Hello! I recently was lucky to purchase a 2003 SC430 in gorgeous condition, which I purchased to replace my 2003 Mercedes ML320, which had half the mileage and ten times the problems. But I"m finding it difficult to adjust to the "new" car, particularly after an SUV. I feel nervous driving the SC - feeling every pothole (it does not have the run flats), parking that low front end takes great care - and the steering pulls in ways I"m not used to on corners. Can I just drive this car - in the rain, in the sun, fast or slow - and know that's tough enough to take it?

Some Lexus-lover therapy would be most helpful!

 

You'll find that the SC430 is as close to bullet proof as a car can be. Just enjoy it and give it proper maintenance and it won't let you down.

 

If you are feeling every pothole, make sure that the tires are not over inflated. (Is the pothole reaction jarring or mushy/bouncy?)

Is the steering only pulling on corners? If so, you should be fine. However, can you be a bit more explicit by how it "pulls" differently than what you are used to? This car is very different than an SUV so you should expect it to drive differently, most likely be more responsive. It also rides much lower than an SUV and that will take a little adjustment on your part. (It is a bit like riding on a skate board after riding high (vertically) in an SUV for a long time. But you get used to it and will love it in short notice.)

This car is made for the road, rain or shine. The situation that tends to be troublesome is snow and ice. Just like any car though, it has parts that will eventually wear out and that will happen faster if it is abused (running over curbs, big potholes, road humps at high speed). But in general, this car is made to last. There are multiple owners on this forum with SC430s over 100k and 200k miles and still going and enjoying their cars.

Welcome to the forum and congratulations on your new acquisition.

 

Feeling every pothole as in HARSH or as in BOUNCE AND THROWN ABOUT?

As for the former, what tires are on the car?

As for the latter, how are the shocks?

The SC is known for is luxo ride (once run flats are replaced) so this is unusual.

 

You guys are amazing - thank you!
The ride is more jarring, like you feel every bump. My tires are Uniroyal 245/40ZR18. It's a great point about the tire inflation - I had one very low tire and so the fellow at the gas station filled all my tires - perhaps he overdid it. I'll be taking it to a Lexus dealer for my first service and will have them check out the shocks - good idea. The car has 110K miles on it, so it's clearly stood the test of some time. Happily, I live in Napa Valley where snow is rare (black ice does happen, though). The pulling is only around corners - and yes, it does feel like I'm likely to overcorrect, so it's probably more responsive than I"m used to. Sounds like I should just drive it, get used to it, count my blessings - and try to avoid really slamming it into potholes or other obstacles if I see them coming.

Does it stick to the road OK in icy conditions, or should I really slow way down?

 

I've been driving my high-mileage 2002 year-round in the northeast USA for five years.

The SC430 will feel "woobly" and "loose" to you initially coming from almost any other car... but when you get used to it, you'll learn to love it.

 

No it doesn't do well in icy conditions. But if you are careful, you can make it through. Just don't ever punch it or make quick changes (attempts) to the velocity. Placing the ECT in SNOW will help also.

With regards to the ride, keep in mind the differences between an SUV and the SC430:

• The SUV has high profile tires and the SC430 has low profile tires, so the SUV has a lot more give in the tires to soften the blows in a rough road.
• The SUV rides higher and the SC430 rides fairly low, so the SUV shock absorption system has a lot more distance to soften the blows compared to the SC430.

Between those two items, you should expect the SC430 to be rougher than a higher riding vehicle, unless the higher riding vehicle is set up to carry heavy loads or go off-roading.

So yes, just drive it and it will grow on you.

 

Try not to take the SC430 out in icy conditions unless you have winter tires. In Napa Valley, it would be odd to own winter tires I guess. So on the few days when you know it will be icy, either stay home or use extra caution. I have driven through a snow storm in my SC but it had good winter tires on so I did OK. The one time I had to use all season tires in light snow, my Sc could not make it up a hill and I had to abandon it. Don't take chances with snow or ice. The SC just was not meant for such conditions.

 

Or take another car.

 

Thank you so much for the advice re icy conditions. We do get black ice up in the hills, although rarely. I will make sure to drive something else on such days, and keep this one safely garaged.

I so appreciate all of your advice!