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SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Potential SC430 owner need advise

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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #16  
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Thanks, I have researched teh VIN and have printed history of the VIN. I have been registered as an owner since 07. I added the VIN and kwala, I know every dealer reported service (like all details posted, not really).

But thanks. I will continue the search now that I have been hooked!
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Old Dec 10, 2010 | 09:10 PM
  #17  
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What's your color preference? I'm assuming black. Budget? I'm assuming under $20k

You can go up a little in price and cut the mileage in half.

Here are some sweet examples:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2003-...76a#vi-content

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/search...inAsk=&maxAsk=

bank repo...might be a STEAL...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/ctd/2090278426.html

not black, but so beautiful and not far away...looks immaculate!

http://bham.craigslist.org/ctd/2038241469.html

If you want a nice dark color, something unique, I'd recommend the TAP (Twilight Amethyst Pearl). Can be black, purple or whatever you imagine! The car is stunning and always turns heads.

Here is an exceptionally clean one at Jim Hudson Lexus in Augusta. $19k but 65k miles and plenty of room for negotiation, I'm sure.

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national

Last edited by scdroptop; Dec 10, 2010 at 09:14 PM.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 06:49 AM
  #18  
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Thanks for the links. Good stuff. I would like to keep below $18K. The key would be patience. Thanks again.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 09:12 AM
  #19  
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A couple more points:

Is the leather color truly red or is it a brownish orange color? If the latter, then it is saddle like SCDROPTOP mentioned. If it is truly red, then I forget what that color is called but you may also have one of the specialized cars that SCDROPTOP is an expert on.

The car may be eligible for an extended warranty, if it is and you are interested, the TPMS will likely be covered. Of course, if you truly are a shade tree tinkerer, then you probably aren't interested in the warranty preferring to do the work yourself. OTOH, if something like the a/c or top goes out, that warranty will more than pay for itself pretty quickly. (Disclaimer, neither the top or the a/c have any history of having issues on this forum.)
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 09:58 AM
  #20  
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Just got back from test driving an 02 Silver, 67K miles. Current owner bought from CARMAX and he bought the extended MAX CARE good till 91K miles or 03/2012 w/c ever comes 1st.

Wants $18.8K. The front and rear bumpers have been replaced in what he called fender benders, no way of telling. The leather is beat up but can be restored a bit. Couple of dings, no major. Not garaged but I am surprised that the paint and everything is still good.

Atlanta car from day 1. 2nd owner and he bought it from CARMAX.

Steering is a little tight and heavy. Is this normal?

VSC light is on as well as VSC. What does this mean?

He says CARMAX will take care of it (the VSC lights) due to extended warranty.

Brake has some shimmy, need re-surface and/or pads. Little vibration and noise on 80 MPH (not from wheels).

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance for those who put in theirs.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 01:48 PM
  #21  
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If it were me, I'd steer clear of this one unless you are just looking for a project car. (No pun intended.) Keep looking for a garage kept car with pristine leather. This is especially true here in the south where the sun is a bit more extreme. The bumper covers may or may not be an issue. Tight and heavy steering doesn't sound right to me but I don't know your point of reference either.

I'd go ahead and drive other SC430s to get a better feel for what is available. It sounds to me like there should be better finds out there waiting for you.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 02:04 PM
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Pass on this one...look at some of those others I sent you in ATL under $20k. Check craigslist, autotrader, cars.com, yahoo and msn autos. eBay is my fav.

You can do much better. What's your color preferences inside and out?

like these...

very clean egyptian sand (gold) on your saddle interior you like ...71k miles $16.9k asking

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ctd/2048866817.html

OR this is my fav...black on black so classy 42k miles cream puff, one owner middle aged guy garage queen looks like a perfect car! $21k asking but you might be able to get for $20k or less. You never know...

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/2033097627.html

here's a rare and beautiful indigo ink pearl (blue) on saddle 74k miles in marietta $17k

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ctd/2065748951.html
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 02:05 PM
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If he/she would get all that fixed it may be $18.8. Expecting someone else to fix it all he should be asking $15 or less. Don't do it.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 02:07 PM
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Nice red on black in alpharetta very rare to find 80k miles $19,500 asking...probably get for $18k.

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...standard=false
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 02:19 PM
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I just bought... within the last 2 weeks, a 2002 Black/Eucr with only 41,000 miles in pristine condition. $18,500. Not a flaw anywhere, factory paint, one owner. I got it from a local Mercades Store. (South Florida).

I had just missed a simular 2002 Red/Eucr, not as clean but still mid 40K miles for the same price in Delray.

They are out there in this price range with this mileage but they don't last on the lots long.
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Old Dec 11, 2010 | 10:12 PM
  #26  
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great deal...I would much rather be in the price range you are at versus the $14-$15k range with 80k+ or 100k+ miles and lots of stories. $4k is not much in a car, but it's still $4k. A 2002 can still be financed so if it was me, I would get the car out of my budget assuming I was paying cash and get a small note to cover the rest.

Rates are so low right now...a $20k note over 48 months might set you back 3.9%. Pay it down with $10k right off the bat, enjoy the holidays, pay your taxes and drop the remaining $10k next year sometime. If your itch is that bad and you found THE car, $4k is nothing.

The 02's are really getting down there in price. I'm still seeing some rare low mileage ones at dealers in the low $20k's so anything south of that is good!
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 06:36 AM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Harold57
If it were me, I'd steer clear of this one unless you are just looking for a project car. (No pun intended.) Keep looking for a garage kept car with pristine leather. This is especially true here in the south where the sun is a bit more extreme. The bumper covers may or may not be an issue. Tight and heavy steering doesn't sound right to me but I don't know your point of reference either.

I'd go ahead and drive other SC430s to get a better feel for what is available. It sounds to me like there should be better finds out there waiting for you.
Great advise. I really have to drive a couple more to get a feel of what an SC is really like.

Patience. I need it.
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 06:45 AM
  #28  
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Trying to steer away from paying sales tax, but finding an SC outside dealers is hard. They (dealers-re-sellers) snap them as soon as advertised by owners.
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Old Dec 12, 2010 | 06:55 AM
  #29  
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Originally Posted by talison24
If he/she would get all that fixed it may be $18.8. Expecting someone else to fix it all he should be asking $15 or less. Don't do it.
I will chill on this one. Thanks.
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Old Dec 14, 2010 | 05:01 PM
  #30  
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I am pretty close on getting a 2003, White. Please help me create a checklist on what to expect.

What do I need to check on:

1. 2 keys-remote.
2. Navigation working.
3. Trunk, what do I need to look for, expect?
4. What do I need to check on as far as operation:
a. Lights.
b. Wipers.
c. Hard Top.
d. Gas door.
e. Side mirrors up-down, including heaters.
f. It has the famous rear view mirror wiggle, is this fixable?
g.The TPMS light is on, maybe due to weather.
h. Stereo, CD player.
i. Heated seeats, checked, ok.
j. Windows, ok.
k. antenna, works ok.

Anything I missed? Thanks in advance.
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