430keeper

I'm trying to determine how much softer the ride is in the
2006+ cars compared to the 2002-05 cars. Lexus changed the
shocks for the 05 model (softened the ride), but they did some
additional improvement in 2006 ( I think different spring rates).
Can anyone share their experience on this? Let's assume
everyone has dumped their run flat tires and compare that way.
thanks.

Aron9000

^ I didn't know that the SC430 came with runflats. Lexus should've known better, especially with 10-12 years ago when those were new technology, they rode horrible.

sorka

I bought my 2007 with 11K miles on it in 2012 and drove it 500 miles home. It had the run flats and I could not get rid of them fast enough.

So it all boils down to the type of driving you want to do. I've driven both year ranges of cars and the '06 is softer but it's also more compliant over bumps around corners especially with the top down.

JohnnyCake

I drive with Habious all the time. He has an 02 and I have an 06. I've never noticed a difference. Not saying there isn't one, just that I haven't noticed one.

LexBrett

When I first purchased my 02 six years ago with 72K miles on it, the car ran like crap. No traction off the line and it felt like an earthquake whenever I ran over even a small bump.

I was so confused. How could lexus produce a car that is so uncomfortable? From my research on CL, I soon found out the main culprit was the run flats. As soon as I took off the run flats, the car was instantly more responsive and smooth. I tried several tires over the years, but my currect Summer Michelin Super Sport tires are simply the best in terms of ride and perfomance.

Still, the car is not smooth enough to feel like a luxury car (but the suspension doesn't give the feel of the road either). Finally, I have gave in and am investing big bucks in Tein Comfort Sport Coilovers with EDFC. I have not put them in yet, but I will let you know what happens..

sorka

That's one area you WILL notice a difference between the '02/'06. It's not just the suspension, but the quality of shifts and where those shifts are with the 6 speed vs the 5 speed.

LexBrett

I wish I had known and bought an 06

430keeper

Thanks for the input everyone....can everybody expand on the previous comment
about the 6 speed shifting better than the 5 speed ? Which one feels "Torque-ier" ?
Which one makes the car feel faster? Does the 6 speed keep the tach lower in
final gear ?

iolmaster

iTrader: (1)

Can't really make a comparison, but in an 06 at 70 MPH I am at about 2000 RPM. I did test drive an 03 before I bought this one and as I remember it was at about 2200 at 70 MPH.

Aron9000

More gear ratios, means a tighter spread between gears. Just think of it when you have the car floored, the 6 speed car, when it shifts at redline, the rpm will not drop as much as the car with the 5 speed box. Thus the engine stays in the sweet spot of the power band more often.

430keeper

So, if you could have either transmission in any year car:
02,03,04,05,06,07,08,09,10....would you want the 5 speed
or the 6 speed ? and why?

sorka

The 6 speed has better fuel economy for one. Based on my personal experience test driving multiple 430s with both 5 speeds and 6 speeds, the 6 speeds felt noticeably faster off the line. First gear is probably shorter on the 6 speed and 6th gear is probably taller than the 5th on the 5 speed.

editordz

I feel the same way. I had an '04, loved it, but when the lease was up, opted for an LS460. Had that for four years, and have now come back to an '06 SC430. Coming from the LS, I was worried that the SC would feel sluggish off the line. But it is quicker than I remembered my previous SC. Not quite as much as the LS, but fun enough for me.