SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)

Is the SC430 an old person's car?

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Old 02-11-09 | 09:26 PM
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Default Is the SC430 an old person's car?

Don't get offended, everybody on this message board seems like fun loving types. But I'm driving around the SF Bay Area and I seem to be the only guy under 50, let alone 35 driving a 2nd gen SC. Plenty of young dudes driving the first gen though. I should of got an IS-F, except it's too small for me and I really wanted a convertible. I like sitting in it and driving it, I'm probably just too self consious. But it doesn't help that all my friends started calling me "old man" when they found out I like to eat at places like Harry's Hofbrau.
Old 02-11-09 | 09:33 PM
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First off welcome to CL and congrats on the purchase!!


When I bought my car my friends (only the guys) would not stop with the jokes about it being a girl’s car, but after what I've done to it, they all admit that it looks much better and no longer resembles a "woman’s car"

In the stock form, with its pie plates and all, it is a bit feminine and curvy.
But hey as long as you enjoy the car that’s all that really matters
Old 02-11-09 | 09:34 PM
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Young people generally can't afford to pay $56,315 for a car. It usually takes about 11 years after college before someone can afford this car.
Old 02-11-09 | 10:10 PM
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i'm 33 and get compliments all the time. it's a totally different car lowered with custom wheels. limo tint also makes it look a little more aggressive.
Old 02-12-09 | 04:10 AM
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I am 43 and love my SC 430. I think most younger people can't afford the price of a SC 430 although as the used prices keep coming down you will see more and more younger people driving them. When driving around in my car I get alot of thumbs up and good comments mostly from people alot younger than myself.
Old 02-12-09 | 04:26 AM
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Yes, if you consider my 37 year old wife "old". She prefers it to our MB SLK350, our CLK350, our C230 as well as our 2 BMW X3's. (We have 2 homes, one in Honolulu, one in California.)
Old 02-12-09 | 05:55 AM
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You have to mod it, wheels and drop at a minimum. Stock SC430's are boring just like stock 1st gen SC's.
Old 02-12-09 | 08:46 AM
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I think there was a poll about the age of SC430 drivers 6 months ago or so. It did show the demographic of the drivers to be, ahem...., older.
Since the prices of used SC430's have dropped considerably, I think that puts the car in reach of what a younger driver is willing to spend, and you'll see more and more younger folks driving it.
I know how you feel, though. My other car is an Avalon ('08), and I haven't seen any other Avalon drivers in PHX that don't have silver hair....
Old 02-12-09 | 10:34 AM
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No way!

Mila Kunis drives one...


Last edited by PhilipMSPT; 02-12-09 at 02:42 PM. Reason: Stupid rerouting url's...
Old 02-12-09 | 11:42 AM
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I don't consider the SC430 to be an old persons car any more than I do the other Lexus models. It seems that in general, Lexus targeted older folks. Not just because of the cost but with the cars' dynamics. It rides soft, doesn't have the powerful demeaner of other cars.
My biggest problem with it is the size, inside and out. It's so tight in there that only old people, women and smaller guys feel comfortable in it. The exterior doesn't have the long sleek hood befitting a sportier car.
Lexus left out all us medium to big guys when they made this thing.
Old 02-12-09 | 11:49 AM
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We have had quite a few 6'3", 6'4" guys that have owned the SC430 for years & feel comfortable in it.
Of course, a Yao Ming won't fit into even a 7 series L sedan without taking out the front seat, nor a wide 3-400+ pounds wrester/heavyweight weightlifter/overweight people will fit into a regular size coupe.

Interesting thing is Bitkahuna is 6'4" & owns a MX-5 and can feel comfortable in it , & the MX-5 interior is significantly smaller than the SC430.
I ( I'm 5'11") have test driven the MX-5, & it feels significantly more cramped inside than the SC430.

Last edited by Gojirra99; 02-12-09 at 11:54 AM.
Old 02-12-09 | 12:49 PM
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At 6'6" and 300LBs I fine my SC430 very comfortable. I would put it in the top 2 or 3 cars for comfort that I have ever owned. Tight fit? Yes but still comfortable, even after a 24 hour stint behind the wheel.
Old 02-12-09 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Ice350
It's so tight in there that only old people, women and smaller guys feel comfortable in it.
Do old people in general tend to be smaller than young people?
Old 02-12-09 | 02:38 PM
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I guess this is turning into "how tall are you and how much do you weigh" thread after Ice350's inaccurate comment.
I'm 6'4", 220 lbs., have a vertical leap of at least 4", and the car fits me fine.
Old 02-12-09 | 02:44 PM
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I'm 23 years old with a 2005 SC stock with chrome wheels and got complimented yesterday at the gas station by a 60-something year old asking if my car was an '08. I'm in law school in FL and all my friends are around their early to mid 20s and they all love my car. Long story short, I think young people like the car just as much as older folks.



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