evolution8

Hi guys, looking to pick up a SC430 as a daily driver. Cross shopping against an 05-07 Acura RL and 05-07 SLKs. Coming from a Honda S2000 that i've had for a few years but looking for something more practical.

Just browsing the forums and I have a few questions.

1.) I'm looking to get an 03-05. Several potential models have high mileage but it's a few thousand less. Are the high mileage ones 60-80k miles okay as long as there is maintenance? Major servicing is just timing belt and all that?

2.) What are the off set of the rims? I have a set of polished Work Meisters off the S2: 18x8 +53 225-40-18 and 18x9.5 (or 18x10?) +68 265-35-18. Honda 5-bolt, 5x114.3 Fit?

3.) Anyone drive this car in the winter? I live in Toronto so I am wondering how it performs in bad conditions and what size of winter tires are needed to fit the brakes.


Thanks!

FunGuy

1)yes
2)no
3)no

evolution8

Thanks. Test drove one today. 04 w/navi, dark purple, 99k km (65k miles) asking 30k CDN (28k USD).

Looks alright, still has Lexus warranty for another two years and 40k KM. Has Michelin Pilots on. Some minor chips on the hood and the odd ding around, body is 7/10 but interior is alright.

Navi looks dated, I guess you can update it?

Steering doesn't feel very responsive and boaty (compared to s2000) but that's normal right?

FunGuy

Get some Donks with low profile side walls. Steering response will be like night and day.

joeyb

I have 161k miles and haven't had any problems, so, I would call 65k miles a low-mileage car for a lexus.

If you're buying from a dealer, have him show you that the wheels are not dented (you need to look at the inside edge of the rim when the wheel is spinning). I've dented them all, and it makes your tires wear out.

I drive all winter long, including several trip per year to Ontario. You really need snow tires to be effective in the snow. Performance winter tires are good, but the Blizzak MZ-03's are great.

Have a paintless dent repair shop take care of the dings (my local dealer has them do it while my car is in for service).

Yes, that's the way they handle.

I really like the purple color.

golfxx

I personally think if you shop around like on cars.com you can find better deals than 28K for a car with body dings and chips and 65K miles on it. I bought mine back in Feb. An 03 with chrome TRD wheels. It only had 5900 miles on it with a verifiable service history from a Lexus Dealer. Looks and smells like brand new. No body dings what so ever. I paid 33K for it. I looked around for 6 month. Found it in Scottsdale on cars.com. If you look around you can find a better deal with a lot lower mileage. Compare 03 with 59 hundred miles in MINT condition to an 04 with dings and 65 thousand miles. I only paid $5000 more and that was 6 month ago.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Welcome to CL.

Cross shopping a SC and a RL? See my sig below, two completely different cars.

As far as winter, the SC is not really known to be a winter car but the tire you select will go a long ways. The RL will obviously be superior than most cars in the winder due to it's variable AWD.

Those offsets do not appear to be compatible with the SC. 350z and G35 wheels are compatible.

As far as mileage, get an inspection by a Lexus dealer. Around $150.00 and 1.5 hours to check everything underneath and throughout. Still no guarantees but it helps. I would not be worried about a 100k SC. They are very stout and Lexus builds extrememely well made cars with the SC430 known to be THE most reliable of them all.

best of luck and let us know which direction you decide.

evolution8

Came down to an 06 SLK 350 or an 04 SC430 but because of price and reliability I picked the SC. Oh well.

Just waiting for a mechanic to check out the SC430 then it's official.

So you guys are sure 5x114.3 rims won't fit on the Lexus? I would hate to lose those rims, would look so good on the SC.

AutoMankey

maybe with 40mm spacers but do they even make spacers that wide? Best bet is to sell and buy new wheels.

CAMAracer

iTrader: (1)

Our bolt pattern is 5x114.3, so it guess it should/would work, but you still need to consider that offset (our stock is 18x8 +45 and it sits deep in the well).

And yes, there are >40mm adapters (not spacers) out there.

evolution8

..duplicate.....

evolution8

Ok thanks. The fronts should fit, I guess it's the rears but 8.5 isn't that deep dish so here's hoping they fit.

What brand of spacers do you guys use?

edit: So what I need is 40mm adapters and extended lug nuts?

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Preferably bolt on spacers vs extended lug nuts. Also keep in mind many tire shops (chains)will not touch a car with spacers; either bolt on or not. FYI.

NorCal430

I replaced an '05 RL with an SC430 in April. You'll find that the RL has great technology and the all wheel drive give a very secure feeling in any weather. However, in return the all wheel drive make the car feel slower than the numbers would suggest. Also over 39K miles I had an average of about 19MPG over 90% highway miles.

The SC430 is much more fun to drive once you get better tires. The convertible is also so much more fun than the sunroof in the RL. Gas mileage is better than the RL even though the SC430 has an 8 cylinder engine in place of the RL's V6.

If you have any specific comparison questions, just post 'em.

Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

My SC430 averages 3-4 mph less than my RL and my RL has mods +20's on it whereas I only have a couple of things left on the SC. Mostly highway, 200 miles a day. Interesting that yours was so low. But true, no replacing the torque of a V8.