SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)

sc400 high mileage question

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Old 06-27-11, 09:07 PM
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ty0889
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Default sc400 high mileage question

Hello all, I'm thinking of getting a 95 sc400 and I have a question. I'm actually getting the car by trading my beloved corolla for it. The sc has 276xxx miles and no that's not a typo. Should I get it even though it has really high mileage and if so what problems should I look for? Or, should I just pass on the deal? Please guys, I need some help. I did drive the car and it was fine but I want to see what you guys think about the mileage.

Last edited by ty0889; 06-27-11 at 09:08 PM. Reason: forgot to add year
Old 06-27-11, 09:37 PM
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autotime
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276 miles is a lot of miles. . . I would just pass on the deal.
if you still want the car. check for oil leak, these can cost you $800 or mores.
check timing belt/ water pump, see if they have replace. if not this cost about $680 or mores.
check for power steering leak. I got sc300 costed me $558 to fixed the power steering leak.

I say pass on the deal.
Old 06-27-11, 10:56 PM
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uras300
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What year is your corolla? What is your goal with SC? If you're looking for a daily driver, look for a newer year/lower mileage SC. Trade if you're interested in building up the SC from ground up.

If you post more details on both vehicles as well as your goal, you'll get more concrete answers.
Old 06-27-11, 11:12 PM
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Klaus
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Lol I bought my SC with 250k miles on it and I've put 15k on it since buying and it's my daily driver. It's been one of the most reliable rock solid cars I've ever owned. All I did was a basic tune up (spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor, accessory belt), replaced coil packs, and wheels/tires. I'd say it ALL depends on the car. Don't pass on it just because of the mileage, these cars are tanks.
Old 06-27-11, 11:21 PM
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BigBang
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You could do a rebuild worse case. If it last that many miles it can probably last even longer. Just replace some parts
Old 06-28-11, 07:53 AM
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TechGreek
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Originally Posted by Klaus
Lol I bought my SC with 250k miles on it and I've put 15k on it since buying and it's my daily driver. It's been one of the most reliable rock solid cars I've ever owned. All I did was a basic tune up (spark plugs, wires, cap/rotor, accessory belt), replaced coil packs, and wheels/tires. I'd say it ALL depends on the car. Don't pass on it just because of the mileage, these cars are tanks.
This, my chasis has 200k on it and the motor has 100k+

It's been the most reliable car I've ever had (including the exotics). The only time it's been "down" is when I go guns blazing into something and forget a part that needs to be over nighted. It has never left me stranded on the side of the road.
Old 06-28-11, 12:07 PM
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ty0889
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Sorry for the late reply. My corolla is a 93 and has 185xxx, I really like the look of the sc and planned on using it as a daily driver for at least two or three months until I buy the wife a van. I figured I could buy the sc first before its gone, buy a van and then park the sc to play with on the weekends. I do know that the fan on the sc doesn't work. I think its the hydraulic pump maybe? I was going to just convert to electric and be done. When I checked it out the owner said its had regular maintenance but nothing major has ever been replaced. I also let it sit at idle and I didn't see any leaks. The owner says the fan stop spinning about 3months ago so he just stopped driving it.
Old 06-28-11, 12:22 PM
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xspsi6
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Sc400 is a freakishly reliable vehicle and with just proper maint will last a good 3-400k with out issue so do not be afraid of the mileage but the maint history is another thing Lol, These cars are very bad on fuel though and should be ran on midgrade fuel to avoid spark knock .
Old 06-28-11, 12:59 PM
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mktbully
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i'm almost at 341K (no typo either). start up fine...runs fine.
need a little TLC on the body...people can't drive around here.
Old 06-28-11, 01:01 PM
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MrBrock
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If you get the VIN, any lexus dealer can tell you what maintenance/repairs have been done at the dealership. That can give you an idea of how it's life started at least.
Old 06-28-11, 04:22 PM
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HEWJsc4
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It should depend more on condition of things such as paint, interior and suspension components. Properly maintained, the engines run forever. I traded in my '92 SC400 with 265k miles, and in started up fine and ran strong the entire seven years I owned it.

I just saw a thread on here with a pic of an SC with over 600k on the odo
Old 06-29-11, 05:13 AM
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bleedspeed
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193k here and it needs motor mounts and maybe some suspension work but i have no doubt this beast is gonna run for a while. and to rebuild isnt that expensive either. corolla dump that puppy man it has no chance of outlasting the sc. unless the sc was just badly mistreated for a long time and you should be able to tell if it was. however it is indeed an expensive car to drive and maintain. if its cheap and reliable you want i always recommend late model acuras.
Old 06-29-11, 07:53 AM
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ThomasGS4
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Originally Posted by MrBrock
If you get the VIN, any lexus dealer can tell you what maintenance/repairs have been done at the dealership. That can give you an idea of how it's life started at least.
You don't even have to go to the dealer to do this. They have all of this information accessible at Lexus.com
Old 06-29-11, 09:30 AM
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any chance of getting pics of both cars---then we can give u some definite answers
Old 06-29-11, 12:23 PM
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ty0889
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Thanks to all that responded. I think I'm going to go ahead and get it. Again, thanks for the responses and I'm sure I'll be back on with some more questions.


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