I talked to my installer today that applied the StonGard to Shingles S2000 over the weekend and he told me a very interesting story about the new Lexus SC430.

The install was done at a local stereo shop where a new SC430 was getting some work done. As the technicians were either raising or lowering the top, it caught on the seatbelt and it ripped the leather seat. The guys immediatly called the dealer about the problem, which didn't believe them and said they were going to have to pay for the seat. That was until the dealer tried the same manuver on another 430 they had and got the same results.

It seems the only way to keep this from happening is for the seats to be tilted forward like you were letting a passenger into the back "seat" before raising the lid, which involves getting out of the car! Can you image that?!? Maybe Shingles can verify this, because I can't believe Lexus missed this in preproduction.

 

Yup... I know the person that runs the car audio department of this high end shop very well. He told me the same thing last week when I was over there. I think it's possible that this happened, ie lexus missed it. I mean, we had recalls for s2000 covers.... and I know honda had to redesign the seatbelt for the CRX cause it was rubbing the seats raw.

BTW, thanks David for helping this me out with the Stongard this weekend.


-Shing

 

Ouch! That is a big oversight on Lexus's part. Can you imagine having to get out of your S2000 everytime you wanted to open or close the top? And I thought the boot was a hassle.

 

Some exhaustive testing Lexus must have done, eh? I wonder what else they missed? (For example, perhaps they also failed to notice how ugly the thing is?)

 

Hey Speed 2000, how do I get a hold of your guy to have Strongard put on my S?

I live in Houston. Is he still in town?

Thanks,

 

I(we) saw them raise and lower the top at the Dallas auto show several time with great results while seated in the drivers seat! Not to mentio the current commercial showing the driver raising the top while seated in the front seat...

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tox
[B]I wonder what else they missed?

 

I know this is an old thread but I have to respond... as a SC430 owner and a car fan in general, I don't see how this can happen. Look at an SC430 up close and you'll see that the seatbelt is nowhere near the top... all i can go by is the date of the original post as to the veracity of this thread.

It really deserves to be seen up close in person. I ordered early (this being my 4th Lexus) then cancelled after seeing pics only.. after seeing it in person I was sold. Black/Black, lowered 1.5" (Tein Flex) and changing out the ugly factory wheels with 19X9 & 19X10 Dazz Matiz w/S03's...

 

I have seen it in person and all I can say is.....

FUGLY!!!!!!

Sorry to any owners, but I really do think that it is a horrible car!

 

What he said.