IS-C vs SC430 confused
10-21-18, 06:53 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: mi
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IS-C vs SC430 confused
25 year Toyota customer. Bought a 2016 Avalon Limited new when my ES350 was totaled in my driveway by a texter not paying attention. Moved to SWFL Florida last year and have the convertible itch. We have a GX for utility, and the convertible will be for fun. The Avalon only gets out on weekends. Would be trading the Avalon (14k miles) for the convertible. Really torn between a 2006ish SC340 vs a 2014 IS350-C. Power not a thing for us. Love the technology in our Avalon and will not get the same. But WOW, after driving one.... If you love the IS-C over the SC, why? Or the inverse, if you would rather have the SC, even though it's older - why? The SC is a classic for sure, but found a nice 2014 IS350C with 5k miles, garage kept. Can you drive either car all day.. Punta Gorda to Key West and not get uncomfortable? If the SC is clean under 70K miles, at what age will the top motors start to fail?
10-22-18, 01:53 PM
#2
Long term lexus owner here just like you
also looked at sc430 va ISC.
Sc430 has one of the best engines ever - in my LS that motor is amazing. Outwardly the SC is one of the ugliest car ever made.
ISC is not a looker from the back - too big butt body. From the front great looking. Overall better looking than SC
i prefer a v8, but ugliness has its limits. For me having 4 people in the vert is a must. SC couldn’t fit in back. ISC has 4 people in it 80% of time no problem.
Our ISC 7k miles mint condition.
If if I was to pick today, I would pick ISC. If you don’t need the back seat or wife is primary driver SC may be consideration
i am am a huge fan and owned 3 original SC .... timeless design ... (300/400) they butchered it in the convertible (430)
good luck
also looked at sc430 va ISC.
Sc430 has one of the best engines ever - in my LS that motor is amazing. Outwardly the SC is one of the ugliest car ever made.
ISC is not a looker from the back - too big butt body. From the front great looking. Overall better looking than SC
i prefer a v8, but ugliness has its limits. For me having 4 people in the vert is a must. SC couldn’t fit in back. ISC has 4 people in it 80% of time no problem.
Our ISC 7k miles mint condition.
If if I was to pick today, I would pick ISC. If you don’t need the back seat or wife is primary driver SC may be consideration
i am am a huge fan and owned 3 original SC .... timeless design ... (300/400) they butchered it in the convertible (430)
good luck
10-22-18, 02:12 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
We're also long-term Lexus owners. We have a GX470, SC430 and GS400 in the family...let me just say beauty is the eye of the beholder lol. We love our SC but forget fitting more than 2 people in it. But that's why we bought it. When we take it out on the town and valet it it's like we're movie stars lol. People just love this car! So I hope you don't mind people coming up to you and talking about it. It's a classic and doesn't have half the technology the IS does but again, we didn't buy it for bluetooth or a push button start. We just like the older style. Neither purchase is wrong, it's just which one you like and is better for you and your family.
Btw, we bought ours with 104,000 miles and there are no problems whatsoever...with the top or otherwise.
Btw, we bought ours with 104,000 miles and there are no problems whatsoever...with the top or otherwise.
10-22-18, 03:05 PM
#4
I looked at both a few years ago before getting my IS350C. The SC has many high end trim features for a car in its price range, but in the end I went with the ISC because my (mostly grown) kids actually fit in the back—the SC’s back seats are a joke.
From what I have read here on the forum, the micro switches seem to be the only weakness in either top system rather than the motors but I have been fortunate thus far.
Don’t knock the “big ***” look of the ISC as it offers a spacious trunk ;-)
From what I have read here on the forum, the micro switches seem to be the only weakness in either top system rather than the motors but I have been fortunate thus far.
Don’t knock the “big ***” look of the ISC as it offers a spacious trunk ;-)
10-22-18, 05:36 PM
#5
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: mi
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
All great answers, thanks. I totally agree, neither will be bad. We’ve experienced lots of visitors after the move, having room for 2 in the back is a plus. But I am guilty each time I see an SC go by I just dream a little.
10-22-18, 11:14 PM
#6
Just wanted to add a few more comments ... I owned a 2006 SC430 from 2008 until 2016 (14K miles to 100K miles) and we also bought a 2012 IS350C new in 2012 for my wife, so for a few years we had both...
Not commenting on looks - that is just a personal preference... The SC430 was a more expensive car when new and it shows.on the inside. Nothing wrong with the IS350C, but the leather, etc is nicer on the SC430. I found the SC more relaxing to drive - it is quiet and smooth, but will move when you floor it. The IS350C is sportier and will handle better on a curvy road. As far as tech, not much in the SC, Bluetooth for phone calls is about as good as it gets. The IS has more, but as a 2012 it feels outdated today as well...The SC430 really is a 2 seater with some space for stuff behind the seats, the IS350C will work for 4 adult(ish) people around town. The SC430 actually has more trunk space with the cargo cover in place, getting weekly groceries for 2 people was much easier than in the IS.
You really can't go wrong with either car. The SC430s are pretty bullet proof when maintained - the only issue I had with mine was the cable for the horn and steering wheel volume controls had to be replaced - that was the only non-maintenance item in 8 years. It is a very comfortable car to drive - I drove mine from Atlanta to Los Angeles in 3 days and really enjoyed the trip. With the top up the car felt more "personal" to me than the IS350C, which feels more 'sedan-ish".
In the end we decided we really didn't need two cars - the IS only had 10K miles after 4 years and with only one car, the IS made more sense to keep for the interior room and the lower mileage. Not sure this helps you make up your mind, but again, you really can't go wrong either way...
Not commenting on looks - that is just a personal preference... The SC430 was a more expensive car when new and it shows.on the inside. Nothing wrong with the IS350C, but the leather, etc is nicer on the SC430. I found the SC more relaxing to drive - it is quiet and smooth, but will move when you floor it. The IS350C is sportier and will handle better on a curvy road. As far as tech, not much in the SC, Bluetooth for phone calls is about as good as it gets. The IS has more, but as a 2012 it feels outdated today as well...The SC430 really is a 2 seater with some space for stuff behind the seats, the IS350C will work for 4 adult(ish) people around town. The SC430 actually has more trunk space with the cargo cover in place, getting weekly groceries for 2 people was much easier than in the IS.
You really can't go wrong with either car. The SC430s are pretty bullet proof when maintained - the only issue I had with mine was the cable for the horn and steering wheel volume controls had to be replaced - that was the only non-maintenance item in 8 years. It is a very comfortable car to drive - I drove mine from Atlanta to Los Angeles in 3 days and really enjoyed the trip. With the top up the car felt more "personal" to me than the IS350C, which feels more 'sedan-ish".
In the end we decided we really didn't need two cars - the IS only had 10K miles after 4 years and with only one car, the IS made more sense to keep for the interior room and the lower mileage. Not sure this helps you make up your mind, but again, you really can't go wrong either way...
10-23-18, 08:24 AM
#7
Long time Toyota and Lexus owner including ES, LS, CT, and multiple SC's and RX's. Because I am in love with the original SC so much, I really wanted the 430. I too still have a sparkle in my eye when I see one going down the road.
Drove both and the 430 really is a relaxing ride as mentioned.Ultimately, did go with the IS because of more room in the back and it's a bit more modern. Granted you could add push button start and rear view to the SC, but just preferred not touching it for some time. the 250C is a non-starter for me and the 2IS 350 motor is very stout. The car is for my wife which she loves, and doesn't even entertain anything else or newer.
Personally, If I have room later for a relatively inexpensive rolling SC 430 down the road, I would still love to get one and stuff a 2JZ-GTE into it, a nice body kit and rims....but that's just me.
Drove both and the 430 really is a relaxing ride as mentioned.Ultimately, did go with the IS because of more room in the back and it's a bit more modern. Granted you could add push button start and rear view to the SC, but just preferred not touching it for some time. the 250C is a non-starter for me and the 2IS 350 motor is very stout. The car is for my wife which she loves, and doesn't even entertain anything else or newer.
Personally, If I have room later for a relatively inexpensive rolling SC 430 down the road, I would still love to get one and stuff a 2JZ-GTE into it, a nice body kit and rims....but that's just me.
Trending Topics
10-25-18, 11:02 AM
#8
I always loved the SC's but they were pricey AF and very tiny inside.. I'm 6'2" and not skinny, so SC wasn't for me.... IS is a better fit.. roomier, more technology (bluetooth, nav, radar cruise, etc) so it was a nobrainer.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post