430 Problems and A Lexus is One.

[17-Coffees]

I love my Lexus LS400, its a fantastic car and no matter what I throw at her she just keeps on lapping it up and doing so with a smile. Oh, and it's got a V8. 

But alas, for a while now I've been considering upgrading to an LS430. Everything the 400 has and more. Greater comforts, little bit more power and alot more torques from it's even more silky smooth V8. (And slightly better MPG) 

 

Now this should be very simple, but there is another car in Lexus's lineup to bare the 430 name... (Well actually 2, but we'll forget the GS430)

 

Yes, the SC430.

I've always had a soft spot for them. A big luxurious* coupe-convertible. Never really considered actually owning one until I got to thinking:

90% of the time I drive my LS400, it's just the front two seats that'll be used, and with the price of fuel going up, I'm planning on using the LS alot less I may as well have something that's a little more fun* and different than the LS. It's also as unloved as the LS430. And that V8 sound with the roof down.

All in the SC430 is essentially a Coupe-Convertible LS430. 

 

But there is a slight snag.

SC430's are rather more expensive, a 'cheap' one is about the same price as a well sorted LS430. And there is also the fact that 2004+ cars suffer from a massive hike in road tax. There is also the fact that I highly doubt i'd drive with the roof down anywhere near civilization. (no matter how good that V8 sound is).

 

So this is why I'm interested to see what fellow Autoshite weighs in on the situation!  

[gordonbennet]

Several times i've been tempted by an LS430, but reading various fora it appears they suffer a number of niggling problems that the 400 didn't, plus they just tried a bit too hard to make them look like big Mercs and overegged the pudding, though beauty is the eye etc.

 

SC430 never appealed for some reason, but again each to their own.

LS460 is simply sleek and brutally beautiful, why they sent the youngest apprentice down to the Japanese version of Helfords to buy all the shit bodykits they couldn't give away and bolted them all on the latest versions i am at a loss to know, new Lexus' look bloody awful to me.

 

£500 ved applies from mid March 2006, so anything regd before that date gets away with a mere £290ish, so far.

 

What you really need is a Toyota Century.

[Honey Badger]

The early ones have a really soft suspension set up as well, so while driving around with the roof down you can see your wing mirrors scraping the floor. They really are a love/hate car in the styling department, I quite like them myself.

 

An early GS 430 gives you the same engine but costs much much less than an SC430, maybe that could be a cheaper option?

 

Edit: Just read the tiny text, ignore the GS430 bit. Though with the GS being the shit V8  surely it's more Autoshite than the other 2?

[Junkman]

I'm scared of people referring to their motors as 'she'.

Oh, and I'm scared of anything Japanish.

[Ghosty]

No. Just no. Stick with an LS, the only good Lexus SC is the Soarer.

[17-Coffees]

2006! Not sure why I was thinking 2004 for the tax hike! Gives me more cars to pick from both cars. 

I did consider looking into Importing a Centuary, but it'd be a nightmare for parts considering how it's essentially a bespoke product and the cost would be around the £10,000 mark. 

Likewise I did consider the GS430 as it can be had for LS400 levels of cheap, sadly I just can't get excited over one. Maybe because it's a proper luxobarge like the LS.

 

the only good Lexus SC is the Soarer.

 

The SC & Sorer are the same car, with the SC430 being the Z40 generation of Soarer.

It was't until Toyota introduced the Lexus brand to Japan in 2006 that the name was dropped.(Likewise the Altezza & Aristo) 

[Ghosty]

Er, the older one!

[Junkman]

If you want a big bloody V8, buy it from the people who know such stuff.

Hiroshima it is not.

[dollywobbler]

I can't get excited about these at all. I doubt there's much of an economy saving just because there are fewer seats, so I say stick with what you've got. I'm sure there are tune up goodies if you really want a bit more grunt.

[Sheefag]

Some years back, I bought a 2004 LS430 on impulse for peanuts at a van auction in Leominster, with a plan to fetch it back to the southeast for resale.

These cars are far hardier than they are given credit for and are less complicated than the mechanically challenged punters of the owners club like to say they are.

Problems?

Mine needed a pair of front air shocks, £1500 a corner if you believe the punters, total cost turned out to be two secondhand for £250 including fitting.

The air con dumps it's gas when the aluminium pipes to the rear fridge let go - cut them off and seal them at the front, refill the gas and away you go with working climate again, who needs a bloody fridge?

Surprisingly, the boot held pretty much the same load as the V70 T5 it replaced and the LS was significantly faster and more economical to boot (mine was 6speed auto), with a turning circle that rivaled a London Blackcab.

Fuel economy was late teens around London's West End and City with over 30mpg attainable on the motorway with the cruise set at 70.

I ran it for a couple of years with no additional costs apart from fluids.

My big mistake was in not replacing the rusty radiator. A pipe on the integral transmission cooler dumped it's fluid on the M3 and mullered the auto box. A secondhand hand replacement was £1500 territory so off to Ebay it went.

LS430's have spadeloads of understated character, I'd have another tomorrow.

[gordonbennet]

Thats an irregular Toyota issue of that age, the mixing of coolant into the gearbox oil via the rad, most people with Diesel 90 series Landcruisers changer the rad as preventative measure, but for some reason the petrol versions don't seem to be affected to the same degree.

 

One thing thats always bugged me about Lexarse, WTF didn't they nail the Landcruiser 4.2 Diesel under the bonnet of GS/LS from the start, and rivet a bloody estate car arse on at the same time, they'd have wiped the floor with the Germans.

When they did eventually offer a Diesel for the repmarket they stuffed that OMGCHG 2.2 Avensis lump under the bonnet, no just no, you don't put a 4 pot Massey Ferguson/Perkins/Lister oil burner in a car aimed upmarket.

[Sheefag]

That would have made for a phenomenal car.

[rantingYoof]

I'm eyeing up GS300s and GS430s and paying close attention to this thread.

 

My only disappointment is that the GS300 got a 4spd auto all the way up to 2004; only the 430 got a five speed, and I'm doubt I'm brave enough to try a GS430 as a work daily.

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Sheefag]

I had a 98/99 GS300, I really didn't rate it very highly at all, It felt underpowered, it was very thirsty and utterly boring. I'd imagine a GS430 to be a very different prospect.

[cort16]

These sc430's are meant to be mega shite are they not? I don't think they drive/ride/handle very well, weight about 9 ton and have interior wood that looks like a varnished twix wrapper.

[Supernaut]

These sc430's are meant to be mega shite are they not? I don't think they drive/ride/handle very well, weight about 9 ton and have interior wood that looks like a varnished twix wrapper.

 

Thus it would be perfect for here.

 

I know Mr Coffees has wanted an SC430 for ages, so instead of listening to the opinions on here, I think he should just go for it. Mainly so I can laugh at him.

[xtriple]

SC430 are proper gopping! Therefore I love them... even the nasty wood trim! They seem to hold their prices though 'cos I looked last year (still feels funny saying that) and was surprised. An LS430 is another I quite fancy but I really want a 460 as they are a good looking motor. I would even say 'yumm' to a 600 but there are no dealers round here.

[Fabergé Greggs]

We all love the unloved but that can strangely stop when it comes to anything with a roof that folds. 

 

Me? I love a convertible. Anytime that I'm driving a tin top on a sunny day I just wonder what the hell I'm doing. 

 

They undoubtedly drink more, handle worse and have greater image problems than their metal roofed counterparts, but hey, this is autoshite.

 

Scratch the itch!

[cort16]

SC430 are proper gopping! Therefore I love them... even the nasty wood trim! They seem to hold their prices though 'cos I looked last year (still feels funny saying that) and was surprised. An LS430 is another I quite fancy but I really want a 460 as they are a good looking motor. I would even say 'yumm' to a 600 but there are no dealers round here.

 

 

Blimey you're not wrong. If I was splashing that much cash on a ruinous floppy hard top I'd probably get a Mercedes SL500.

[Sheefag]

A couple of times in the US, I've mistaken the Infiniti G37 convertible for the SC430.

 

 

[NorfolkNWeigh]

When Angus Daeyton had his Coke and Hookers scandal in 2002/3, I remember seeing a news report,where he rushed out of his house to his car to escape, it was a JRG SC430.

If that doesn't put you off , I don't know what would.

[panhard65]

Those Lexus are just plain ugly. Yeah they are reliable and do the job etc, but like most Jap stuff they are soooo boring. Buy something with a bit of excitment, a Megane CC with the 1.5dci for the will it won't it ftp everytime you use it. Or if it's V8 fun you want a Mulsanne turbo will do the trick. I personally love my Porsche which I never thought I would. 3.2 flat 6 that makes all the right sounds and I am getting 25mpg out of it even with my lead boots on. All could just about be had for under 3k and all a lot more interesting than a Lexarse

[Sheefag]

A second class ride beats a first class walk.

[rantingYoof]

I had a 98/99 GS300, I really didn't rate it very highly at all, It felt underpowered, it was very thirsty and utterly boring. I'd imagine a GS430 to be a very different prospect.

 

Interesting. They are quite heavy, and 218hp wouldn't make it a jet by any means. It's probably good at cruising along.

 

See, I just need some more words of encouragement and I'd likely take the plunge on a GS430. Built before Lexus allegedly introduced electrical gremlins into the LS430, same bomb-proof gearbox and engine. Also not as gargantuan as the LS400 or 430, which is important when you have to navigate country roads and tiny villages once or twice a week.

 

If someone were to humour me and say that 3.0 straight six in the GS300 was as thirsty as the GS430 in real terms and lacked 70hp or the burble, it'd be quite convenient in convincing the scared part of my brain that running a V8 as a daily is a doable prospect.

[Sheefag]

The 3.0 six, certainly was as thirsty as the 430 in my experience and the 430 was far better on fuel than I could ever have expected.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

How cheap are the Hybrid GSes ? They're pretty quick and you could claim to be saving the planet too. I've considered them for work in the past, but the boots full of batteries.

[Sheefag]

Built before Lexus allegedly introduced electrical gremlins into the LS430,

 

The LS430 isn't known for electrical problems, where did you read that?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cort16]

They're pretty cheap as everyone's terrified of having to change the battery pack.

[Timewaster]

I know we try to avoid buying cars in the name of "image" here but when a 30 something orange trollop with bleach blond hair, a track suit, £1000 trainers and fake tits gets a bit older and finished with the school run , she trades in the white Range Rover for a Sc430.

[MarvinsMom]

a friend of mine, briefly, had a Lexus Soarer.

 

it was great, but he could not afford to run it been somewhat heavier on fuel than he was expecting.

 

so it went on its way.

 

quiet what he was expecting from a 4300 cc V-8 engine i really dunno.....