A comparison of 3 SC's
08-27-11, 05:13 PM
#1
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A comparison of 3 SC's
Today I was able to compare my 02 SC with two other SC's. Both SC's were at dealers and were extremely low mileage SC's. Both cars were grossly overpriced. My intention was to compare to see if I ever want to replace my current SC. That will be at least 3 years unless I find a deal I can't pass up. Here is my opinion:
SC #1: A 2005 PB... Only 7K miles. 2 owners... Owner #1 owned for 3 years and put 1500 miles on it-YES that is only 500 miles per year and owner #2 only put on the remaining miles. It was very apparent through observing and driving that the mileage is correct, but is also verified through carfax and lexus service records. Car was very tight and rode really well-better than my 02 or the car #2. The car had replacement runflats that rode extremely well for runflats (sorry, I forgot to check the brand). Surprisingly, the body had some small dings that were not yet repaired. The trunk had in it the original pie plates, the gun color stars, and had the chrome stars on the chrome wheels. The second set of mats were still sealed in plastic in the trunk. I always loved the red interior of the PB (both 05 & 07) but have a spouse who hates it. Fortunately, she says its my car so I can get whatever color I want. I still like my white gold over the PB black, though its the best black paint I've ever seen. Their price is $45K, which is $8K over KBB. When I bought that to their attention, they said that it is a collectors item and they expect it to sell quickly. Being that it is in OC California, I don't doubt it. I sold a pristine Del Sol before getting my SC for 3X the KBB retail price-and got calls from all over the country for it. I would be willing to pay a $5K difference to go 3 years newer and to a PB. We never talked price-my offer would have been $15K less than their asking price and I'm not that into offending people.
SC #2: 2010 SC 430 Blue. I just had to see this. I was curious about the blue and was curious about the NAV-stereo. This car had only 3K miles on it. It had an extensive service record which was nearly comical. One entry was : Must press and HOLD button--Gee, do you think someone couldn't figure out how to work the roof. The battery was replaced twice and all other entries were inspections. I suspect an elderly person who was puzzled with those new-fangled things. The ride was horrible thanks to the run-flats. A problem that I had two weeks ago with an 07 PB with 13K miles on it. Those runflats can really skew a test drive and makes it difficult to get a true read on the ride. I can't help wonder if the original owner thought something was wrong with the SC because of the run-flats. I liked the color blue and my wife did not. The electronics were great! The version 6 Nav looks fantastic. The ipod connection with the bluetooth is great. The buttons on our audio is missing one button that the 2010 has-the music has one more button that gives you an on-screen choice between bluetooth/flashdrive/ipod---Very impressive. Now Price: $64,900 yes that is nearly MSRP. When I mentioned that to the sales guy-up came the collectable car argument again! I was actually told that the 2010 only went to prepaid orders and that dealers never received any 2010 that weren't spoken for. I can vouch for part of that. This dealer services my SC and they never had a 2010. I do believe that dealers who were big sellers probably got the 2010 models. All said and done, My preference is the 2010 in about 4 years. To me the good news is that there are a lot of SC's that are garage queens, making it easier to find older SC's with low mileage-like the 05 PB with 7K miles. Well, anyone who is in need of a very-low mileage SC-come to southern california and negotiate your butt off!
I compare both of these to my 02 that has Luxlink, IS rims, Rear camera, ipod/dvd connection, spare tire kit, 06 taillights, and only 34K miles. I have my favorite color (white gold) and favorite interior (ecru), though the ecru is a pita to keep clean. My 3rd party zero deductable warranty is good until 2015-Then I'll take another look at the situation. Meanwhile, people think my SC is new-not 10 years old!!
The pics show the 05--2010--my 02
SC #1: A 2005 PB... Only 7K miles. 2 owners... Owner #1 owned for 3 years and put 1500 miles on it-YES that is only 500 miles per year and owner #2 only put on the remaining miles. It was very apparent through observing and driving that the mileage is correct, but is also verified through carfax and lexus service records. Car was very tight and rode really well-better than my 02 or the car #2. The car had replacement runflats that rode extremely well for runflats (sorry, I forgot to check the brand). Surprisingly, the body had some small dings that were not yet repaired. The trunk had in it the original pie plates, the gun color stars, and had the chrome stars on the chrome wheels. The second set of mats were still sealed in plastic in the trunk. I always loved the red interior of the PB (both 05 & 07) but have a spouse who hates it. Fortunately, she says its my car so I can get whatever color I want. I still like my white gold over the PB black, though its the best black paint I've ever seen. Their price is $45K, which is $8K over KBB. When I bought that to their attention, they said that it is a collectors item and they expect it to sell quickly. Being that it is in OC California, I don't doubt it. I sold a pristine Del Sol before getting my SC for 3X the KBB retail price-and got calls from all over the country for it. I would be willing to pay a $5K difference to go 3 years newer and to a PB. We never talked price-my offer would have been $15K less than their asking price and I'm not that into offending people.
SC #2: 2010 SC 430 Blue. I just had to see this. I was curious about the blue and was curious about the NAV-stereo. This car had only 3K miles on it. It had an extensive service record which was nearly comical. One entry was : Must press and HOLD button--Gee, do you think someone couldn't figure out how to work the roof. The battery was replaced twice and all other entries were inspections. I suspect an elderly person who was puzzled with those new-fangled things. The ride was horrible thanks to the run-flats. A problem that I had two weeks ago with an 07 PB with 13K miles on it. Those runflats can really skew a test drive and makes it difficult to get a true read on the ride. I can't help wonder if the original owner thought something was wrong with the SC because of the run-flats. I liked the color blue and my wife did not. The electronics were great! The version 6 Nav looks fantastic. The ipod connection with the bluetooth is great. The buttons on our audio is missing one button that the 2010 has-the music has one more button that gives you an on-screen choice between bluetooth/flashdrive/ipod---Very impressive. Now Price: $64,900 yes that is nearly MSRP. When I mentioned that to the sales guy-up came the collectable car argument again! I was actually told that the 2010 only went to prepaid orders and that dealers never received any 2010 that weren't spoken for. I can vouch for part of that. This dealer services my SC and they never had a 2010. I do believe that dealers who were big sellers probably got the 2010 models. All said and done, My preference is the 2010 in about 4 years. To me the good news is that there are a lot of SC's that are garage queens, making it easier to find older SC's with low mileage-like the 05 PB with 7K miles. Well, anyone who is in need of a very-low mileage SC-come to southern california and negotiate your butt off!
I compare both of these to my 02 that has Luxlink, IS rims, Rear camera, ipod/dvd connection, spare tire kit, 06 taillights, and only 34K miles. I have my favorite color (white gold) and favorite interior (ecru), though the ecru is a pita to keep clean. My 3rd party zero deductable warranty is good until 2015-Then I'll take another look at the situation. Meanwhile, people think my SC is new-not 10 years old!!
The pics show the 05--2010--my 02
08-27-11, 10:26 PM
#5
I didn't know the 430 came in that color of blue. Since it's nobody's car I'll state my opinion. I have to say......I think that's the most unattractive SC430 I've ever seen. I know young people apparently like that color of blue, but I think it's an outrageously boring, ugly color.
08-28-11, 05:47 AM
#6
I didn't know the 430 came in that color of blue. Since it's nobody's car I'll state my opinion. I have to say......I think that's the most unattractive SC430 I've ever seen. I know young people apparently like that color of blue, but I think it's an outrageously boring, ugly color.
What a shame.
08-28-11, 12:44 PM
#7
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Ya, what good is payin' extra for a very low mileage car if you're goin' to put mileage on it anyway. And if you're not going to drive it then, really, what good is it.
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08-28-11, 02:06 PM
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I do not leave mine in the garage and worship it... I use my 04 as a daily driver. Sometimes I use it as a delivery vehicle. I have packed 15 cases (12ers) of wine in the car. I call it the "clown car". The cases of wine just keep coming out of it. Five cases in the trunk, seven cases in the back seat and three cases in the front seat... My customers are amazed at how many cases of wine fit in the car with the top up...
08-29-11, 12:44 PM
#10
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I feel very fortunate that my daily commute is 3 miles. That is why my SC only gets about 3500 miles a year. It is a daily driver! So I get the low miles AND I get to drive it every day. It is also my choice of vehicles when my wife and I go out unless we are planning on making a purchase that won't fit in the SC. I'm glad the previous owner had it as a garage queen. That allowed me to purchase a 6 year old car that only had 23k miles. It is also easier to get an extended warranty on a low mileage car. I got a 7-year/zero deductable warranty because of that low mileage. Anyone else have an 02 that is waranteed until 2015?
08-29-11, 02:36 PM
#11
I feel very fortunate that my daily commute is 3 miles. That is why my SC only gets about 3500 miles a year. It is a daily driver! So I get the low miles AND I get to drive it every day. It is also my choice of vehicles when my wife and I go out unless we are planning on making a purchase that won't fit in the SC. I'm glad the previous owner had it as a garage queen. That allowed me to purchase a 6 year old car that only had 23k miles. It is also easier to get an extended warranty on a low mileage car. I got a 7-year/zero deductable warranty because of that low mileage. Anyone else have an 02 that is waranteed until 2015?
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