2002 SC 430/ 12k miles
08-03-13, 04:41 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
2002 SC 430/ 12k miles
Hey Gang, currently there is a 2002 white gold crystal/saddle driven only 12,000 miles for sale on EBay. Looks gorgeous, is this car worth $25k. Car is in Kansas City, never has seen rain, wife only drove it for Friday night dinners. Need your expert opinion please.
Last edited by tromly; 08-03-13 at 04:50 PM.
08-03-13, 07:57 PM
#5
Kc sc
I think the car is really nice. If the car checks out clean on carfax and is in as nice of shape as the seller says. I would buy it. The only items I would be concerned about would be the following:
1.) Tires should be changed for good measure (expensive on SC)
2.) needs all fluids changed by a Lexus Master tech (NOT their C level lube techs)
3.) check the rubber seals for the top. Probably ok.
4.) Change drive belt.
5.) Don't know if I would be scarred of the timing belt.
6.) monitor the water pump as it may seep or start leaking with driving.
All minor items that I would do. If he has done these services over the years then you are way ahead. Tires are likely run flats that probably would not need changed but it depends how picky you are.
I would say anything in the $21 to 24 range would be fine. They are only original once. Also keep in mind that at that price there is still a bit of depreciation that will hit you. If you keep it as nice as he has and put another 12k on it, you won't get hurt too bad. If you start using it as a daily driver, it will become an old used car very quickly.
You can never pay too much for the right car. Two or 3k is not enough to worry about when you are buying a toy. If you want an everyday car, find a well kept car with 100k on it for $15,000 and finish it off as a daily driver.
In my opinion, that car needs a good home and should remain a garage queen. I can't wait to start seeing SC's at car shows and cruise nights someday. I think they will be hits.
RKTINC
1.) Tires should be changed for good measure (expensive on SC)
2.) needs all fluids changed by a Lexus Master tech (NOT their C level lube techs)
3.) check the rubber seals for the top. Probably ok.
4.) Change drive belt.
5.) Don't know if I would be scarred of the timing belt.
6.) monitor the water pump as it may seep or start leaking with driving.
All minor items that I would do. If he has done these services over the years then you are way ahead. Tires are likely run flats that probably would not need changed but it depends how picky you are.
I would say anything in the $21 to 24 range would be fine. They are only original once. Also keep in mind that at that price there is still a bit of depreciation that will hit you. If you keep it as nice as he has and put another 12k on it, you won't get hurt too bad. If you start using it as a daily driver, it will become an old used car very quickly.
You can never pay too much for the right car. Two or 3k is not enough to worry about when you are buying a toy. If you want an everyday car, find a well kept car with 100k on it for $15,000 and finish it off as a daily driver.
In my opinion, that car needs a good home and should remain a garage queen. I can't wait to start seeing SC's at car shows and cruise nights someday. I think they will be hits.
RKTINC
08-03-13, 08:26 PM
#6
KC SC on eBay
Any car is worth exactly as much as the buyer is willing to pay. From personal experience, do not rely on the AutoCheck report included in the eBay description. A dealer supplied me with the same brand report on a 2011 IS350C and it was clean just like the one on the KC SC. I paid for a CarFax and it revealed that the car had been crashed and repaired. Good thing I checked or I would have owned that car instead of my SC. BTW, solid advice from rktinc in my opinion. 
08-03-13, 10:51 PM
#7
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I think the car is really nice. If the car checks out clean on carfax and is in as nice of shape as the seller says. I would buy it. The only items I would be concerned about would be the following:
1.) Tires should be changed for good measure (expensive on SC)
2.) needs all fluids changed by a Lexus Master tech (NOT their C level lube techs)
3.) check the rubber seals for the top. Probably ok.
4.) Change drive belt.
5.) Don't know if I would be scarred of the timing belt.
6.) monitor the water pump as it may seep or start leaking with driving.
All minor items that I would do. If he has done these services over the years then you are way ahead. Tires are likely run flats that probably would not need changed but it depends how picky you are.
I would say anything in the $21 to 24 range would be fine. They are only original once. Also keep in mind that at that price there is still a bit of depreciation that will hit you. If you keep it as nice as he has and put another 12k on it, you won't get hurt too bad. If you start using it as a daily driver, it will become an old used car very quickly.
You can never pay too much for the right car. Two or 3k is not enough to worry about when you are buying a toy. If you want an everyday car, find a well kept car with 100k on it for $15,000 and finish it off as a daily driver.
In my opinion, that car needs a good home and should remain a garage queen. I can't wait to start seeing SC's at car shows and cruise nights someday. I think they will be hits.
RKTINC
1.) Tires should be changed for good measure (expensive on SC)
2.) needs all fluids changed by a Lexus Master tech (NOT their C level lube techs)
3.) check the rubber seals for the top. Probably ok.
4.) Change drive belt.
5.) Don't know if I would be scarred of the timing belt.
6.) monitor the water pump as it may seep or start leaking with driving.
All minor items that I would do. If he has done these services over the years then you are way ahead. Tires are likely run flats that probably would not need changed but it depends how picky you are.
I would say anything in the $21 to 24 range would be fine. They are only original once. Also keep in mind that at that price there is still a bit of depreciation that will hit you. If you keep it as nice as he has and put another 12k on it, you won't get hurt too bad. If you start using it as a daily driver, it will become an old used car very quickly.
You can never pay too much for the right car. Two or 3k is not enough to worry about when you are buying a toy. If you want an everyday car, find a well kept car with 100k on it for $15,000 and finish it off as a daily driver.
In my opinion, that car needs a good home and should remain a garage queen. I can't wait to start seeing SC's at car shows and cruise nights someday. I think they will be hits.
RKTINC
thank you for an excellent report, I had never thought about the timing belt nd this would become an everyday car and never garaged.
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08-04-13, 05:41 PM
#9
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Location: la
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Bought a 02 in 2010 with 23005 miles. Was like new! Paid 22k and thought it was a deal and have never regretted it.
Brought car to a private Lexus/Infinity shop to change the Timing Belt. The guy laughed and said "I don't mind taking your money but put at least 50k miles on it then come and see me".
So there might be your answer for the Timing Belt.
There is a lot of room in his price also...
Brought car to a private Lexus/Infinity shop to change the Timing Belt. The guy laughed and said "I don't mind taking your money but put at least 50k miles on it then come and see me".
So there might be your answer for the Timing Belt.
There is a lot of room in his price also...
08-04-13, 06:45 PM
#10
Bought a 02 in 2010 with 23005 miles. Was like new! Paid 22k and thought it was a deal and have never regretted it.
Brought car to a private Lexus/Infinity shop to change the Timing Belt. The guy laughed and said "I don't mind taking your money but put at least 50k miles on it then come and see me".
So there might be your answer for the Timing Belt.
There is a lot of room in his price also...
Brought car to a private Lexus/Infinity shop to change the Timing Belt. The guy laughed and said "I don't mind taking your money but put at least 50k miles on it then come and see me".
So there might be your answer for the Timing Belt.
There is a lot of room in his price also...
08-05-13, 05:36 AM
#12
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Very BAD advice. With the type of engine the SC breaks, it will seize the engine. That has occurred to more than a few people. Typically, you can find their SCs on Craigslist at a giveaway price with a blown engine. I believe that the manual is 90k miles or 8 years (I think). A private shop might give you that advice, but a dealer never will. Most forum members do the belt at 8 years or 90k miles. I personally did mine at 8 years and 35k miles. No regrets, I plan on keeping my SC for a very long time and don't want a $10k bill for a new engine. I'm sure you about to hear from a whole lot of members now!
thank you Solmam for that excellent advice.
08-05-13, 04:05 PM
#13
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Quote " A private shop might give you that advice, but a dealer never will."
Well of course a dealer won't give you that kind of advice, they will gladly change the TB anytime you ask them. The private mechanic clearly told me he would take my money but no need at the moment. A dealer would never say that!
If it makes you sleep better, do it. I wouldn't. That belt is NEW. Old belts on this forum have been posted in pics over and over again that look NEW with 100k miles on them AND 10 years so a TB at 12k miles and 12 years is reasonably fine for 40k more miles.
That's my .02 for what it's worth to ya..
Well of course a dealer won't give you that kind of advice, they will gladly change the TB anytime you ask them. The private mechanic clearly told me he would take my money but no need at the moment. A dealer would never say that!
If it makes you sleep better, do it. I wouldn't. That belt is NEW. Old belts on this forum have been posted in pics over and over again that look NEW with 100k miles on them AND 10 years so a TB at 12k miles and 12 years is reasonably fine for 40k more miles.
That's my .02 for what it's worth to ya..
