Hi. Questions from a hopeful new owner.
09-09-07, 07:27 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Hi. Questions from a hopeful new owner.
Hi everyone. I was hoping to purchase a SC430. I have been looking at a low low mileage 2005. I had some general questions if that would be ok.
1. JD Power says it is reliable, but would love to hear the opinions of actual owners.
2. How are maintenance costs?
3. Does a CPO warranty really cover everything like the original factory warranty does? (According to dealer, CPO voids the factory warranty, and starts the CPO warranty the day I buy the car and has 3 yrs or 100k coverage)
4. Anything I should look at/ for before buying?
Thank you!!!
1. JD Power says it is reliable, but would love to hear the opinions of actual owners.
2. How are maintenance costs?
3. Does a CPO warranty really cover everything like the original factory warranty does? (According to dealer, CPO voids the factory warranty, and starts the CPO warranty the day I buy the car and has 3 yrs or 100k coverage)
4. Anything I should look at/ for before buying?
Thank you!!!
09-09-07, 07:38 PM
#2
Hello and welcome!
Yes, the SC430 has been rated THE most reliable vehicle sold for a few years. There are very few trouble areas if any that can be called a common issue. Early models 02-03 had some clunk issues with the rear end (TSB fixed that), side mirrors, stereos (Code 3 error). Some have complained about the top making creaks which seems to be hit and miss and a few have complained about the battery dying if the car is not driven for a couple of weeks or so. I experience neither with my 02. But the 05s and up are pretty stout cars as the minor things have been addressed.
Maintenance cost is very low other than the normal routine stuff such as fluids ,etc... Dealer of course will be a bit more. The first expensive scheduled maintenance item is the timing belt at 90k miles.
Lee
Yes, the SC430 has been rated THE most reliable vehicle sold for a few years. There are very few trouble areas if any that can be called a common issue. Early models 02-03 had some clunk issues with the rear end (TSB fixed that), side mirrors, stereos (Code 3 error). Some have complained about the top making creaks which seems to be hit and miss and a few have complained about the battery dying if the car is not driven for a couple of weeks or so. I experience neither with my 02. But the 05s and up are pretty stout cars as the minor things have been addressed.
Maintenance cost is very low other than the normal routine stuff such as fluids ,etc... Dealer of course will be a bit more. The first expensive scheduled maintenance item is the timing belt at 90k miles.
Lee
09-09-07, 07:49 PM
#3
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Hello and welcome!
Yes, the SC430 has been rated THE most reliable vehicle sold for a few years. There are very few trouble areas if any that can be called a common issue. Early models 02-03 had some clunk issues with the rear end (TSB fixed that), side mirrors, stereos (Code 3 error). Some have complained about the top making creaks which seems to be hit and miss and a few have complained about the battery dying if the car is not driven for a couple of weeks or so. I experience neither with my 02. But the 05s and up are pretty stout cars as the minor things have been addressed.
Maintenance cost is very low other than the normal routine stuff such as fluids ,etc... Dealer of course will be a bit more. The first expensive scheduled maintenance item is the timing belt at 90k miles.
Lee
Yes, the SC430 has been rated THE most reliable vehicle sold for a few years. There are very few trouble areas if any that can be called a common issue. Early models 02-03 had some clunk issues with the rear end (TSB fixed that), side mirrors, stereos (Code 3 error). Some have complained about the top making creaks which seems to be hit and miss and a few have complained about the battery dying if the car is not driven for a couple of weeks or so. I experience neither with my 02. But the 05s and up are pretty stout cars as the minor things have been addressed.
Maintenance cost is very low other than the normal routine stuff such as fluids ,etc... Dealer of course will be a bit more. The first expensive scheduled maintenance item is the timing belt at 90k miles.
Lee
09-09-07, 07:51 PM
#4
I have seen/heard of belt service go from $650-$1400.00. In fact I need to replace my timing belt shortly-thought I was going to get it done this past week but the Porsche broke again. 
Check around with different dealers as some run pretty decent specials for this service.
Check around with different dealers as some run pretty decent specials for this service.
09-09-07, 07:53 PM
#6
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I have seen/heard of belt service go from $650-$1400.00. In fact I need to replace my timing belt shortly-thought I was going to get it done this past week but the Porsche broke again. Check around with different dealers as some run pretty decent specials for this service.
Check around with different dealers as some run pretty decent specials for this service.
09-10-07, 09:54 AM
#9
Rookie
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hants UK
Posts: 88
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've had an 05 for over a year now and cannot fault it at all.
In the UK slight wheel corrosion is the only issue which I have had done under warranty (Salted roads in winter). Also check the inner front tyre for wear as they dont seem to like high speed cornering...mine were changed at 14,000 miles.
Go for it...
Paul
In the UK slight wheel corrosion is the only issue which I have had done under warranty (Salted roads in winter). Also check the inner front tyre for wear as they dont seem to like high speed cornering...mine were changed at 14,000 miles.
Go for it...
Paul
09-10-07, 11:01 AM
#10
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Thank you Paul! My search continues. I went in today to do all the paperwork and get this, the salesman tells me "Honey, this car was sold last week. Someone gave you bad information."
And I was in there on Saturday! Oh my gosh, why did they waste my time!? Oh well, the search continues.
And I was in there on Saturday! Oh my gosh, why did they waste my time!? Oh well, the search continues.
09-10-07, 11:54 AM
#11
Rookie
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NJ
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Purchased my SC in Dec. 2006 and haven't had one problem after 12,000 miles. Only dislike is the run flat tires which I will replace when worn out. Good luck in your search and I'm sure you will love the car when you find one. Since your in NJ, you might try Ray Catena Lexus. My experience with them has been great.
09-10-07, 03:03 PM
#12
Tensi, I picked up a clean '04 with 16K miles on it earlier this year,, from "Autolenders" in Berlin, NJ. Their website is www.autolenders.com, and the chap that I dealt with was Damon McLaughlin,,, you might want to give them a look, as I would go back to them in a heartbeat. They currently have 13 SC's in their inventory.
09-11-07, 11:11 PM
#14
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: IN
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My 2 cents worth.
We bought our 02 CPO with 29110 miles this past May. The car was built in May 2001 it was essentially 72 months old, I saw that timing belt recommended change at 90000 or 72 months so I told them the timing belt needed to be changed under warranty. They hemmed and hawed but changed it. Struts rear deck lid weak so they changed them under warranty.In June car wouldn't start ended up changing alternator under warranty. Love the car. CPO worth it!
We bought our 02 CPO with 29110 miles this past May. The car was built in May 2001 it was essentially 72 months old, I saw that timing belt recommended change at 90000 or 72 months so I told them the timing belt needed to be changed under warranty. They hemmed and hawed but changed it. Struts rear deck lid weak so they changed them under warranty.In June car wouldn't start ended up changing alternator under warranty. Love the car. CPO worth it!
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
travelride
SC430 - 2nd Gen (2001-2010)
11
12-01-14 08:29 PM
