So, I'm on my 3rd NA-T car, and I have a 2nd SC as a parts car currently, as well as a daily driver. However I'm constantly looking for another great deal, and 2 more or less fell into my lap, and I'm having a hard time choosing which route to go.

I found a 97 SC300 automatic, black on black, in SUPERB condition. Mileage is just under 150K, which doesn't concern me a whole lot (again I've got a parts car too) for a shade under $4000.

The same day I stumbled across that car, I also found a black on tan 93 5-speed. This car needs help. The body is straight, it runs, and the interior isn't HORRIBLE, but it needs a lot of help. Mechanically it is far from sound, and will need a lot of little things from the second I get it just to get it into reliable running condition. Just over 200K on the odometer, BUT I can pick it up for $1000.

So, while a 5-speed is what I want, I also love the updates to the 97+ cars, as well as the condition of the 97 overall. My guess is that to get them into equal condition (ie reliable, clean interior, 97+ styled cars), the 93 will cost more, BUT it will be a 5-speed. Both cars make great NA-T candidates, although the 93 is screaming for a GTE swap. I'm torn on what to do, as both cars have serious potential, and are bargains IMO.


HELP! What would you do and why? And I don't wanna hear the "BUY THE 5-SPEED AND DO THIS" nonsense. I already have a plan in place for each. I just want to know what you'd do in terms of purchase, and your justifications for each. Keep in mind that if I wanted a junkyard GTE swap with garbage interior and a ratty body, I would have done that to my current parts car.

 

Get them both, put the 5 speed in the 97, put the auto in the 93 and sell the 93 for what you paid for it.

 

get the 5 speed, and use your parts car to make it better

 

then sell it

 

instead of buying both for $5000....and end up spending even more for a turbo....get the 97 for 4k then spend another 1500 for the gte swap and your golden...your car already has the 97 body, it looks nice and interior is nice. The car would be mint after the gte swap in the 97...this will save you time and money. Plus you said you already have another sc parts car so you don't need to buy another parts car(93 sc). Go for the 97

 

building my red/tan sc to blk/blk was a pain in the ***. you def. want the 97 car! time is money.

 

the 97 and go with the 1jz 5pd vvti

 

97 with nice interior is my vote.... been through 3 sc300s take it from me switching parts back n forth is a nightmare.

 

Get the 97!!

 

I'm definitely leaning towards the 97, although if I did I would NOT go the 1J route (I wouldn't go the 1JZ route with either car). It's just a tough choice between the 2, as in truth they are VERY different projects.

The 97 offers comforts that the 93 lacks in its current state, but the already-5 speed-equipped 93 provides a better performance platform from the start, and on a cheaper budget. At the end of the day though, I suppose I need to decide what is most important in the here-and-now. Comfort and Reliability, or Enjoyment and Modability. I don't feel as though either car is a losing situation.

The more I type, the more I find myself trying to talk myself into the cheap-*** 5-speed car, as I feel like I can nitpick about the things I want to change and not feel guilty about it. For example, I personally adore the 92-96 stock body with the OEM lip, as long as the car is on a quality suspension set up and nice wheels. 97's tend to be more forgiving, as they are aesthetically pleasing without needing too much rice-boy flare. I can make interior changes to the 93 without wasting a perfectly good, near-mint interior. I can also do just about anything (ie build my spare GE motor for high boost levels, or do a straight GTE swap w/w58, or r154, or v160, or v161, etc) without limiting myself in the transmission department. I'd rather not hack holes in the firewall when I don't know if in the long run this will be a drag car or a true track car.

Ahhhhhh the choices....

 

^^^ cheaper = better

say no to drilling the firewall

cheaper car = more money to mods

hahaha gl

 

SOOOOO, just an update. I spoke to both owners again today, trying to schedule something for later this week because everyone is going ape***** over the 1" of snow we got here, and are refusing to leave their homes. The 5-speed car is now $3500, after one of his buddies told him how rare they are. So, I called the owner of the 97, who happened to be in Fayetteville over the weekend....
Long story short, I put a deposit down on the 97, and it will be going under the knife in its new garage as of next weekend.

I got an insane deal because of both my job and my enthusiasm for SCs. I guess a BL TH400 is in my future.

 

^^^ wack that they jacked up the price!

 

congrats on the new ride.. post pics before u start dissecting if you get the chance

 

I agree w I shootstuf