CarlosRuas

Hi everyone. Today I went to look at a '02 SC430. The car has been repainted in Pearl White because a body kit was added long the bottom of the car. 2 things that concern me are that a magnet does not stick to anywhere on the hood. Sticks everywhere else on the body. The second thing is both lower parts of the fender can be pulled away easily like they're loose. Is this just broken clips or should it be a concern? The owner has only owned the car since July and doesn't know the history of the car. Any help would be appreciated.

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

hi
should have took the vin # and run check. is hood fiberglass? something don't seen right to me.

CarlosRuas

Yeah, the car is mint but not a metal hood. What gives? After I bought the Carfax it says it had a front end collision in 2003 then was auctioned a few months later.

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

if it was me I would move on. did the hood have pins holding it down.?

FLYCT

A magnet will not stick to the hood. Factory OEM hood is Aluminum as is the roof and the rear window surround. I just checked my 2008 SC430 with a magnet.

This is done for weight savings.

I know that my Ford Expedition and F150 trucks do the same. In fact the Expedition had Aluminum hood and tailgate.

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

This is true. I know b'c i had to have dents pulled form the hood after some hood hoochie jumped on my hood and started bootie shaking while I was stopped at a red light in KC's Westport district!. Due to the aluminium hood, dent pulling went up 2x normal.

tromly

I agree, there are too many nice 2002 s for around $14k.

FLYCT

SC430s HAVE NON-METALIC ALUMINUM METAL HOOD, NOT STEEL! That's why a magnet won't stick to it.

If you want an SC430 where a magnet sticks to the hood, you will be looking forever, as they don't exist.


OK, everyone get their magnets out and see if you can prove me wrong.

Ford's new 2015 F150 has all Aluminum body panels. They reduced the weight by 700 pounds doing this.

If you want to get rich, design an Aluminum magnet. Aircraft Mechanics will pay big dollars for that tool.

SlvBullet

iTrader: (8)

Welcome to the Club Lexus Forum where you will great information, and friendly and knowlegable members.

1. The roof and hood area aluminum. One member actually removed all the paint and polished the roof - use search to find the pictures.

2. You should be able to check this. The OEM fenders are attached with a bolt to the fender liner in the front - you may be missing those bolts. Look at the diagrams at Sewell Lexus online parts ... You can see all the details of how the OEM fender is attached.

This could also be related to the body kit ... Investigate which kit it is - look at the body kit sticky thread.

Good luck.

Note - when you make your purchase see what year Nav DVD you have - I have the 2012 on sale in the classified section.