High Mileage SC430 - How Reliable?
#1
Instructor
Thread Starter
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Friends,
I would like to ask you, SC 430 owners, in your opinion how reliable are the older, high mileage SC 430s?
I am considering a 2002-2004 SC 430 with around 100,000 miles for my daily driver car (80 miles per day). The goal is to hold on to the car for 3-5 years.
Can you guys please share your thoughts on reliability of high mileage, early model SC 430s?
I would like to ask you, SC 430 owners, in your opinion how reliable are the older, high mileage SC 430s?
I am considering a 2002-2004 SC 430 with around 100,000 miles for my daily driver car (80 miles per day). The goal is to hold on to the car for 3-5 years.
Can you guys please share your thoughts on reliability of high mileage, early model SC 430s?
#3
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Very early SCs were mostly hand built and have a history of being very reliable. The caveat is a good history of maintenance. For example, the manufacturer recommends a timing belt replacement at 90K or 72 months. My 02 has just reached 60K but turned 10 years old last April. So I had the timing belt changed last February.
If you have a car in your sights, get it's VIN and you can go online at the Lexus Driver's site to see its maintenance history at dealerships. (Will not show other maintenance UNLESS the owner entered it manually.) You can also spend a few bucks and have Lexus do a complete inspection for you, before making a purchase.
IMO the motor is very reliable. However, parts do wear out. O2 sensors, shocks, obviously brakes and those nasty runflat tires. There is a GREAT sticky thread near the top "Buying a SC....." put together by SCDROPTOP, a member who has contributed a great deal of time and effort into finding great SC buys. I'd suggest reading through his thread, it has great insight.
If you have a car in your sights, get it's VIN and you can go online at the Lexus Driver's site to see its maintenance history at dealerships. (Will not show other maintenance UNLESS the owner entered it manually.) You can also spend a few bucks and have Lexus do a complete inspection for you, before making a purchase.
IMO the motor is very reliable. However, parts do wear out. O2 sensors, shocks, obviously brakes and those nasty runflat tires. There is a GREAT sticky thread near the top "Buying a SC....." put together by SCDROPTOP, a member who has contributed a great deal of time and effort into finding great SC buys. I'd suggest reading through his thread, it has great insight.
#7
Instructor
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Thanks for chiming in guys, and a big thanks to VVTiBob for the detailed explanation about getting dealer records. This is an important tool for a potential buyer.
I recently saw a 2002 SC430 sell for $9,150 on Cars.com. Granted, the car had 117,000 miles on it, but I wonder how much life this car could have left in it. This is the type of price range (maybe a bit higher) and mileage I am targeting. I am hoping a car like this wouldn't turn into a money pit.
The link is here: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
I recently saw a 2002 SC430 sell for $9,150 on Cars.com. Granted, the car had 117,000 miles on it, but I wonder how much life this car could have left in it. This is the type of price range (maybe a bit higher) and mileage I am targeting. I am hoping a car like this wouldn't turn into a money pit.
The link is here: http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...5&aff=national
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#8
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For an 02 (I have not seen the link), that's a steal.
Very hard to predict useful-headache less years and miles, too many variables. The thread on how to buy is your best bet. Sorry to say that hard work on research is the only thing that can make you feel how valuable the new-old car will be.
Otherwise shoot for at least an 04, 05 or even an 06.
Good luck.
Very hard to predict useful-headache less years and miles, too many variables. The thread on how to buy is your best bet. Sorry to say that hard work on research is the only thing that can make you feel how valuable the new-old car will be.
Otherwise shoot for at least an 04, 05 or even an 06.
Good luck.
#10
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I am with Talwang, seriously an SC for less than $10K., too good to be true. Stay away from it.
#11
Instructor
Thread Starter
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you are right, the car is not running.
QUOTE=talwang;6610469]~THIS VEHICLE IS INOP, IT HAS BAD ENGINE~ lol
if that is your price range, get an used corolla.[/QUOTE]
QUOTE=talwang;6610469]~THIS VEHICLE IS INOP, IT HAS BAD ENGINE~ lol
if that is your price range, get an used corolla.[/QUOTE]
#13