Never in my Wildest Dreams, did I ever expect the New SC 430 to be so much better than the BMW's Convertibles that I have previously owned ('95 325 / '01 330). In terms of Technological Sophistcation, Ergonomics, Performance, Luxury, Build Quality, and Exotic Good Looks, I am so very pleased I purchased it, over a New 2002 M3 Convertible!

I now have over 650 miles on it, thanks to the my assigned "Service-Technician" Scott, who drove it around for 510 miles for me and adjusted out some "Bugs", prior to Delivery. It really drives like a Dream.

Yes the Run Flats are a little stiff, but the whole car doesn't take the hit like the Bimmers did, over minor road irregularities, R/R Tracks, and Pavement Strips. Nor does the car exhibit ANY cowl shake, whereas the Bimmer really did, and much more pronounced when the Top was down.

Driving in congested traffic in downtown INDY yesterday, I pressed in the ECT Power Switch, and by using the "Engine Breaking" Feature to Downshift like a Manual Transmission, found these two features to be like a "Dynamic Duo", when changing lanes (VERY) quickily, to smoke an AUDI TT Black Convertible, moving from stop light to stop light. As long as you don't over rev or misuse it (Racing or Over Loading the Power Train), the Power Train's 72 Months / 70,000 Mile Warranty will be your "Safety Net", to shift the car like Manual, or take off a lot of the otherwise required use, off of the DUSTY Disc Brakes.

The Power will handle most every thing our there less than 300 HP, and will even match the Top End of the 325 HP M3 "Killer Convertible", which with the Optional Hard Top and other matching Up-Grade features, costs about the same.........If you can get one anywhere or at anytime soon, and for less than nearly 10 Grand over Sticker!

Our Interiors are much more Luxurious, and our Leather Seats much Higher Quality Leather - almost "Buttery Soft" to the touch!

I am Very Happy that I followed my instincts and went with the Onyx Black / Saddle Interior, from the fold-out pictures in the SC's Brochure - it's really stunning in appearance! By De-Badging the rear Ensignas, replacing the Front and Rear "Circle-L's" with Gold ones supplied from Lexus, and surrounding the Front one with the Lexus Front-End Bra - the car really turns heads! I went on to replace the Hex-Nuts on the Center Wheel Discs with Gold Plated ones from Lexus, and had the Center "Circle L's" Gold Plated from a local source servicing my LEXUS Dealer. It adds just that subtile look of Class, without cheapening the entire look. In addition, tinting the Side and Rear Windows to a 35% Shade really enhances this car's Presence.

It turned so many heads going down the road with the Top stowed, and always managed to draw a small crowd when I'd leave it parked in a Mall. Without the Rear Ensignas, everyone wants to know what kind of a Sport Car it is - they don't readily pick up on all of the "Circle L's".

Celebrating the Delivery yesterday morning, I drove over to SAKURAS, the best Japanese Restaurant in Indy, for some Sushi and an an ice cold Aishi Dry Beer. Upon returning to my car, five local Japanese men were all looking over the car, trying to peer through the Tinted Windows, and really expressing a lot of "OOHS" and "AAHS" in a Strong Japanese dialect. We all bowed to one another, as I started it up and stowed the Top, to a lot of Foreign "Squeals". When I flipped up the Cover and turned on the Nav System, they all Really went Wild! They said if they could even get on the waiting list for one back home, it would take forever, and cost them more than a $100 Grand.

The only disapointments so far, is that the (Tinted) Rear Windows cant be pulled up to match the cool shape of the Front Side Windows on cold nights driving with the Top down. In addition, the Dealer cautioned me not to put any of the Zaino Car Finish Products on it until the fresh paint (November Production Date) was 3 - 4 months old. They had covered it with a nice "Wet-Looking" Sealant, that still allows the new paint to breathand cure, and it does look SHARP! I just hope that when I give it it's first Wash this week, that I won't begin to notice those awful "Swirls" that eventually show up. With several hundred dollars of ZAINO stuff sitting ready to be used in the grarage, having to wait 3 - 4 months will really be hard.

A round trip over to Columbus this coming weekend, will finally get me over the 1,000 Mile Mark, at which time I'll do the First Service, and replace the (Break In) Oil with Mobil-One Synthetic supplied by the Dealer, and start off mid-month to Atlanta / Sarasota at Higher Speeds than the suggested 55 mph for the first 1,000 miles. The Owner's Manual suggests that for Sustained High Speeds in excess of 112 mph, you should increase the inflation by 12 psi, or to 45 psi. The Maximum Inflation for these Specialy Designed R. F. from Japan, and specifically for the SC 430, is 51 psi, but that would seem to really increase the chances for a tire blowout, and / or a bent Wheel Rim from hitting a chuck hole or something.

The trip to Florida on the 19th at "Sustained High Speeds" should be exciting. I'm seriosly thinking of inflating my tires up to 40 psi for the High Speed Run though. Anyone else want to make any suggestions in regard to Sustained High Speed Driving Tire Inflation?

It's all I could do to not sleep in the garage on that first night home with the New Car last night. I am SO in Love with this Awsome Luxury Performance Car!

 

Gee, Solo, you sound kinda pleased.

Congrats on your new "baby". I'll bet it looks fantastic the way you spruced it up. How about some pics?

Although the rear insignias do not stand out on my silver SC as they would on black, you do have me seriously considering debadging when I take it out of hibernation in the spring.

Still kicking myself for putting it away so early.

 

INSC430 - Hey Man, put some Dunlop Winter Sport II Dedicated Winter Tires on an additional set of Wheels, and a Space-Saver Spare in the trunk, and keep this yearning young "Stallion" limber during the cold weather months! I wouldn't take it out in the snow all of the time, especially when the de-icing salts are melting things off, without washing it off after each use, but it's too nice of a New Car to just sit in Hibernation all Winter, and turn the Run Flats into "Square Donuts". If my car sits garaged for any length of time, I believe in putting a "Trickler" Charger on the Battery, because of all of the many Electrical and Computor Systems throughout the car.

I plan on taking some Photos of the New Car down in Florida, with maybe some Palm Trees and Blue Ocean in the Background for more effect. Think that that will work?

In the meantime, I'm working on a little Revision for "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" for everyone to enjoy until then.

Thank you for your kind words - YEP, I am rather fond of this Great New Car!

 

Yup, but with all that bright sun and sea in the background, make sure you get the exposure right or all you'll be showing us is a shadow.

Heeding advice from members of this forum, I purchased a Battery Tender to keep things fresh.