alphacat

road test from a 07 sc430 (6)

The SC430's speed-sensitive, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering somehow manages to get it exactly wrong. The system's too heavy when you'd expect it to be low-effort, and numb and vague when you expect it to sharpen-up. The double wishbone suspension also inverts expectations. It crashes at low speeds and floats when hustled. What's more, visibility is atrocious from inside the pillbox.

seems they no better than an old 2001 ?

Only if you agree with that particular road test and I certainly don't having driven both cars. It was written at a time knocking the SC430 was popular (thanks to Top Gear who are don't forget two people who are confused by engineering and one musician) I admit one fact that the the 'suspension doesn't sharpen' up but then its not numb either.

I drive my car far too fast and notice none of the above even compared to my last car an Audi S4 which if anything was front heavy and much more effort. The visibility from inside the SC430 is also more than satisfactory considering its low roof line and the fact that its a convertible.

The above is written as if the journalist (for want of a better word)was expecting to drive a sports car and the Sc 430 has never made any pretence (thankfully) to be one of them. Its a comfortable, effortless, capable, reasonably powerful, quiet, long distance cruiser, with room for a few bags and the roof comes off... That's what it is and that's what it does very well. The Mk2 does it better particularly as far as the suspension is concerned but more importantly due to the excellent 6 speed box where on lo

ng runs even at motor way speeds and a bit above 30 mpg is easily achievable. I don't know where the quoted piece comes from but I do remember reading one used car test on Piston Heads for the SC430 that said exactly the opposite.

PS I believe even Top Gear had a rethink after the Mk2 was tested particularly as a second hand buy.

think you will find a car with high miles that has sat on the motorway all its life is far better than a low millage car that has been sat around and only used around town

100k is nothing,ive had ls400 in here with 300k on them and still sounding mint

my old v8 soarer has got 225k and never ever go wrong

I think your wrong for all sorts of reasons...mainly engineering ones. I would admit if cars have 'equal' mileage the one that has done less runs of low temperature and less stops and starts is far better. By comparison but your not making a comparison.

Although I admit cars do need to be driven, high mileage has its pitfalls and they are of course huge.

Materials and components are only made to last so long, not in time but in hours of use.

Issues such as wear and tear are obvious, not so obvious is temperature cycle degradation. Stops and starts give more wear than many miles of motoring so when you buy a car with high mileage it could be an indication of the issues mentioned but it could be much, much worse if the car has had many stops and starts or short runs below optimum working temperature etc.

On average BHP will drop by 30% for every 100,000 miles unless particular measures are taken (often expensive ones) to make some of this this up.

The fact is if you have a car from new or from very low miles you know the history and that's important. But when buying a car you have no idea, apart from whats on the clock, so a healthy respect for the deterioration caused by high mileage is sensible.

Hi guys,

I've had a look around and thought I'd post.

I'm a huge fan of convertibles and have owned a couple of Audi TT's, Mazda MX5, Mini Roadster and Golf Cabriolet.

I've been looking for a Mark 1 Audi TT roadster as a weekend car without much luck, along with BMW Z4's

Last night I came across an ad for a Lexus SC430, 2004 in silver, with black leather interior. Just one owner, 42,000 miles and all Lexus services done.

I'm picking it up next week, but I wonder if you guys can help me with a couple of queries.

I've seen about the Lexus service plans on another thread, so will call them about that.

Do I need to get the timing belt changed? How much should it cost and does it have to be done by Lexus?

There isn't an aux point, but I need to be able to use my phone handsfree. Is there a bluetooth kit recommended that doesn't need to be screwed into the car?

Are there any other does and dont's I should be aware of?

Thanks in advance.

Ian

My 430 Sc has Bluetooth built it.. not sure if its just the 2005 up cars... Its set up on the Sat Nav interface.

I spent £1,000 on timing belt, water pump (always do the pump whilst the belt is off), full major service, including aircon repump. Since then I've only had 'critical care service' done which was about £200. For peace of mind I'd go for main dealer, but others on this forum will disagree :)

Yes I would... I prefer a decent engineer to a main dealer apprentice..

Thanks for that.

It's obviously the age that dictates a change. Any idea on price for the work?

Why is it obvious ??

the problem is

you can buy the same looking car for half the money

yes it may have a 100k on it,but thats nothing for a 4.3 v8 lexus

put a plate on it and no one will tell the difference

You cant buy one for half the money.. Not a 2006 'model' with that suspension and that gearbox. True others may 'look' the same but it doesn't 'drive' the same and the Mk 1 just isn't as good. Not by along way. Personally I buy a car for how it drives as well as how it looks. I would also argue that 100k is 'something' for any car. Put it on a rolling road and its often very surprising just how much is lost. not to mention wear and tear in other areas mileage is far worse than years in making a car deteriorate. Some of the bits that do can be expensive.

Where's lexusman :)

Here's one.

2005 6 speed. I'd be tempted to take a look if it wasn't so far from me. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lexus/sc/lexus-sc-430-------------------2005/2128985

am on it mate :)

i sent him a email,its a mint car for sure but far to much for that year

i think the car is 10k and no more,and am really holding out for a silver one,as black is a bitch to keep clean

I don't think £10000 is a reasonable offer for a car with that mileage and in that condition. I would have snapped it up at that. Its spring and it will sell. a reasonable price for that car is around £12000 £12500. maybe a little less if it has a short MOT and no tax.

As for the colour I hate silver it just doesn't cut it with me. I take the point about black being difficult to keep clean but when it is it cant be beat in my view. If I didn't have Black Ivory 6 speed 2005 (low road tax) I would buy it myself.

well i guess you could say that,but on the other hand a quiet sc could be a bit old man

My son says that...But if you don't want quiet I cant see the point in buying a quiet car and making it noisy. There are lots of noisy cars to be had..

Where's lexusman :)

Here's one.

2005 6 speed. I'd be tempted to take a look if it wasn't so far from me. http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lexus/sc/lexus-sc-430-------------------2005/2128985

That's exactly the same as mine apart from the mileage same colour same interior.

Mine had done 49000 miles but it only cost me £12450 nearly two years ago.

Many thanks for all suggestions, will know better on Mon and hopefully

Update then

If repair bill isn't to great considering putting on a custom Cybox exhaust whilst in the air(not to boy racey)

But would like to hear v8 burble now and then

i can do you a much better exhausts than that mate

Its a bit boy racer ish ... isn't it?

Many thanks for all suggestions, will know better on Mon and hopefully

Update then

If repair bill isn't to great considering putting on a custom Cybox exhaust whilst in the air(not to boy racey)

But would like to hear v8 burble now and then

I think this thirst for noise is unhealthy. The car is meant to be quiet...

http://www.svtservices.co.uk/find-us/

This is an Edinburgh company for Mark Levinson repairs. They also have a postal service or you can bring your car in and they will remove and replace the fixed unit.

Good info thanks

Hi anyone had to replace propshaft bearing carrier, looks like I need to replace?

Best place for replacement parts / how difficult a job

I haven't had the issue with my 430SC but I have had to have a prop shaft replacement on my wife's Jag. The symptoms you mention were similar. At first there was a bumping and vibration sound when accelerating particularly up hill and at high torques (in the Jag just over 2000 rpm but I expect it will be earlier than that in the 430) At first inspection there seemed to be play in the prop shaft particularly near the transfer box so we thought it was that. However it turned out to be the prop shaft in fact a worn its central bearing. The prop shaft was replaced quite easily the parts cost about £270 but we were refunded £120 for the old prop shaft. No more problems in the last two years.

I wanted Blue and ivory leather but ended up with Black and Ivory leather. I think it looks great...Its with walnut. ..

Here is another one alphacat.

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/111277441157?cmd=VIDESC

55 plate with the later wheels so I would presume 6 speed although no mention. Mileage too high for my liking. But would be the lower tax band.

The tax band system is a bit unfair.

I'm holding out for a 2010. The neighbour has a 2009. :)

I know its ended now but I have viewed the picture and I don't think that car has the 2006 model wheels its just got the old ones with the disc removed. So my guess is its 5 speed.

I am lucky all my neighbours cars are crap...

Can the radio / cd player be upgraded? Do you have to replace the speakers? Would it be a good fit? Any sugestions of a make and model?

2004 SC430

Thanks

Is it possible to get a better radio and CD ??? I doubt it from my experience. Mark Levison kit costs.

Well there were no replies regarding front bumper removal but then I found quite a lot of info on the American sc430 forum which was very helpful. The bumper was removed as were the headlight units and the hid bulbs were changed. I then stripped the bumper and had it resprayed.

I must comment that how anyone changes the headlight bulbs without taking the headlight units out is beyond me as it was fiddly enough with the units on the bench.

I now need to investigate the wing mirror operation as the passenger side is intermittently not working and needs a shuv to extend.

Would be interested to know if anyone has had a similar experience and knows how to fix. So far the car has had a few niggles which is not what I expected given the trouble free RX that I have had for 18 months now. So I hope the mirror is an easy fix or I will be quickly loosing heart in this enterprise.

Regards

Neilj

I have a similar issue with the folding door mirrors. Seems to be intermittent though. I tried spraying WD40 behind the glass and it did seem to improve the frequency of it sticking. If one side doesn't move it seems to effect the other side. I think someone has forced one of the mirrors at some time. Only other issues I have had are a new O2 sensor and the inevitable Battery drain. Went on holiday and left the car at the airport for 11 days it started first time on return but the batter was very low and I topped it up before leaving for the airport on departure.. That's in two years of ownership.

On a hill and with lots of speed up , foot off throttle, and cruising its possible to get almost infinity on some MPG computers. I have had the SC430 up to 68 mpg but it all depends how fast you are prepared to go.....Stiking to the speed limit isn't going to help.

Not really tempted by this one and I certainly prefer the colour of mine.

I'd certainly be tempted by a 2010. It would just feel good owning the last year of the model. Not sure the £200 per year extra road tax really matters in the bigger scheme of things when comparing the running costs ie maintenence and fuel bills.

Low mileage is always a bonus to me, even though others might think that's a concern?

But agreed, a bit pricey for a 2007.

I don't like the idea of paying an extra £200 a year to the treasury for nothing. A car registered 3 months or so after mine pays it and I don't ? It build up over the years if you intend to keep the car.

Fuel costs on the 430SC are not high for me its a very economical car and 30mpg is easily achievable on any longish run. As for maintenance I only pay Lexus prices when I have to getting most work done (and its not been much ) by an experienced professional automotive engineer who does the lot. In the dealer you not only pay top price for work and parts but most of the work is done by some spotty kid on work experience and they really couldn't care less most of the time.

The age of the car to me is immaterial who cares ? Only those who want the neighbours to be impressed I suppose. I care about the car not other people so the number plate means nothing to me. Them days are long gone.

Condition and specification are what count not date of reg so it just shouldn't be a criteria for taxation. I suppose its a tax on snobs !!

Can anyone tell me if they have found an insurance company willing to insure a 2002 SC on a classic type policy. Even though this is a third car, for high days and holidays on a 3000 mile policy, It's still being insured as if it was a daily driver. I've gone from paying £175 for a 5litre Merc SL to £575 for this SC, and I'm treating them both the same. I have plumped for Adrian Flux as they are the preferred insurer of this website, but would be willing to cancel and change, if it might save me a bob or two. Thanks.

Good point no doubt it will be a classic one day.

I only pay £250 fully comp and I have had one rather expensive claim (so only 4 years no claims left as they took 2 away for the accident, I took a trip into a pig field after hitting water on the road at night, the car was like a submarine) I expect mines low because of my age (they don't think I drive fast but I do). I am with Swiftsure. But I always shop around.

Wow, thats some confession Peter, just give me advance warning if your up my way. Lol

Too many rules on the roads today so I just give up and do it my way..

not 100% but I read some where that sc stands for sports coupe,

It may well stand for Sport Coupe but the SC just isn't a sports car and it really wasn't meant to be one except perhaps in the US where they don't go round corners.

The suspension isn't sporty its comfortable and the car is a a long distance cruiser. Its not even a full time 'coupe' because it should be classed as a convertible.

So Sports Convertible would be closer.

I think Silent Convertible sums it up nicely and is the most accurate description.,

I'm with you Peter,I like the SC in its quiet mode ( ditto your comment on the EU as well).

Sounds like I have turned into Victor Meldrew ( well we are about the same age )

Its creepy isn't it just how much Victor was right... 'I cant believe it..'

never to old mate

and its not noisy,trust me you will like it

if we set up a meet i show you,and if you dont like it,then the first drinks are on me

never to old mate

and its not noisy,trust me you will like it

if we set up a meet i show you,and if you dont like it,then the first drinks are on me

never to old mate

and its not noisy,trust me you will like it

if we set up a meet i show you,and if you dont like it,then the first drinks are on me

I am bound to hate it then !

I will say there are some members on here I would like to have a drink with.. We should work on a meet..

I don't take the Lexus out in ice/snow, so there would be no point. My wife's Rav4 does the dirty stuff :)

The Lexus is quite fun in the snow.. It has a snow button.. What else do you need..??

Seems the Rav 4 will be in the garage all winter as we don't seem to have snow, just water and the Lexus once again comes through it was designed with the lines of a boat.

Then again winter isn't over. There may still be time to put on snow tyres.

In fact I do similar to you in any real iffy weather I use our X type jag (its nominally my wifes) but it has a very effective 4 wheel drive system and that's want you need in snow not winter tyres.

These days you can buy a jag x type for the price of some winter tyres and just use it when its needed!!!