To buy a SC430 used (oops) thats PreOwned. LOL
We want the darker wood interior. No Red Silver or
Amethyst exteriors. This leaves a lot of possible
combinations. Suggestions?
$50,000 is the most we can pay and there have been
several on eBay,autotrader.com and cars.com for less

Just a few questions to help find the right car.

1. Would someone please tell me how to tell the build
date from looking at the vin #.
2. Is there a build date to start from that has all the
"improvements"? ie; rear front bushings, transmission, etc.
3. Anything else we should look out for?

We will travel to find the right car. If you see one please
email petersj@mindspring.com

Thanks for all the great info you have already provided.

Joe Peters
www.pbhats.com

 

Opinion and partial answer ...

black/black
sand/saddle
pine/saddle

The build date is printed on a tag that's on the driver door. The first line of the text on mine is:
"Mfd by Toyota Motor Corporation 06/01", i.e., June 2001

Can't help with your other questions.

 

For the rear bushings, TSB SU001-02, dated January 18, 2002, the starting VIN for the 2002 SC430 production change is JTHFN48Y#20022000. I don't think I've seen a breakdown of what each number in the VIN means. I'm assuming that the "2002" in the VIN above means that they were still putting bad bushings in cars in 2002, or for the end of the 2002 model year. Since the TSB is dated January 2002, there should be very few, if any, SC's built in 2002 with the problem. My car was built in December 2000 and had a "2000" in the VIN where "2002" is in the VIN above. That's why I think the VIN includes some kind of year information. This is the latest TSB on the bushings that I know of.

I haven't heard of any transmission problems, please elaborate.

I hope this helps.

Robert

P.S. Find Egyptian Sand / Saddle, it's a rare combo, and of course it's what I've got, it always gets compliments!

 

Hey, good choice! I've had my '03 SC430 for 8 months now and love it. I traded in an Audi A6 4.2 Quattro, so I initially missed the slot car handling, but there are so many other things that I've learned to appreciate.
This car is just so smooth in every way. It's a great commuter car and excellent for road trips (with top up!)

Re: color, I actually have a Silver/Saddle combination which I'm crazy about, but if you don't want Silver I would suggest Black/Saddle. The saddle interior is a knockout and holds up very well. Not even a wrinkle in the leather after 11,000 miles, and it's a nice break from all black. I've read comments from several owners with Ecru interior saying it gets stained/worn pretty easily. Everyone has different tastes, but my favorite colors for this car are Silver, Black, Pine, and Amethyst... all w/Saddle interior.

Re: the other items... it is my understanding that the only change from '02 to '03 was the rear bushings. Unfortunately, I don't know the month they started installing the new bushings. My '03 was built in 8/02 and definitely has them because I never hear the metal-to-metal "clunking" sound in the rear that early '02 owners described. The only other item to look out for is the runflats. Apparently, the Bridgestones offer a better ride than the Dunlops. In any case, I think after you own the car for a while you will decide to replace the runflats altogether. I had the Bridgestones and replaced them with Michelin Pilot Sports (non runflats). It greatly improved the ride and handling, and I no longer cringe when approaching potholes and railroad tracks. If I understand correctly, the Corvettes also have runflats, but they are better suited to the suspension than to SC430's.

One last item... the SC430 owners in ClubLexus are a great bunch of folks. In the 8 months I've been visiting this forum I've learned everything about this car, had AutoCouture front and rear lip spoilers installed (my local Lexus dealer never even heard of them) and replaced the runflat tires. Great forum for objective advice. Good luck, and enjoy your new baby!

DSeag2

 

What do you do if you have a flat now that you have non run flats without a spare? DO you just take the chance and is it worth it for the better ride?

 

I opted to transfer the pressure sensors to new wheels and go with non-RFs. No spare. 12v compressor in trunk (Sears). Theory is that a slow leak will show up on pressure sensors and I can pump up on the road. No plan for blowout, but haven't had one in a long, long time.

GW

 

For me... can of Fix-a-flat in the trunk. I recently purchased a second car as a daily beater, so it's not as big of an issue. I only use my SC430 a couple of days a week. If this was my everyday car I would probably have the spare kit installed and just put up with the loss of trunk space... or trade it in for something more practical.

It's a real shame Lexus hasn't worked out a solution to this problem. They are a top-notch company, but for SC430 owners to have to pay another $1,200 for non-RF tires only to risk getting a flat just to make the ride and handling acceptable is a crime.

 

In Canada, its always runflats only, but in the U.S., they're listed as an option, but not a real one as it seems the dealers never order them with non-runflat tyres. Those run flats really tainted the reputation of the SC430 as all owners who had replaced them with regulars claim it rides like a top notch luxury car its meant to be and handles much better as well .

 

dseag2, solution can be real simple. All SC430's should come standard with regular sports tires, with doughnut spare and a can of fix-a-flat in the trunk. Owner can take out spare tire whenever he/she choose to & run-flats should be a special order item available thru the dealer's parts department only

 

You should be aware that Fix-flat will ruin your RF sensors (according to the dealer).

GW

 

Awesome info, folks! Thanks.