riknchar

I currently own a 2002 SC, after previously owning a 2006 and a 2009. I'm finding the ride is much more harsh/stiff in my 2002 than the post-2006 models, and it's really bumming me out! I love everything else about my current 2002, but the ride is just not "Lexus-like" to me.

In an effort to improve my ride, I had the Lower Control Arms (Caster Arms) replaced with new OEM arms (those seem to be a common failure point for the early model SC430s). That seemed to help a little bit, but my ride still lacks the isolation and smoothness I had with the 2006 and 2009 models. My 2002 only has 45K miles and has an immaculate undercarriage -- I don't think it has ever been driven in snow/salty roads, so I really don't think its a problem of a worn suspension. Just seems like that's the way it was designed that year...

I've read that Lexus made changes in the 2005 model year to improve the overall ride quality, but I can't quite figure out what the changes were specifically. Does anyone know? New struts? Control Arms?

Has anyone else compared the ride of the 2002 model year to the later model years? Am I simply stuck with a rougher ride in my 2002? I'm seriously considering trading up for a post-2006 model, but wanted to hear from others on actual ride quality differences between 2002 and 2006 models.

Thanks!

Badhobz

ive driven a 07 before and i recall it feels the same as my 02.

Are you still on the stock runflats tires? i swapped mine out for pilot sport A/s 3's and it made quite a large difference in ride. Dont forget that proper inflation and balancing is also import to improve the ride.

My 02 feels fine and only gets "crashy" when going over seriously bad roads. Im also certain that my stock bushings are all shot considering its an 02 and still havent been replaced.

Coleroad

The springs changed in 05 or 06 too. Non run flats will help or you can also get 17 or 16 inch wheels for a softer ride too.

riknchar

I should have mentioned, but I did have new Michelin Pilot Sport IIIs put on right after I bought the car. They smoothed things out a little bit, but the ride is still noticeably rougher and more "jiggly" compared to my previous SC430s.

So Springs were the main suspension change in the 2005 model?

OBP

Something definitely changed in 2005 and it could be the springs. Mandyfig and I have swapped cars for test drive and his 2004 is definitely a firmer ride than my 2005. My suspension feels quite a bit softer.

KingReyes

Yes it's different in a lot of minor ways. The difference are in power steering, every single bushings, toe- caster- and camber are slightly different. With a different transmission as well, the whole suspension geometry is changed to accommodate. Mainly the shock absorber went to monotube in 2006. You cannot get the ride of the 2006 in your 2002 unless you replace every component which is not cost effective. Best you can do is put coilovers and adjust it to oem height and soft dampening setting.

JohnnyCake

Habious has a 2002 and I have a 2006. He lent me his SC for several weeks and so I have a lot of experience driving both. I did not notice a bit of difference. I don't have the most refined palate, but I do appreciate a smooth ride -- its the primary reason I purchased the SC.

One thing that is true -- the 06 is slightly faster than the 02.

Bgw70

WHAT!!! BuBut how can that be? the '02 has more horsepower than the '06!!!

ShawnOk

iTrader: (1)

Is that with or without the Trans Pressure Mod? Makes a world of difference on the 02, esp in acceleration. Still never got confirmation if the TMP is possible on the 05+ (05 or 06 is when they went to the 6 speed trans, right?)?

Poqman

I read that the horsepower in the engine did not change, just where it was measured. Is that wrong?

Bgw70

You are correct...I was just messing around!

JohnnyCake

Habeaus and I did side-by-side drag racing. I guess I shouldn't generalize to all 06s and 02s, but my 06 is definitely slightly faster than his 02. We did enough runs that I'm pretty confident of our results.

Bon

Why is it then that Lexus shows exactly the same front end parts and alignment specs for 2002 to 2010?

KingReyes

Alignment is the same... why would it be different? All parts manufactured aftermarket is going to be the same for 2002 to 2010 as per OEM parts. For example, both engine mount part number is going to be the same. However 2006 has a revision for hydraulic filled mounts vs full rubber mounts on 2002s. Yet part number from AISIN is the same for 2002 - 2010 and they're all going to be hydraulic filled. When I say geometry, I meant slight difference in mounting point of the arms, change in caster, etc. Not an entire suspension revision...

Maybe you're looking at an alignment sheet from a tire shop where 2002-2010 are all the same. I guess if you go by that, then there's no difference. They also extrapolate SC300/400 or even GS430, go figure.

Bon

I have the Lexus 2007 repair manuals. Total toe in is 0.1 +/- 0.2 deg, Camber -0.58 +/-.75 deg, and Caster is 7.92 +/-0.75 deg. If anyone has an early manual I'd love to see the early factory specifications.