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I have owned 4 SC430 in the last 15 years and lately, I have noticed the 430 only appeals to buyers age 60+. I still loved my SC 430 but has the buyers of recent times leaned toward the 60 age +? The reason why I知 asking is because I知 thinking of selling my SC430 and maybe moving to an LC500.
Finally, unlike demand for the SC430 5-8 years ago, I have also noticed the demand in the used market for this awesome convertible has diminished. There are many high and even low mileage sitting without selling.
New guy here shopping for one of these and yes I'm 67. We are wanting a Hardtop convertible with enough room inside to do some traveling and the 430 just seems to fit the bill. I know this doesn't answer your question but thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Our problem is finding one in an acceptable color combination for us with decently low milage.
Thanks for the offer but you are on the other side of the world from me, we are in South Carolina, and not a big fan of white. I'm sure you will have no problem selling it with that mileage.
The market is all over the place at present. No where near as robust as when I bought mine.
Low mileage 2006+ models are definitely commanding top prices right now.
I paid $28k for my 2007 with 54k miles two years ago. As I've put 20k miles on it, I prolly could not get that price back right now, but not a lot less.
If you wanted a <2006 model with over 100k miles, geeze you can get those for $10k-$15k. An AWFUL lot of them have been in accidents though. That's a major issue in my little mind.
Just turned 48 years old last month, purchased our SC430 this past March. Guy we purchased from was in his 40s as well.
That being said, 99% of folks who comment or want to talk about our SC are age 60+ (our SC is wrapped in electric blue w/ carbon fiber wrapped hood, so it catches attention). I致e only had one 20-something guy show interest, and he was a die-hard Lexus fan.
Yea a lot of younger car guys are catching on to the sc, under 40s after how garbage their 335s 645s and m3s turned out. There's not many hard tops to choose from, slk is only a 2 seater and as much as I like the sl, you will go broke. I just don't love the sl to pay the maintenance cost. Even the lc isn't hard top. And most guys who can afford these cars are usually older. Or else they would get a Miata. I really like the hard top cuz how insulated it is, it's quieter than some sedans. And it allows you to drive the car year round.
Yea a lot of younger car guys are catching on to the sc, under 40s after how garbage their 335s 645s and m3s turned out. There's not many hard tops to choose from, slk is only a 2 seater and as much as I like the sl, you will go broke. I just don't love the sl to pay the maintenance cost. Even the lc isn't hard top. And most guys who can afford these cars are usually older. Or else they would get a Miata. I really like the hard top cuz how insulated it is, it's quieter than some sedans. And it allows you to drive the car year round.
The wife of a guy I worked with has an SL. It's a secondary car so it doesn't get driven a lot.
Subsequently as often as not when they go to start it up, it won't. He's not a DIY-er, so they have it towed to the MB dealership and every time they do this it costs $5k
Unfortunately his wife won't let him sell it....
I used to tell him how reliable my SC430 was and he would just get pissed
When we started looking we wanted the hard top convertible so we were looking at the SC430, SL550, and a couple different BMW's , I forget why the BMW's fell out of favor but easy to remember why the Mercedes did! We had 4 lined up to go drive one Saturday and 3 of them would not start, and the one that started the top would not function!!! So now its pretty much a search for a 430 with lowish miles and the right color combination.
Yea, I wasn't looking for a SC, I was always curious of them, given the looks. I was looking for a fun summer convertible car to replace my 350z, and once I drove the sc I finally got it. It's not a hardcore track car, and it's way nicer than my heavily modified 350z which honestly wasn't that practical or great to dd. The fit and finish of the sc is just so nice and it's a great cruiser. Not trying to be a s2000. I drove a few slk55s which I loved but the interior wasn't as nice, gonna be more horrible on gas and only 2 seater. Also more $$$
Yea, I wasn't looking for a SC, I was always curious of them, given the looks. I was looking for a fun summer convertible car to replace my 350z, and once I drove the sc I finally got it. It's not a hardcore track car, and it's way nicer than my heavily modified 350z which honestly wasn't that practical or great to dd. The fit and finish of the sc is just so nice and it's a great cruiser. Not trying to be a s2000. I drove a few slk55s which I loved but the interior wasn't as nice, gonna be more horrible on gas and only 2 seater. Also more $$$
We recently bought a S2000, fun car, fast and handling was incredible, just not what we were looking for. We are more looking for a "luxury cruiser" type of car we can do some longer distance trips and the S2000 did not work for that! Hoping the 430 will fit.
...I still loved my SC 430 but has the buyers of recent times leaned toward the 60 age +?
With age comes wisdom. Us 60+ old farts have been around the block enough times to know a good car/value when we see/drive it! For me, the styling isn't great and the performance is uninspiring, but the concept, fit/finish, comfort and reliability are top-notch!
Those under 60 are likely looking for greater styling/performance. My advice to them...be careful what you wish for (it comes at a great cost)!
Bought my 2003 SC with 99,000 miles 2 years ago when I turned 25.
Most people who stop to chat about the car are 60+ and when I see another SC while on the move, I always check the demographic of the driver and 95% of the time it is an older (50-60) individual.
While I'm sure the younger aged demographic range may be starting to catch onto the true value of an SC, no one in my immediate circle was privy to this era of Toyota which cranked out these reliable engineering marvels.
A lot of the younger guys, prefer the gs is platform however like I mentioned before if you are set of hardtop convertible there's not much to choose from.
08-26-23, 08:47 AM
Demographic of the SC430 buyer + demand?
