I am in search of a SC430. I know that from 02-05 it has 5 speed trans. 06 and newer has 6 speed.
Is there a big different in the drive? I just want to justify the extra cost for the 06 and newer.

 

no its mostly mpg only. other then lights changes. I have a 2002 not complaining.

 

I have the six-speed; Habious has the five speed. I have ridden in his car several times and never noticed that there was a difference.

 

The 6-speed does run smoother, you notice it when you drive alot of local. The 5 speed sometime hesitate if it need a shift

 

And the 6-speed doesn't have a dip-stick for the tranny. Also a little different when you come to change fluid.

 

you have in 6speed tip-tronic mode you can shift the gears like manual and 5 speed not have it

 

You can feel the difference between the 5 and 6 if you are "enthusiastically" travelling on rolling hills/mountains.

Otherwise, it's smooth sailing with either tranny for common thoroughfare...

 

Its easier to service the 5 speed than the 6 speed (sealed for life) tranny.

 

I just bought my SC430 three months ago. I prioritized the characteristics of the car which I felt were most important in terms of buying the best quality car for the best price. I have say, 5-speed versus 6-speed transmission wasn't even on the list.

I think the biggest question is how long you intend to keep the car. I keep my cars 10 years plus. For me, that meant the year of the vehicle was virtually irrelevant. Mileage on the odometer was the most important issue.

From there, more or less in descending order of importance, were these markers: A car sold by a dealership, preferably a Lexus dealer. A one-owner. A car verifiably serviced by a Lexus or Toyota dealership.

A car within 500 miles of my residence, so I could drive it home in one day (rather than paying to have it shipped and risk damage). If the vehicle was more than six years old, one on which the timing belt "package" service had been performed, because that can be a $2,000 item.

Finally, the exterior/interior color of choice. It took me a couple of months but I found a car which qualified on all of those counts. The search engines at the major online car selling sites make this a pretty easy task. I am SO happy with my SC430 it shouldn't be legal.

 

I am very appreciated for all your advises. I am 90% toward the 06 and newer unless I find an older one with an offer I can't refuse.

 

The tiptronic gear shifting of the 06+ is the most my most used and favorite upgraded feature on the SC that is not available on the -05.

Also the instrument cluster is always lit and looks much nicer having a newer car feel which is nice for a daily driver you want to keep long term.

 

I might be wrong on this, but wasn't there a horsepower, torque, 0-60mph difference with the >05?

 

The specs are the same. Guess the 6 speed just shifts smoother.

 

The pre 06 models have the auto dimming cluster full time.

 

That difference was moremof a standardization than any real difference in the engineor vehicle.

@zibby07 - the - 05's have the C-gate shifting which is also a lot of fun shifting.

On the track I notice I'm in 3rd gear a long time getting the revs and speed up before shifting to 4th. I wonder if having that extra gear would be better ...