Hello all. I am new here, but have lurked for several weeks. I have received a lot of valuable information from these forums, so thanks to everyone. After having an RX300 for the last twelve years, I decided to upgrade. I bought my wife a 2005 GX470 and myself a 2005 SC430. They are great vehicles, and we love them both. My SC is White Gold Crystal with Black interior. It looks and drives fantastic. I am a little curious though as to why the GX has a much more advanced navigation system. They are both gen 4 systems right? It would be nice to have the backup camera and the other functionality that came with the GX. Specifically, it seems strange that the audio controls are not present, especially since the SC has the cover over the audio system. I of course would never have known these features were missing if I didn’t get the GX simultaneously. However, the biggest surprise is present in both systems. I can’t blame Lexus for the IPhones lack of functionality, but how did they miss the ability to manually input information? I consider the Bluetooth to be a major feature, and for the Lexus engineers to miss such a basic function just seems odd to me. At some point I will look around for another phone just so I can make the transfers, but that is extra effort that should not be necessary. Other than the nav differences (and it is only a minor thing), I couldn’t be happier with our purchases.

 

Welcome aboard. The NavTool (add-on you can buy) gives you two additional video inputs (one for rear camera, one for whatever you want) that is plug and play. There's a lot of info on here about blue tooth, I don't use it so I never read up on it. As far as the navigation...keep a Garmin or TomTom in the glove box I've entered the same address on both the Garmin and the Lexus, and the Lexus always give me the longer, worst route

 

you know what i thought about the other day, do any tomtom or garmins have a video output? if so why not hook up one into the 2nd AV source on the NAVtool and just never use the stock nav?

That plus a back up camera and your up to date. I think they added bluetooth a year later but i might be wrong.

Lexus did not change the SC430 since MY 2002 which was built in 2001 so the technology is from back then. In 2010 it jumped and went to the gen 6 nav so that SC would be the most up to date as far as technology. I myself added a NAVTOOL and a Vaistech SLU so I have a back up camera, and also a WD TV Media player for movies/music etc. Also I swapped my computer for the navigation to the 2nd to last which was Gen 4 (Gen 6 is not plug and play from what I understand).

 

robertrios, youre an innovative genius haha something like this? https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=10573 It comes with an RF remote control, so maybe you use that to input directions. Only $425 on eBay

 

Thanks for the replies. I have a TomTom with lifetime traffic and Maps (no video out unfortunately). I don't really need the navigation very often, but the traffic is pretty nice. However, i can't imagine having such a beautiful car with a GPS stuck to the window. As far as the SC nav, at least I have the latest maps. I will have no problem living with it.

 

believe it or not. your white on black is very rare in the us.
you are the second sc430 member that has this color combo here on cl.

 

Wow. Thats great to hear. When I was looking I passed up on some other color combos with lower mileage because the White/Black looked so nice.

 

Nice picture of the White on black...or did I miss it?

 

awesome find on the nav with video out, this could be awesome, im gonna have a hard time letting go of the WD TV though.

Oh and to correct what i said i meant Lexus did not change the sc430 much
since MY2002 (2001 production) yes I know they went from Gen 2/3 nav, to gen 4, to gen 6 and removed the tape deck in 2010 (i still think they just put a plate over it and its still actually there). The front end got a minor face lift and the rear got new tail lights. But the car itself is just about the same. The older 02-05 have a bit more HP and a 5 sp tranny vs the 06+ 6spd (correct me if im wrong). Ive driven both and honestly stock vs stock they drive the same to me.

 

Here are some pictures for those interested. My assumption is that these are the Dinner/pie plate wheels I have been reading about. The car also came with a different "star" type. It's funny, one of the people were I bought the car from told me these were "special order" wheels. After hearing that, my wife fell in love with them. I didn't have a problem with them until I read all the negative press. Maybe I should change them for the others.

 

Beautiful car! Welcome to CL and to paradise! I agree with Talwang I've never seen a White on black in person before, and cannot remember seeing another owner on CL with one. Wow!!! Where in Texas are you? DFW?

 

I'm in Pearland, about 15 minutes south of downtown Houston. From what I understand the car was originally a lease vehicle from south Florida. It seems to have been very well taken care of. At least I hope so.

 

talwang, I just noticed you are from NASA. As am I.

 

Very nice! Not too many folks from H-town on the SC forum. Pearland is a great area. If I was a Houstonian I would live in the Woodlands, Pearland or Sugarland

Make sure you register your car on www.lexus.com/owners to get the full maint history, etc.