My local dealer in Northern Cailfornia has told me its virtually impossible finding an SC430 anywhere on the west that comes with standard performance tires, not run-flats. Has anyone had luck on the west coast finding an SC430 with standard tires, in which they had their local dealer trade with another dealer?

 

I was told no one in the country could get an SC430 without runflats after July 2001... I also heard that the 2003 model will have the NON run-flat option for real! ....so if you want to wait?

 

Dear Gandro,

Why don't you call Longo Lexus in LA? They seem to get lots of sc430s and they are very helpful. I too live in Northern California, but I bought mine from them. I have had 3 previous Lexus during the past 8 years, but I am not impressed with the dealers here.

Regards,

Mattie

 

Im sorry but I dont understand the big deal when it comes to the runflats. they arent bad tires. Having them leaves you worry free and leaves room in your trunk. Unless you have had a high performance car in the past or plan on taking turns at 100moh then the run flats are a good idea. Otherwise just wait out their life (which is relatively short) and get the tires youd like. I say this knowing there are many cheaper performance tires that will not improve the ride quality or handling. If you want that improved you are going to have to spend big bucks on tires, tires which would not come on the car stock no matter what. I have 19" Pirellis on my car now, but the tires were in the neighborhood of $1600 they handle great, look great and really arent that noisy, but I dont drive the car much. The tires are only good for about 8000 miles or so anyway.

 

The problem I noticed on the test drive and from opinions of other owners is that the runflats ride harsher and allow more road and pothole impact into the cockpit. I really am not looking for high-speed performance. I have heard that standard performance tires (not Runflats) ride smoother with less impact harshness. Its hard for me to verify this, this I never drove the car with and without runflats. Therfore I am relying on all of you owners to let me know if the car does indeed ride better with non-runflat tires. I never used my spare tire in my previous car. If a can of fix-a-flat didn't repair the tire, I would call AAA. So I don't at all see ANY benefit to the runflats, especially if they compromise a smooth ride, when living in San Francisco where broken road is far more common.

 

I am having my rear-bushings replaced Friday (car built June 2001) and I am curious to see how much that improves the rear suspension. Since I too drive in a pothole-centric city (NYC) I can use all the help I can get.

However, since I have had the pleasure of several flat tires on my RX300 - I will likely be sticking with my run-flats no matter. No way I'm relying on AAA.

 

knicksfan, I am in NYC too and would like to know how your new rear bushings worked out, particularly, did they improve the jiggly steering? I am not so concerned about ride harshness but I really dislike the giggity jerkiness of the steering over road irregularities.

 

maybe you can buy a set of tires you like and sell the runflats. runflats are quite pricy arent they? maybe you can sell it for what a new set of tires cost? i dunno, just a thought....