dreams will come true one day.
07-08-12, 02:57 PM
#16
Keeper of the light
iTrader: (17)
I would caution about having such high hopes for an SC. The amount of work these cars now require V/S just 5 years ago is immense. Many have been passing 20 yrs old now (by production numbers a HUGE amount have). You'll find when you get one even in reasonable shape that these days EVERY maintenance item need help. From rubber under the car to electrical common issues. It's almost to the point the SC will cost you about the same as an old supercar to properly maintain. They both have similar issues with many aging parts and high cost of replacement. The only real difference is that the SC should hold up for a long time after you put the new stuff on, but the initial sticker shock of first run maintenance on a new SC is enough to make you sell it the next day.
I say this because in your situation as it has been explained it's not uncommon to want one very badly and get it only to become frustrated with it. If you REALLY are set on getting an SC and you know you will, I'd recommend staying in the classifieds 24/7 looking for good deals on things you will have to replace on ANY sc you buy used. This could save you from having those dreams crushed by a car you have wanted forever that is going to eat your wallet like a good drug.
I say this because in your situation as it has been explained it's not uncommon to want one very badly and get it only to become frustrated with it. If you REALLY are set on getting an SC and you know you will, I'd recommend staying in the classifieds 24/7 looking for good deals on things you will have to replace on ANY sc you buy used. This could save you from having those dreams crushed by a car you have wanted forever that is going to eat your wallet like a good drug.
07-08-12, 06:07 PM
#17
Completely agree with everything said.
I will add that it was the first car I ever had...and I'm 37. I've had mine since 1994. I do spend a LOT more money keeping it up these days.
Look back at every time I walk in the house.
There is something special about the car but be prepared to shell out initially--whatever the condition.
Good luck.
I will add that it was the first car I ever had...and I'm 37. I've had mine since 1994. I do spend a LOT more money keeping it up these days.
Look back at every time I walk in the house.
There is something special about the car but be prepared to shell out initially--whatever the condition.
Good luck.
07-08-12, 11:41 PM
#18
ive been to the point where im like MAN EFF THIS CAR! IMA SELL THIS POS! because i find out thing after thing after thing that needs replacing but once i replace it its like.. dang. i love this car lol! 900 dropped into it so far. estimating a good 10k more 
07-09-12, 12:44 AM
#19
Everything said here is true, BUT in very rare cases you can end up with a car that was very very well maintained. I bought my car almost 9 months ago, 95 sc300, from an elder gentleman around florida. The ONLY thing ive done to it so far is change the oil pan. And thats because the moron that did the oil change on it stripped the threading on the pan. Tried the rubber filling or whatever but it still leaked to went ahead and changed the pan. Other than that just regular oil changes and car wash to keep the pain nice. Gonna get it detailed tomorrow to get the swirl marks out from whoever buffed the car before i bought it (probably the same guy who did the oil change). With that said, it took me a good 8 months to find a deal like this so be patient and be vigilant. I was in the same position as you, couldnt wait to get my hands on it. One thing i was told though is that my water pump will need to be replaced soon and that it will run me roughly 600. As a side bonus the shop that does it will replace the timing belt free of charge so its not THAT bad but still $600.....
Overall these are very solid cars and will last a lifetime.
If you dont believe me take a look at this:
Overall these are very solid cars and will last a lifetime.
If you dont believe me take a look at this:
Last edited by - V -; 07-11-12 at 11:48 PM.
07-09-12, 12:50 AM
#20
Everything said here is true, BUT in very rare cases you can end up with a car that was very very well maintained. I bought my car almost 9 months ago, 95 sc300, from an elder gentleman around florida. The ONLY thing ive done to it so far is change the oil pan. And thats because the moron that did the oil change on it stripped the threading on the pan. Tried the rubber filling or whatever but it still leaked to went ahead and changed the pan. Other than that just regular oil changes and car wash to keep the pain nice. Gonna get it detailed tomorrow to get the swirl marks out from whoever buffed the car before i bought it (probably the same guy who did the oil change). With that said, it took me a good 8 months to find a deal like this so be patient and be vigilant. I was in the same position as you, couldnt wait to get my hands on it. One thing i was told though is that my water pump will need to be replaced soon and that it will run me roughly 600. As a side bonus the shop that does it will replace the timing belt free of charge so its not THAT bad but still $600.....
Overall these are very solid cars and will last a lifetime.
If you dont believe me take a look at this:
Overall these are very solid cars and will last a lifetime.
If you dont believe me take a look at this:
07-09-12, 01:26 AM
#21
In my experience, I replaced everything that was about to go out way before they did. Just don't wanna get stranded somewhere dark and regret not doing it when I can. And it's my only car for now so I had to make it reliable. Also, a lot of parts went out through the journey of owning it, can't really complain for a 17 year old car. I can still say its reliable as hell since I've added almost 40k miles in 1 year.
07-09-12, 07:32 AM
#22
I appreciate all the words of advise from everybody. thank you. I know patienceis a virtue but who wants to wait to fall in love everytime you walk out the door? I mean just the thrill of even owning one sounds amazing. Knowing that you have something you love so much that you know needs work that you can fix... I honestly want a shell just to fix it and say i did it. I accomplished something, (not sayong ive never accomplished anything just not a dream. Ha.)
Anybody want to give me a free sc?
preferably 95 sc300? Aha. Jk.
I know ill get a sc one day its just gonna take years and years to get and even longer to finish. I'm having a baby, I'm going to go to school in the fall, and I have a crappy paying job at autozone. Autozone barely pays enough for my bills and to put 100$ on my babys savings account now. Imagine whe. the babys here. aha. Im ****ed. So I'm working my add off so I can give food and clothes and toys for my baby to be and still try and get a promotion but I know autozone will never be enough. It's basically my dead end. Thus where school comes in. Mechanics is my goal career but even that takes time to find the right job even with all the ase certifications. Plus to even get the certifications you need atleast two years of that certification for training. So I can pass the test then its like I'm basically ****ed. Atleast that's how i see it.
Anybody want to give me a free sc?
preferably 95 sc300? Aha. Jk.I know ill get a sc one day its just gonna take years and years to get and even longer to finish. I'm having a baby, I'm going to go to school in the fall, and I have a crappy paying job at autozone. Autozone barely pays enough for my bills and to put 100$ on my babys savings account now. Imagine whe. the babys here. aha. Im ****ed. So I'm working my add off so I can give food and clothes and toys for my baby to be and still try and get a promotion but I know autozone will never be enough. It's basically my dead end. Thus where school comes in. Mechanics is my goal career but even that takes time to find the right job even with all the ase certifications. Plus to even get the certifications you need atleast two years of that certification for training. So I can pass the test then its like I'm basically ****ed. Atleast that's how i see it.
07-09-12, 08:07 AM
#23
Kris is right ofcourse, doing the work yourself will save you a TON. Problem is there are some things you just cant do. In MY case for example, it would be changing the engine, transmission, exhaust and pretty much anything that requires the car to be lifted. Thats because i dont have the means to lift the car, not because i dont know how to do it. Pulling the engine out is a whole another story.
With all said and done, do any work you can yourself. It not only saves you money but gives you the confidence that it was done right and not half assed. (unless you didnt do it right
)
With all said and done, do any work you can yourself. It not only saves you money but gives you the confidence that it was done right and not half assed. (unless you didnt do it right
)
07-09-12, 08:37 AM
#24
You want to be able to have an SC? Invest money in tools. No lie. A repair bill on an SC will cost more than the car is worth. Learn to wrench. With enough basic tools, motivation, and using the search button you can do just about anything to your SC.
07-09-12, 11:07 PM
#26
My father has been a professional mechanic for over 20+ years. He's been a transmission specialist his whole life. And he can lift a engine or drop a transmission in literally 1 hour with all his tools. I just asked him and he said the fastest he's ever dropped a transmission is in 20 minutes. So I think its safe to say he has more than enough tools and knowledge. He's been my inspiration to become a successful mechanic since I was 11. So there's no one in the world that I would ever let touch my car besides my dad and I. he's got the craziest imagination to make stuff work where i never would've thought possible.
I'm having a baby so I know money will always be tight. I've always known money doesn't come easy. But knowing that I've also always wanted a project car/daily driver. Something I can drive to work and the track. I mean I already have my goal for the car. 95 obd1 with obd2 2jzgte swap engine, computer, harness and r154 trans. (Sorry v160/v161 trans lovers. Aha.) But still knowing that, money means nothing to me. I know the car won't be drivable for years because its gonna be taken apart one day to modify something then turns out I need more money to buy another part for another thing that's messed up but I don't have the money for so its gonna be down longer. Aha. I want my car to be something I do right and make everything perfect. That's why money means nothing to me. Thanks everybody. All this is amazing. The stories, the dreams, the vast variety of people so dedicated to cars like I am. I now feel like my dreams will come true. Thank you all for the motivation.
he's got the craziest imagination to make stuff work where i never would've thought possible.I'm having a baby so I know money will always be tight. I've always known money doesn't come easy. But knowing that I've also always wanted a project car/daily driver. Something I can drive to work and the track. I mean I already have my goal for the car. 95 obd1 with obd2 2jzgte swap engine, computer, harness and r154 trans. (Sorry v160/v161 trans lovers. Aha.) But still knowing that, money means nothing to me. I know the car won't be drivable for years because its gonna be taken apart one day to modify something then turns out I need more money to buy another part for another thing that's messed up but I don't have the money for so its gonna be down longer. Aha. I want my car to be something I do right and make everything perfect. That's why money means nothing to me. Thanks everybody. All this is amazing. The stories, the dreams, the vast variety of people so dedicated to cars like I am. I now feel like my dreams will come true. Thank you all for the motivation.
07-10-12, 12:33 AM
#28
Lexus Test Driver
Completely agree with everything said.
I will add that it was the first car I ever had...and I'm 37. I've had mine since 1994. I do spend a LOT more money keeping it up these days.
Look back at every time I walk in the house.
There is something special about the car but be prepared to shell out initially--whatever the condition.
Good luck.
I will add that it was the first car I ever had...and I'm 37. I've had mine since 1994. I do spend a LOT more money keeping it up these days.
Look back at every time I walk in the house.
There is something special about the car but be prepared to shell out initially--whatever the condition.
Good luck.
07-11-12, 12:14 AM
#30
Lexus Test Driver