Buying 2003 SC 430 - Good Deal?
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: MN
Buying 2003 SC 430 - Good Deal?
I have this offer for a 2003 SC430, with 72,000 miles, black ext., tan int., the dealer offers $19,400. Is it a good deal?
The vehicle was a coporate lease for 6 years (the only owner). The exterior and interior looks clean, clean carfax. But what about the engine? Should I order an independent inspection?
Please advise on what to look for when buying and whether this price is good. I live in MN, so basically I'm buying this car now because I love the color and thoughts it was a goo deal, I don't think I can even drive it with the top down for another 6-7 months.
The vehicle was a coporate lease for 6 years (the only owner). The exterior and interior looks clean, clean carfax. But what about the engine? Should I order an independent inspection?
Please advise on what to look for when buying and whether this price is good. I live in MN, so basically I'm buying this car now because I love the color and thoughts it was a goo deal, I don't think I can even drive it with the top down for another 6-7 months.
Pole Position
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,090
Likes: 10
From: NM
you can get the maintenance records from lexus with the VIN. make sure the scheduled maintenance has been done, including the timing belt. other than that, the price is about average. you can probably get them down another $1000 or so.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: MN
To jason702: Timing belt has not been changed, when it is necessary to have the belt change? Around 100,000 miles? Looking at the service record, it seems they only have the service done once a year at a lexus dealer, for example, the car hit 13,000 miles when it first performed a 5K service, then another 12K miles before the next service. They had 45K, 55K and 60K performed on schedule, but after that no service at all until now at 73,000 miles. There are some tire rotation, front axle, front/rear body, distributor/headlight, accessory, etc in between those services, but are so vague, I don't know what it actually meant.
To Tromly: It was leased from Pennsylvania for a corporation. I am worrying that it was abused by so many drivers.
BTW, where did you all got the $18,500 figure from? I checked kbb, trade-in $17,600, private $20K, retail: $24. Is the value from KBB is not accurate?
To Tromly: It was leased from Pennsylvania for a corporation. I am worrying that it was abused by so many drivers.
BTW, where did you all got the $18,500 figure from? I checked kbb, trade-in $17,600, private $20K, retail: $24. Is the value from KBB is not accurate?
I would stay away for several reasons.... # 1 maintenance (you want a full, contiguous pattern of service, not a spotty one) and # 2 it's a snow car. You are already living in that area, why wouldn't you want to buy a southern car? We have tons of these 2002-2003's with 60-80k miles down here for under $20k. The price is "good", not great and I personally think you could do better. There are a ton of black on tan...assuming it is ecru not saddle?
Tires are a beast to replace-and especially since you need great tires for the area you live in and brakes too. Battery would be another consideration. Lexus batteries in the SC last approx. 3 years or so. Brakes, Tires and Battery could set you back $2k. If you need those soon on that car, I would hit them even lower and work your way up.
Look at: Craigslist, Vehix, Autotrader, Cars.com and eBay and compare. You will find a ton of black on tan. I am in the market right now, just let me know I'll be glad to help.
Tires are a beast to replace-and especially since you need great tires for the area you live in and brakes too. Battery would be another consideration. Lexus batteries in the SC last approx. 3 years or so. Brakes, Tires and Battery could set you back $2k. If you need those soon on that car, I would hit them even lower and work your way up.
Look at: Craigslist, Vehix, Autotrader, Cars.com and eBay and compare. You will find a ton of black on tan. I am in the market right now, just let me know I'll be glad to help.
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: MN
To scdroptop: Buying a car in the south will take even more effort, for example, in your area I have to fly down to Texas, and then a 15 hours drive back. I'm not sure if the savings worth the effort. But yeah, if you could, let me know if you see any 03-04 SC black/tan around $15K-$18K, that would be great.
So in your opinion, how much should this car be? Offer was $19,400, Around $17.5K or $18K?
So in your opinion, how much should this car be? Offer was $19,400, Around $17.5K or $18K?
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 7
From: VA
To jason702: Timing belt has not been changed, when it is necessary to have the belt change? Around 100,000 miles? Looking at the service record, it seems they only have the service done once a year at a lexus dealer, for example, the car hit 13,000 miles when it first performed a 5K service, then another 12K miles before the next service. They had 45K, 55K and 60K performed on schedule, but after that no service at all until now at 73,000 miles. There are some tire rotation, front axle, front/rear body, distributor/headlight, accessory, etc in between those services, but are so vague, I don't know what it actually meant.
To Tromly: It was leased from Pennsylvania for a corporation. I am worrying that it was abused by so many drivers.
BTW, where did you all got the $18,500 figure from? I checked kbb, trade-in $17,600, private $20K, retail: $24. Is the value from KBB is not accurate?
To Tromly: It was leased from Pennsylvania for a corporation. I am worrying that it was abused by so many drivers.
BTW, where did you all got the $18,500 figure from? I checked kbb, trade-in $17,600, private $20K, retail: $24. Is the value from KBB is not accurate?
Trending Topics
Here is one...
2002 SC430 Black on Ecru 81k miles in sunny rust-free Plano Texas for $17,900 asking. My bet is that you can get for $16k.
You can ship from Tx to most parts of US for $500-$700 depending on how good of a carrier you want.
If all things check out (carfax, maint, etc), don't you agree this car is a great example of a good deal on a southern car?
See our point? If you are serious about this car, or others I can find, this is my backyard I would be glad to check one out once you decide that this is the car for you. There are a TON of these...name your color/price.
Silver 2002 46k miles $20,900 very nice too. See link for black one.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
You can ship from Tx to most parts of US for $500-$700 depending on how good of a carrier you want.
If all things check out (carfax, maint, etc), don't you agree this car is a great example of a good deal on a southern car?
See our point? If you are serious about this car, or others I can find, this is my backyard I would be glad to check one out once you decide that this is the car for you. There are a TON of these...name your color/price.
Silver 2002 46k miles $20,900 very nice too. See link for black one.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 7
From: VA
2002 SC430 Black on Ecru 81k miles in sunny rust-free Plano Texas for $17,900 asking. My bet is that you can get for $16k.
You can ship from Tx to most parts of US for $500-$700 depending on how good of a carrier you want.
If all things check out (carfax, maint, etc), don't you agree this car is a great example of a good deal on a southern car?
See our point? If you are serious about this car, or others I can find, this is my backyard I would be glad to check one out once you decide that this is the car for you. There are a TON of these...name your color/price.
Silver 2002 46k miles $20,900 very nice too. See link for black one.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
You can ship from Tx to most parts of US for $500-$700 depending on how good of a carrier you want.
If all things check out (carfax, maint, etc), don't you agree this car is a great example of a good deal on a southern car?
See our point? If you are serious about this car, or others I can find, this is my backyard I would be glad to check one out once you decide that this is the car for you. There are a TON of these...name your color/price.
Silver 2002 46k miles $20,900 very nice too. See link for black one.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
Thread Starter
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: MN
To Tromly: I guess living in the midwest all my life, it never occurred to me that vehicles in snow regions are viewed differently, but thanks for the advise. I'll keep that in mind.
To scdroptop: My first choice would be black/camel, second: black/ecru, that's it. Price range $15-$18K, this is just going be a weekend car, have another new car for the weekdays work, plus I don't think I will keep this more than 6/7 years, so that seems to be the right amount of $$$ to spend.
Thanks for the offer of checking out the car, that's would be AWESOME!!! I'll try to get the price down first and let u know. In the mean time, if you see any other cars fit my criteria, please let me know.
To scdroptop: My first choice would be black/camel, second: black/ecru, that's it. Price range $15-$18K, this is just going be a weekend car, have another new car for the weekdays work, plus I don't think I will keep this more than 6/7 years, so that seems to be the right amount of $$$ to spend.
Thanks for the offer of checking out the car, that's would be AWESOME!!! I'll try to get the price down first and let u know. In the mean time, if you see any other cars fit my criteria, please let me know.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 7
From: VA
To Tromly: I guess living in the midwest all my life, it never occurred to me that vehicles in snow regions are viewed differently, but thanks for the advise. I'll keep that in mind.
To scdroptop: My first choice would be black/camel, second: black/ecru, that's it. Price range $15-$18K, this is just going be a weekend car, have another new car for the weekdays work, plus I don't think I will keep this more than 6/7 years, so that seems to be the right amount of $$$ to spend.
Thanks for the offer of checking out the car, that's would be AWESOME!!! I'll try to get the price down first and let u know. In the mean time, if you see any other cars fit my criteria, please let me know.
To scdroptop: My first choice would be black/camel, second: black/ecru, that's it. Price range $15-$18K, this is just going be a weekend car, have another new car for the weekdays work, plus I don't think I will keep this more than 6/7 years, so that seems to be the right amount of $$$ to spend.
Thanks for the offer of checking out the car, that's would be AWESOME!!! I'll try to get the price down first and let u know. In the mean time, if you see any other cars fit my criteria, please let me know.
Do you mean Black on Saddle? Saddle is the burnt orange color, Ecru is the super light tan (almost off white) and Camel is the khaki colored they added in 2006. They made Ecru and Saddle all the years, but just started Camel in 2006 so I think that year is out of your price range.
If you do like saddle, here is a really nice one for $19k asking....black on saddle, 2002 really clean interior spotless newer tires in Arizona.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...item518d227549
Here is another pampered 2002 Black on ECRU from an individual in San Diego with 108k miles, but it has chrome wheels too! Personal seller would be nice and the price is already at $17k...you may be able to get him down to $15-$16k? I'm assuming that in your price range, you don't mind the miles? Gonna be hard to find a decent one with your color restrictions with under 100k miles.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
*****THIS CAR IS STUNNING if you like cars that have been modified slightly-wheels can change pretty easily, but these are really nice upgrades. Car has 118k miles on it though, but he is only asking $16k and is in Florida. Nice nice car. You may be able to get for your low range, $15k and do some updates/upgrades to it. Interior looks amazing and the black wheels are a nice upgrade and $$$$...newer tires too.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
If you do like saddle, here is a really nice one for $19k asking....black on saddle, 2002 really clean interior spotless newer tires in Arizona.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...item518d227549
Here is another pampered 2002 Black on ECRU from an individual in San Diego with 108k miles, but it has chrome wheels too! Personal seller would be nice and the price is already at $17k...you may be able to get him down to $15-$16k? I'm assuming that in your price range, you don't mind the miles? Gonna be hard to find a decent one with your color restrictions with under 100k miles.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
*****THIS CAR IS STUNNING if you like cars that have been modified slightly-wheels can change pretty easily, but these are really nice upgrades. Car has 118k miles on it though, but he is only asking $16k and is in Florida. Nice nice car. You may be able to get for your low range, $15k and do some updates/upgrades to it. Interior looks amazing and the black wheels are a nice upgrade and $$$$...newer tires too.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
Don't know why I didn't find this one before for you...
Wow! This is my # 1 vote out of all the ones we have talked about.
2002 Black on Ecru. 81k miles, chrome wheels. Looks like in great condition! Dallas car. I can look at it for you if you are serious about it. Can also pull the maint history too if you are serious. Let me know.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
2002 Black on Ecru. 81k miles, chrome wheels. Looks like in great condition! Dallas car. I can look at it for you if you are serious about it. Can also pull the maint history too if you are serious. Let me know.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
