ogjohnsmit

I need some help deciding, I purchased a 04 Lexus LX470 a while back with 100k on the clock and it’s the best vehicle I’ve ever owned and I have owned quite a few. So I decided to get another Lexus, an SC430 with a budget of around $22k and high miles were not a concern because my LX has been rock solid and I understand the SC to be the same. Now looking at all my possible options I can’t decide?

This is what I see on the market currently;

2002-2003 SC430 Base 15k – 40k miles, $20k - $24k

2005 SC430 Pebble Beach 45k miles, $23k

2006 SC430 Base 50k-60k miles, $20k- $24k

2008 SC430 Pebble Beach 100k miles $23k

So it comes down to questions like should I get the 2002 SC430 Base with 15k miles for $21k, or a 2008 Pebble Beach with 100k miles for $23k? Or maybe right in the middle with the 2005 Pebble Beach and 45k miles for $23k? Or a Base 2006 with around 60k miles for about the same price? Or anything in-between? See the dilemma I’m facing???

Anyway thanks in advance 

bb430

iTrader: (1)

Colors on each of them?
I'm incline to the 05 PB.

JohnnyCake

All SC's are good SC's -- you'll just have to think it through as to which is right for you. One thing to keep in mind: major changes were made in 2006.

Slingshot1

06+ six speed tranny, front adaptave lights, rear led lights, updated front and rear look and updated
Interior (minor)

ogjohnsmit

I will not do red exterior and I will not do black interior, anything else is fair game.

Yes I know, I've read 100s of pages and 1000s of posts on this forum so I know all about the differences between the years.

Ok a more simple question with two extreme ends of the spectrum. Would you buy a 2002 with 15k miles (basically showroom condition with that new car smell) for $21k or would you buy an 08 Pebble Beach with 99k miles (been around the block a few times and a few times more) for $23k?

Say it was just those two choices and I now all the differences between the two cars.

ogjohnsmit

Here is a good question, say you currently own an 06+ with 100k+ miles (you know of all the little rock chips, dents, hopped curbs, wheel rash, bottom outs, or worse you did over the years), would you trade it straight across no questions asked for an 2002 with 15k miles (again showroom condition)?

mandyfig

Quite a few hypothetical scenarios you are stating.

It is quite difficult to assess judgement on several variations of SC430 conditions without pictures and final specs.

At the end of the day you look at a unit and decide on the merits, one car at a time.

If you want us to help you make a decision, you gotta give us more facts and pictures to look at and chew on.

Fair enough?

FLYCT

My preference is 06+. My Red/Ecru 2008 with 60,000 miles is my baby. It gets compliments almost every time I take it out.

Harold57

I'd probably go with the newer car just because some parts do go bad just because of age. (Think of how rubber deteriorates over time.)

mandyfig

Agree on the 06 since there are upgrades. Then again must compare +/- of the current state of the car.

bb430

iTrader: (1)

Fair question but only you can answer. Probably 99% of us will not have our cars in any of the condition that you described and further more, we may have a few upgrade to the cars already. I don't think most of us would envy a stock newer model year car. I know I don't. I have an 02 with 135000 miles on it and I don't envy any stock looking, fewer miles, newer model year car because I know what I have and done to it, and I trust it to drive around the U.S. If given the chance.

riknchar

I think I may lean towards the 2002 with 15K miles. You'd have to budget for some service right away if the Timing Belt/Water Pump has never been replaced (which is likely), but other than that, you'd have a very low mileage car that would last a long time.

I personally believe that at some point, the value of extremely clean, low mileage SC430s will actually start rising as they become somewhat collectible. The 2002, being the first model year, would seem to be a good candidate for this appreciation. I've owned a 2006, a 2009 Pebble Beach, and am now in the process of buying a 2002 (for the reasons I already mentioned). I paid $16,200 for a pristine condition 2002 with 43K miles, for comparison purposes. I'll put another $1000 into Timing Belt/Water Pump (using my Independent shop).

I'm not sure how important the 2006 upgrades were, in the grand scheme of things...

Just my 2 cents... Good luck!

OBP

As long as the 2008 has not been abused or damaged ( i.e. really highway miles ), I would get the 2008. These engines make it to 200K miles plus properly maintained and this forum will help you with minor fixes etc for a higher miles car that will save you money. The better tranny and adaptive headlamps make the 2008 the better choice. LEd tails nice to have as well.

ogjohnsmit

Fair enough, there are 100s for sale nationwide so here are just I few I’ve been considering and I’d go as high as $25k for a 2008 but that is about my limit;


2003 Base with 18k for $21,500

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...5960/overview/


2005 Pebble Beach with 45k miles for $24,500

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...2332/overview/


2008 Pebble Beach with 97k miles for $23,900

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/de...3710/overview/


I know most of you guys are meticulous on your maintenance and driving habits but I can’t assume the previous owner(s) of high mile SCs are.

After spending the last week or so researching on this forum my thoughts were leaning toward an 06+ but I read a thread about 20-30 pages back where I guy traded his 06 with 77k miles for I think was an 2004 with 50k miles. He stated he rather have the 04 with less miles and the changes on the 06 were not significant enough to counter the peace of mind he had on the lower mile 04. Now he was only looking at a difference of around 30k miles between the two cars but between my two extreme examples it’s like 80k miles. He also stated after driving the 04 he really didn’t miss anything the 06 had to offer.

Now that really messed up my mind and my ability to make a decision. To add to the confusion my 130k mile LX470 which looks and drives like new, has me thinking the same can be found on a SC430 with 100k miles, so do I get the 2008 PB??? I’m literally losing sleep over this! If I was able to physically see and drive the cars it wouldn’t be so difficult, but chances are I’ll probably purchase a car out of state because there isn’t much of a selection here in AZ.

When I decide on a car there is a service called CARCHEX that will go to the car and do a 5 mile test drive and a 155 point inspection of the car and take pictures of everything and write up a very detailed evaluation. The cost is $179 for the Lexus SC430 and I have a free airline ticket to anywhere in the US. If everything checks out, I’ll make an offer and if it’s accepted I’ll fly out and drive it home.

Well anyway my LX470 is basically the kid hauler and the grocery getter. My previous sports car was a 2006 BMW V10 M5 (that dynoed at 430 rear-wheel horsepower stock) and very costly mistake I had to sell at a $10k loss. So this time I’m doing my due-diligence with extensive research and asking questions in an attempt to get the right car that I will enjoy for many years to come, thank you for your patients.

My LX470 (with 20" LX570 wheels), the wife, and me arriving at a masquerade ball;

Harold57

John,

The differences between the features of the cars are fairly minor, unless one of them has a feature that you really desire and don't plan to modify it to get that feature (like Bluetooth, a fairly easy modification). Probably the biggest difference in the cars is the transmission (started in '06) and even that isn't a huge difference unless you want to be able to control the individual gears (to some extent). I'd say look over the cars, choose the one that trips your trigger the most visually, do your due diligence with regards to the cars maintenance history (and wreck/no wreck history) and go after it. Other than that, there really isn't that much difference in the various years. The engine is a very solid engine and basically the same for all years. If the car is in good shape, you almost can't go wrong. Just make sure that the maintenance history is good or take care of items like the timing belt after you get it. After having it checked out by that service, you should have a better peace of mind too. I'd say just choose the one you like and go for it. Good luck and happy hunting.