Think before you buy an sc
06-08-07, 02:19 PM
#1
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Think before you buy an sc
I'm very happy with my 92 sc400. But don't buy an SC if you don't have the money to put into it for maint. I have the typical sc problems of lcd blacked out and needles are starting to burnout and dim on speedometer. I paid around $4800 for mine with custom bbs rims. So far through DIY maint. I've almost spent 1k in terms of fuel filter lines, fuel filter, spark plugs, spark plug wires, distributor caps, rotors, trans. filter, front brake pads, new rotors, etc. And I got most of these parts at cost as I know a guy who runs an auto parts store. If you want your lexus to run 200k or more you need to do proper maint. Taking it to the dealer is way too expensive of an option for me, so I elect to work on it myself with assistance from a friend who is a very reliable mechanic having worked on BMW's, RX7's, Acura's. I highly doubt I could afford to take it to the dealership to pay the high markup prices of basic maint. To me there's more satisfaction in doing the job well yourself anyways. Just a word to the wise of anyone who is thinking about buying one, have a little bit of cash banked away to do the proper maint. And to think I'm just getting started on what I want to fix! 
Next up will be the Power Antenna, LCD Screen, Cluster Panel, etc.
Next up will be the Power Antenna, LCD Screen, Cluster Panel, etc.
06-08-07, 02:44 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
in short:
Bought SC, paid too much
Doing DIY maintenence, cost too much
Don't go to dealer
Save enough money to pay for repairs, good if you have a friend who owns an auto parts store
Moral of the story: If you buy an older SC, be prepared to pay some money for a tune-up.
Bought SC, paid too much
Doing DIY maintenence, cost too much
Don't go to dealer
Save enough money to pay for repairs, good if you have a friend who owns an auto parts store
Moral of the story: If you buy an older SC, be prepared to pay some money for a tune-up.
06-08-07, 02:47 PM
#4
in short:
Bought SC, paid too much
Doing DIY maintenence, cost too much
Don't go to dealer
Save enough money to pay for repairs, good if you have a friend who owns an auto parts store
Moral of the story: If you buy an older SC, be prepared to pay some money for a tune-up.
Bought SC, paid too much
Doing DIY maintenence, cost too much
Don't go to dealer
Save enough money to pay for repairs, good if you have a friend who owns an auto parts store
Moral of the story: If you buy an older SC, be prepared to pay some money for a tune-up.
06-08-07, 03:07 PM
#7
i paid 2,000 for mine and is rusted to hell underneeth. i have bouth new rotors and pads new suspention new exhuast i have spend a total of 900.00 i dont work so i have to save my money or some 1 wi lldo me a favor. but i like the car alot i just got mine outta the shop this after noon.
i got the seconday muffler moved now it needs the new climate control replaced and my new raido put in also it needs a new floor bord paint and a nice body kit and some matching rims also i wanna drop it on esplirs.
so i have a ways to go. but having a fast car that glide on the hiway and when people chase me down the steert to ask me will i sell it/or when i am speeding and the exhuast sets off car alarms i feel like i am on the right track
i got the seconday muffler moved now it needs the new climate control replaced and my new raido put in also it needs a new floor bord paint and a nice body kit and some matching rims also i wanna drop it on esplirs.
so i have a ways to go. but having a fast car that glide on the hiway and when people chase me down the steert to ask me will i sell it/or when i am speeding and the exhuast sets off car alarms i feel like i am on the right track
Last edited by t70 supra; 06-08-07 at 03:32 PM.
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06-08-07, 03:35 PM
#9
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I have spent like 10k doing stuff on 2 diffrent lexes and then turned around and sold my sc4 for 2800. Expensive is an understatement but the final product is always the best!
06-08-07, 03:36 PM
#10
Gang:
- It will cost alot for any 14 year old car to repair and replace to stock condition
- Any Lexus will be rather expensive, not just an SC
- Hondas and the equivalent will cost alot, but not nearly the cost of an SC, plus, they don't have the ride quality, so most just drive them and drive them
- Compare the MSRP of a brand new 93 SC to a brand new Honda, Mits, Toy, American whatever...Speaks volumes...
in short:
Bought SC, paid too much
Doing DIY maintenence, cost too much
Don't go to dealer
Save enough money to pay for repairs, good if you have a friend who owns an auto parts store
Moral of the story: If you buy an older SC, be prepared to pay some money for a tune-up.
Bought SC, paid too much
Doing DIY maintenence, cost too much
Don't go to dealer
Save enough money to pay for repairs, good if you have a friend who owns an auto parts store
Moral of the story: If you buy an older SC, be prepared to pay some money for a tune-up.
06-08-07, 05:16 PM
#13
92 in 2007.... 15 year old car and your complaining about maintenance. thread should read "don't buy a 15 year old car and expect 1 year old car maintenance." i'd say for 15 year old cars, some with creepin up on 200,000 miles, the maintenance is kinda low. yeah, the leather on the door and the vents crack, the needles don't light up, bulbs go out, but, you should be glad its not the trans, block, big stuff. my explorer went through 5 transmissions and it was a 93.
06-08-07, 07:44 PM
#14
****, my 14 year old SC has fewer problems than 90% of the cars that come through my shop (even those for regular oil changes)...
you think we got it bad... how do you think I feel when I tell some mid 20's girl that her 2001 Olds Alero/Pontiac Grand Am/anything with a V6 GM motor that we noticed while doing a $25 oil change that we noticed her intake manifold is leaking coolant, and it's a $600 repair that HAS to be fixed else it could lead to leaking coolant into the oil meaning really bad problems... then to go on and let her know that almost every GM V6 motor up until 2002 had that problem...
I do that on a weekly basis - those cars suck ***...
then you get 2003 Ford Escort that a 70 year old lady owns that has a leaking freeze plug that requires the motor be pulled to extract and repair... just to go tell her her aftermarket warranty company won't pay for it because they don't cover corrosion and the only thing that causes freeze plugs to leak is corrosion...
trust me, our cars are cake...
you think we got it bad... how do you think I feel when I tell some mid 20's girl that her 2001 Olds Alero/Pontiac Grand Am/anything with a V6 GM motor that we noticed while doing a $25 oil change that we noticed her intake manifold is leaking coolant, and it's a $600 repair that HAS to be fixed else it could lead to leaking coolant into the oil meaning really bad problems... then to go on and let her know that almost every GM V6 motor up until 2002 had that problem...
I do that on a weekly basis - those cars suck ***...
then you get 2003 Ford Escort that a 70 year old lady owns that has a leaking freeze plug that requires the motor be pulled to extract and repair... just to go tell her her aftermarket warranty company won't pay for it because they don't cover corrosion and the only thing that causes freeze plugs to leak is corrosion...
trust me, our cars are cake...