CalboyF

I currently own 1998 LS400, 1999 GS400, 2005 LX470.
Love to get a nice SC430, preferably 06 or newer ( or if you have a good reason why a pre-06 is better, please please share)

I wonder if a 06 or newer SC430 rides as smoothly and stable as Ls400 or not??? Please help !

Alokat007

2002-2005 have a transmission dipstick, make it easy to maintain the transmission.
Other than that they have 5 speeds tranny while 2006-2010 have 6 speeds.
2002 is the only one to have cuts in the differential case to install aftermake LSD like KaaZ.
And read this topic it has a lot of information for each edition:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc4...omparison.html

kevin3344

You sound like us lol. '99 GS400, '02 SC430, '17 LX470. I'm looking at a low mileage IS-F to be my next daily, but that's a different story.

You do get the manual mode tranny with the '06 and above, but remember this is not an M3 lol. We love our '02 and any model SC430 is a head turner doesn't matter which year.

Oh and yes it's pretty smooth once you get rid of the run flats.

Jabberwock

Agree with other's posts. Once the SC430 is running on a good set of regular tires instead of the forklift models it should have a fairly smooth ride for a low to the ground semi-sporty car. IMHO an SC is not anywhere near as smooth as an LS430 but an LS is among the smoothest rides ever. It does have a much better ride than something like a miata which is a great car but rides somewhat like a cramped go-kart.

nomods4me

what? you don't like cramped go-karts?

Caflashbob

our 08 sc430 is a mechanical marvel. 400,000 mile build quality. Built in Japan.

Totally incorrect shocks and springs. Correct spring rate but springs are too long. Makes them too soft.

too much high speed compression dampening so it’s jittery on square edge freeway blocks or chuck holes.

too little low speed compression so the shocks blow through the travel in dips.

Meister r and many other companies can furnish a plush ride that’s controllable.

i installed a heavier rear sway bar from Lexus and a front shock tower brace. Less boat feel at really high speeds.

michelin pilot power pros dramatically helped the ride, handling and steering.

absolutely wortth the time and money to fine tune our jewel.

We will try to drive it into the ground. Probably not possible.

after a lot of testing the current setup may spring for shocks and springs.

I want more a progressive dampening curve without bottoming except for extreme conditions

jzdulexus

I currently have a 2007 SC430, 2006 LS430 and 2014 LX570. I also had a 1998 LS400 till it was replaced eight years ago by LS430. Here is my impression of ride quality with all factory stock options (SC430 on regular tires): 2007SC >=2006LS>2014LX>1998LS. If roominess is not an requirement SC has the most to offer in terms of driving experience. My SC is as smooth and quiet as LS430 but much more responsive and enjoyable to drive than any of the LS models I have owned. No other Lexus models offer both performance and hardtop experience. If SC430 has no loose top and no wind noise(which can be easily fixed) it should be as whisper quiet as LS430. My wife said she felt the two cars drove exactly the same, but she doesn't drive them like a sports car. I myself have not driven SC 02-05 to speak of the difference between before and after 06 SC models.