Ok, so, I’ve really been a fan of my ’94 SC400 w/160,000 miles, but this last year it has really been letting me down.

A year ago a less than one year old alternator went out – cost me like $150

Then the power steering unit went out AGAIN after only what must have been three years maybe – Autozone replaced it on warranty, but I had to go through the PIA of pulling it and installing the new one.

Heater control valve went out last fall - $320….. I installed it with help from here….

Then my radiator went out about a month ago - $220

Then the alternator that got the PS fluid on it went out – Oriely’s replaced it under warranty.

At the same time my driver’s side rear caliper froze up AGAIN after only two years since I replaced that same caliper - $150 and waiting on core exchange….about another $100 with return.

If I hadn’t done all these repairs myself this would have cost me no telling how much….

Now I have a popping in the rear end when I launch from a start every once in a while that I have no idea what it could be….

Is it time to give up on the SC? Am I just as well off to keep making these repairs and save myself a car payment?

 

Sounds exactly like my '92.. haha. Ish happens, these cars can become money pits. DIY is the way to save money. In regards to the alternator getting effed up from PS fluid.. if it happens again, a buddy of mine used WD40 or brake cleaner something to clean the alternator and it cleaned out all the fluid and worked fine. The only popping I could think of would be due to worn ball joints or worn bushings.

 

Maybe it's just me, but I think you should expect this from a car that is 15 years old... It's just normal maintanence piling up on ya.

Don't give up on the SC, just get a second car, retire it from daily driving duties, finish maintanance/mods and keep having fun. Done.

 

Don't take this the wrong way, but you're replacing failed components with cheap aftermarkets. Call Lexus, get the part number, then get the parts from Toyota.

 

Small stuff. WEAK.

15 year old car and you've replaced a handful of small parts.

Let's open that wallet and spring for something made in the new millennium if you want griping rights over small parts. If you have owned it since when you registered, then you REALLY are nitpicking, otherwise still no real reason to complain.

 

I think its just normal wear and tear, and you have NOT gone with dealer items for the replacement parts. Oreilys is good for tail light bulbs, seafoam, and some oil, but thats about it. Remember you get what you pay for. I say keep the SC, and always remember this, Now you know what you have replaced and when. If you buy another used car, you dont know what all has been done prior to you buying it. I say KEEP it!

 

Yeah, keep it...and yes WD 40 works wonders. I used it to clean my 02 sensors, and LEX3 is running like a champ. I'm with the other members, order from LEXUS/Toyota and D.I.Y. There is way too much information here, use the SEARCH...they SEARCH is your friend, lol.

 

never give up on the sc. i just bought a 93 with 150k and plan use it as my daily driver. maintenance is part of having an older car. oem parts do make a big difference.

 

I agree big time. Quit shopping at auto zone

 

WTF do you expect from a 15yr old car? At least your car isn't losing oil like both my sc300 and sc400.
too bad he bought a 400. Junkyards and the trademotion lexus pembroke pines website(google) are the way to go.

 

I’m just talking about the last year… I’ve had to replace the main seal on the SC a couple years ago too.

Ok, so maybe I’m whining about nothing, but I’m getting tired of these $200-$300 repairs every time I turn around recently it seems. If it keeps it up I might as well have a new car and be making payments. I like the old SC. I’m hoping to drive it for at least another year. I bought my SC from an original owner who only put 35,000 miles on it in like 8 years when I got it back in ’02. Paid a pretty penny for it - $17,000! It was in pretty mint condition for that money tho.

This site has been a Godsend for keeping the car running. I’ll keep the advice in mind about getting parts numbers and buying from Toyota. I really didn’t know Autozone and Oriely’s had such a bad rep for parts.

 

when you buy cheap parts you get short service life from them.

do the work yourself and save some cash. if you dont like working on cars AND the car is a PITA in your eyes then sell it.

if its not worth it in your eye then get rid of it. to me those problems are not a big deal and a simple fix. maybe not to you.