jimbosr1

i am going to look at a 96 sc400 that has 139k miles and looks like its in very good condition.however its a one owner and in 1996 it was involved in a rear end crash and according to the carfax it didnt have another entry for 12 years.
is there anything other then the usual stuff i should go over when checking out any used car?
they are holding firm at $5250.its a dealer and i am buying out of state.
thanks guys

Studiogeek

iTrader: (6)

No way man! Travel out of state for a wrecked, expensive Sc? You could get an un-wrecked, boosted Sc in Ga. most likely for that money. Even if you don't desire boost. You can get a GREAT Sc for that money.

t2d2

iTrader: (8)

Lots of good cars to choose from in Georgia, like the geek says. One owner is nice, but 139k isn't the super low mileage that makes that particularly meaningful. Do you actually have proof that it's one owner, or is that just the dealer's claim? That would be tough to know for sure unless all the registration slips are being included with the paperwork, which is unlikely with a dealer sale. If you're serious about the car, use that potential lack of evidence as bargaining leverage. I.e., you'll only pay average used car price unless they can supply paperwork showing it truly is one owner.

The extent of the damage from the crash may be difficult to determine. Presumably, it was nowhere near enough to total a $55k car that was maybe a year old at the time, so all you've got is the body shop's entry for repair work to guess at. It might have just been some light fiberglass and sheet metal work, or it could have been structural. It would have needed to be an astronomical (~$20k) repair bill to total it. Being out of state, that's a huge unknown to risk traveling for a test drive.

Biddles

iTrader: (2)

That just sounds like a typically bad deal at a dealership. For $5,000 I'd be looking at 99' SC400's, possibly 00 models if you can find one. Too much money for an old car, and who knows what's been maintained, and what's going to go wrong. There's nothing special about the 96 model, it's heavier, slower, OBDII so you'll have a harder time at inspections. I chose the 96 because I got mine from third owner, who had it for 13 years, was in good condition and had great repair history straight from Lexus as well as my preferred color combination. $2600.

Honestly there are VERY good deals around the web on these cars. Wait a bit longer and find one, you'll be happy you did. Shortly after I bought mine I saw a 2000 SC300 for $4000. It was mint, included complete audio overhaul with gps etc... Only had just over 100K. I kick myself in the *** for being impatient sometimes. Search Tempest is your best friend right now!

turbodremz

iTrader: (18)

I paid about that much for my 92 one owner never wrecked SC300 with 73k miles on it, 7 years ago. Keep looking, you will find a much better deal.

jimbosr1

the dealership called and said it sold tonight so the hunt continues,if anyone knows of one near ga please let me know,thanks again guys,jim

turbodremz

iTrader: (18)

Have you looked in the CL classifieds?

jjffyy

iTrader: (9)

You should go check out the GA craigslist. I saw couple of decent SC400s for sale.

Equalizir

Yeah just be patient. I picked up my '99 for $4800. I was holding out for a black interior and I got lucky. Mine is black on black

eknine9

iTrader: (8)

If OP is willing to travel there's a 99 SC400 in FL with similar mileage for about $700 more than dealership wanted, on the CL classifieds. It's got an AC kit, coilovers, and a few other goodies and a valve cover leak according to owner. IF he's being honest and there's nothing else wrong it's not a bad buy considering it's a 98+ SC400 with a few goodies but nothing excessive.

Boriken

Hey jimbosr1 if your willing to travel you may want to hit this dude up and see how low he will go.....i dont know him or anything but for a bit more you can get 1jzgte https://savannah.craigslist.org/cto/4826228613.html

Also check craigslist often you will find them really cheap i see a lot of them near by me here in savannah for less then $3,000. Patience is the name of the game, took me a bit to find one that i wanted last year, i payed $2,500 front seats are meh but everything else is super clean.