Long time Lexus owner looking to get into an SC430. I am thinking that a low mileage 2002 would be more than fine. I assume I will dump the run flats and those awful stock wheels if need be, and be aware of the need for timing belt changes, etc.

I would to think I could stay under $15,000 if I am patient. I plan to look for a car that has not lived in the rust betl, etc. I am a former dealer and have a paint meter, etc.

Since I live in Iowa presently, I assume I will need winter tires to navigate the snow.

How reasonable does the above sound? Any other input?

Thanks very much!

PS-Am I correct in that the 2002 SC430 trans is a 5 speed and that it DOES have a dipstick?

 

Yes the '02 SC has a tranny fluid dip stick and it is a 5 speed.

I bought our '02 in 2007 with 15K miles on it. It now has 54K. My wife is the main driver of it. If you can find one that has been maintained with low miles on it there is no reason not to go for it.

It is just a great car all around. Very dependable and very comfortable. A great drivers car!

The only thing I want to change in ours is the sound system. Bring it up to current standards. If bluetooth, MP3's and Iphones etc.are necessary you may want to look at a later model since the '02 doesn't have much flexibility for connecting those types of devices.

 

I have an '02, and live in Iowa. I picked up a 1 owner from Texas early last year, and put on all-season tires (handles fine in snow, but I grew up driving rear-while drive behemoths in Wisconsin). Changed out the pie-plates for twist wheel caps. Did the timing belt change myself. Great car, would do it again. Now, with that said, I felt fortunate to pick up mine with 70K miles for $17.5K. If you can get a clean, low mileage example for under $15K, I'd say jump on it.

 

Best of luck, it seems the one's under 15K have 130K+ miles on them. You may need to go to a wholesale dealer auction to be at that price range.

It goes without saying you should get a cheap ODB-II reader and check the cars out when you test drive them, it'll tell you if the check engine light was recently reset for any reason.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I have plenty of time to shop and I was assuming (perhaps wrongly) that prices for this kind of car may dip a bit once the snow flies. Also, I am curious about the twist wheel caps. Anyone have a picture of these?

Thanks much!

 

15k may be a bit low. I paid 24k for an '03 w/ 38k miles and timing belt replaced at 37k. Could have found cheaper but it was a super clean one owner and well maintained. Also, the color I wanted.

 

I am partial to the white, very very nice!

 

I was in the same boat. Looked for 6 months before finally buying one. Started out searching for low mileage '02 but ons under $15k were always in the low to mid $20ks.

I realized for not much more, I could buy an 06+ and benfit from the mid model refresh changes. I ended up buying an 07 with 12k miles for $31.7k with about a year left on the factory power train warranty.

There were a few 06s in the $20k range but they all had 100k+ miles. I asked my self was it worth an extra $10k to buy one with 100k fewer miles and still have a factory warranty. It was a no brainier.

 

You got a great deal, glad the car worked out for you. I think 15k is a reasonable expectation.

 

Thanks again.

 

Below is a photo of my car ('02) with the original and much derided pie plate wheel covers and with the replacement star covers, which later became standard. This is a quick and inexpensive change and, in my opinion (or, IMHO, as the kids say) improves the appearance of the car considerably. Highly recommended.

 

They look really great. Where does one find these, from the Lexus dealer? Also, can I assume that one can mount regular tires on the OEM wheel, as I ndeed to remove the run flats.

Thanks

 

I got mine from Sewell, but they were new on the market at the time. There are many sources at this time, although they are an official Lexus part, so any dealer will have them.
As for your second question, strangely phrased as a request to make an assumption, the answer is that you can put any tire onto the OEM wheels, as long as it is the appropriate size. Many here, if not most, have replaced the runflats with "regular" tires onto the same wheels without problem. My service manager suggested Michelin Pilot Sports (I think) and I have been very happy with them. I still have the OEM wheels. Since I only have about 45,000 miles on the car, I have not needed to replace the Michelins yet.
Happy motoring.