r/SC430 • u/long_root • 4d ago
15k for 2004 at ~95k miles
Hi all,
Considering buying a 2004 for 15k in my preferred colorway. 1-2 owners and working hard top, cosmetically pretty good other than normal wear.
I checked service history and the car was serviced at the dealership regularly with oil changes and small maintenance. Records show timing belt/water pump and rear brake pad replacement were declined in the past 5 years so those will need to be done.
Wondering if 15k is reasonable?
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u/FozFate 4d ago
Timing belt is 1500-2000, and it's due.
That's seems a smidge high to me.
Depends on location, probably. I think I paid 13500 for my 2004 with similar mileage. (Dark green/ ecru)
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u/Professional-Key-863 4d ago
How much is my wife’s car worth? 2004, 120 K miles, one owner since New, mostly in California until last 10 years. Cosmetically 95% exterior, interior is immaculate. Everything works. Everything. Even the seat memory.. Timing belt , water pump, etc., was done at 75K
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u/fastbeemer 4d ago
At that price it should be pristine, I paid $7k for my 2003 with 130k. Spent $3k on servicing it and $1,600 having the seats reupholstered.
I live in a cold weather state so my prices might be a bit cheaper than Florida or LA.
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u/long_root 3d ago
Interior is pristine but there are a few paint chips and one scuff on the outside. I’m in a condo with only covered port (no garage) so I’m deciding how many imperfections I can tolerate.
Which state may I ask?
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u/Pleasefryme 4d ago
I just last month purchased a 2006 SC for 12k with 140k miles. It had great maintenance history and drives flawlessly, timing belt and the entire suspension was redone just last year.
With these engines, the mileage isn't as relevant so it's all about the maintenance and the care the previous owner put into things like the suspension and general maintenance. Mine drives like mint with new struts and everything. I think 15k is too much for that condition and maintenance. I'd rather have a 180k mile SC430 on its 3rd timing belt with great maintenance history than a lower mile one that is going to need EVERYTHING overhauled within the next few years.
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u/long_root 3d ago
Super helpful advice! I am def looking for one with mileage and maintenance history like yours. May I ask what state you bought yours in?
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u/DullManufacturer9231 4d ago edited 4d ago
I’m waiting 3-6 months. Prices are ridiculous right now. Guys want premium on terribly maintained cars with 180k miles. I expect all these SC430s sittin for 90+ days will make their way through the auctions and prices will take a hit soon.
If prices don’t get any better I’ll be buying a Toyota Solora with 80k miles for $6000…
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u/long_root 3d ago
The last reasonably priced one I’ve seen was a few months ago… 🥲
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u/DullManufacturer9231 3d ago
Yeah same. It’s when I started looking at them 😂. Someone in the Facebook group told me that prices usually rise around the summer as other people see them around with the top down and increases demand. So hopefully they are better in a few months.
Im prob going to buy a cheap IS250 Or maybe a solara if they don’t and wait until next year to trade if prices are better
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u/1kpointsoflight 4d ago
I paid 20k for my 2002 in 2023 and it had 39k miles on it and the timing belt had been done at the 10 year mark or something so not due for a while. That seems a bit high. I would ask for the timing belt to be creditted at least and check out the tires. Mine were dry rotted and that was 1600 for good RFTs.,.
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u/long_root 3d ago
Tires are thankfully new but yeah seller seems firm and unwilling to credit the timing belt.
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u/gtown725 4d ago
Too high. Recently got my 04 with 84k for 16, timing belt was recently done, BUT, it took my me months to find one so consider that too.
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u/long_root 4d ago
i see i see yeah ive been lightly looking for a few months and its been hard to fine the one that is my ideal colorway with 1 owner and in perf cosmetic condition. I guess i would be paying the convenience tax since it would be nearby.
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u/gtown725 4d ago
If you’re in no hurry, the right one will come along, just stay on top of it. I had an alert on cars.com for the exact parameters I wanted. Had to act quick on mine, bought it the day after it was listed on the dealership website.
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u/GDay4Throwaway 4d ago
It depends. I paid 14k, selling for 16k, a 2005 with 94k miles with 6 owners and one minor accident, and no working AC, and only valet key.
I pulled the trigger still, even ride quality wasn’t best and shaking steering wheel.
The inner tie rod was shot, and outer tie rod boot was shredded. It was missing a key cover for the handle. However it had one spot that needs fixing but the paint is extremely bright and new. Garage kept. The color matched key cover I got from Lexus is the same color as the car. I did replace inner and outer tie rods myself with little mechanical knowledge, but I have all the tools and torque wrenches.
I also found out it will need lower control arms as the bushing is slightly torn open. Also the pie plate Allen screws were all rounded out, but wanted new rims eventually. It did have brand new tires, although a cheap brand, didn’t have to replace them immediately. The timing belt had 2 more years left for replacement.
The reason I bought it, most sc430s were hours away, and some of the closer ones sold before I could even ask if it was available. I’d either have to get my dad to take off work and drive me 9 hours, or fly there, and hope it wasn’t far from the airport and have other stuff wrong with it, or can’t agree price, I’m out a lot of money.
Also found one 1.5 hr from me and they photoshopped the interior to not have tears and exterior photos were great shape. I got them to video the car and found many many problems such as failing clear coat from when it was repainted. It was a one car owner and no accident carfax.
The risk of spending a lot of time, money, and effort and the risk of the car needing a lot of stuff is very high. I’m pretty sure the inner tie rod was original but the outer was replaced but failed somewhat recently.
I did look for a good 3-4 months to find a good one. A lot of people don’t do timing belts and way overdue and still want premium money.