SC430 buying advice

Miklos · July 19, 2020

I've posted this in a different thread before, but I've been advised to create a new topic. After long back and forth of researching cars and initially dismissing the SC430, now I'm really keen to get my hands on one. I have a few option to consider and I would like to ask the help of the more experienced members here.

2004, Blue, £6k, 86k miles

@Neil E has already kindly gave advice on this, probably not worth the money.

2002, Silver, £5k, 80k miles

Sat nav doesn't work, there was an exhaust leak in the 2019 MOT, has the usual cloudy headlight isse...

2002, Silver, £4.5k, 11800 miles

RAC warranty, timing belt has been replaced and has full official Lexus service history. Exhaust deterioration/leak on 2019 MOT. Has outstanding finance, so I have to talk to the dealer.

2004, Black, £8k, 80000 miles

RAC warranty, looks very well maintained based on MOT history. It's over my budged, but it's also the 2004 model, which supposed to be slightly better. Like the colour a lot.

I've created a Google Sheet with caranalytics links, for those who are interested.

Any advice on these cars? Does the 2004 model worth the extra money? My intuition is to buy the high mileage 2002 silver model and spend some money on it, but don't know much about cars. Should I just wait out and keep my eyen on this? Stretch my budget and buy a 2006 model?

Many thanks!

Neil E · July 19, 2020

Looking at AT and eBay, I would be inclined to save a little more and wait for a decent face-lift model at a reasonable price with a good service history, even if the mileage is a little high.

If you don't know much about cars, do take someone knowledgeable with you or get a professional appraisal or register interest with a trusted specialist who deals in SC430 models.

I would say £8k is too much for a 2004 unless it is immaculate and maintained to a very high standard. £4k for the 2002 silver car sounds about right if it has a good service history and is in good condition but if suspension, exhaust and other parts prone to wear haven't yet been replaced then these would need to be factored in. Even a face-lift model might need some work but the features and improvements made to the later model are worth having if the difference in price is not too great.

Miklos · July 20, 2020

Found a new one, 2003 model, not even an advisory on the MOT for four years. All for £6290. I'll call them later today. Any thoughts?

https://www.clementsauto.co.uk/cars-for-sale/west-sussex/car/16/lexus-sc-430

Neil E · July 20, 2020

Looks very clean, well prepped with low mileage. Check to see if it has had a cam-belt + water pump service. Before you buy, try a face-lift model too so that you can compare the difference.

david foster · July 22, 2020

Hi, I am going to look at a 2005 facelift, private sale, on Friday and would appreciate any advice on what to look for.. it has just had a service so condition of oil won't help. New MOT.

The-Acre · July 22, 2020

On 7/20/2020 at 3:47 PM, Miklos said:

Found a new one, 2003 model, not even an advisory on the MOT for four years. All for £6290. I'll call them later today. Any thoughts?

https://www.clementsauto.co.uk/cars-for-sale/west-sussex/car/16/lexus-sc-430

Did you buy this? I see a deposit has been taken.

Neil E · July 23, 2020

On 7/22/2020 at 3:21 PM, david foster said:

Hi, I am going to look at a 2005 facelift, private sale, on Friday and would appreciate any advice on what to look for.. it has just had a service so condition of oil won't help. New MOT.

Check the service history and documentation. Make sure everything works as it should. Cambelt and water pump service after 10 years /100k miles. Check MOT history and recalls for the air bag. If you let us have the car details we could see if anyone knows it.

Miklos · July 24, 2020

On 7/22/2020 at 4:30 PM, The-Acre said:

Did you buy this? I see a deposit has been taken.

I have put down the deposit, yes. Apparently it has oxygen sensor issues, but they promised to get that fixed and I'll pick it up during the weekend. Most likely will bring it straight to an independent mechanic just to be sure.

Miklos · July 24, 2020

On 7/22/2020 at 3:21 PM, david foster said:

Hi, I am going to look at a 2005 facelift, private sale, on Friday and would appreciate any advice on what to look for.. it has just had a service so condition of oil won't help. New MOT.

I've made a note for myself from all sort of good advise on this forum. Apologies for not giving credit to the right people, but here it is:

any lights come up once started?
service histroy?
any parts replaced?
- timing belt on engine?
corrosion?
- dics brakes corroded?
under the hood
- oil is a nice Golden colour, no stains of coolant loss, pas and brake master cylinder topped up.
any electrical issues
- audio working fine (all speakers?)
- air-con working fine?
- folding mirror?
runflat tire?
- spare tire?
folding roof smooth?
headlight faded?
full tool kit available?

ENGINE - Some head gasket failures have been recorded due to very low coolant levels. Check the condition of the lower radiator, which can leak into the gearbox oil cooler. Likewise, fluid from the gearbox can leak into the coolant. The oxygen sensor in the exhaust system can fail. Check the starter motor works okay since it’s located inconveniently beneath the inlet manifold, which has to be removed to replace it. The vapour canister is there, too, and these can fail, expensively. Timing belt change is every 100,000 miles. Water pump should be changed at the same time since it’s a weak spot, as is the centre belt tensioner.

Also, there is this thread too: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc430-2nd-gen-2001-2010/543764-buying-a-sc430-sc430-buyer-s-guide-what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-pre-owned-sc430.html

The-Acre · July 24, 2020

5 minutes ago, Miklos said:

I have put down the deposit, yes. Apparently it has oxygen sensor issues, but they promised to get that fixed and I'll pick it up during the weekend. Most likely will bring it straight to an independent mechanic just to be sure.

Excellent, we look forward to some photos.

The-Acre · July 24, 2020

7 minutes ago, Miklos said:

I have put down the deposit, yes. Apparently it has oxygen sensor issues, but they promised to get that fixed and I'll pick it up during the weekend. Most likely will bring it straight to an independent mechanic just to be sure.

Excellent, we look forward to some photos. Be sure the sensors have been replaced and that they haven't just erased the codes.

Miklos · July 27, 2020

Thanks, will do. Couldn't pick it up last Saturday as they couldn't fit it into the mechanic's schedule. Should be picking it up later this week. Unfortunately I'm not sure how to check if they were replaced, the only thing I can rely on is the engine light not coming up. Any advice? I was thinking about bringing a Bluetooth code reader with me, but heard fromt some friends that it's not reliable.

Will bring the car up to an independent shop once I get it for a checkup, but by then I've parted with my money already... 🙂

The-Acre · July 28, 2020

7 hours ago, Miklos said:

Thanks, will do. Couldn't pick it up last Saturday as they couldn't fit it into the mechanic's schedule. Should be picking it up later this week. Unfortunately I'm not sure how to check if they were replaced, the only thing I can rely on is the engine light not coming up. Any advice? I was thinking about bringing a bluetooth code reader with me, but heard fromt some friends that it's not reliable.

Will bring the car up to an independent shop once I get it for a checkup, but by then I've parted with my money already... 🙂

Perhaps you could just ask for "proof" when you get there, ie, can I see the old ones or the invoice for the new parts. Other than that you just have to trust them, not a word we generally associate with car dealers unfortunately!

Miklos · July 30, 2020

So I took it to Japex today and after much excitement I was told that car is in great condition in general for the age. Apparently the used car trader either replaced the wrong oxygen sensor or multiple one needed to be replaced and only replaced one. Moreover, he used the cheapest noname sensor. A few more thing will need attention in the future (brake fluid, suspension, coolant level) but apart from that, it's pretty solid and ready for long trips. I'm absolutely stoked! I've decided to get the sensor replaced by Japex and will pick it up tomorrow.

I've made the investment of a phone holder and casette/bluetooth converter, will think about replacing the navi screen as hobby project.

Thanks for everyone who helped with good advice or cheering on! Will post more photos later!

Neil E · July 31, 2020

Good to hear it worked out well.👍

Yes we always need pictures and I look forward to the Navi screen replacement project. It's one of my current 'adventures,' where ambition heavily outweighs skill levels. There are a very few owners (mostly US and Russia) who have replaced the screen with an android unit with various enhancements - looks really cool and completely stock until the screen lights up.

Miklos · August 5, 2020

Little update on the car. It's still at JAPEX, apparently the used car traded didn't only use a generic oxygen sensor, but completely botched the fitting, damaging the fixing, making it impossible to use the right sensors without repairing that first, adding to the repair bill. Either way I'll pick up the car on Friday and will take it Lake District. With a bit of luck I should have some sunny days to make some good pictures.

The-Acre · August 5, 2020

23 minutes ago, Miklos said:

Little update on the car. It's still at JAPEX, apparently the used car traded didn't only use a generic oxygen sensor, but completely botched the fitting, damaging the fixing, making it impossible to use the right sensors without repairing that first, adding to the repair bill. Either way I'll pick up the car on Friday and will take it Lake District. With a bit of luck I should have some sunny days to make some good pictures.

Are you not going to chase up the dealer on their shortcomings?

royoftherovers · August 6, 2020

9 hours ago, The-Acre said:

Are you not going to chase up the dealer on their shortcomings?

Clementine Autos in West?Sussex appear not to have performed satisfactorily and should be required to reimburse Miklos for his expenditure at Japex. Unless of course he did not advise Clementine of their inadequate and unprofessional performance ?

Miklos · August 6, 2020

I'll get photos and the receipt from the mechanic tomorrow. I'm pretty sure they will tell me that I should have brought it back to them for fix, but that's ridiculous. Most likely I'll chase them, but have very little hope that it will result in anything more then me leaving bad google reviews... My zeal for reimbursment will depend on the financial damage I'm sure.

royoftherovers · August 6, 2020

2 hours ago, Miklos said:

I'll get photos and the receipt from the mechanic tomorrow. I'm pretty sure they will tell me that I should have brought it back to them for fix, but that's ridiculous. Most likely I'll chase them, but have very little hope that it will result in anything more then me leaving bad google reviews... My zeal for reimbursment will depend on the financial damage I'm sure.

Thanks Miklos.

It might seem ridiculous,but it is what UK law provides for.

Hope you can move forward swiftly and have enormous enjoyment from the SC.

Miklos · August 7, 2020

Thank you Royoftherovers. I took the car for a pub lunch and open roof drive back to London, it's tremendous fun. The repair bill wasn't that bad either, I was mentally ready to spend a grand on the car, and it was under that.

royoftherovers · August 7, 2020

18 minutes ago, Miklos said:

Thank you Royoftherovers. I took the car for a pub lunch and open roof drive back to London, it's tremendous fun. The repair bill wasn't that bad either, I was mentally ready to spend a grand on the car, and it was under that.

Just beautiful.I am so pleased for you.My favouritre colours too.Have a wonderful time and keep posting to inform us of your experiences please.

Now, if I was single and 43 years younger..........................................................!

I should have bought a return ticket !!