Should be pulled all the way towards the back of the car and into the slots on each side.

 

The cargo cover needs to be fully pulled towards that back of the car and latched into the receptacles. This visually reserves the space that will be used by the roof when down. Don't put anything on top of this cover!

 

Thank you very much for that clarification, my hopes are up again, will try when the sun comes up, thanks!

Got it, thank you!!

 

Thank you for the clarification, sounds like my thought process was backwards, can't wait to try in a bit, thanks!

Got it, thank you!

 

.

NANCY!!
Thank you very much for the advice on getting my hardtop to open, you were spot on, as I thought the luggage cover should be retracted, but now I know it actually needs to be pulled out and secured in the brackets on each side. It opened and works very smoothly. I was in total shock and awe!! Your advice is much appreciated :-)
Andrew

 

Hello fellow CL members! After 3 months of searching I found a 2004 Midnight Pine Pearl with the Saddle and Walnut Burl interior, at a dealership near Tampa, Fl. The only colors of interest for me were the Egyptian Sand Pearl, the Midnight Pine Pearl or the Tiger Eye Mica/Tan interior. My MP beauty had 103,687 miles. It was shipped to me last Friday and after receiving the title on Wed., I registered it on Thurs. Halleluyah!

People have been commenting on the color, already, which turns into a discussion of it looking black but when the sun shines on it they can see the green. I actually thought that it would be greener in daylight but the black, in low light and darkness, is much more apparent. I would like for it to reflect the pine green more than the black.

When I first test drove a 2002 I knew that I would like this car. It was as though I had been driving it all along, without having to get use to it. I really like the heaviness of the car and the straight line versus the aerodynamic tilt. My 94 MB E320 Cabriolet that I just gave up (makes me sad) is a heavy car and the steering is such that you know you are driving the car.

I am very thankful for my SC430 and I hope to show that by taking good care of it. By the way, my MB independent repair shop also repairs Lexus' and Toyotas. Another blessing!

 

Congratulations on getting the top to work! Enjoy!

 

I've been looking for an sc430 ever since I blew my engine on my 2003 and sold it for $3500. I just bought a gold 2005 with brown

Paint on drivers door has issues
interior and have started the projects to restore it. It was good to be able to reorder on Amazon the parts that my 2003 needed because all 15-20 year old sc430's likely have the same issues. When I test drove it, the TPMS light, vsc on light and vsc off light were all on. Luckily the TPMS light was just because it needed air(fall is hear and the temperature drop set off the pressure sensors), free easy fix. The VSC lights were also easy because they had just done emissions testing and I was familiar with the jumper reset to get them reset! Didn't hurt me while negotiating tho, lol ! I thought I got a great deal at $7500 plus taxes and fees $8222 on my AMEX and I am back in the club for a 2005 with 114k miles!

I installed new hydraulic lifters on the trunk yesterday, just reordered them on Amazon for $20 https://a.co/d/gOcuIgO

Today I will probably work on the speaker foam that it needs as well, $62 on Amazon https://a.co/d/dxMBwSS

I also ordered the 2 pieces I know I need to add an aux port for the ML stereo https://a.co/d/4oTGcew &
https://a.co/d/9Bj6nsI
but it looks like I probably need to also buy an Alexa auto because I think I left that installed on my 2003 when I sold it with the non-working engine. Apparently they have a new 2022 Alexa auto model, anyone have any feedback on whether the new Alexa auto is better than V1? I used to love the V1!

I did need to go into Navigation menu and change the region, it was still set to the southeast, apparently the previous owner had never set it for the mountain states, that was pretty easy.

The only upgrades I see from 2003 to the 2005 are good ones, it does have Bluetooth, but only for phone calls, not as input to ML stereo and a great improvement is the keyless remote to lock, unlock and open the trunk!

besides those projects, the most major PITA is the power antenna is snapped off and from memory I don't even know if I will bother based on the fact that I'll be using Alexa.

The minor project I'd love feedback on is the inside lights. The driver and passenger lights are pretty flaky. Seems like it's the actual switches (right & left of the garage openers) actually work, because when the car is off the lights work, so I guess I'll check Techserv settings, that's all I can think of. When driving, I couldn't get the driver light to turn on and the passenger light took several tries. I remember the 2003 used to have issues too, but I can't really remember exactly what. I know I put LED's in my 2003, has anyone else had issues with those lights? It gives me an excuse to hook up my Techserv, hopefully it won't show me any codes I should have looked for before I bought it! Maybe I'll do that before I rebuild the speaker foam.

gonna post this and I'll add some more

Exterior Paint has some issues, but I think I can live with it.
pictures in the next day or 2!

 

Hello. New here, but have already gained a great deal of knowledge from the crowd on the forum prior to purchase. Just picked up a 2006 SC in onyx with ecru interior. All stock with a very clean interior. The paint has many rock chips though. Going to try some polish and see where that gets me before going to a paint shop. The car has 140,000 miles, but had a replacement engine at 125k (with receipts). Wouldn't have been my choice of colors, but loving it all the same.

 

Welcome to the club, and good luck!

 

Just bought an 04 SC430, Red w/saddle interior. 171k always maintained by Lexus dealer and up to date. Runs and drives like new, better than the 18 Avalon I sold with 40k on it. First thing to do is TB and WP. Needs tires, will probably go to 17” for a little softer ride. Will get some pics when it’s daylight. Drove it home 200 miles with a big grin, I’m sure oncoming traffic wondered about me😎

 

Hi everyone from sunny Auckland, New Zealand. My latest acquisition:

1. Exterior colour: Matador Red Mica
2. Interior colour: Ecru / Ivory
3. Audio options (Mark Levinson): Yes, ML
4. Other major options or packages: None that I am aware of
5. Any modifications: Alloys
6. JDM sourced car
7. 2007, 120,000km ( circa 74,000 miles for our American friends)

Also own a 2008 (JDM) GS460, Silver (fully loaded, factory/dealer body kit, large oval exhaust tips (factory), LED DRL, fully safety kit incl driver alert, radar cruise, LKA, adaptive suspension (factory).

Previously owned a 2001 (JDM) Toyota Soarer 4.0 Limited - fully loaded - EMV (touch) screen, air suspension, sunroof etc - I owned this for 20 years.

I have already used the excellent resources in these forums to bring things back to life (e.g. memory seats re-activated). Thanks to all those whom have posted these tit-bits and gems.

 

Awesome find...enjoy! I love the Matador Red. I have the same color on a 2008 with saddle interior. I'm at 64K miles and hope to keep mine for as long as you kept your Soarer (20 years).

 

Very similar to mine.

Love the wheels.

Any idea what they are?

Has it been lowered? Looks lower than mine, but that could be a country of origin thing.

 

Hi there, and thanks.

Sorry, I am unsure regarding the wheels / rims as they were purchased by the previous owner. And Likewise, not sure about being lowered - maybe - again not sure - I purchased the car at the very end of last year, so I am yet to take it to my local garage to have it put up on the hoist to look under the car. Hopefully that will provides some answers, plus give me an opportunity to inspect the overall condition underneath and whether that matches the top!!