RE: You know you want to... Lexus SC430
Discussion
Just bought one of these as well - £7500 for a 2002 with 103k, FLSH up to 100k and then big cambelt service done by indie garage.
All electrical items (including TPMS) work perfectly, the wheels are NOT the appalling pie-plate ones, it has rear parking sensors and a fully plumbed in parrot car-phone kit.
The only downside is 4 different tyres on each corner and some rear bumper 'grazing' from a parking incident on otherwise amazing paintwork.
Whack on some vanity plates, and it looks fine - so few on the roads it looks great in this amazing early summer weather.
All electrical items (including TPMS) work perfectly, the wheels are NOT the appalling pie-plate ones, it has rear parking sensors and a fully plumbed in parrot car-phone kit.
The only downside is 4 different tyres on each corner and some rear bumper 'grazing' from a parking incident on otherwise amazing paintwork.
Whack on some vanity plates, and it looks fine - so few on the roads it looks great in this amazing early summer weather.
I know they're not everyones cup of tea, but I'm surprised at the level of negative feeling they generate.
Ok so they don't drive like a Boxster and they don't look like an Aston Martin - but I don't think the V8 engine is the only thing going for them.
What about reliability, quality, equipment levels? After all they are a cruiser not a sports car.
As for looks - well the SL500 of the late 80's early 90's looks so dated it's untrue + poor reliability. Maybe that's why they are virtually worthless at the moment.
Later SL500's. Even worse reliability, though they do look nice.
Original Porsche Boxter - another inverted bathtub design + engine problems + other reliabilty issues.
Porsche 996 - slab sided reject with awful headlights - makes the Lexus look stylish + engine problems + other reliability problems.
Early Jag XK - E-type wannabee with fairly major engine problems .
The reason that some expensive cars have very low values when they are older is that people are scared of the potential repair bills if something goes wrong.
Therefore for a used top-end car surely reliability is one of the main things to look for - the Lexus is so far ahead of the alternatives - isn't it worth considering ?
Ok so they don't drive like a Boxster and they don't look like an Aston Martin - but I don't think the V8 engine is the only thing going for them.
What about reliability, quality, equipment levels? After all they are a cruiser not a sports car.
As for looks - well the SL500 of the late 80's early 90's looks so dated it's untrue + poor reliability. Maybe that's why they are virtually worthless at the moment.
Later SL500's. Even worse reliability, though they do look nice.
Original Porsche Boxter - another inverted bathtub design + engine problems + other reliabilty issues.
Porsche 996 - slab sided reject with awful headlights - makes the Lexus look stylish + engine problems + other reliability problems.
Early Jag XK - E-type wannabee with fairly major engine problems .
The reason that some expensive cars have very low values when they are older is that people are scared of the potential repair bills if something goes wrong.
Therefore for a used top-end car surely reliability is one of the main things to look for - the Lexus is so far ahead of the alternatives - isn't it worth considering ?
Balmoral Green said:
Bloody 'ell, we'll be saying a Crossfire is OK next.
Hey, easy now BG, there's no call for that sort of language! 
To be fair, as a 'GT cabrio' the Lexus is a good piece of kit. Dynamically it's mediocre, but not everyone wants a 911 GT3...
...just a shame it looks rather mediocre too!
redgriff500 said:
Reviving this as I'm considering one now they are now as low as £4k.
What other V8 2+2 convertibles are there ?
I'll admit an E36 M3 cab is more fun but not really in the same class.
Is it really a 2+2 ?? no way jose - most superminis have more rear spaceWhat other V8 2+2 convertibles are there ?
I'll admit an E36 M3 cab is more fun but not really in the same class.
V8 2+2 -Merc 430/500/55 clk cabrio
BMW 645/650
Digger said:
Have you driven one redgriff? Just felt like you were floating down the road, literally. One bland word summed it up. Nice.
Nice interior and very well built. I doubt you will find a quieter V8-engined car. You literally cant hear it at idle. I like to hear my V8.
Not yet - just googling reviews and found this thread.Nice interior and very well built. I doubt you will find a quieter V8-engined car. You literally cant hear it at idle. I like to hear my V8.
I like to hear mine too - chopping the 4 rear boxes off my Soarer sorted that - sounds like a NASCAR at high revs.
russy01 said:
These cars are marmite.
However the colour makes a massive difference, this one is Mesa red (best colour by far, parents have a IS in the same colour)
For pure Cruising it cannot be beaten its just so smooth, plenty of performance, every toy you can imagine and a brilliant sound system. Finally it just wont break, this has been back and forth from the alps like a yoyo and has never skipped a beat.
Id definitly recommend, however id imagine if anything does go wrong (roof, engine or gearbox) it would cost a fortune. Also the older ones run on runflats, these arent great as we all know, but the newer version (6 speed) is on proper rubber.
Also i wouldnt mind adding, i think the SL being discussed looks square and dated.
I personally think it looks pretty good with the roof down.
Fully agree. The SL is not only poor build quality its very dated and quite ugly. I like the 430 SC its style is now very acceptable and the history of these cars seem they are bullet proof. I love the roof. As for price for a 4.3 litre car they hold up very well even with very high mileages. I certainly like the Messa red (getting one is near impossible) i dont know why anyone buys the gold just something about it. I loved the Jewish Racing Gold comment and it brings to mind rich american senior citizens with dyed hair wafting along with the roof down in Fort Lauderdale !!However the colour makes a massive difference, this one is Mesa red (best colour by far, parents have a IS in the same colour)
For pure Cruising it cannot be beaten its just so smooth, plenty of performance, every toy you can imagine and a brilliant sound system. Finally it just wont break, this has been back and forth from the alps like a yoyo and has never skipped a beat.
Id definitly recommend, however id imagine if anything does go wrong (roof, engine or gearbox) it would cost a fortune. Also the older ones run on runflats, these arent great as we all know, but the newer version (6 speed) is on proper rubber.
Also i wouldnt mind adding, i think the SL being discussed looks square and dated.
I personally think it looks pretty good with the roof down.
Edited by russy01 on Wednesday 15th December 15:06
I am really thinking of buying the 430 Sc but to date every one I want has been snapped up just as i asked about it. Three times this has happened so summer must be coming.
Well I have one now.
Black with Ivory interior. Love it already.
Never had an auto before and never wanted one but this 6 speed selectable box with controllable throttle response is an absolute revelation.
Its a keeper and I will be spending money on it. Started by updating the sat nav.
Just a bit more... The car is soooo quiet. I just love that. There is no sound not even at speeds well over what you should be doing. It just wafts along. The ride is very comfortable for long trips down the motorway or cruising country lanes . Its not a track car and I dont want a track car.
Those that criticise it for wht its not, well its not for them but I bought it for what it is. A long distance quite fast well equipped cruiser that will overtake effortlessly the gearbox even does the thinking for you if you want it to.
Great car.
Black with Ivory interior. Love it already.
Never had an auto before and never wanted one but this 6 speed selectable box with controllable throttle response is an absolute revelation.
Its a keeper and I will be spending money on it. Started by updating the sat nav.
Just a bit more... The car is soooo quiet. I just love that. There is no sound not even at speeds well over what you should be doing. It just wafts along. The ride is very comfortable for long trips down the motorway or cruising country lanes . Its not a track car and I dont want a track car.
Those that criticise it for wht its not, well its not for them but I bought it for what it is. A long distance quite fast well equipped cruiser that will overtake effortlessly the gearbox even does the thinking for you if you want it to.
Great car.
Edited by PAsh on Friday 15th June 14:19
I have just bought a 2001 dark blue SC430 with 87000 miles and great service history. Have always had either BMW (currently also have a 2010 630i convertible ) or Jaguar XK,s. I absolutely love this car. I hated the alloy wheels so have changed them to chunky 8.5 and 9.5 rims which has transformed the appearance. Beautiful luxury car to drive and love all the classy woodwork and leather. Absolutely superb and am going to sell my BM as I won,t be using it now!
I have just bought a 2001 dark blue SC430 with 87000 miles and great service history. Have always had either BMW (currently also have a 2010 630i convertible ) or Jaguar XK,s. I absolutely love this car. I hated the alloy wheels so have changed them to chunky 8.5 and 9.5 rims which has transformed the appearance. Beautiful luxury car to drive and love all the classy woodwork and leather. Absolutely superb and am going to sell my BM as I won,t be using it now!
alanp10 said:
I have just bought a 2001 dark blue SC430 with 87000 miles and great service history. Have always had either BMW (currently also have a 2010 630i convertible ) or Jaguar XK,s. I absolutely love this car. I hated the alloy wheels so have changed them to chunky 8.5 and 9.5 rims which has transformed the appearance. Beautiful luxury car to drive and love all the classy woodwork and leather. Absolutely superb and am going to sell my BM as I won,t be using it now!
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