How does the SC430 drive in snow?
08-31-02 | 03:36 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
How does the SC430 drive in snow?
I'm looking to buy a SC430 but I live in the Northeast where it snows. Does any know how does the SC430 drive in snow? Does it skid a lot? Is is better than my GS400??
09-11-02 | 11:52 PM
#2
Pit Crew
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: IL.
Actually both the Gs400 and Sc430 are both rear wheel drive. and again that feature has is advantages as well as it's faults. I own a 1990 Ls400 and it skids alot in the snow with the trac system. but your best bet is to actually drive the Sc430 in the winter at your local dealership and test it out for yourself. Good luck!!
Joe
Joe
09-12-02 | 12:09 AM
#3
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 251
From: Cincinnati
That won't work
If the driving conditions are bad enough to test out the car for bad driving conditions, the dealer is not going to let a customer take it out for a spin, which it will be.
Like all rear wheel drive cars, the SC430 is not good in the snow. The "traction system" whatever that is, does not help any as far as I can tell (after driving an SC400 and SC430 for 10 years in the Ohio snow).
To make it worse, all the weight of the 430 is in the front where the engine sits, and to make that worse, the tires are very wide, which is like automotive snowshoes.
I have a jeep for the winter.
That's what to do.
Like all rear wheel drive cars, the SC430 is not good in the snow. The "traction system" whatever that is, does not help any as far as I can tell (after driving an SC400 and SC430 for 10 years in the Ohio snow).
To make it worse, all the weight of the 430 is in the front where the engine sits, and to make that worse, the tires are very wide, which is like automotive snowshoes.
I have a jeep for the winter.
That's what to do.
The following users liked this post:
2wPushkins (11-13-23)
09-12-02 | 02:17 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,468
Likes: 8
From: Ontario, Canada
What most dealers in my area (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) are doing for their customers is creating a 16" rim (BBS knock off) and snow tire (Pirelli Winter 210) package for those SC430 owners who want to run their car in the white stuff.. From our experience on the GS400 it works very well and if you use the winter mode the right way then your SC430 can be an all year round car..
Personally my SC will never see a flake of snow but like I mentioned above this is the way to go.. Folks that think an 18" winter tire for our stock rim is the ticket are only wasting money and sacrificing their safety.. Just my 2 cents from the Great White North!
PS: What tfischer is doing is the best way to go.. Get a winter beater!!
Personally my SC will never see a flake of snow but like I mentioned above this is the way to go.. Folks that think an 18" winter tire for our stock rim is the ticket are only wasting money and sacrificing their safety.. Just my 2 cents from the Great White North!
PS: What tfischer is doing is the best way to go.. Get a winter beater!!
Trending Topics
10-24-02 | 10:33 PM
#8
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 251
From: Cincinnati
Exactly right
I tested it out last winter with just a little snow on the streets to see how it would do, and it was just what you would expect from a rear wheel drive car with all the weight in the front and really wide tires. Terrible.
I was lucky to get it back into the garage.
Use the Jeep in the snow -- save the Lexus for the other days.
I was lucky to get it back into the garage.
Use the Jeep in the snow -- save the Lexus for the other days.
The following users liked this post:
TomDargan (10-12-23)
10-30-02 | 02:39 PM
#10
Rookie
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: CT
While I will use a Jeep for bad weather days, I am concerned about unexpected weather and having to drive home from work in a light snow. What can I do (short of changing tires) to drive safely in moderately bad weather?
10-30-02 | 03:52 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 3
From: Illinois
hobble home...
It took me 3 hours to get home in snow one day in my former rear wheel drive high horsepower car.... trying to get up one of the hills was the worst... kept slipping backwards... I bought snow tires the next day!!!!! ....I learned my lesson on that car! NOW I HAVE A WINTER CAR INSTEAD!!!!
11-02-02 | 10:48 AM
#13
Pole Position
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: New Jersey
New Jersey Snow
I've driven the SC430 in relatively light snow with the snow mode turned on. It just changes the gearing. As long as you drive slow, you will be fine. But, once you get more than an inch on the ground, forget it!
I had the same experience with the LS400 and SC300. Rear wheel is really a bummer in snow.
I had the same experience with the LS400 and SC300. Rear wheel is really a bummer in snow.
The following users liked this post:
TomDargan (10-12-23)
12-23-21 | 10:48 PM
#14
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: CA
Can i use Snow cables on my SC430?
What most dealers in my area (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) are doing for their customers is creating a 16" rim (BBS knock off) and snow tire (Pirelli Winter 210) package for those SC430 owners who want to run their car in the white stuff.. From our experience on the GS400 it works very well and if you use the winter mode the right way then your SC430 can be an all year round car..
Personally my SC will never see a flake of snow but like I mentioned above this is the way to go.. Folks that think an 18" winter tire for our stock rim is the ticket are only wasting money and sacrificing their safety.. Just my 2 cents from the Great White North!
PS: What tfischer is doing is the best way to go.. Get a winter beater!!
Personally my SC will never see a flake of snow but like I mentioned above this is the way to go.. Folks that think an 18" winter tire for our stock rim is the ticket are only wasting money and sacrificing their safety.. Just my 2 cents from the Great White North!
PS: What tfischer is doing is the best way to go.. Get a winter beater!!