Opinions on this sc
03-19-12, 11:31 AM
#17
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I've owned two SC400s now, a 95 and most recently i bought my 98. The difference is dramatic.. the extra 30 HP from the VVTi and the 5 speed trans make the car feel much faster, more responsive, and more fun. The 4 speed with 250 HP did have "enough" power, but you could defintitely tell that it was trying.
Try to find a 99-00 if you can, for the 3 spoke wheel. They also had slightly larger rotors, which doesn't matter if you plan a supra or LS brake conversion.
As far as price goes... the example you showed is about right for an 'asking' price. if you find one that has no issues at all, pay it.. but you're most likely going to find the motor mounts, trans mount and most of the bushings to be shot anywhere north of 100k miles. I would imagine at this point that a major motivator for original owners to be selling is because they got a $1300 quote for mounts and a $3000 quote to replace bushings, so use that in your negotiations.
I bought mine for $8600 talked down from $10,000. It had 99,000 and was Lexus dealer maintained it's entire life. I probably would have bought it even if it had 150k, because really.. maintenence says a lot more about a car's history than just mileage.
Try to find a 99-00 if you can, for the 3 spoke wheel. They also had slightly larger rotors, which doesn't matter if you plan a supra or LS brake conversion.
As far as price goes... the example you showed is about right for an 'asking' price. if you find one that has no issues at all, pay it.. but you're most likely going to find the motor mounts, trans mount and most of the bushings to be shot anywhere north of 100k miles. I would imagine at this point that a major motivator for original owners to be selling is because they got a $1300 quote for mounts and a $3000 quote to replace bushings, so use that in your negotiations.
I bought mine for $8600 talked down from $10,000. It had 99,000 and was Lexus dealer maintained it's entire life. I probably would have bought it even if it had 150k, because really.. maintenence says a lot more about a car's history than just mileage.
Last edited by Redical; 03-19-12 at 04:33 PM.
03-19-12, 12:44 PM
#18
The 99-00 have DRLs, 3 spook wheel and perforated leather. Between a 98 and a 99 I'd take a 99 but I wouldn't hold out looking for one.
1998-2000 SC400s are more rare than 1992-1997 SC300 5 Speeds so if you found one - buy it.
FYI the GS400s and RX300s use an almost identical steering wheel to the 99-00 SC300s.
1998-2000 SC400s are more rare than 1992-1997 SC300 5 Speeds so if you found one - buy it.
FYI the GS400s and RX300s use an almost identical steering wheel to the 99-00 SC300s.
03-20-12, 12:10 PM
#20
I've owned two SC400s now, a 95 and most recently i bought my 98. The difference is dramatic.. the extra 30 HP from the VVTi and the 5 speed trans make the car feel much faster, more responsive, and more fun. The 4 speed with 250 HP did have "enough" power, but you could defintitely tell that it was trying.
Try to find a 99-00 if you can, for the 3 spoke wheel. They also had slightly larger rotors, which doesn't matter if you plan a supra or LS brake conversion.
As far as price goes... the example you showed is about right for an 'asking' price. if you find one that has no issues at all, pay it.. but you're most likely going to find the motor mounts, trans mount and most of the bushings to be shot anywhere north of 100k miles. I would imagine at this point that a major motivator for original owners to be selling is because they got a $1300 quote for mounts and a $3000 quote to replace bushings, so use that in your negotiations.
I bought mine for $8600 talked down from $10,000. It had 99,000 and was Lexus dealer maintained it's entire life. I probably would have bought it even if it had 150k, because really.. maintenence says a lot more about a car's history than just mileage.
Try to find a 99-00 if you can, for the 3 spoke wheel. They also had slightly larger rotors, which doesn't matter if you plan a supra or LS brake conversion.
As far as price goes... the example you showed is about right for an 'asking' price. if you find one that has no issues at all, pay it.. but you're most likely going to find the motor mounts, trans mount and most of the bushings to be shot anywhere north of 100k miles. I would imagine at this point that a major motivator for original owners to be selling is because they got a $1300 quote for mounts and a $3000 quote to replace bushings, so use that in your negotiations.
I bought mine for $8600 talked down from $10,000. It had 99,000 and was Lexus dealer maintained it's entire life. I probably would have bought it even if it had 150k, because really.. maintenence says a lot more about a car's history than just mileage.
The 99-00 have DRLs, 3 spook wheel and perforated leather. Between a 98 and a 99 I'd take a 99 but I wouldn't hold out looking for one.
1998-2000 SC400s are more rare than 1992-1997 SC300 5 Speeds so if you found one - buy it.
FYI the GS400s and RX300s use an almost identical steering wheel to the 99-00 SC300s.
1998-2000 SC400s are more rare than 1992-1997 SC300 5 Speeds so if you found one - buy it.
FYI the GS400s and RX300s use an almost identical steering wheel to the 99-00 SC300s.
Yeah I was surprised because you did promise to get another Lex yet bought a bike lol. On the other hand I see some sweet deals in TN, I dont see that good of deals around here.
03-20-12, 12:54 PM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Looks great, a 98+ SC400 is my ideal SC if you ask me. That's quite a few miles for the year it is. I just prefer the color to be something other than white, I normally like white cars but the SC white just isn't too great to me. Just my thoughts though.
03-21-12, 09:34 PM
#22
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Seriously, if I didn't put so much money in my car, I would have taken 98-00 SC400. This is the most regret decision I have made by buying a SC300 if you are not planning to turbo it.
03-22-12, 04:31 PM
#23
It's not a bad price, but not great either. I spent $5000 for a 97 SC3 with 134k that was a 9.0 mech/7.5 cosm.
In the long run, I side with Tabaka. Are you going to keep the car long enough for the price to really not be an issue? That was the deciding factor with mine- though I went $500 more than the opening bid (for BIN), I want to keep the car until I drive it into the ground... then rebuild it as a monster if necessary.
Also, DD or toy? Important to factor in.
For my money, you couldn't pay me to drive a Caddy that wasn't a CTS-V (552HP). Even though the seats reduce your behind to tears...
In the long run, I side with Tabaka. Are you going to keep the car long enough for the price to really not be an issue? That was the deciding factor with mine- though I went $500 more than the opening bid (for BIN), I want to keep the car until I drive it into the ground... then rebuild it as a monster if necessary.
Also, DD or toy? Important to factor in.
For my money, you couldn't pay me to drive a Caddy that wasn't a CTS-V (552HP). Even though the seats reduce your behind to tears...
03-22-12, 05:46 PM
#24
It's not a bad price, but not great either. I spent $5000 for a 97 SC3 with 134k that was a 9.0 mech/7.5 cosm.
In the long run, I side with Tabaka. Are you going to keep the car long enough for the price to really not be an issue? That was the deciding factor with mine- though I went $500 more than the opening bid (for BIN), I want to keep the car until I drive it into the ground... then rebuild it as a monster if necessary.
Also, DD or toy? Important to factor in.
For my money, you couldn't pay me to drive a Caddy that wasn't a CTS-V (552HP). Even though the seats reduce your behind to tears...
In the long run, I side with Tabaka. Are you going to keep the car long enough for the price to really not be an issue? That was the deciding factor with mine- though I went $500 more than the opening bid (for BIN), I want to keep the car until I drive it into the ground... then rebuild it as a monster if necessary.
Also, DD or toy? Important to factor in.
For my money, you couldn't pay me to drive a Caddy that wasn't a CTS-V (552HP). Even though the seats reduce your behind to tears...
As for the Cadillac, I prefer those older "luxury" class models over any sport class Caddy. Try the seats and suspension on an older Eldorado or De Ville. Although the SC is relatively comfortable to drive, it will NEVER compare to the Eldorado I had. 1300 Miles trip to FL was a very smooth one and my injured back never complained.
03-22-12, 08:21 PM
#25
The Caddies were comfortable, yes indeedy. My best friend had an Eldo from 1998 and I hated the thing- I had to drive it twice while he owned it and hated every minute of it.
The thing is, they really are good looking cars. Check out Human Target's Guerrero and his El Dorado, which he calls the "Eldo". I thought the car really matched his character's personality, but I digress.
I upgraded to the SC300 from a '95 Infiniti G20 with "touring" package. Rolling through construction in Atlanta made me want to cry- the SC is an absolute joy in comparison. I bought it in Newark and drove it down to Savannah with no issues- a wonderful, pretty drive.
Good luck, and I think you'll be happy with it. I decided after my first SC3 had so many issues (I paid 3500 for it, and did I regret EVERY minute of it) that I'd spend more and worry about maintenance less. Since my tools are in storage right now, I don't have the time or inclination to do a lot to it.
The thing is, they really are good looking cars. Check out Human Target's Guerrero and his El Dorado, which he calls the "Eldo". I thought the car really matched his character's personality, but I digress.
I upgraded to the SC300 from a '95 Infiniti G20 with "touring" package. Rolling through construction in Atlanta made me want to cry- the SC is an absolute joy in comparison. I bought it in Newark and drove it down to Savannah with no issues- a wonderful, pretty drive.
Good luck, and I think you'll be happy with it. I decided after my first SC3 had so many issues (I paid 3500 for it, and did I regret EVERY minute of it) that I'd spend more and worry about maintenance less. Since my tools are in storage right now, I don't have the time or inclination to do a lot to it.
03-22-12, 09:25 PM
#26
Keeper of the light
iTrader: (17)
Besides this bike........OMG so much fun and I only spent $9 in gas last week @ 61 MPG...... and the Lex in the garage on the other side.
03-22-12, 09:58 PM
#27
. I got a thing for Caddies and I am pretty sure later in life I will get to restore my dream car a 64 Eldorado.Its just what you're looking for in a car, if performance a caddy isnt for you, not when the 91 Eldo 4.9L V8 engine only produced like 200HP. Although Cadillac entered the sport scene with the CTS and the XLR, other models were slow cars that liked to drink a lot, especially older models. It doesnt compare to an SC performance wise in any possible way. After all they are different classes of cars for different target consumers (although they are both coupes).
03-23-12, 10:51 AM
#28
Agreed. My best friend's wife has an Escalade EST, which we call the bus... It's comfortable as hell and will tow the boat- but it still drives like a boat.
I just found the SC's to be a really good compromise of performance and comfort- and those looks are classic. In five-ten years those of us still hanging on to our SC's will be talking antique cars at that point (at least according to the state DMV).
I just found the SC's to be a really good compromise of performance and comfort- and those looks are classic. In five-ten years those of us still hanging on to our SC's will be talking antique cars at that point (at least according to the state DMV).
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