Need Expert Advice About My 1992 SC300
11-05-13, 06:04 PM
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Need Expert Advice About My 1992 SC300
Hi...I own a 1992 SC300. The car has 120k miles on it, has never had any major problems or repairs, and still runs great. Unfortunately, the *****, buttons, door handles...anything plastic, are starting to break off, and the passenger door and window are now starting to act up as well. I fear it is time to let the car go.
My Toyota friends, especially those who customize and race, love the car and always talk about how great the car and motor are. It would be great to have an idea of what the vehicle might be worth.
My Toyota friends, especially those who customize and race, love the car and always talk about how great the car and motor are. It would be great to have an idea of what the vehicle might be worth.
11-06-13, 01:01 AM
#3
^^ This, for a mechanically unmodified automatic SC but pictures would be nice to help.
First, 120k is getting to be "low" mileage for many of these cars, although no one would ever consider it as such. Try 220k, ha. As to your cosmetic worries, you can replace things piecemeal with less pain by locating interior (and exterior if necessary) parts on ebay or through these forums. Seat leather can be replaced through one of many major vendors and armrests, etc. can also be recovered. Dashes can be sourced from a wrecking yard as well although since you have a 1992 it is the one year without a passenger airbag.
Your friends are correct in that it is a great chassis with a great engine. In stock form it is all POTENTIAL in the same way an older V8 Chevy, Ford or Chrysler/Dodge can be built up into a horsepower monster.
If you are just looking to sell then as said by Biddles, check KBB. If you have some very glaring cosmetic part that might be better replaced to help your valuation, grab it.
First, 120k is getting to be "low" mileage for many of these cars, although no one would ever consider it as such. Try 220k, ha. As to your cosmetic worries, you can replace things piecemeal with less pain by locating interior (and exterior if necessary) parts on ebay or through these forums. Seat leather can be replaced through one of many major vendors and armrests, etc. can also be recovered. Dashes can be sourced from a wrecking yard as well although since you have a 1992 it is the one year without a passenger airbag.
Your friends are correct in that it is a great chassis with a great engine. In stock form it is all POTENTIAL in the same way an older V8 Chevy, Ford or Chrysler/Dodge can be built up into a horsepower monster.
If you are just looking to sell then as said by Biddles, check KBB. If you have some very glaring cosmetic part that might be better replaced to help your valuation, grab it.
11-06-13, 11:26 AM
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92 is also the lightest of the sc 's due to the lack of a few things such as the aforementioned passenger air bag. Thus, it is very desirable to some of the more hard-core modifiers. If it is a 92 without a sunroof, you have a real prize in my opinion.
The pieces you are concerned about are easily replaced. You won't find a better driving /feeling vehicle for what you can sell it for. I am always surprised how nice my SC feels when I am away from it for a while and get back in it.
Fix what you want to get it back in shape and you won't regret it. 120k is nothing for these vehicles.
The pieces you are concerned about are easily replaced. You won't find a better driving /feeling vehicle for what you can sell it for. I am always surprised how nice my SC feels when I am away from it for a while and get back in it.
Fix what you want to get it back in shape and you won't regret it. 120k is nothing for these vehicles.
11-06-13, 12:39 PM
#6
I bought my car for $2600, and reported to DMV I paid $2600....KBB lists my car as $5500...Edmunds lists $2900....
Considering these cars aren't very good on gas, take premium, and most require work or have higher mileage...they really aren't worth much.
Even if you had a bunch of mods, a new owner would only typically pay you 20-35% max on those values, unless your car is show car material.
This guys 92 SC3 however sounds good mechanically, and if the exterior is nice, and interior is nice aside from plastic things breaking...it could be worth more then $2000. 120K is not a lot, it's actually very little. A few things like door handles are cheap, it's when you got ripped seats, busted door panels, then the values really drop, interior fixes like those are not cheap, and when you take them off they break into even more pieces. Window problem could be an easy fix...
11-07-13, 02:10 PM
#7
They are all fixable issues. Many of these cars need restoration these days. I just contracted an established upholstery shop to recover my door and center console arm rests in the original Ivory leather. It'll be $450. Worth it to me but understandably it is not what most people will do. My quote for front seat (real) leather was $900, which includes new foam. Definitely not cheap and will have to happen later for me but at this point I am invested enough and happy enough that it doesn't depress me.
In general, there are LOADS of interior and exterior parts available on eBay. In ten years there may be less but there is a lot one can do to spruce up an SC that just needs some cosmetic help without going to the expense above.
In general, there are LOADS of interior and exterior parts available on eBay. In ten years there may be less but there is a lot one can do to spruce up an SC that just needs some cosmetic help without going to the expense above.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 11-07-13 at 02:10 PM. Reason: Typo
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