Xtromist

Hey fellas,

I've got a 1999 GS300 with 200k miles on it. It is relatively beat up and there are a few things that need replacing on the vehicle. I was looking up how much I would be able to get for it if I was to sell it on someplace like auto trader and with the amount of mileage and the condition of the car, it might not even be worth selling. So I had the idea of potentially rebuilding the car.

My question to you guys is whether or not it would be worth rebuilding it. I'm not that knowledgeable about the specifics of the parts, but what I had in mind was swapping the motor and the transmission along with new suspension and a body restoration + a paint job. Alot of things in the car have already been replaced ie alternator, battery etc. Are there any other parts of the vehicle that may need replacing ? How much can I expect to pay for all of this ? I'm just trying to think of the best thing to do with my beloved Lexus.

Thanks alot guys.

xspsi6

iTrader: (31)

Honestly it's not worth it as you can just buy a great condition gs for the amnt of $$$ you will dump in your 99.

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

^ that.

I dumped 7k+ into my 92 SC400, and although it is beautiful and runs like a top for another 10 years, I see perfect, low-mile SC400s on autotrader etc for roughly the same thing I spent.

There's always nicer, old, lower mileage cars for sale for cheap.

SC2JZ300

iTrader: (8)

Just remember how ever much you dump into a car, you will never get it all back...

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

Absolutely true. That's why at this point, I will drive that car for the rest of my life. Period.

Xtromist

Out of curiosity, what'd you do to your SC4 that resulted in 7k + ?

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

Lexus
Brakes, front - 170
Struts 4 - 250
Differential oil - 12
Engine/trans mounts – 210

-First round, MD motors: 870 + PARTS ABOVE = $1,512

Timing belt kit (pumps, spark plugs, wires, caps, gaskets etc: 570

Second round, MD motors: 790 + PARTS ABOVE = $1,360

Rust clean-up, + repainting ENTIRE CAR, fixing lip spoiler, installing new emblems, exhaust baffles, headlight restoration kit etc - 2,500

Gold emblems (purchased in 2011) – 300
4 chrome alloy wheels 16” (purchased in 2011) – 600
Exhaust baffles, chrome - 60
Windshield replaced while in shop – 225

Third round, Arnies autobody $2,400 + new parts = $3,585

4th round : Electronics rebuild by Tanin Electronics- rebuilding of all cluster needles and buttons, LCD screens and lights for instrument cluster, stereo, and climate control: $300 (refund $50) = $250

Interior driver’s seat lower trim piece – 80

Lip spoiler brackets, set of 3: $60

Exhaust tips: $120 (gift)

New seats $325 installed for 500 (included small ding taken out of hood) = $825

Fifth round, townfair tire 4 new Dunlop direzzas + valve stems etc = $600 mounted and installed

Sixth round 5 Star auto PPE performance headers w/ new catalytic converters ($650) + installation $1,100 (w/ new oxygen sensor) = $1,750


Add it up, I kept it as a running log in a word document. I haven't even added it all myself, but its clearly above 7K now. I saw it done on a white SC400 about 5 years ago to the tune of 10K, but he went even further than I did if I recall....