long-distance cruising rather than sporty shifting. Here’s a concise look at how the transmission options were applied across major markets and model years.
Transmission options and market reality
The following points summarize the factory transmission setup for the SC 400 in its different markets.
- Four-speed automatic transmission paired with the 1UZ-FE V8 engine for all SC 400 versions.
- No factory manual option offered in the United States, Europe, or Japan during the model’s production.
- Enthusiasts sometimes discuss manual swaps for various Lexus models, but there were no official SC 400 manuals, and conversions are rare and not supported by Lexus.
In practice, buyers seeking a manual Lexus from that era would not find one in the SC 400; they would have to look at other models or later generations for a manual option.
Legacy context for collectors
The SC 400’s automatic-only configuration was carried through the line into its successor, the SC family’s later models, which also used automatics. This remains a key fact for collectors evaluating the SC 400’s place in Lexus history.
Summary: The Lexus SC 400 did not offer a factory manual transmission; it was equipped exclusively with a four-speed automatic across markets and model years, reinforcing its role as a luxury grand tourer rather than a manual performance car.
