MagicNC

Looking for a SC430 for my wife. I drive a 2004 LS430 and absolutely love the car. My wife loves the blue with camel interior SC430.

My question is whether a low mileage 2002 is worth considering or should I hold out for a 2004 or newer. I realize the car went through an upgrade in 2006 but most of the improvements are of no interest to the wife.

Looking primarily for reliability, low mileage, and her desired color combo.

What say you SC experts.

Thanks

sebtown

I traded my S Class Mercedes in for a 2002 SC430 18 months ago and would do it again in a hot minute. Like you I don't care about the 06 upgrades. The 02 is an awesome car and has been trouble free. We put over 235, 000 miles on our LS 400 before it was totaled in a hit and run

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

I have a 2002 430sc great car.

Taysdad

I would not hesitate in the least.......I bought a low mileage (17k miles) 2002 in February and it truly the best car I have ever owned. In fact, I have a 2011 IS350C as well with 16k miles on it, and we fight over who gets to drive the SC430.

UGAALF

I bought a low mileage (39,000) 2002 6 weeks ago. Great car, would do it again

KBALL

So jealous. Bought my 03 with 148,000. Feel like the guy at the prom who brought his mother.

To OP, check to see if door speakers are blown. and i think there's a sticky thread about everything else to be aware of when considering purchase. The run flats, if it still has them, really make for a rough unpleasant ride, many of us switch to conventional tires no matter how much tread was left.

UGAALF

I did have a blown passenger side lower speaker that I had to replace. Everything else was in excellent condition

kjcole

No. And in older used cars condition trumps mileage.

tfischer

The 2002 is a great car, and mine is still running flawlessly. If you look into the 2002 market, however, you will not find a "camel" interior, and the only blue offered at the time was a very, very dark navy blue that appears black in anything but bright daylight. The interiors were 3: Black with dark wood, "saddle" (tending toward the orange side) with the dark wood, and "ecru" (off white), with the yellow "bird's eye maple" wood, a bold fashion statement. After the saddle was not so well received, a tan and a camel interior were offered in later years to replace both the ecru (too much white for some) and the saddle. Exterior colors varied by year, but the major colors on the 2002 were silver, white, black and red. A very dark green, a dark blue and a dark eggplant purple were also available, but are not as common as the other 4 colors. The red, by the way, was called "absolutely red" (or "absolute red") and had no orange or yellow in it. It's a pure screaming arrest me red, and looks spectacular with the ecru interior.
Enjoy your shopping for these great cars.

416tt

iTrader: (1)

Not sure how accurate this is but i found it on "http://autos.msn.com"



from what i know, every car has issues specially when it comes out first time, and gets better over the years.. since its 2013 now, I would recommend finding a newer year which is always a smarter choice. It doesnt always have to be issues to watch out for as there is also maintainence... older cars need more done and changed and it costs $$$$.

igorxx

I have an sc430 02 and can't say enough as how great a car it is. I have owned Jaguars, Mercedes,and Volvo and they don't compare in my opinion. I have spent a total of less than $100 on repairs ( radio ariel, and interior light bulbs.) No car drives better. Are you sure that you aren't getting the SC for yourself?

tfischer

Bimmer notes: "every car has issues specially [sic] when it comes out first time, and gets better over the years." This generalization is not always accurate. In the case of the 2002 SC, the V-8 engine is the same one used in the LS for many years (and in the SC400), and is a standard for silent, smooth and reliable operation. The top mechanism is the same used for several years in the MB SLC, and is remarkably trouble-free. Also, the early SC430s were build very slowly in Japan just to avoid having "issues," as Lexus was placing it out there as the showpiece of Lexus technology.
Both the post here and the reliable surveys (Powers) show the SC to be among the most reliable ever built, to have the fewest defects and problems, and to have the highest owner satisfaction of any single model ever.
I would have no hesitation recommending any year of the SC.

bacardi11

iTrader: (1)

bimmer
the trans in the 2002/2005 is the same trans.

KBALL

I think the 02, as is my '03, is being recalled for a passenger airbag issue. Dealers are supposed to send out 2nd notices soon. The first notice i got said fix was supposed to begin this july as dealers got parts.

I'm still waiting to hear though

Harold57

MagicNC,
You should be fine with either year. There weren't any significant (if any) changes from '02 to '04. The only real difference you'll find on the '04 is two years less aging. So it is up to you to decide whether you prefer a car that is two years younger or save the extra money for upgrades on the '02 (or a vacation). I've owned my '02 for 7 years now (Indigo Ink/blue and saddle interior) and wouldn't trade it for any other car on the market today.
Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Harold