Fred Bassett

SC430 now 10 years old with 60,000 miles (3500 since last service and always garaged-my pet car!)

Always serviced with Lexus Belfast - loved the brand so much I even purchased a further Lexus (LS460) from them last year.

To get the price down (yes, I was hopeful!), I asked for a package to bring the car back to it's formal glory.

Asked for detailed prices for service, timing belt, wheel referb, Battery and paintwork - accident with garage door:-(

For a basic service and timing belt change (no extras), the cost came in at £745

Battery came out at an additional £195

Wheel refurb (no damage to rim) came out at a minimum of £90 each - probably be more they say!

Yes I love the brand, the cars and always try to support the dealers, but sometimes I wonder!

Although I don't mind paying a premium with a Lexus dealer, This has got me wondering.

Hope you enjoy your new S-class.

After a couple of Granada's, my first luxury car was an 380SEL - felt like a barge, but I loved it!

The new luxury cars are now in a different league - air suspension with all the toys to keep us boys happy.

When I was looking for a car to supplement my SC, I went for the LS due to it's quality and rarity.

I love my LS but can understand the purchase - hope you enjoy it. :-)

Yes, if you get a reliable mechanic, the running costs can be low.

For me, it's convenience I need, which Is why I use my local dealer and pay the premium.

You got a great price - not as expensive to run as many would think, so a great buy!

.

Enjoying my SC for now 2.5 years.

Under warranty I had the headlight-levelling system and both wing mirror motors sorted.

The only fault I had to pay for was for the O2 censor's - cost around £700 for the pair - Lexus dealer.

If purchasing from Lexus, try for an extended warranty.

My local dealer will add an extra years warranty for only £300, which is little for peace of mind.

Remember the more toys, the more may go wrong.

Having said that, I love the toys!

So how many films have you seen this car in?

For me, its Matchstick Man

http://www.imcdb.org/i005144.jpg

What about you?

If only AutoTrader was like this site, then I would own a 'spankingn new' LS.

As is is, I have to be content with my own Lexus, and an LS for the future.

Common people!

What about a proper LS for an owner to cherish!!!!!!

Don't be greedy Steve.

Sometimes it comes to us all to relinquish his/her ownership on their vehicle. So if I can assist in taking on the mantel of owning an 'LS400', then I see it as my duty to continue as it's new custodian.

Unfortunately your right, its becoming more difficult to acquire the right vehicle. But given time I'm sure the right one will arrive.

Some hate the 90's design, but for me it shows the elegance of that decade.

In total agreement with Phil ,don't do it .There was a time when an Audi was quite a rare item ,nowadays everyone and his brother seems to have one .

An Audi is a quality car, but so many around at this time, just like BMW's.

Sometimes its nice to drive something different.

On the driving to work this week, the only car I remember is an Ls400 registration BLZ - - - -

Overtook me on consecutive days, the cheeky 'bleep-bleep'.

The rarity value shouldn't be ignored.

Looks great.

So what would it cost for us mere mortals to aspire to 'these great wheels'.

Unbelievable!!!!!!

If only the seller took a few photographs, then he/she would get a quick sale.

Remind me to take my time when purchasing my next vehicle!!!!!!!!!

I am located in Northern Ireland and am looking for a pristine LS400 to look after.

As the title indicates I am looking for an LS400 to own on a long term basis. I would prefer to view a vehicle in Northern Ireland but would travel to view the right vehicle.

So if you know of a vehicle that would benefit from a cosseted future, then please let me know.

A vehicle owned by me is a vehicle secured for the future!

Thank you for your interest and happy driving.

Just looked it up and it seems to me the LS400 is very dated now.

It must be my age, but sometimes it's nice to look at a 90's vehicle.

By the way, sometimes the ride is more important than just power and looks!

Just goes to show what you can save by saying NO!

Having experienced the engine management light come on,

I dropped off the car at Lexus Belfast - fault was the oxygen sensor!

Replaced both sensors (on advice) at over £620.00

Apparently this was a reduced price as labour was charged at only 'toyota' rates!

Thank goodness I wasn't charged Lexus rates @ £100 per hour!

Thanks alphacat!

I know where you are coming from, but for me it is different.

Having also owned an SC430 for a year, it has made me want to broaden the 'Lexus" experience further.

Personally I would love to own an LS, RX and GS to complete the experience (finances permitting!).

As a new Lexus owner, I am now 'a fanatic'!!!!!!!!

The LS may not be the most prettiest vehicle around, but for me it is the vehicle I would love to own and drive!

Although I own a few vehicles, including the gorgeous SC430, their are a few more vehicles I desire to drive more!

I recently decided to sell my 2002 SC due to insufficient usage and, like an earlier Club member, contacted 'webuyanycar' to get an idea as to its possible value. Their response was to offer £4600 for a car which has done less than 49000k, has full Lexus service history and has led a cosseted life. Clearly this is unacceptable and beggars belief.

What I find strange is that their 'blurb' states that they have millions of satisfied customers - I wonder where they all are????

I have been fortunate in having owned many fine sports cars and the SC stands high in my satisfaction list, are we the only enthusiasts to to appreciate the SC's unique qualities????

Whatever you do, don't let your car go for this price - if you can't get a higher price, I will buy it!

Better selling to a person who appreciates this car than a company just trying to make a profit!!

Otherwise, put an advertisement on this site and other car sites - just don't give this vehicle away!

Everyone is different, which is perhaps why we select vehicles that are as individual as we are.
Sometimes we may even desire to 'spec' a vehicle to make it even more individual than the one we last owned.

The funny thing is, I always considered myself an old fart - 'very boring in my selection of vehicles', but thats just me.......... So when I purchased my SC from the local Lexus dealer, I thought I was continuing in my 'methodical boring mode'.
The result however was a low mileage car previously owned by a 'less boring elderly owner' who installed a sports exhaust and air intake. Perhaps that's what caused his stroke in the end.
Whatever it was, the result for me was a vehicle that is both gorgeous to look at, and an enjoyment to listen to and drive.

My point is this, should we judge others that have a different view and perspective on life and their cars?
or just enjoy life as it is - just pure enjoyment !!!!!!!!

So whatever you do - enjoy your vehicle as it is - without thought of disappointing others!

Clearly, it is up to you do define the parameters of your search. But I don't understand the preoccupation with low mileage with these older cars. The major lesson I learnt when buying mine (which had around 156k on the clock) was to buy on condition not mileage. These cars go on and on providing they have been serviced and maintained well. Good luck with your search

Great post!

As the title suggests, I'm wondering how the SC430 compares to the older LS400s? Anyone owned both? I'm thinking about trying to pick up an 02/03 model to go with my LS400 (not replace it) :).

As you own an LS400 you should try to source a proper SC430.

Forget how they compare - they don't - perhaps that's the beauty of these machine's.

For me I'm coming from a different angle - I have an SC430 but want an LS400 as an alternative vehicle.

Perhaps we should swap for a while?

Personally I would love to drive an LS400.

As the title says really. SWMBO is really loving the SC and everyone comments on the unusual colour. Looking at adverts there is no other white one around so was wondering just how rare. Does anyone know of another in UK?

Nope - over the past 17 months (12 cars), never come across one of this colour.

hi all

i was wondering about getting a custom stainless exhaust for my sc ,the guy in the garage has told me that it will improve acceleration ,mpg and give a smoother drive bt im not sure it will .can anybody shed some light on this subject before i buy .its a longlife agent that ive seen,any advise will be greatly appreciated pros or cons please many thanks john

Don't believe everything you hear, having said that I was impressed by my SC430 as purchased from the Lexus dealer in Belfast.

My car has had only one previous owner who fitted a sports exhaust with an upgraded air intake system.

Personally I don't care about the mpg of my vehicle, but love more the sound and individuality when accelerating through the automatic gearbox.

Having recently considered upgrading to a newer SC430, I was put off with the 'lack of occasion' the newer vehicle delivered.

So if considering an upgrade to a sports exhaust, try to drive an SC with a standard and another with a sports exhaust - this will be your best test!

Happy Driving !!!!!!!!

I know they're different. It's just that I own a LS400 and I was wondering how the SC430 might compare in relation to that (given that I don't have one yet). Clearly, they are different in all kinds of ways. I'm just interested in hearing from people who have experienced both (unlike me). I'm not really interested in any value judgements because, as you say, they are different and it would be silly to make direct comparisons as if they were the same.

Perhaps we should 'compare and contrast'?

Personally I would love to drive an LS400, mainly because they are so different and such great value at this time.

So although I enjoyed the trip home today with the hood down (doesn't happen too often),

I would still love a sedate drive in a proper LS400!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Perfection!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Some have said these cars don't compare - my view is that this is the whole point of of these cars!!!!!!!!!!!!

Should we desire to own cars that are similar - "I don't think so"

So if you are ever in Northern Ireland (Belfast), I would be more than happy to lend you an SC for a day out.

Unfortunately the wood is of the lighter shade which is my preference )

You never know - you could be tempted?

If ever interest, just PM me.

Mark

That's lovely. If only I'd gone through a mid life crisis when I had the chance, I could have had one of those. Too late now I'm an old git!

Don't worry, were all 'old farts' at heart!

Over the past 30 years of driving, the only thing that has changed with me (apart from the lack of hair), is the car!

Still looking for an LS and RX to complete the collection!

Having said that, a proper LS would be perfection (but don't tell the misses)

I love my SC, but in no way can you have anyone in the back for any length of time.

My wife for example is only be 5' 1/4 inches tall (never forget that quarter inch), but she still feels very cramp in the back.

So for a short drive it may be ok, but for any longer, cramp for the rear passenger will set in and the driver will get an earache from that quarter - be warned!

Has everyone else read the manual and worked out how to get the door mirrors to dip when you select reverse?

Door mirror settings - centre for off, full right or left for automatic dipping on selecting reverse gear.

If this doesn't work, then a fault has occurred.