My 2005 SC430 has 1500 Miles on it, so it is new. For some reason the car is not that fast. I have a LS400 that feel super fast & the pedal is super sensitive compared to the SC. I feel as though I can't get the SC moving. Is there some sort of limiter in the software for break in period? It car is SLUGGISH. Also, the SC is a little bit shakey, or it vibrates a little at stop lights, even after the car is warm. Is something wrong here?

LS400 is fast & engine is really smooth... what gives?

 

that's the case for all 430 with the 4 speed

drive the 01-05 gs430, the 01-03 ls430, and the sc430. they all feel the same. that's just how the ecu is setup and the gas pedal isn't as respsonsble as before. some people say it's the case with the new drive by wire system.

the 400 engine, it's also drive by wire but there is a cable system at the end, and the response is a lot faster. i know coz' i have gs400 with the old system, which is similar to what you have on the ls400

however, lexus "fixed" the problem on the 04+ ls430, with 430 engine and 6 speed tranny. the new ecu makes the car a lot more responsive than before. go try it, i was surprised

i am exciting to drive the 06 sc430 when it comes out and see if that's the case too

 

I had the same thoght when I bought my SC430. Especially after coming off a twin turbo 996 Porsche. Mine now has around 2000 miles and it is starting to run a lot better.
Try running up the rpms in 2nd and then 3rd gears. Don't red line but manually shift around 5200 rpm into the next higher gear. It seemed to work for me. Hows the Mark Levinson stereo treating you. The SC is basically a very nice boulevard cruiser, not a match for the Corvettes or Porsches. Once you believe that fact you will like your SC a lot better.

 

Don't we have a 5 speed?

Turning off the VSC helps a little; it's way to intrusive. -R

 

Hmm.. well at least it is supposed to be that way.

What about the slightly unsmooth idleing? Is that normal? With the LS at idle, you can barely tell the engine is on!

 

There is a TSB to swap out the motor mounts to fix a vibration problem at idle on the early production models, but you shouldn't be having that problem with an '05. I would take it in and have them look at it. Maybe you have a cylinder that is not firing or something which would explain the vibration and lack of power.

-Roger

 

sorry, typo on my part, we have 5 speed