Good deal? '92 SC400 ~57k miles, listed at $10,995
09-07-12, 04:08 AM
#16
Just for reference, I paid $8952 for my 1992 SC300 with the 5 speed manual about a month ago. It has 61,000 miles on it, and as far as "classic " car condition, I'd rate it a solid #2, no plus or minus. You could eat off the engine bay, the undercarriage has obviously never seen a salty winter, the door jams are also equally "dinner plate" clean.
The interior is MINT, all the gauges/radio/hvac digital readouts look like new. Leather seats look like they have about 3 creases in the side bolsters from where you get in/out. The white carpet/floor mats look new, nothing in the interior is broken except for one crack on the center dash vent. This is BY FAR the nicest condition car I've ever owned.
It is a HELL OF A LOT cleaner than the 1999 Z28 Camaro I bought back in 2002 with 35k miles, and I thought that car was "clean as hell"
This car is one of the nicest original SC you will find anywhere except for some hermit who intentionally kept his SC in #1 show condition with less than 10k miles.
As far as value I'd say the 5 speed manual does command a premium. Honestly, if your car is as clean as mine, I'd say 8-9k is a FAIR price. Not a steal, but considering what you are getting, its a great deal.
Judge for yourself, this is how it looked when I bought it, pardon the crappy cell phone pics.
http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewga...=1&carid=50071
The interior is MINT, all the gauges/radio/hvac digital readouts look like new. Leather seats look like they have about 3 creases in the side bolsters from where you get in/out. The white carpet/floor mats look new, nothing in the interior is broken except for one crack on the center dash vent. This is BY FAR the nicest condition car I've ever owned.
It is a HELL OF A LOT cleaner than the 1999 Z28 Camaro I bought back in 2002 with 35k miles, and I thought that car was "clean as hell"
This car is one of the nicest original SC you will find anywhere except for some hermit who intentionally kept his SC in #1 show condition with less than 10k miles.
As far as value I'd say the 5 speed manual does command a premium. Honestly, if your car is as clean as mine, I'd say 8-9k is a FAIR price. Not a steal, but considering what you are getting, its a great deal.
Judge for yourself, this is how it looked when I bought it, pardon the crappy cell phone pics.
http://www.fquick.com/garages/viewga...=1&carid=50071
Last edited by Aron9000; 09-07-12 at 04:18 AM.
09-07-12, 08:28 AM
#17
Wow, thanks for the welcome all the great responses!
So I checked out the car today and talked to the dealership owner. He's sticking to $10k as the lowest he'll go, unfortunately. The car is a single owner, however--dude apparently had a stroke in '08 so the car's been sitting in his garage since.
I liked the car a lot when I went in...sounds like I need to decide whether it's worth it to me to overpay $2,000...Please someone talk me into this...
So I checked out the car today and talked to the dealership owner. He's sticking to $10k as the lowest he'll go, unfortunately. The car is a single owner, however--dude apparently had a stroke in '08 so the car's been sitting in his garage since.
I liked the car a lot when I went in...sounds like I need to decide whether it's worth it to me to overpay $2,000...Please someone talk me into this...
09-07-12, 09:30 AM
#18
$10k is way too high. I'd offer $7k.
The 92-94 SC400's are definitely the best if you plan you to boost the motor because piston rods are much beefier in these years. Not not only that but the 92-94 1UZFE engines were built with much much stronger internals and slightly lower compression.
But if all you care about is "out of the box" power and looks and you're not planning on ever modifying the engine, then a 98-00 SC400 is where its at. Good luck
The 92-94 SC400's are definitely the best if you plan you to boost the motor because piston rods are much beefier in these years. Not not only that but the 92-94 1UZFE engines were built with much much stronger internals and slightly lower compression.
But if all you care about is "out of the box" power and looks and you're not planning on ever modifying the engine, then a 98-00 SC400 is where its at. Good luck
09-07-12, 10:29 AM
#21
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09-07-12, 11:00 AM
#22
Good call! I'm curious, is the Sc located at a Lexus or a no name dealership? If the latter, be very wary and demand all the maintenance records on the vehicle. Like you mentioned the Sc has been sitting in the owners garage since 2008. It will need parts replaced that will cost you more money in the end, always get a car inspected before any purchase.
Last edited by Teal Sc400; 09-07-12 at 11:04 AM.
09-09-12, 03:05 PM
#26
Ioc- can't no one really talk you into spending a premium for a car. But we can analyze your options. (Sorry guys, it's the accountant in me coming out).
#1. That's a pretty hefty markup. I mean, for that price I would expect it to be 150%. There is a market for these cars, and excellent examples always do well. But that price is just too high for the year- the other members are right about newer examples for similar or less money. And you can also buy a modded one for 11k.
#2. Maintenance. Ask some of the other model year owners what they had to go through in this arena. All SC's have quirks,but some model years seem to be better than others. Also, service history and repairs- do we have paperwork to justify it? What does the Lexus owner's website say the frequency of service was? Not sure i'd spend that money for something that just sat there.
#3. Sentiment. How long do you want to keep the car for? A bigger investment at the outset might not matter if you keep the car a long time. Also, Modding plans in the future? More money at the start MIGHT mean newer or less worn parts to replace.
Bottom. Line. These cars are meant to last and to be driven. Keep those two things at the forefront, and you should be fine.
#1. That's a pretty hefty markup. I mean, for that price I would expect it to be 150%. There is a market for these cars, and excellent examples always do well. But that price is just too high for the year- the other members are right about newer examples for similar or less money. And you can also buy a modded one for 11k.
#2. Maintenance. Ask some of the other model year owners what they had to go through in this arena. All SC's have quirks,but some model years seem to be better than others. Also, service history and repairs- do we have paperwork to justify it? What does the Lexus owner's website say the frequency of service was? Not sure i'd spend that money for something that just sat there.
#3. Sentiment. How long do you want to keep the car for? A bigger investment at the outset might not matter if you keep the car a long time. Also, Modding plans in the future? More money at the start MIGHT mean newer or less worn parts to replace.
Bottom. Line. These cars are meant to last and to be driven. Keep those two things at the forefront, and you should be fine.
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rodan
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