Hi all,

I have my eye on a sc300. I would buy one to use as a commuter car (400 miles a week) so things I am interested in knowing more about are:

1) realworld city / hwy mileage (I would likely get an automatic)
2) reliability
3) cost of upkeep
4) things good / bad that are specific to the SC series
5) Are certain years better than others? why?


Most sc300s I am seeing have over 130Kmiles, what sort of maintanence schedule / nightmares should I keep an eye out for?

For reference, I would be coming over from a 98 gs400.

Thanks!

 

http://intellexual.net/faq.html

For me:
1) Worst city: 11mpg
Best highway: 24mpg
2) Haven't been stranded yet. My power steering has a leak though, but its not a problem in the 300s as it is in the 400s, where the power steering leak kills the alternator.
3) A lot. I'd rather not do the numbers so I don't get depressed.
4) Good: still looks great for a 14+ year old car.
Bad: Interior is pretty busted from sitting in the sun for those 14 years
5) 95 is the best IMO, since its got the black interior option, and does not have OBDII. Plus 95 has a wider transmission tunnel.

 

I own a '95. I drive mostly city and I average 17 mpg. My SC has proved to be very reliable and I think it's a fine car for a 400 miles/week commute; just use smaller wheels/chunkier tires for better ride comfort/road noise. It comes stock with 16" wheels. The interior is nicely laid out, but as 0l33l stated, it has probably taken a beating for being over a decade old. Cost of upkeep is pricey from the dealership.

My neighbor drives 700 miles/week in her 1995 SC400. It currently has 224,000 miles, with no problems following the proper maintenance schedule.

 

Honestly IMO, if you want a commuter car get something small with good gas mileage eg: toyota corolla
Unless youre looking to cruise in Lexus luxury

 

Part of it is that I love the Sc300/400 design. Life maybe too short to spend in a corolla...

 

u gotta love that inline. dealer parts will not be cheap, but u can get used parts around here or some junkyards. that'll cut the cost. reliability? it's a toyota, so you're solid so long as keep up with maintenance

 

I've got a '97 SC300, AT, 125,000 miles, completely stock, and absolutely love it. Here's my take:

- 20mpg average, 24mpg+ on the highway.
- Never been stranded, or even inconvenienced for that matter.
- Parts and maintenance same as the average Toyota.

My only complaint is that I tend to obsess over tiny rattles and creaks that would go totally unnoticed in my Nissan 200SX. Timeless styling, awesome comfort, and a headturner to boot. What more could you want?

 

I hear you on that one! Well I hope you find the perfect one

 

Thanks! I will post if I land one

 

Just make sure, that the SC you get is a '95+ year model...You'll save yourself alot of drama from wanting the '95-'96 tailights and converting to "fake" foglights.

P.S You'll also have "glass" high beams instead of plastic high beams that turn yellow and hazy over time.