Hello Everyone. I am a new register to this forum and I want to give a shout out while seeking direction.

In the next two days I plan to purchase a 2002 or 2003 SC430. I love everything about the car, especially its reliability. I simply want one and am prepared to purchase.

But in reading the threads here I became terrified last night that caused me to look at other cars.

It is my understanding that Lexus is discontinuing the SC430 and/or changing the body style. This causes me great concern because I always buy used cars and I seek the models that do not have major body and styling changes so that if you get an earlier model and it is really in great shape people (the general populace cannot date your car. they do not know if you have an old car or new car, as long as your car is clean and fresh. This is one of the major reasons why I was considering the SC 430

Now I find out that they are going to change the style completly next year. this frightens me because I went thru this kind of thing once before. I had a sports benz and it was an earlier dated model that ran true to all of the later models. Benz drastically changed the styling of the car that immediately made my car appear dinnasorish. In other words my car was instantly dated and exposed as an older car.

Do, I run the same risk here with the SC 430 if I purchase the 2002 now. the one i am supposed to purchaee on Tuesday has 35,000 miles and I wanted to keep it for years. But now I am fightened abot being dated with the body change. Are you guys similarly concerned and should I stilll go forward with the purchase.

Again, thank you everyone and hello to all from a new member

 

If you are buying a 2002 SC430 even with 35K on it it is not like you are breaking the bank for a car and your expectations may be to high that you will find another BMW, Audi, Acura or whatever luxury auto that is much different. Maybe you can jump down a car class or two and get the newest body style if that is what you are after.

The SC430 is such a classic you will be fine. I would say you are pretty lucky they have kept this body style as long as they have if that is your concern

 

Sorry everyone. I am new and this is my first post. Obviously I put it in the wrong place and it was supposed to be in the SC 430 forums. Sorry, Please disregard

 

SrWilliams,

Your post is fine here, as quite a few people here own both the LS and SC430

Regarding your concern, the SC430 is the perfect car for you, as Lexus will not have a replacement for it after they discontinue it next year. With the unique body style of the SC430, it will look new and fresh for the next 10~20 years, just like the NSX.

The only convertible Lexus will have in the foreseeable future is the IS convertible and the LF-A convertible. The IS is an entry level Lexus where the SC430 is a top of the line Lexus, no comparison there. The LF-A is an exotic car with a $150k+ price tag, have nothing to do with the SC430 also.

So the SC430 will look fresh for many many years

 

the SC430 will be axed but they wont be coming with a replacement so it should be ok

 

SirWilliams, you say you "LOVE" the vehicle, so what does it matter if it looks dated. I would get a Lamborhini Countach if I had the money to maintain it properly...

I haven't read anything saying a new SC will be coming, but the current SC I think has been around since 2000 or 2001 and so needless to say the style may be "classic" but it is getting long in the tooth.

Go for it... you get a nice clean SC and you'll enjoy it. Just don't expect to enjoy it with more than one person...

 

I am with you 100%, there are many cars that I prefer the older model over the latest model, I much prefer the LS430 over the LS460, I like the older Ferrari over their latest offerings.

But some people have to drive the current body style, just personal preference and mentality.

 

oh yeah !!! Newer it the BEST !!! So some think. I'm pretty sure if my LS430 holds up in reliability like past LS history, I'll be driving my baby for many years to come and might see two or three generations pass by before I get another. Current LS is just too vanilla and XXL Camry looking. For me, if I could, I would would have gotten a mint 1st gen. LS400 with low miles, but everything I found even close to mint in body was over 180K, which is actually not bad for an LS400.

Actually, if I really had the money, I would get a 1938 Bugatti 57C, but they're mostly rust buckets by now... too bad...

 

Not true in my book.

Same here.

Yeah I don't like the extra large ES350 looks, and mostly I don't like the layout....the window is too high and too short, I don't like the NAV screen below the air vents. Don't like the size either, the SWB is too short, the LWB is too long. The size of the LS430 is perfect.

Right after I bought my LS430, I found a mint condition 2000 LS400 with 44k miles in my favorite color combo, man I wanted it bad! But I bought my 430 already and I love it, so I don't want to buy and sell again.

Rust is not a problem if there is enough money, Ralph Lauren's 1938 Bugatti Atlantic 57SC don't have any rust on it That is a beautiful car!