Pre Purchase Advice Please

willydoit · May 22, 2015

Hi all,

We currenTly have a 98 ls400 in almost showroom condition with 55,000 miles. We have owned it for 10 years and it had 7,500 miles on it when purchased. In 10 years it hasnt given me any issues. We also have a 2004 171 model Mercedes Slk 200 Kompressor with 46,000 miles on it. We love convertible motoring but The quality of the merc isnt a patch on the lexus. We are therefor considering purchasing a sc430 to get the best of both worlds. We havent had chance to get our hands on a sc430 yet however I have a few reservations that I am hoping you may be able to help with.

I had considered getting rid of both cars if the sc can match the ls400 for quietness and comfort as in theory it could give the best of both worlds. However I hate excessive road noise, with poor road surfaces even the ls400 can start to get noisy (to my ears but I am picky) how does the sc430 match up to the ls400 for noise levels?

Another concern is that even with the roof down you can still get a good supermarket shop in the boot of the Slk. The boot on the sc430 looks severly limited with the roof down although there is the rear seat space which can be used. Could the sc430 be a serious contender as an only car from a day to day usage perspective for such things as shopping etc, what about luggage for holidays and airport trips?

As our daughter has grown up and has her own transport there is generaly just my wife and I using the cars so lack of rear seats that are usable isnt too much of an issue except for transferring the odd item which wont fit in the boot.

Lastly, any advice you can give on what to look for or avoid when considering a sc430 would be welcome.

There seems to be some higher mileage models around which I would prefer to avoid, I know the ls400's were bullet proof but how do the sc430's cope with higher mileage with things such as roof seals, wind noise, general durability and ability to withstand daily use?

Thanks in advance for any help and advice provided.

Connoisseur · May 23, 2015

In September we are taking our 2004 SC430 on a European road trip to Mercia in Spain and back. Storage space with roof down inc. the rear seat is good enough for two of us for the fortnight, but it is a convertible, so space is limited and as with the Merc. ingenuity can be required!.

imho roof seals are good, the drivers door seal around the mirror housing/tweeter can wear out so worth checking and replacing, as with all roof seals. Currently it's my daily driver car and has never let me down (wood firmly being touched!).

In my experience tyre noise is really about the tyres chosen. Continentals on mine are quiet enough for me, and I too am picky.

I would be more concerned about service history than mileage particularly. It's a great (verging on bullet proof) V8 engine and ancillaries. Just make absolutely sure the serpentine belt has been changed and that the car has been cared for. Later models have improved autobox and Bluetooth etc.

In the end it is a convertible, so limited space, great comfort, great engine and relaxing to drive. Good luck with your research...

M

willydoit · May 23, 2015

Thanks for that, good info about the Bluetooth, it is one thing I miss on the LS400 so worth looking out for a newer model. Were there any other changes that make life a little easier that means the newer model is a better purchase? do they have ipod docks or connections for example.

Thanks again.

steve2006 · May 23, 2015

There was a post on the forums some time ago where a member had purchased the SC430 and then discovered it was extremely rusty underneath and required major restoration/parts/money being invested in it to the point where I think it was resold at a substantial loss so make sure you inspect it carefully including the underside.Also press every button and switch to make sure they all work.

Connoisseur · May 23, 2015

There was a post on the forums some time ago where a member had purchased the SC430 and then discovered it was extremely rusty underneath and required major restoration/parts/money being invested in it to the point where I think it was resold at a substantial loss so make sure you inspect it carefully including the underside.Also press every button and switch to make sure they all work.

Now that is worth knowing more about -have you got a link to the thread/post?

Paul_G · May 25, 2015

I take my SC to France every year. Roof down you are very limited with space in the boot, and I bought some of the specialised luggage in the link below. Realistically long motorway drives you will have the roof up if you want to make some pace, so plan accordingly. As to Bluetooth, I added a Dension kit, see other link below. It's brilliant, limited only by the SC Mark Levison kit. It's also my daily driver, and I get most stuff into it somehow!

Agree with everything else above. Check any car you look at is on proper tyres and not the original run flats, they are very noisy. Later models have better gearbox and suspension, but are quite rare. Mine is an early model with later model wheels, which seems to work OK.

Servicing is normal Lexus prices, but not much ever goes wrong (touchjing more wood :) ). As above make sure the 100k/10 year timing belt change has been done if you go for that age. Budget for around £500 if you need to do it.

I did see the one rusty one mentioned, but it's the only one I've ever heard of and I think it lived near the coast all its life.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-430/42378-custom-fitted-luggage-for-sc430-2.html

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/74681-ipodiphone-link-by-vaistech-soundlinq2-sl2i-up/

willydoit · May 26, 2015

Hi Paul,

Thanks for that, as we tend to keep our cars for a long time and look after them We would prefer to start with a low mileage version that has also been looked after as it makes life much easier rather than trying to maintain the looks and mechanics of something which has suffered a bit of neglect.

As yet we still havent seen one up close or driven one as there arent any close by. I dont want to travel miles to get my first look or risk allowing my heart rule my head and end up buying the first one we see that we think we may be able to afford. I think I will start a new post asking if there are any owners in or around the Hull/York area who wouldnt mind letting us have a look at theirs and having a chat about the pro's and cons. We will then at least know whether the SC430 will meet our requirements. So far our only reason for considering one is we enjoy the roof down motoring when the weather permits but after the SLK want something with the same reliabilty and build quality as our LS400.