Sudden urge to buy a Lexus SC 430

[ra990]

I am tired of driving around my boring old suzuki which I've had since I went to college. I can afford a nice car now, and I think its about time I treated myself to one. I want something sporty, but not tiny, preferably Japanese. I'll be buying used.

I would also like something not seen all over the roads. Looking at Lexus, Acura, and Infinity, the only two cars that I liked were the G35 coupe and the SC 430. I have driven the Acuras, and although they drive great, I hate their designs. They look ugly to me. The G35 can be had quite cheap, around 23-28k, which isn't bad. I really love the Lexus SC 430 though. Once I looked over it, I couldn't get myself to consider the G35 again. I think I'm stuck on the SC. Its about 12-20k more than the G35, but I think its in a different league. I will probably go for a 2002 - 2004 model, something with less than 40k miles on it and preferably Lexus Certified, so I get the 3yr/100k mile warranty with it.

What do you all think? Should I go for it? Should I consider buying from a private seller or Car Max or something or is the certified dealer route the best idea? Also, what are your thoughts about the car?

 

[sisq0kidd]

Don't take this to heart, but I found the car a little on the boring side when I test drove it.

I went to a Taste of Lexus event and drove the car around a track, and while the handling was pretty good, the roll was terrible. The acceleration was acceptable, but I just couldn't see or feel the car as something I could get excited about.

It has a pretty dated design, which Lexus should change very soon. The design has been out for a couple of years now and aside from it being dated, it also screams senior citizen.

I guess I have a couple of questions for you. What do you want out of your car? Luxury, sporty, a little of both?

 

[Regs]

A 4.3 Liter V8 with only 288 horse is kind of weak if you ask me, but I guess thats why the V8 still gets 19-20 mpg in the city.

 

[Red]

No matter what color it is, the SC 430 looks like a chick car... just like the newer gen Solara. I've heard that same opinion expressed by others, so just keep that in mind when shopping around.

I'd save some coin and find a sweet G35 coupe.

In regards to your other question, chances are you will find the best deal from a private party seller. Good luck!

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: Red
No matter what color it is, the SC 430 looks like a chick car... just like the newer gen Solara. I've heard that same opinion expressed by others, so just keep that in mind when shopping around.

I'd save some coin and find a sweet G35 coupe.

In regards to your other question, chances are you will find the best deal from a private party seller. Good luck!

You are comparing a coupe to a convertible? Sounds like you are pushing your own agenda by comparing an Infiniti to Lexus. And who cares if it looks like a "chick car"? IMHO, that will mean that women will want to see it, or do you see it as hurting your fragile ego?

 

[ra990]

"A chick car," "screams senior citizen," ... are we talking about the same car here?

I think it looks amazing. Its a good combination of luxury and sporty, which is what I'm looking for.

The thing with the G35 is that I think the 350Z looks so much better than it. I hate the back of the G35 compared to the 350Z. I guess I'd go for a 350Z over a G35 because of it. But, still can't get my mind off the lexus.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: ra990
"A chick car," "screams senior citizen," ... are we talking about the same car here?

I think it looks amazing. Its a good combination of luxury and sporty, which is what I'm looking for.

The thing with the G35 is that I think the 350Z looks so much better than it. I hate the back of the G35 compared to the 350Z. I guess I'd go for a 350Z over a G35 because of it. But, still can't get my mind off the lexus.

Now I am playing devil's advocate, because the SC430 is anything but sporty. Calling it bloated is about the nicest thing I can say about it.

 

[dud]

The SC430 is the kind of car that turns heads ... but at a price. Last I looked a new 430 will set you back about $65K. I recently saw a nice used (2002) one for $31K with 47K miles. IMHO the car is NICE but not worth it. I've been looking at buying the predecessor to the 430, the sc300/400 which, with low miles can be bought rather cheaply.

On a lighter note here is a video of Audrey, of a 15 year old girl getting a NEW SC430 for her birthday ... and not liking it:

It's her birthday ... and she can cry if she want's to.

 

[mitaiwan82]

Originally posted by: ra990
What do you all think? Should I go for it? Should I consider buying from a private seller or Car Max or something or is the certified dealer route the best idea? Also, what are your thoughts about the car?

The G35 is a lot more of a driver's car than the SC430...6 speed manual, fixed roof, and sports-tuned suspension, because it's trying to beat the 3-series at its own game. I don't know what you're looking for, but these two cars you've named are vastly different. I honestly would not get that car, because I think there are better convertibles at that price. To name a few: Porsche Boxster, Honda S2000, MB SLK, C5 Corvette.

I think you can get a better price with a private seller most of the time, but sometimes the prices at CarMax are fairly reasonable for the extra level of service/assurance you might get.

 

[thomsbrain]

there is nothing "sporty" about the SC430 unless you're over 70, female, wear giant sunglasses, and think "going out for a drive" means taking a 25 MPH crawl to the Country Club for brunch with whatever friends you have left that haven't died of heart attacks yet.

I would be hard pressed to name a less manly car in production. Realize that the car was never even INTENDED to be sporty. It's supposed to be completely numb, un-involving, and silent. The entire point of the car is to remove you from the driving experience. That's what Lexus does, and they do it better than anyone else on the road. Great for old ladies and commuters. Bad for sport.

In comparison, the G35 is all muscle in terms of appearance, and certainly a much more sporty drive. The interior looks terrible and the materials aren't in the same league as other cars in the class, but it's clear all you really care about is looks (and not sport at all), so you might as well get a car that looks good on the outside.

 

[Dudewithoutapet]

I like the way the newer sc430's look with the hardtop. Or the older sc300/400 ones. I also don't think they are senior citizen nor chick cars. But then again I also like the cars others have mentioned (S2k, corvette, G35). Test drive all of them and see what you like. It all comes down to you man.

 

[ElFenix]

only lexus could make a 2 door, 2 seat, V8 powered, rear wheel drive, hard top convertible into a boat.

 

[krunchykrome]

My buddy has one. Aside form it being a Lexus, a convertable, and having some luxury, I wasn't impressed by it. I guess I expected more from a car at that price. The front seats were cramped, and don't expect to use the "rear" seats for anything.

 

[ra990]

All right, all right. I guess to salvage my man card, I'll wait for the G37. I'd be all over the G35 if it didn't look so boring.

 

[sisq0kidd]

Originally posted by: ra990
All right, all right. I guess to salvage my man card, I'll wait for the G37. I'd be all over the G35 if it didn't look so boring.

Usually, my philosophy on things is, if it makes you happy and you can afford it, then get what you want. Who cares what others think, as long as you're happy with it.

But a car is a large purchase. So maybe sleep on it some more and if you still like the Lexus, then just go for it

 

[alimoalem]

Originally posted by: sisq0kidd
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: ra990
All right, all right. I guess to salvage my man card, I'll wait for the G37. I'd be all over the G35 if it didn't look so boring.</end quote></div>

Usually, my philosophy on things is, if it makes you happy and you can afford it, then get what you want. Who cares what others think, as long as you're happy with it.

But a car is a large purchase. So maybe sleep on it some more and if you still like the Lexus, then just go for it

i'm with this post.

but i would also look at the honda s2000, corvette, and boxter. boxter's are pretty cheap used so there's that if you want a "good name." corvettes have a v8 with ~20mpg city, 28 (i think) freeway (someone mentioned the SC430's 20mpg in the city). the s2000 i haven't heard anything bad about. it's a driver's car. it just doesn't come with the same luxuries as other cars may.

so drive the g35, s2000, corvette, boxter, and sc430. the g35's drive may change your perspective of the car and you just may find yourself buying one of the other 3

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Look on Youtube for the Top Gear review of the SC430 - they absolutely butcher it, and say it's one of the worst cars on the market.

 

[Bucks]

What about a BMW 335i coupe. They can be had for low to mid 40's and perform quite nicely (twin turbo v6... about 300hp). The BMW warranty is also nice. 4 years/50,000 miles. Everything is covered including the small things like maintenance costs (oil change, etc)

 

[exdeath]

If you want a sporty import go for something like an Acura, Lexus IS350, Nissan 350Z, BMW M3, Porsche Boxster S, etc. All in the +/- 300 HP ballpark and should be able to find any of those under 30g easily.

But yeah I agree with everyone else here, the SC is a nice car that is a technology and concept showcase for Toyota, but beyond that it's a fluffy cushy senior citizen type car.

I'm guessing I can't convince you to succumb to your inner bad side and get a raw muscle car so I won't recommend an '03 Cobra for $25k with 390 supercharged, hand built, and insanely easily moddable ponies

 

[PricklyPete]

What about a A4 convertible? If I were buying a convertible sports car my money would definitely be going to either a Porsche Boxster or a new Audi TT. The new 3 Series hard-top convertible is also pretty sweet and has a 300HP engine to boot. Still, I'd buy a Boxster over it in a second.

 

[theeedude]

It's old geezer car. The only SC I would consider buying is a used old school SC300 with 5 speed manual transmission, which is basically a 4 seat Supra.