Chewy954

I'm looking for one of these cars in south florida and it seems the sc400 is more common to find than the sc300, seeing how I'm 17 and paying for this out of my pocket(not my parents) I'm going to need to choose the car that is cheaper to fix. So which is cheaper, the sc300 or sc400? I've heard the sc300 engine is cheaper. Does the sc300 get better mpg(seeing how its a v6)?

Thanks!

djyoshi626

iTrader: (5)

yes it gets slightly better mileage, depending on how you drive the car of course, its also an inline 6 not a V6, welcome to the club!

Chewy954

so a sc300 is what I should aim for?

So hard to find by me =[. I look daily on craigslist and weekly on autotrader.

i wanna go look at this, but the new paint kinda makes me think.

djyoshi626

iTrader: (5)

Well if you don't care about manual and automatic and gas isn't too big a deal I'd go with the 400, but it all depends on what kind of condition the car is in too .. if you get a car that needs a fixer upper, interior and engine they'll both be expensive regardless. If you get one in good condition and maintain that condition, they'll both be about the same. Since the SC300 shares a lot of parts with the Supra, sourcing parts for it won't be too hard, cant say the same for the 400 though, but other people on CL will have a better input then I do

Chewy954

gas is big in my eyes seeing how fund will always being tight as I'm 17 :P

CrazySC300

iTrader: (16)

Umm not exactly...On the contrary, It's actually the SC400 that gets slightly better gas mileage than the SC300 (But not by much)...Think about it...You have a "slightly underpowered" inline-6 engine moving a 3995+ pd body around, While on the opposite end, you have a "slightly stronger" V8 engine moving the same 3995+ pd body around...Therefore, you can get better gas mileage...I personally believe that the SC300's engine is actually a little underpowered for such a heavy car body.

However, When it comes time to replace critical engine components (Let's say a "Starter" for instance) on both vehicle's engine...This is where the SC300 has an advantage over the 400...You see, The starter for an SC300 is easily accessible, since it sits on the side of the engine, All you have to do unplug the battery and the starter's connecting cable and turn a few bolts to remove it and voila!!! The SC400's starter on the other hand, is a bit more tricker to replace since you have to remove the intake manifold (As well as some other stuff, since it's inside the engine) just to get to the starter....Bottom line is...

"SC400 engine repairs=Difficult and Expensive"...


"SC300 engine repairs=Easier and way cheaper"

Chewy954

do you guys have any other recommendations on where to look other than craigslist and autotrader?

djyoshi626

iTrader: (5)

you're right, I haven't thought of it that way in terms power to weight ratio and it's mileage, I hate how underpowered the 300s are!!!

eBay but those most likely won't be local but it's worth a shot, try cars.com as well. good luck searching!

SHOLEXMAN

I totally agree with you it is NOT fun to do a starter on those sc 400's. Especially it being 15 years old. Most of the plastic clips on the fuel rail break off and then don't stay on. Plus having to remove the coolant bridge on the back not fun. Sc 300's are easyer to maintain if you do it yourself. Less power which I am not a fan of and it misses the extra looks like the 400's have. Finding parts isn't that hard you just have to look on most forums for it. Just don't go straight to the dealer cause they will rape you on price
Good luck with the car search!

captainsc

iTrader: (1)

Both engines are very reliable. As far as the power to weight ratio goes it makes some sense, but you will find better mpg in the 300. good quote on the weights but its actually more like 3400 and 3500 pounds, and those couple hundred pounds do make a difference. The 300 is easier to fix since it is a straight six. But like the said I'd go with the car with the lowest miles and best maintained. They both take premium, and mileage is not very hot in either. If you can find a SC300 in good well maintained condition I would go with that. Otherwise if you are looking for some V8 muscle to smoke the tires then go with the SC400, I know I'm glad I choose it. :-)

breakb

iTrader: (2)

i went wit a 400, i had a choice. but i choose it because if i keep the car i want to be different and turbo my v8, well not REAL different, but not as common as the NA-t for the inline 6, no offense to my sc300 brotha's though. either way sc's are great cars. and getting harder to find imo. whenever i see one down here in hawaii, oahu. i go dammm. lol. not as common as other cars down here.

but liek it said, maintaine is a *****, sparkplugs...ugh, have to take off the intake to get to it. but i love the power. i did one doughtnut and we looked back at the smoke and my fren was like dam that's alot of torque.

Peace out