Have been looking for a SC430 for 4 weeks. Found a few and looked at 12 cars. Some junk, beaters and some over priced 30,000 miles original owner cars priced in the 30,000 price range. Looking at a very nice 2002 (green over saddle), 82,000 miles very nice car with a few rock chips. Dealer says bottom line is 18,000 OTD. needs WP and timing belt as it's never been done. Is it worth it? I know the values of these cars is going up; but 2002 with stock wheels for almost 20K seems like a bit overpriced for a 20 year old car. Have a Ford Raptor, Lexus GX460 (wife's car) and a 2004 Lexus LX470 at our second home. Would really like to have a SC400 for a weekend car and a smaller car but don't want to overpay at these crazy times! Thanks!

 

Pass. 18k is too much especially if it still needs the TB and WP. If they haven't done the major maintenance, chances are they didn't do the normal maintenance either. You won't find out about the little things until you get home. Just follow the web stickies and be patient. You'll find a peach.

Paul

 

Tell them to do the TB and WP per required by the service guide and you’ll do the 18k. See if they bite.

 

if you don’t car about price, pull the trigger, but prices are gonna come down soon and fast if you can wait up to a year.
the market is gonna correct and toy car prices will drop like a rock…have cash and be ready to get a deal.

 

If low mileage is important to you, then keep looking. That is a bit high for a 2002. If mileage isn't that big of a deal for you, then you can pick up 2007's in the same price range, just higher mileage. If you'd like to stick with the 2002's, you could pick one up in really good shape for about $10k to $12k. One that needs some work will go for less than $10k.

 

Thanks all for the information!

 

I agree on the price/value posted here. The dealer should know the current market in their area. The sc430 was limited production somewhat and the car as is well known is very reliable and unique. Many examples with 3-400k miles.

that being said the early versions had various issues that were addressed in the mid cycle renew. So a 06-10 with low miles is a more premium car to me.

The cars value is related to its foot rating. What’s that? How many feet away from the car does it look good and not show wear. 20 feet? 10? 5? I foot was showroom.

Leather seat condition is a big difference in value in my opinion. The seat panels i understand are not available from Lexus anymore?

so a showroom mint car with a perfect interior and the updates is going to be a large step in price versus a 10 foot car.

I paid over retail for our 08 PB at first glimpse as it had 19k miles and a CPO warranty and was other than paint scratches a 1 foot car that still smelled new. Garaged always.

these cars are wants not needs for most.

Deduct a lot for worn seats. Not readily fixable. Dim dash lights on early models may be an issue for those with weaker eyes?

the early frames to body i understand allowed a lot of flexing in turns and such.

how did it drive? If pushed is it good enough for your style of driving.

sway bars and MeisterR crd coilovers and 45 series tires got the ride and handling fixed pretty well. And its the later body/frame model to start with.

if you live in a smooth road area with gentle curves and gentle radius bumps the suspension things i noted may not be as noticeable.

radio head replaced with a nice aftermarket one woke up our stereo enough to not bother with speakers and amps so far. Turn up the radio just to see.

our factory radio head sounded flat compared to aftermarket ones with better graphic equalizers.

i do not think the prices on these will drop much if any. The money itself does not buy as much as it used to which i think is permanent.

so expressing values in current dollars is way wrong IMO. Add 10 to 20% to your old numbers

 

here's a different view. i think the answer lies in your own words. search out a higher mileage example in excellent condition. the price will be more to your liking and you will probably enjoy it as much, if not more than, the lower mileage cars you've been looking at because you know that extra cash the low mileage cars command in price is invested and working for you elsewhere.

annual registration fees will be lower due to lower purchase price. lower initial cost, lower costs of ownership. win, win! the general consensus here seems to be these cars will go 300k miles plus if maintained properly and regularly. if you've done your due diligence, you'll have just as much fun driving the higher mileage car as the lower mileage car, and let's face it, no knows how many miles are on the car just by looking at it! win, win, win!

fwiw, this has been my experience anyway.

 

There is a 2002 with only 72k miles for $12,500 by me if your interested

 

Thanks, but want a car from a drier climate. Thinking of going out of state-NV, AZ or TX. Just not much to chose from here in soCal that are not over priced.

 

Everyone who is asking value questions need to realize that things have changed. Add 20% to everything expressed in dollars. So a $20k car is now $24k or more. Lots of people with money Around and limited choices

 

Good Afternoon,

I agree with everything being said and just wanted to throw in that the 6 speed on my 06 brings great gas mileage; I average 24 to 25 mpg in my 2006 sc430 as a daily driver. I was also considering the Meister r coilovers; are they much stiffer than oem and how are they on the bumpy roads? Love my gliding smooth lexus rides, but when I hit the bumps and the hilly twisties here in PA, i long for a tighter ride that would still be smooth and soft driving to work in the morning.