How long have you owned a SC430
08-22-11, 09:54 AM
#31
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Palm Sprin
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I purchased mine the day they first came out. March 15, 2001. Over 10 years ago and I have 37,500 miles on it. I still like the car.
The only problem I've had is to replace struts on the trunk lid. I live in the desert so the heat may have affected the struts.
I also have a 2000 LX470 with 178,000 miles that I purchased in October 1999. Replaced two timing belts, brakes, tires and struts on hood. These older Lexus's are very well made, unlike the newer models.
The only problem I've had is to replace struts on the trunk lid. I live in the desert so the heat may have affected the struts.
I also have a 2000 LX470 with 178,000 miles that I purchased in October 1999. Replaced two timing belts, brakes, tires and struts on hood. These older Lexus's are very well made, unlike the newer models.
Last edited by bill; 08-22-11 at 09:58 AM.
10-19-11, 10:02 PM
#32
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: WA
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
bought mine apr'11....03 millenium silver 78k miles..$19k...massive love affair ongoing. best car ive ever had. plan to drive this car until it vaporizes from wear/tear..then buy a 2010 model in 5-7 years. this is my daily car. am slightly concerned about my 1st upcoming winter but grew up in chicago so am hopeful my midwestern ice driving skills will overcome the negatives ive heard about the car's bad-weather handling.
10-20-11, 06:56 AM
#33
Moderator
I have had my SC since May of '01, but have never driven it in the snow. In terms of what you want a car to have to handle the snow, the SC has none. I do have a neighbor who drives hers all year long, and she changes the tires to 4 serious snow tires each winter. From what I understand, that's the best you can do. Taking it out in the snow as is, however, with all due respect to your driving skills, foolhardy.
If you search here, you can find many threads with discussions of driving the SC in snow. Most of them end with either "bought 4 snow tires" or "slid into a ditch and almost totaled it."
If you search here, you can find many threads with discussions of driving the SC in snow. Most of them end with either "bought 4 snow tires" or "slid into a ditch and almost totaled it."
10-20-11, 10:31 AM
#34
Lead Lap
elvis, if you have good snow and ice driving skills, you will probably be okay. Just be ready for a car that doesn't handle either very well. I've driven mine on both ice and snow and it is a challenge but I was able to make it even on the Texas roads that have no ice and snow handling capability at all, not to mention asfault roads with a major crown in the middle (meaning that I was driving on a sideways incline).
It is challenging and a little scary at times the first couple of times, but not totally unmanageable. I wouldn't hesitate a minute in an emergency, though I do try to avoid it when I can. Then again, I grew up in Houston where the main issues I had to deal with driving (other than traffic and occasional bad roads) was flooding.
It is challenging and a little scary at times the first couple of times, but not totally unmanageable. I wouldn't hesitate a minute in an emergency, though I do try to avoid it when I can. Then again, I grew up in Houston where the main issues I had to deal with driving (other than traffic and occasional bad roads) was flooding.
10-20-11, 10:47 AM
#35
I have had my SC since May of '01, but have never driven it in the snow. In terms of what you want a car to have to handle the snow, the SC has none. I do have a neighbor who drives hers all year long, and she changes the tires to 4 serious snow tires each winter. From what I understand, that's the best you can do. Taking it out in the snow as is, however, with all due respect to your driving skills, foolhardy.
If you search here, you can find many threads with discussions of driving the SC in snow. Most of them end with either "bought 4 snow tires" or "slid into a ditch and almost totaled it."
If you search here, you can find many threads with discussions of driving the SC in snow. Most of them end with either "bought 4 snow tires" or "slid into a ditch and almost totaled it."
Back in Feb I drove to Southern California then up to Reno to attend a convention.
While in Reno a storm blew in and I-80 was closed unless you had chains, so I went to a local Les Schwab store & bought some cable chains.
I stuck to the very reduced speed limits on the snow/ice and the car handled just fine.
I did take the chains off at the first opportunity; and hope that I never have to use them again.
Jerry Baumchen
10-20-11, 06:21 PM
#36
I got my 04 millenium silver, black int. last nov with 45k so it's been almost a year. I love driving this car and can't stop just looking at her. It came with pie plates but I changed to the star covers right away. Last spring I put on the VIP kit front lip and just ordered the side skirts. Also just ordered the luxlink. I want new wheels but will wait a bit more for the RF's to need changing. As I've reading on the forum there's a long and fun list of mods ...
10-20-11, 09:00 PM
#37
i've own mine for 1 week and 3 days today.. and i love it.. even though im broke.. the second day i had it i was bored already so i went ahead and ordered the 06+ tails, installed them.. i hated the pie plates so i got some custom 3 piece 20's , i also ordered some coilovers since i cant stand the wheel gap.. i plan on getting a nice kit for it... and putting in my supra TT brakes. after all that is done i will start on audio..
10-20-11, 09:53 PM
#38
We picked up our 02 Absolutely Red / Saddle Christmas of 07, 35K on it and love it, hate to park it for the winter and can't wait to bring it out in the spring for some top down cruising! 
10-20-11, 10:08 PM
#39
Moderator
Got my 02 in Sept 2009....originally sold in April 2001, I will have this car till I pass it onto my son, who's already eyeing it. I've done a few mods and have more in mind as time goes by...
Last edited by VVTiBob; 10-22-11 at 10:37 AM.
10-22-11, 08:35 AM
#40
Got my 02 with 21k miles back in July 2006 for $30k red/ecru "Alexa"...later sold her with 25k in Aug 09 for $25k
Got my 05 with 35k mi CPO back in Oct 09 for $30k PB black/red named "Ebony"....not planning on selling
Would love to find a low mileage well cared for Neiman Marcus Edition and keep it as a classic. Or if I ever sell Ebony I would love to get a 2010 late edition, last mfg cars.
After you sell your SC you feel lost, depressed and for me it was hard to find something that compares to it, so I bought another! I know others have gone to MBZ or Porsche after an SC I just couldn't do it. The interiors and fit/finish ergonomics and features really spoil you on our cars, even though the tech is somewhat out of date.
Having a back seat, v-8 power, hard top and lexus dependability is amazing. The looks KILL the IS-C IMO.
Got my 05 with 35k mi CPO back in Oct 09 for $30k PB black/red named "Ebony"....not planning on selling
Would love to find a low mileage well cared for Neiman Marcus Edition and keep it as a classic. Or if I ever sell Ebony I would love to get a 2010 late edition, last mfg cars.
After you sell your SC you feel lost, depressed and for me it was hard to find something that compares to it, so I bought another! I know others have gone to MBZ or Porsche after an SC I just couldn't do it. The interiors and fit/finish ergonomics and features really spoil you on our cars, even though the tech is somewhat out of date.
Having a back seat, v-8 power, hard top and lexus dependability is amazing. The looks KILL the IS-C IMO.
10-22-11, 09:00 AM
#41
Ten years - picked it up July 2001.
To me, it's still as attractive as it was the day I bought it, especially since I had the rear wart removed. It bugged me for a long time. Garaged every winter, the car has never seen a snowflake in its 25,500-mile life.
To me, it's still as attractive as it was the day I bought it, especially since I had the rear wart removed. It bugged me for a long time. Garaged every winter, the car has never seen a snowflake in its 25,500-mile life.
10-24-11, 10:17 PM
#44
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: WA
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
scdroptop: i have the same plan....eventually get a 2010 after i've exhausted my 03. i'm hooked,too.
to all: thanks for the tips on snow. fortunately, seattle gets more "black ice" than "solidified" rain. i will be very careful...am also shopping for el cheapo awd as backup emergency vehicle. i couldnt take it if the Silver Bullet was wrecked.
to all: thanks for the tips on snow. fortunately, seattle gets more "black ice" than "solidified" rain. i will be very careful...am also shopping for el cheapo awd as backup emergency vehicle. i couldnt take it if the Silver Bullet was wrecked.
10-25-11, 06:29 AM
#45
Moderator
I started out that way also, buying a used Jeep Wrangler for use in the snow. I've kept the SC, but moved through several other "utility" vehicles until finding a lightly used '04 RX. After all, you can't really go to the Home Depot and pick up a screen door in an SC430.