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I read the owner's manual last night. It seems to agree with RC's idea not to worry about lugging the engine. There are no suggestions for desirable rpm ranges. Just the note that for economy run the car in Drive.

Hi RC. Thanks for your response. At around 40-45 mph the car tends to run at around 1,300 rpms in Drive. I think that is too low. What mods have you made to get to 29 mpg? I think quality cars should run on the fuel they were designed for as in 91 octane. I have run other grades of fuel before, but if I was trying to save money, I would be driving a Toyota instead of a 430sc.

Hi Nick. We all like the reliability of these cars. I bought an SC with 96k miles which is more than I would accept for any veicle except a diesel. For a late model car though like a 2013 vintage, I would be looking for lower mileage than 167k miles. The steering and suspension parts can be very worn by then.

By 2006 the 430sc came with a 6 speed transmission and a top speed around 140 mph. That means in D for drive the car tends to loaf along at 1200-1500 rpms a lot of the time unless it is on the highway. Lately I have been using the alternate manual shift pattern to keep the car around 2000 rpms or more. I am getting around 20 mpg. Peak torque is somewhere around 3,000 rpms, but peak horsepower is way out around 5,600 rpms. What rpm range do you like to run in ? I would to hear from people that have owned these cars for awhile. I am new at this and have only had the 430 for a couple of weeks. I don't like the idea of lugging the engine, nor do I need to wind it up for maximum performance. What do you say?

Your car has a timing belt. It is due to be changed at 90,000 miles along with your water pump. Check for a sticker in the engine compartment to see if this maintenance has been performed. If it hasn't then you need to do it. It is around $950-1000 to have a mechanic do it.

Last night I came home on a flat stretch of straight highway with a 70mph speed limit. In 6th gear the car wants to go 80. With some attention paid to the suspension and alignment, the car was straight, trimmed and stable at 80. It could easily go 100 for long stretches at a time. It is what the car is made for. Enjoyable motoring at the highest level. The a headlights on the 2006 model are superb. On highbeams I could see 1/4 mile ahead.

I have always wanted a BMW, but the reality is that they need more TLC than any car on the road. Get to know your mechanic. Plan to spend a lot. That has always stopped me. German cars are complicated. The parts cost a lot. You need a guy named Heinz to work on it. My Dad has owned a lot of collectable Mercedes over the years. He has made money on them but the cost of ownership is high. Some Lexus cars are solid and quiet, but lack road feel. They are not sporty enough for some people. The 430 sc probably failed to sell because of the suspension more than anything else. I figured out a way around that problem with some Megan Racing coilovers. Now the V-8, 6 speed convertible has come to life with great brakes and interesting looks. I like how dependable and easy to maintain Lexus cars are. I almost bought a C5 Corvette which is a lot of car for the money. They are low, loud and fast. They do not make a great daily driver for most people. You have to be "up for driving one." I bought a Japanese Corvette instead. True motoring enthusiasts might prefer European cars. That is fine. I reallly like the 430 sc.

The Japanese ethos of quiet, calm luxury is pretty cool. Their commitment to quality and building cars that last. Simple maintenance. Great service is part of their philosophy. I like the quirkiness of the 430 styling. It is distinctive without being too loud. The designers at Lexus put a lot of thought into everything. They have built drive trains to last 500,000 miles.

A dealer is not a requirement for most repairs. I recently had some work done on my 430 sc by a Toyota Dealer with great results. Their quoted price was actually a little less than my regular private shop. I got great service from the dealer. I rarely use those words in the same sentence.

I can heartily recommmend new after market coilover shocks to replace the stock ones. It changes what it is like to drive the car. My 2006 sc went from a luxury car to a sports car with a luxurious feel. It cost $800 for the units from Megan Racing that are adjustable. I stayed with stock ride height. It cost $500 for the install. Big difference. Rather than looking at floor mats and window tint, the next things to consider for me are some new updated wheels. Then some consideration of after market intake and maybe axle back exhaust like Magna Flow. A Lexus is not designed to be loud, but I want to hear the V-8 on hard acceleration.

The 2006 430 just came back from the shop after installing the Megan Racing EZIIs. It is better than a new 430. I am very impressed. The car handles more like a sports car now. It is not a harsh ride. It is pretty flat. Alignment on all 4 wheels also helped. This is the perfect example of a resto mod where the parts cost less than factory replacement parts and are superior. Better than new. I had a new timing belt installed. The old water pump was starting to leak at 96k miles.

I had a pack rat living in the engine compartment of my truck. They can do real damage as in thousands of dollars worth. I got serious about controlling rodents. Mice are only a nuisance in comparison. Leave your hood up, leave the light on, add some fragant conifer boughs to our engine compartment. Rodents gain access by climbing up the tie rod ends. Mice might climb up the tires. Place some spring traps near the front wheels. The battery operated zapper worked on the pack rat. Rodents are serious business. Be proactive and take care of the problem.

The Megan Racing EZIIs came in the mail. There are beautiful to look at. I am going to try to keep near stock ride height, and just firm up the suspension somewhat. The rear needs alignment. Maybe the front will too.

There is a convetion in the US to put a sticker on the engine compartment if the timing belt has been replaced. If there is no sticker, assume it has not been replaced. I just was quoted $950 for a belt and water pump at a Toyota dealer for a 430. A private shop down the street wants $1,400 but guarantees the work for 90k miles.

Lexus cars last a long time. One of the hard things to replace is a cracked dash. Put a rug on it, especially if your car is outside a lot. In Nevada at 5,000 UV light is really strong and eats up a lot of things.

The pie plates are kind of cool and retro. My 430 came with the chunky bronze wheels which are pretty ugly looking. I have owned around 30 vehicles in my life and have never bought a set of wheels. I plan to put some new 5 spoke wheels on it. Anyone have experience with Petrol, Voxx, or Motegi Racing?

You bet Paul. Stagg, KYB, and Godspeed are other possibilities.

The K Sports were going to take 3 1/2 weeks to fill the order. Now I am going with the Megan Racing coilovers that cost a little less at $790 a set.

I am about to install K Sport Pro coilovers on my 2006. They cost $810 which is only slightly more than stock replacements. The aftermarket shocks are adjustable for tension and ride height. They will be easier to install.

I decided to get some K Sport coilovers from MAPerformance. They are adjustable and also can adjust the ride height. At 96k miles I am replacing all four.

show us a topless girl in your convertible.

I worked with the EPA as a consultant for 30 years. They set mileage standards, but it is up to the manufacturers to meet them. The Trump admin has corrupted the process and sent us in the wrong direction.

I have driven some of the newer Lexus F Sport models. They glide along with little road feel unless you really lean on them. Then they respond, but Lexus has never reallyl made sports cars. I have a 2006 430 Sc which has pretty good road feel. I like the older technology.

Hi Paul. Got er on a lift yesterday. A failed strut in the rear. The rear alignment marks on the rear wheels are totally different. New rear struts and rear alignment should make a big difference.

Some good advice. Thanks Paul.