Hey everyone,

just thought I'd say hello. Ive been visiting the forums for a bit but recently joined because I bought a black 98 SC400 in January. It is my first ever car purchase but I think it's a good one, though my friends and family are split on the decision.

I had it checked out by a friend who is a certified Toyota technician, and everything seemed ok except for a few things that would have to get fixed ( alignment which turned out to be a front right caliper, rear suspension and the power steering pump)

So far I took care of the caliper which drastically bumped up my mpg average.

heres a few pics





With my buddy's Silver 96 sc400.





Im not sure if i want to mod it, my toyota mechanic is very much against that saying that mods could potentially throw stuff off. Another friend who used to have a WRX STI till he crashed it also said this car needs no mods.

So as of now idk if i wanna do anything other that what needs to be done n some minor interior work that isn't a must but is bugging me.

Oh i almost forgot, my spoiler brake light is burnt up. I was wondering if any of you knew where or how to get a new one for a fair price? With my mechanics Toyota discount, he can get the light from lexus for $480!!! which is ridiculous becuase i can get my suspension and ps pump fixed for that much and have money left over.

let me know what you guys think

-Emu

 

98 sc400 ... your friends n family who disagree should be slapped ... thats the only year 98-00 sc400 i would buy (you gain so many more bonus vs older sc400 come with less HP, no gated shifter, etc). Good find. You have a great reliable 290hp car that will last you 300,000+ miles no shame in that

You need a new spoiler brake light? hit up (pm) aliga he has used lexus parts off alot of scX00s.

mods? sc400 all you need is rims and coilovers. body kit is optional. btw welcome! im jealous i always wanted a 98+ sc400 =)

 

congrats on the ride. and for the spoiler light, ask around in the classified-I'm sure youll find one for much less than that.

 

good looking SC, and like elite said the 98-00 400's are the best bet..and Aliga is the man when it comes to good used SC parts

and as for mods, I think your toyota mechanic may be confused...a simple set of shocks/springs or coilovers, wheels and good exhaust wont hurt a thing..except maybe your mechanics feelings after you prove him wrong

 

Nice to see another clean SC show up. Where did you pick it up from?

And about modding. Mod = Showing your car love if done right. It is entirely up to you if you want to mod the car or not. If you have the money to put into it and it is something that interests you. Go for it. I don't know why your friend says mod's will throw your car off.



Oh, Where are you located in IL?

 

OF course, modding a car will inevitably effect some sort of reliability associated with a stock, completely factory car.

However, if you do it right, you can minimize negative effects. For example, the ride won't be as plush as Lexus intended with aftermarket suspension, but that's why they make adjustable sets. Lower profile tires will add a harsher ride and bumps in the road will be more apparent as well.

Lower ride height will affect your driving by means of needing to angle into driveways and over speed bumps. Tires can possibly rub the inner fender wells over dips and hard turns, as well as the fender lips when the car leans. All very minor things, but definitely good examples of how modding changes a car's characteristics.

Then engine mods... When you get really into it, there's not a single person with a moderately to heavily modded drive train that would consider their car as reliable as stock. Day to day, sure. But in the long run, you'll be making adjustments to little things, etc, etc... Again, nothing bad, just part of the game.

Nice car, and congrats. It's a great first car purchase. My SC400 was my first car and I've since bought a 740iL, 3.2TL, TDI Jetta, an Explorer, and a few POS Tauruses. I still have the SC400, if that tells you anything about how great a car it is.

 

good pick up!

 

I bought a spoiler brake light from aliga that doesn't fit in my aftermarket spoiler. He guaranteed it to work perfectly and I haven't touched since I got it in the mail. PM me if interested.

Nice car BTW, identically in every way to mine.

 

nice ride.

 

I think you should drive it for awhile and simply fix all the mechanical things first. Then maybe in the future start modding.. Rims, tires, shocks, BFI, springs, exhaust.. Just little things, but helps out also on the looks and the MPG's. Thats my 2 cents.. Nice pick up and find. Welcome to CL.

 

Welcome to CL.. Great looking SC..

 

im in chicago