SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

2005 Lexus SC430 0 new owner question

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Old 08-27-17, 04:09 PM
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tommydamic
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Default 2005 Lexus SC430 0 new owner question

Hi guys,

Just bought a 2005 Lexus sc430 after poking around looking for a convertible, looked at Mercedes, BMW and 350z and settled with the Lex. paid a pretty penny for it so i'm not looking to put much more into it, runs great. looks great with 65,000 miles. I hate the wheels, the disc type but do not want to spend 2 g's on rims, thoughts on those twist caps? Also, whats the best option with the bluetooth conversion, I have nav and 6 disc changer, there seems to be a few kits out there but a bit confusing, i wan the best one, the OEM blue tooth seems quirky and sound horrible, I would like to use phone, play music from iPhone. Thanks in advance.
Old 08-28-17, 12:10 AM
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GmanSC
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Welcome to the club. The cheapest way to go Bluetooth is to buy a cassette Bluetooth adapter. You can find it on EBay or Amazon. Or if you want to spend some $$$.., like many members here, replace the OEM radio with the Pioneer or Kenwood or alike.
Old 08-28-17, 06:56 AM
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kevin3344
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I hate the wheels, the disc type but do not want to spend 2 g's on rims, thoughts on those twist caps?
First thing I did when I purchased my '02 earlier this year was to replace the plates with the twist caps. They look so much better. Found them on eBay for about $99. Only took about 20 minutes to install. I wanted to keep the stock Mark Levinson stereo so went with a Motorola bluetooth adapter that tunes to a radio station (I have one in my GS as well).
Old 08-28-17, 08:59 AM
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zajacjoe
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When replacing the wheel covers, put a little grease on the screws to prevent them from seizing up from galling in the aluminum threads in the wheels.

I had a few that were VERY hard to remove.
Old 08-28-17, 10:27 AM
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DshngDaryl
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Originally Posted by tommydamic
I would like to use phone, play music from iPhone. Thanks in advance.
If you want to do JUST this, I would recommend the GROM Adapter. You keep the stock radio, but add blue tooth.
http://gromaudio.com/store/bt3_adapt...e_adapter.html

HOWEVER, if you want to access the video screen for things like dvd viewing, there is another adapter, not made by grom, that is very popular.
Old 08-28-17, 03:52 PM
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kevin3344
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Originally Posted by zajacjoe
When replacing the wheel covers, put a little grease on the screws to prevent them from seizing up from galling in the aluminum threads in the wheels.

I had a few that were VERY hard to remove.
Agreed, I stripped one trying to use an allen wrench...it took me FOREVER to get it off! After finding a few more I went out to Home Depot and purchased a tool like below and the rest were easy. I was sure to put a little grease on them before replacing them though.

Old 08-28-17, 08:09 PM
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hotrodsrj
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Originally Posted by tommydamic
Hi guys,

Just bought a 2005 Lexus sc430 after poking around looking for a convertible, looked at Mercedes, BMW and 350z and settled with the Lex. paid a pretty penny for it so i'm not looking to put much more into it, runs great. looks great with 65,000 miles. I hate the wheels, the disc type but do not want to spend 2 g's on rims,
Here is a picture of my wife's 2006 with American Racing wheels (American Racing AR904 Wheel 18x8 5x4.5 (5x114.3) Chrome 45MM Offset) to be exact. $900 delivered with the new lugnuts! Cheap as far as I am concerned. Many OTHER AR wheels that fit too! http://www.americanracing.com/wheels...wse-wheels.cfm
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Old 08-29-17, 01:28 AM
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tommydamic
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Originally Posted by kevin3344
Agreed, I stripped one trying to use an allen wrench...it took me FOREVER to get it off! After finding a few more I went out to Home Depot and purchased a tool like below and the rest were easy. I was sure to put a little grease on them before replacing them though.

Do you remember where you got the twist caps from?
Old 08-29-17, 10:52 AM
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kevin3344
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Yep, just do a search on eBay for "SC430 CENTER CAPS" and you'll see several results.

Old 08-29-17, 03:06 PM
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mrblister
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The 2005 came with blue tooth if your having issues with it you can go into the special hidden menu and adjust your blue tooth settings mic volume and other features , You also can run diagnostics for other things . In order to get to the special menu there are a series of finger presses you do I think its in the display menu . Do a search and a I am sure you will find the instructions to do that. Also in that menu you can override the navigation so once your moving you still will be able to input directions etc. When you turn the car off you have to go into that menu again and do the same thing if you like the override feature. search navigation override as well
Old 08-29-17, 04:06 PM
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GmanSC
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The Bluetooth in your car just for the phone. If you want the music, you must go with other methods.
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