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Lexus SC 430
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Comments
Rumor has been around since the SC430 came out that a SC300/SC330 model would come out a few years later. Now with the '06 GS300 coming out with a new 245bhp 3.0L V6, you can bet a SC300 will be joining the lineup around the same time as the new GS300. The '06 GS300 is coming early in 2005, therefore I would think a SC300 would come by spring to early summer of 2005.
I would say a SC300 would come in about $10K lower than a SC430.
M
M
Thank you!
Thank you
Second: The seats become more comfortable the more it is driven.
Third: I do not use mine as a daily driver but do use it for long trips during the summer. The ride is great and I never get fatigued at the end of a long trip. I find the the seats very accomadating and I am 6'00'' tall.
Fourth: Nothing , but nothing beats cruising down the highway with the top down ac on and the ML knocking out the tunes.
Fifth: It is a great car. I bought mine new 15 months ago and have not had the first problem. The only time it has been back to the dealer is for scheduled maintenance.
Good luck.
Ron
I have always owned a convertible but I will never again have one with a cloth top. That is just one more reason why I prefer the SC 430.
Ron
Pathdoc: I believe most of the BMW's now have RFT's. It was a concern to me as well however, I haven't had a flat/leak in the time that I have owned the car. In addition Lexus roadside assistance will come to you 24/7 to replace/repair the tire. You needn't go to a Lexus dealer unless there is a warranty issue or one is convenient at the time of the failure.
Ron
i found this entry below in the early letters regarding the SC. What do you think?
#357 of 749 by wcollins Jul 31, 2002 (1:13 pm)
I have a questions for SC430 owners. Have you had any problems with traction in wet weather. I read somewhere or saw on one of the cable car shows that you need an advance driving course to handle this car in wet weather. I have also notice a few SC430s in the body shops in my area and wondering if that's the reason
Aside from that the '8 never really had any major problems, but I've not even been remotely pleased with my experiences with the Jag dealer in Carlisle, PA. On more than one occasion, they would call the house when the car was in on maintanence or electrical repair to say that it was ready to be picked up, and after the 45 minute drive to the dealer, it turns out that it was in fact NOT ready, and needed several more days for some unnamed part to show up from England. Each time they could not explain why the call was made, most of the time this was just really annoying, driving the 45 minutes back home with no car. However, one particular time this happened, I had a meeting I needed to be at in Harrisburg, and leaving empty handed was not an option. The dealer was not only completely unaplogetic as to my situation, but also basically acted as though it was my problem, and I had to figure out someway to get to Harrisburg. After a 20 minute "discussion" on this, one of the sales guys begrudgingly allowed me to take his Ford Taurus for the day, as though he were doing me the worlds greatest favor.
The R hasnt been as bad, but the supercharger failed and had to be replaced. Fortunately it was under warranty, as I wasn't about to shell out $5K+ for another one. Both cars have been eons better than my '94 XJS-V12, but this R is going to be my last Jaguar. Though its got a fresh (well for '97) face, the XJS DNA is still there. The steering is numb, the body rolls significantly during cornering, and even with the traction control and the Pirelli tires, grip is pretty poor, and the brakes are average at best. Also my R's 5-speed is pathetically slow to act. When you hit the floor with 370hp on tap, what you would expect is some wheelspin, followed by a rocket rush foward pinning you to your seat. What you get is a mild take off at best. My LS430's 5-speed is much better.
I've driven the newer XKs with the 4.2 engine and the ZF six speed, but its the same old story. The gearing is too tall, and the J-gate is still the worst interpretation of a manumatic that I have ever used. What was holding me back from buying an SC430 were those terrible manhole cover wheels, but after seeing how good it looks with the new 5-spokes in the '04 autoshow pictures, I am definitely making the switch. Also, Jaguar has really got to stop sharing Alpine audio sytems with Ford. Even BMW's old HK systems are better. My daily driver LS430's ML sytem makes the supposedly "premium" Alpine system in the XK seem like listening to an Edison phonograph. Jaguar also has what has got to be the worst residual value in the entire luxury car business. I buy my Jags 3 years used, and pay 1\2 the new MSRP. At least I can be confident that the SC430 will be worth something when I go to sell it. This SC will be our third Lexus. My wife loves her RX, and the LS430 and 400s that I've owned over the previous few years have been so much better than the Benzes and BMWs I used to drive. I bought my first LS in '93 after tiring of BMW and M-B customer service, and they literally bent over backwards to make sure I was happy with my car. The reason I think Lexus has become so successful in this country is that they continue to treat their customers like royalty, even after firmly establishing themselves as a world class luxury nameplate. I'll take my SC in black, please.
The difference between the BMW and the SC 430 depends on what you want from a car. The BMW is sportier but the SC430 is NOT a sports car. It is a personal luxury car. It handles very well but is meant for cruising with a softer ride than a sports car. Very comfortable and quiet with the top up. The folding hard top is great feature if you have ever owned a rag-top you will notice the difference immediately. I have owned a Porsche and it nearly put me in the poorhouse with repairs and regular maintenance prices were out of sight.
Good Luck
Ron
M
I plan to change to Dunlops soon, but only have 14000 on these and they look fine.
An elongated & less rounded version of the SC430, with what looks like more usable backseats, and more space-saving retractable roof
I like the fur-covered steering wheel!
:-)
DrFill
The average life cycle of a car is about 5 years.
The ES is every 5 years,
92-96, 97-01,
the RX was five years.
99-03.
The first LS was 5 years,
90-94.
They let the first generation SC go on for 9 years and look what happened, sales were about a couple thousand a year after the 5th yr of production. I think they know they can't let the current SC sit around in showrooms for that long a time before a redesign.
A 5 year cycle is not normal. BMW's Mercedes, and Audi's arent updated at 5 year intervals. Neither are Jaguars, or Volvo's or just about all other luxury cars.
Lexus may not have announced that there will be a facelift, but manufacturers usually won't until the last minute so as not to affect the sales of the current year's model.
Look at the current generation LS430, introduced as a 01 model late in 00, gets a facelift in 04. The SC430, introduced in spring 01 as an early 02 model, should be due for a facelift for the 05 model, especially as Lexus has announced that all models will be redesigned by 07. I expect the facelifted SC430 will look similar with only subtle changes, but with other upgrades such as possibly a 6 speed auto transmissions and other goodies.
BTW - regarding redesign, the previous CLK only had a 4 year run, unusual for Mercedes. So there are always exceptions. With a redesigned new S class coming out sometime next year, the current generation S class will have a shorter production cycle than the previous generation S class of the 90's.
M