sc400 as a daily driver? cost of owning one?
 

Hey, so im thinking about getting a sc400 for my daily driver, but im wondering how expensive these cars are to own/maintain? I hear they are reliable, but are parts expensive when things do go wrong? Are there any years i should avoid because of known problems etc...

Its a Lexus. Expect to pay more. Takes 91 octane, 17gallon tank to fill approximately 300 miles on a full tank.

Good luck.

really it depends on how well the previous owner kept up on the scheduled maintenance. Honestly if you are a DIY kinda guy and have knowledge of how cars work the SC series really is not all that expensive to maintain. The most expensive wear and tear part really is are the front LCA those are crazy expensive, other than that the parts really are not much more than your average car. Now labor at Lexus/Toyota is going to kick your ass lol, if you dont plan on doing the work yourself then this may not be the car for you.

Is there a particular SC you are looking at?

Expect to pay up to 1000 to get it running gold...unless previous owner took care of that already. Expect to pay up to $80 a week in gas. Expect parts to run between 200-500. Expect the unexpected. But expect to drive one hell of a car.

if you properly maintain it, then mechanic fee should not run over 100 per visit.

since this is your first post, I'm not gonna rant about searching. But these cars are 17 years old, there has been almost that much time in experience in second-hand ownership in this forum alone...so search!

other than that, welcome to the club and seeing you're from bc (british columbia)? then head over to the Canada forum...we're a close bunch there.

^^true that. I paid $5000 for mine and I thought I was getting a perfect car. I ended up spending some money for oil pan gasket leak and brake booster. Since then perfect running SC. I expect it to last few yrs before expensive repair is due.

Also true that if you buy SC that's been well taken care of then it will be reliable.

tx.



;)

msg

lol woot for Texas's premium gas having a higher octane. :)

I paid 3000 for my sc400 123k miles. These cars are amazing if taken care of. I pay 40 dollars a week and 1/2 for gas. I get about 220-240 miles per tank.

Is it kinda one of those situations where the parts are more expensive, but they last longer? Im not making big money ($11/hour), would you say this car would be a bad idea for a daily driver for me? The gas im not worried about, work is a 4 minute drive away. Im no mechanic, but im good at figuring things out, so anything short of internal engine work, i can usually do myself. Are there any years that are better than others? the 92-96 seem to be within my price range. I appreciate your guys input. And sorry for not searching, im using an older laptop, and it takes FOREVER to load pages. Thanks

The tank is actually 20.7 Gallons. Big difference.

I might get a little over 300 miles a tank. Great car, though. I just wish I had the money to have it running exactly how I'd like it.

79L tank i put 94 octane

i use average $25 gas a day, but thats just me

i hate to say this but i wouldnt get this car again. Dont get me wrong, i love this car. my car is running perfect. i get 380 to the tank freeway miles and its reliable but its not stick and its not fast. id invest in a g35

93? Wow... many years ago it was 92 here in CA. Don't know why they changed it. Oh well... That's why I said 91.

Is it? hmmm Oh I guess it is... I drive my car probably another 60 miles after the gas indicator lights up. I fill up and never goes over 18 gallons. I top it off too... Yeah i know I shouldn't. I don't do it all the time but wanted to see whats the most I can get in there after running it really low on gas.

I have a Titan... Specs says 28 gallons. I do the same running it another 60 miles or so after the gas light indicator comes on. I fill it up to 24 gallons. Usually 22-23gallons.