Boomer54

46 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

Wow that’s a really interesting insight into corrosion prevention thru the ages of cars ……. and a cheapy modern steed might have such great longevity of about some. 6. years ……. that’s a revelation for sure 🤫

So then Tom 999 ……. your 2018 Lexus might well be heading for the scrapper sometime soon 🤣😂

But it’s a Lexus and 6 years just might be a tad premature ……. hopes 😳

Rust colour discolouration is all you have Tom I’m sure 👍🤞🤞

Malc 

Re read how that "6 years" was put into context as it was written in 1999 !!

5 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

Stephen, she’ll get a “ Get out of Jail Free “ card especially if she’s good at baking ……..  files into the buns …….. can you apply for her to be sent to a specific local prison so you’re far enuf away to visit ……. or not 🤩

Malc 

 

346,877. signatories now 👍

If I get her sent to one near you and you visit regularly be prepared to have to buy a new wardrobe  as your waistline expands. People used to ask me 'Stephen why do you run more miles a week than Mo Farah?). I used to say 'You are looking at the proverbial rat on the wheel'. To quote Shakespeare "To Run ,or not to Eat that is the question"

18 minutes ago, MemoryDealer said:

Hello everybody, I hope you’re all having great days.

This is my second post asking for advice on buying an SC430. This time, I need your valuable knowledge about some things I noticed and felt after traveling 800 miles to test drive two very different SC430s.

The first one was a black 2008 model with only 85k miles, with certified Lexus maintenance every two years up until the last service, and aftermarket black Recaro seats (comfortable but a bit mismatched with the light-colored interior). The Carfax report showed two accidents, one in 2011 and another in 2015, both minor.

The car drives VERY well, and everything works, but:
- There’s no information on whether or when the timing belt was changed (the dealer claimed it was changed, but only after I asked—no receipts or documentation were provided, and I don't really trust dealers these days);
- As soon as I put it in reverse, I heard a steady beep that stops only when reverse is disengaged. The dealer said it’s a faulty parking sensor, but the parking sensor sound seemed different to me when moving forward. I haven’t been able to find a video or post about this issue, so I’m not sure if these two sounds should be different (this is the only SC with parking sensors that I’ve driven);
- The tire pressure light was on the dashboard, but of course, the dealer told me not to worry about it.

The exterior is in very good shape, with no bumps or scratches. The dealer has the original wheels (the ones currently on the car are aftermarket). The drive was pleasant, the AC was very powerful, and all the original sound systems worked perfectly. The price is €21,500 (about 18400£).

Now, about the second SC430.
This one was also black but 2003, with the original interior (which needs restoration). It’s one of the very few SCs without a factory screen (an aftermarket one was added by the owner), custom wheels, a custom sound system with Android Auto/CarPlay wireless, a dashcam, and front/back reversing cameras. It also had aftermarket Meister adjustable suspension. It has 223,000 miles on it.

The exterior was not perfect, with a couple of scratches and two small hailstorm dents, but nothing major. The owner showed me the entire history of the car, including receipts for the modifications and maintenance. The car was his daily driver and a personal project. The Carfax report was clean.

Now, the test drive was definitely less refined compared to the 2008 car, mainly because of the steering. The owner told me the car needs an alignment, but I’ll describe how it felt anyway:
- The steering was definitely heavy;
- The steering wheel didn’t return to the straight position by itself;
- The car pulls to the right when driving but pulls fairly hard to the left when braking.

That’s it. The engine ran smoothly, gear changes were very smooth (I didn’t even notice it shifting, to be honest), and the owner let me drive it hard and was very honest. The timing belt, brakes, and radiator were all changed about 5,000 miles/1 year ago. The price is €14,000 (about 11,200£).

My considerations: There is a substantial price difference between these two very different cars—a rougher one that has been cared for, and a more refined one that seems to have been maintained but with much less information about its history beyond the usual two-year checks. The dealer would also give me a 12-month warranty. I think that’s all the information I could think of.

I would really like to know what more seasoned people think about this and what you would do. Personally, I like the 2003's original interiors and custom wheels but definitely prefer the 2008's ride, assuming, of course, the strange steering on the 2003 was due only to the wheel alignment.

I hope I wasn’t too tedious. I appreciate any advice and questions.

Love you all.

You are in the right place to get advice on the SC 430. Handful of guys some with great mechanical experience who can give you pointers. However, I wouldn't even bother to ask for that advice regarding the two vehicles you cite. Both are so overpriced no one on this forum would get out bed to look at them on Autotrader never mind drive to see them.

Good condition examples post 2006 will bring an higher price all things being equal, but there is really a cap on what that will bring. Very low mileage (sub 50k)with good condition can ask 12k to 15k ish. When you move up into the next range 50k to 80k that same condition is not usually going to get you above £10k.

Pre facelift models (before 2006 changeover) works the same way, but the price cap is lower. Low mileage ceiling £10k ish depending on upgrades. Higher mileage range 50k to 80k more likely to top out around £8k.

Over 100k miles post facelift probably not getting beyond £8 to 10k. Pre facelift range ceiling around £5k usually. The further you go above 100k miles the lower those ceilings go.

Of course people can ask what they like, but usually when they get that wrong they will hang around on Autotrader unsold.

15 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

Linas hi …….. just keep paying your due taxes like all other good citizens and all will be well ……… 

let’s remember our dear Chancellor of the Exchequer and her NHS is it ? employed hubby are indubitably paying their fair share of taxes on their joint income, slightly above that of a standard

OAP on some £218 a week

……… not sure how one equates their joint income of £450/500k per annum …… oh yes, about £10,218 a glorious food laden, well heated home ….. each week 😂

Oh how they must comprehend the need to live, eat and heat frugally, sparingly eh ! 

Again, I despair 🥵

Malc 

Aye, it's been tough. Just polishing up my old clogs to get up't moor so i can cut yon Peat for't fire this winter.

Tol' wife no more Christian Dior she 'll have to settle for Christian Poor like other OAP's. No more trips to London for her after I found the security plans she had drawn for the Burberry flagship. Poverty makes criminals out of best of us and I can't see her go to jail 'cos I still like her baking.

18 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

The steel will rust sandwiched alongside the aluminium that will corrode ……. sounds like the aged Rover 2000 all over again and there’s very few of those left ! 

Malc 

Malc,

You are referring to a different time. Steel these days is way better in general than it was 50 yrs ago, but more importantly the methods for protection against corrosion are far better researched and developed. Back then all people knew was hit it with a bit of 'bitumen' like material and hope for the best.

Frankly today it's much better. Starve the metal of oxygen through applying the right stuff with enough regularity and i think by the time Jesus does eventually rise from the grave he will have a fine array of cars from today to choose has his daily ride on Mars.

Took awhile ,but I found this again that I first read when I was investigating undersealing. Clearly written by someone with a good knowledge of car build historically.

Article on Vehicle Corrosion and Car Construction from our archive (before-n-after.co.uk)

2 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

Amazingly some clay bars are nice to use others are crap.

Get what you pay for.

That is interesting and I had no idea they might vary other than by grade. What have you used that you would recommend?

4 hours ago, Bob King said:

This car is a beautiful colour ..not sure the owner will get the price for the mileage but he can only ask.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202408112780222

Suspect it’s had an aftermarket radiator fitted as it’s needed extra plumbing for the expansion tank .

Yes, saw it this morning and thought same thing as you. Too much mileage for that price no matter what the car is like in terms of condition. Guys clearly been to Bob's school for engine detailing 😁

12 minutes ago, BrettMRC said:

Anything that's bare steel will show signs of corrosion, I had mine coated as much as possible with an inhibitor/barrier in the first few weeks of ownership.

Here's some pics of what it should look like new.

 

 

What he said.

Surface rust. Sort it now and it need never be anything more. Circa £600 could buy multi year treatment. Cavities the lot.

On a car like that it's surely small numbers.

14 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

I used one. Read before that Lexus paint was really soft. Did a 3 stage pass and never came close to taking too much off.

I just bought one. The idea is to to clay bar bonnet and front bumper area. Touch up stone chips then use the polisher to bud the finish back up.

15 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

Bet roof down today is just 22222222 hot maybe 😄

Malc 

No , but I do put a cap on to preserve whatever I still have up top.

58 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

The car is a reflection of myself. Aging, but prestine...... 😍

Seriously, I like doing this stuff as much as I enjoy driving it. Although roof down on a day like today takes some beating.

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

Are you ever going to use this car again ?   Or just titivate incessantly. 🥳

Malc 

The car is a reflection of myself. Aging, but prestine...... 😍

22 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

Not going with Blue on the brackets as I would need to get a made to order colour match. However, I do have an unopened tin of Hammerite Smooth Black straight to Rust ! I have had excellent longevity from this stuff in the past. First coat on now wait 4 hrs to do a second coat.

Whilst removing those brackets I looked down behind the grill. Hmmm, think I will drop the grill off then I can really get into the 'guts' back there.

Ok, brackets now done and back onboard as per pic.

Next this morning was grill off. Before and after pics.

Think that will do for under the bonnet right now. Need to get back onto my drivers seat leather. Fill,sand, dye etc.

5 minutes ago, Spock66 said:

I'd just try a high quality shoe polish to start with.

No disrespect, but I would not do that. Same reason I would not wax wood when it's a 'stain' I am looking for. Wax is a 'bitch' to strip off if it's not what you are looking for ,or just does not do the job. When that get's absorbed into the leather itself then if you want to remove it it will probably mean enlarging the original problem.

Not going with Blue on the brackets as I would need to get a made to order colour match. However, I do have an unopened tin of Hammerite Smooth Black straight to Rust ! I have had excellent longevity from this stuff in the past. First coat on now wait 4 hrs to do a second coat.

Whilst removing those brackets I looked down behind the grill. Hmmm, think I will drop the grill off then I can really get into the 'guts' back there.

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

Why I personally, almost at the outset,  asked this Forum for some guidance on how on earth we OAPs might focus our efforts on addressing this issue , it was kindly mentioned that 

AGE UK  we’re holding this Petition 

knowing OAPs might have some mobility issues and physically unable to remonstrate over all this AND having a zero avenue, unlike Unions to take physical or even mental action and “ go on strike “. 😂🤣🤩

So

AGE UK have this wonderful Petition 

which now stands at 

317,973   👍👏👍👏

 

up about 1000 this past hour  👍

Malc 

 

I have reinforcements on the way to ensure we reach 500,000. I think they are old enough to qualify.

53 minutes ago, Colinb623 said:

Any of you detailing pro's out there have a fix for this ?

It's like a small wear mark in my is300h f sport driver seat .

Anyone ever tried leather dye for something like this 

Looks like a simple fix. At best you just dye the bit in question and are happy. At worst you prep and re-dye the bolster in it's entirety. I got Black dye from Gliptone UK. Scuffmaster finish. If you get a sheen difference you might also end up using an appropriate sealant. Link.

Leather Care Products for Cars in Ellesmere Port, UK (gliptoneeurope.com)

Tell them what car make,model,year you have and they will provide a colour match.

10 hours ago, Bob King said:

Excellent work 👏🏻👏🏻

Now get those front radiator brackets painted 👍🏻

Yes Sir, double quick time Sir!

33 minutes ago, Mossypossy said:

At the recycling bins...

 

Hey , look I know the cars not perfect ,but don't you think that's a bit extreme?

5 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Now, some 12 hrs later, at 

307,367 

 

Malc 

Jeremy Vine show has just catapulted Rachel Reeves to “ well done “ celebrity status I feel   👏👏👏

Hitting that nice big, fat , round number of 1/2 a million would be nice. Be even nicer if they all turned up on Sat morning in Downing Street. However, subtracting those out cutting fire wood, and those camped outside Waitrose with their bowls and 3 legged dog, that just leaves me.

4 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Stephen, you’re now a fully qualified 2  3rds pie R Skwared knowledgable aficionado BUT don’t drink too much of that AED - Perl ……. before lunch 😄

Hope it all works for you, fires U up 

Malc 

You don't have to hope. Here it is. Unfortunately, took the pics before I realised some water had pooled in a couple of places. Vacced out with my wet & dry and now nearly there under the bonnet. Next step is to remove the two rusty brackets and repaint them. Funny thing is I had thought they were Black. Cleaned up all was revealed. They are/were Blue ! Needless to say I will be redoing them in.....BLUE.

Just got my Autoglym Engine Degreaser to use prior to applying Mr Perl to the engine area. Let you know how it rates.

13 minutes ago, LenT said:

As Frankie Howard used to say : It’s rude to mock the afflicted!

But like all generalisations, there are exceptions.

"Titter ye not"

14 minutes ago, DavidCM said:

Is there any truth on the rumor she is changing her name to Diane Abacus?

I wouldn't count on it , and presumably neither can she.

5 minutes ago, LenT said:

So here it is Stephen…save it for a rainy day!

I recall it at the time and I think it pretty much marked the beginning of the end of Diane Abbot’s political influence.
 

 

 

Just watched it LenT. A train wreck moment.