sc430: differences between UK and Japanes spec?

[raza]

Hi - i am interested in buying a SC430 lexus soarer from Jpan, can anyone please tell me what the differences are between this and a UK spec car?
thanks
raza

[Smiffie]

what? you mean apart from the fact that its a Toyota oh and the sat-nav wont work in the UK, ( see Luke to fix that) and the clock will be in klicks not MPH, and the radio (see Luke) and the badges, and the front grillle, ect ect.

[Bigbloke]

Tyres will be J spec not European, reportedly different compound to ours?

[Smiffie]

and when you ESVA it (£500-ish) the tyres will have to be changed.

[H.A.]

Mine went through the enhanced SVA without changing the tyres.
Conversions cost me about £300 on Pier 4 at Southampton.
Had to have the Xenons removed or face another bill for headlamp washers.

I've got all the spec. regarding work done etc and it was all complete including noise and emissions testing in 4 weeks after arrival.

If anyone's interested I brought mine in as a single vehicle import having sourced a Toyota ex-demo (4000km) in Tokyo. Arranged delivery to Yokohama etc via email contacts.

Drove mine for 2 years (15000 miles) and flogged it for what I paid in purchase/freight/duty/tax and conversion.

A trouble-free venture!

[Thrust]

H.A. The laws have been tightened drastically since April last year so you may be confusing the guy. Also, what year was your car?

Plus, he is asking about a 430, the 4-series new-type Soarer, so it'll be less than 10 years old.

[H.A.]

How very dare you ...... would I try to confuse a guy?
Y Reg .. yep, it looks like a boat, so it must be a 4 series!

[Thrust]

Aaarrrggghhh, ya got me!!! I remember those cars now...

[H.A.]

Is my face bovered?[IMG]

[H.A.]

Sorry to be naughty!

Regarding the question again, I would not hesitate to save dosh on a self-import. Don't tell anyone, but LEXUS, Southampton (now Hedge End) actually honoured the JP warranty on my SC430 when I contacted LEXUS Europe (Belgium) directly.

I've got a file full of the research I did to make the process easy, although a deal of patience came in handy at times. Contact me if I can help in any way.

Another way to do it is via one of these blokes .......

http://www.yalogistics.co.uk/
('Guide to importing' - excellent)

http://www.starcars-japan.com/

http://www.bonsaicars.com/

[sundeepnath]

This is my first blog, a little clarification required between Soarer and Lexus SC2005 please !
I understand Toyota Soarer model was replaced in 2005 with Lexus SC430 model in Japan and Europe and thus its known as Lexus SC430. However last week bought a 2005 reg, Lexus SC430 from a private seller who assured me that it is converted to UK spec and sure enough Lexus SC430 badge is on the bonnet with speedometer in miles…
However reminisces of Soarer logos and labels are visible at:
1) Some NAV and TV buttons still have Japanese characters
2) Soarer logo is on steering wheel and on 4 x tyre rims
3) A big SOARER label on drivers and passengers side (by front doors chassis).

If the Toyota Soarer model was replaced in 2005 by Lexus SC430 then WHY reminisces of Soarer logos and labels ? Please shed some light.

[Phil C]

Hi sandy though i would jump in here as you seem to be replying to a few old threads in search of your answers.
The sc430 is the same car as the mk4 toyota soarer.
All lexus were released as toyotas in Japan. Soo your sc430 would have been sold as a toyota soarer. I am not sure what year they stopped calling them soarers in Japan or indeed if they have.

Have you seen this? http://www.soarerworld.com/soarer/soarer_cmodels.htm

[Phil C]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_SC
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Soarer

Ah it seems the soarer was rebranded a sc430 in July 2005. So your car Sandy is pre July 2005.

[Craig-and his soarer]

Its a pre 95 import, get some Toyota badges back on it!