Don't have an SC, have an IS 250C, but roof mechanism is almost identical.

Was wondering if I should get an extended warranty when current standard one expires?

Seems any folding roof problem could be an expensive nightmare. I've never bothered with extended warranty on my previous non convertible Lex cars, they've all been trouble free well after the warranty expired.

Tx Machog

 

My wife has a 2008-SC 430 with 86,000 miles on it. We never purchased an extended warranty. And (so far) have NEVER had a problem with the top ever. However, we were told when we bought it in 2008 that IF there was a problem it would cost around $4700 to repair. Maybe a sales pitch? Maybe a fair warning? I never hope to find out.

Either way the car is great, the top works and if they still made the damn SC - we would buy another new one! And no - I wouldn't buy the extended warranty, but that is a risk I am willing to take with the quality of the Lexus. It may prove me wrong one day as I just bought a GX-460 and no - no warranty!

 

At least from following this forum, there haven't been too many roof problems for such a complicated mechanism. Occasionally we'll see reports of cables coming untracked (easy fix). Less often we see sensors failing (hardest part is diagnosis since there are so many sensors and they are critical to the logic control to keep the movements sequenced properly), even less often we see motors becoming unsync'ed (pulse counting for synchronization) or failing. A few hinge failures (expensive), which is something to worry about if the car is in an accident. All things considered, for such a complex mechanism, the failure rate seems to be very, very low, IMO. Compared to the old Ford retractables these SC430 roofs are amazingly reliable. Attribute that to good engineering design, good materials, and tight tolerances.

 

I've had my 2002 SC430 since 2006 and if I were to do it again, I probably wouldn't purchase the extended warranty either. The car is very well made and reliable. I'd save the money and use it for repairs when they surfaced and likely come out ahead, even with the rare top issue.

The only issue that I've had with the top so far went away when I replaced the trunk struts. Not real sure just how that resolved the problem but it sure seems to have done just that.

good luck and enjoy

 

Maybe unbalanced loading of the trunk lid, if that can affect motor (electrical) loading????