Hello - I'm in the process of negotiating the purchase of a 94 SC400 with 71K miles - tentatively agreed @ 15500. I haven't driven it yet - it's 200 miles away. The carfax report is clean and the exterior/interior look fine by the photos I've seen. Consumer Reports rates the car well as a used vehicle. Are there any particular areas that I need to ask about and/or check into from the maintenance and driveability standpoints prior to handing over the $.

if the engine and tranny are good... check these

timing belt replacement schedule

check the fluids


These are minor but expensive to replace:

the water seal for the headlights...

the cd changer

the instrument panel light bulbs


Throw in some Mobil 1 Tri-Synthetic and you should be good to go.

Problem areas
 

iluvlex pretty much covered it - except for the power steering pump and its possible leakage down onto the alternator. This is also $$$. An (honest) contact at my dealer tells me that they've seen ps begin to leak at around 90k. Gotta catch it right away so it won't damage alt. Just keep an eye out! Same guy at dealer says to change out timing belt when changing ps pump since some labor is common to both. Another item to show wear is driver's seat leather. That's all I've heard about - been driving mine since '92.

Hopefully, these other items are many miles down the road (for both of us) as I also show 70k. I've had one headlight show moisture and gauge pointer lights flicker and go out, and leather wear on driver's side seat back.

my 92SC4 has 173k on it... The drivers seat is showing signs of mad cow disease.. so i'm going to get it replaced... The dealer quoted me $1,500 a seat for the leather... needless to say it made me mad.

garnet92 Are you satisfied with your Valentine One?

Seats / Valentine 1
 

iluvlex:

I've had many (8-10) radar detectors over the years and nothing comes close to the V-1. I rave about it so much my partner just bought one. They're expensive but worth every penny.

When you're warned of a threat ahead (way ahead) and drive on, you see it shift from the "ahead" indicator to the "side" indicator (as you pass it) and then finally see the indicator lights lessen as you continue on your way (at 55) leaving it behind - you gotta love it! Another save! The rear warning has saved my a** several times!

Unfortunately, if he's shooting instant-on you'd better hope that he shoots somebody down the road ahead of you so you can detect him in time to get legal.

Sorry, forgot to address the seats - my dealer used a subcontractor to patch my seat - hole about size of quarter - cost about $70. - couldn't tell where the patch was - did a great job - worth lookin into!

These are truly great cars.......
 

Iluvlex'

Get the seat re-done at a local shop for about $350.00 or www.Importtoys.com have interior replacements, but they only offer the entire set vs. one seat only... but their price is around $800.00 for all seats... A much better deal than the F#@king dealer!!!

Nick, as for problems, the steering wheel leader wears to quickly too... My alt. was replaced at about 69,000 miles, besides, replacing some instrument cluster bulbs, converting the freon to R134 and that DAMN 12CD Changer...just keeping up with the maintence ... my SC4 has been great!!! :cool:

Nick,

Comsumer Report recommend 95 and up. Not 94. I have 94 with 50k on it and can understand why they don't recommend it. At around 30k, both of my power window failed within 6 mos. Now i see a small crack on the air vent, rattle in the cabin, and rattle from under car. Lots of people mentioned about the speedometer light and i am seeing mine starting to fade (from the end). Other than that, there is nothing else.