TOPLEXS

Glad to see a SC430 specific forum. While I will still visit the "OLD SC's" forum, as a former SC400 owner I realize that those older cars do not have much in common with Lexus's new state of the art drop top.

Best of well wishes to all who choose to visit this "Forum of the Future".

TOPLEXS

It is interesting that Lexus seems to be listening to members of the forum, and incorporated lots of their desires in the production of the SC 430
Older SC's wanted more HP. 430 has larger engine, with 300 hp out of the shoot, with more to come
Larger wheels. New coupe has the 18 inchers that older cars are upgrading to. Run flats are a bonus.
Better stereo is on the shopping list for earlier cars. The 430's Mark Levinson is a huge improvement.
SC owners have been begging for a convertible for years. Now it is standard equipment.
More agressive free flowing exhaust. Here it is.
State of the art HID light standard. (Self leveling lights are really trick)
Up graded interior is standard.
Trick DVD/GPS navigation system available.
In dash 6 disc CD changer keep you from digging around in the trunk.
Even the AM reception is vastly improved.
Gentlemen and Ladies....your new coupe has arrived!

The Ikon

Every thing about the Interior of the SC 430 is great!{style, ergonomics, etc...} Audio is great for now...

Hard top convertible demands and commands respect...

Cutting technology....

It is a Lexus!!!

Well............................ here we go........................

Performance is the same as the 98' - 00'.
18" wheels suck in appearance.

The look of the car is not Love at first sight!!!

The SC4 - 3 Series I just look better!!! It had no peer and owed nothing in terms of looks to anything else...

I would take one happily if I won one or my wife bought me one; however If I had to pay for it I could not honestly at this time say I would buy it...

This was never a thought that crossed my mind for the SC4 - 3... Never...

They say, "Time heal all wounds." Let's see if this is the case for the SC 430 in 5 - 10 years...

These are nice cars, don't get me wrong and ALL LEXUS tech... just not styling...

2SAVVY

Another way of looking at this is if you don't like what the car is call ie. SC430 you can always DEBADGE..

WJSOLOMON

I've ordered a new SC in Black Onyx with the Dark Saddle Interior, and would like to Gold Plate just the "
Circled L's on the Front Grill and the Rear Deck, plus the Centers of each Wheel. I would like to then Remove the "Lexus" and "SC 430" Chrome Emblems on the Rear Deck Lid, unless they are inserted into the Deck Lid into predrilled holes. If they are "glued" on, that would be a lot easier to deal with.

Do you know which way these Logos are attached, and how one would go about "De-Badging" them?

Thanks!

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WJSOLOMON

Now that you've "baited" me, where should I cast a line in the Forum Sections to catch that sucker?

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2SAVVY

Try this website Debadging its gives you all the details you need for doing the debadging.. I'll also attach a pic of one of the wheels from my GS with the Gold plated "L" so you can check how you may like it or not before you get it done on your car..

WJSOLOMON

2SAVVY - Thank you for the good advice on where to go for advice on "Debadging" my SC 430. I followed your advice and went to "http://www.audiworld.com/tech/ext8.shtml", and printed out a great article authored by Jasyn Chen in 1999. Told me how to accomplish it in 6 easy steps!

Too bad Lexus doesn't have such a Tech Support Department as Audi World does. I'm sure that they are as Proud of their Cars as we are. It wouldn't suprise me to get passed some day by a Black Audi TT Coupe that has been Debadged, and outfitted with a nice set of Gold "Circle- L Ranch" Emblems

I'm planning on Debadging my Black Onyx w/ Dark Saddle Seats, and just Gold Plating the "L" on the Front Grill, Rear Deck, and all Four Wheel Centers, as you have. If I can locate a place here in the Indy area that could Electro-Chrome Plate then Gold Plate the "L" 's on the Engine Cover, Steering Wheel, and Seat Backs, I would be in 7th Heaven!

Thanks again 2SAVVY!

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2SAVVY

No prob WJS.. Glad I could help.. Please post some pics when you get it done so I can see how it looks.. Remember to make sure whoever does the "L" on the wheels for them to detach the "L" before plating it in gold.. I've seen some GS's where the whole center part is gold.. Looks so ugly.. I forget how the "L" on the wheels on the SC is mounted again.. You may or may not have to detach them.. Gotta go take a peek at my SC brochure again..

Can't wait but my dealer tells me the week of Sept. 17 my baby should land here in Toronto..

WJSOLOMON

"10 - 4" on the advice.

Happy to hear that September is destined to be your Lucky Month! Are you planning on installing a second set of Wheels mounted with Winter Driving Tires for the coming Cold Weather Months? Have you decided on which Brand to use? The Tire Rack has suggested to me that for all around Interstate Driving in Central / South Eastern States here in the US, that the Dunlop Winter Sport II in the appropriate size to offest the 17" Alloy Wheel of our choice, would be the Best Choice Compromise for High Performance Driving, and upgraded Slush / Snow / Ice Winter Performance. They seem to think that that the Blizzac and Pirelli are too soft of a compound for reasonably dry Interstate High Speed Trips through the Central / South Eastern States.

Only time will tell.

Lucky you! I sold the BMW 330 CI Convertible, gave the Lexus Dealer $6 K down for the Order in late April, and just found out that I'm Number 110 on the waiting list. Dealer says that, based on his current allocation of 4 - 6 Units per month, I'll probably get delivery sometime NEXT FALL!

Probably Be a While before I can send you the Pics of the Gold Trim Upgrades, and the Debadging Work......

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2SAVVY

WJS,

The SC will never see one flake of the white stuff.. I bought this car as a long term toy.. I'll either drive the GS when I have to see clients or drive the TL that my wife is driving right now as my winter ride.. Not sure what I am gonna do with the factory 18's.. Might sell them but i'll wait awhile before I do that but for sure the Lowenharts are going on when I pick up my car.. Dealer told me to just bring them when my cars arrives in September and they will mount and install for free (My Lexus dealer ROCKS!)..

A part of me wishes I went with a bigger size rim (Maybe 19") but I didn't want to fork over for 19" run-flat rubber either so this is a cost effective solution if something like that exists on a $84,000 CND car..

Mods planned for next year:

L-Sportline Spring / Shock Combo unless someone comes out with something better
Might debadge but I want to see someone else do it before I go that route

Other than that unless SRT makes a Intake and ECU then I am done until I see the Autocouture Body Kit but I really love the lines of the car as is and that might mess it up.. But Autocouture seems to make clean looking kits.. Time will tell I guess..

My experience with winter rubber is Pirelli makes great tires.. I have a set mounted on 16" rims for the GS and they do a GREAT job with all the snow we get up here.. The Blizzaks wear out too quick.. Yoko's are too noisey.. Michelin too expensive..

therocker

No way Lexus will get me to shell out 2k+ for snow tires on mine!

WJSOLOMON

The "TIRE RACK" provides a great deal of insight and understanding on the difference between our old concept of "Snow" Tires, and today's modern versions known as "Winter" Tires. These all new computer- designed "Winter" Driving Tires can be purchased for mutilple purposes these days: Slush Driving, Snow Driving, "Black Ice" Driving, High Speed Dry Interstate (Winter) Performance Driving, etc.

If I wanted to drive a $66,000.00 ++ Car, capable of 0 - 60 in less than 6 seconds, 60 - 0 in less than 114 feet, and a Top End in excess of 155 MPH, from Indy down to Florida during the Winter, and be able to experience this car's Maximum Performance Capabilities, based on the Weather / Driving Surfaces (and the abiilty of my newly upgraded PHANTOM II and ESCORT 8500, of course), installing $1,500.00 to $2,000.00 worth if protection (what..................less than 3%?), to protect my Investment (and my own self worth), would seem to some to be a worthwhile exspense. $2 Grand might get you Three Seasons of Winter Weather, if you stay more towards the Dunlop Winter Sport II's or Pirelli Winter 210 Performance Ice's, rather than the Bridgestone Blizzak WS-50's.

Hey - This Is America - Do What You Want!

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