I have sold my gold SC300 about 5 year ago and gave my white SC400 to my son. The SC300 was okay but the Sc400 was just phenomenal until my son killed the car at 174K miles (by the way the car was running on the original timing belt).
Now I’m looking to buy another SC just because I like those cars (you can call it nostalgia). I came across of a dark blue 95 SC400 with only 54K miles. The car is in a good condition and the owner is willing to take $8.5K. Is the car worth this money or it is too much? Any comments will be very much appreciated.

 

I would say yes, but KBB says the car is only worth 8,100. I'd offer him 8k and see if he can meet you halfway, maybe like 8,250.

 

Yikes that's pretty high, but it's seriously low mileage... I'd say offer him 7k and see if he bites, or atleast comes down. I paid 6k for my 95 with 120k miles though, which is pretty high... but i paid for mine cuz it was super clean.

 

cant hurt to ask again to lower the price..

 

check it out in person if you havent already.. +1 on offering 7k

 

i couldn't imagine paying that much for a stock 95 SC400 or 300.

have you ever been in a newer SC? i've had two 95's and now a 97, the 99-00 SC400's are where it's at if you want a 400, 98's are great too, just don't get the nice 3 spoke steering wheel, but at least a 97 and up..

i'd rather pay 8k for a 97+ SC400 with over 100,000miles on it then pay 7k for a 95 with 54k.

i'd definetly consider the condition of a SC over the mileage, all 3 of my SC's have had over 100k on the clock but so well maintained they ran mint. My 97 right now has 172k and turbo'd the engine bay is clean, regular maintenance, and recent compression check everything was right within spec, the car is my daily and runs like a champ (knock on wood) lol..

a well maintained SC should go 300k easily.

sometimes low mileage older cars can be a bad thing anyways, now you have 15year old original parts on a car that would have normally had stuff replaced already, any bushings or balljoints could be dried or rotted, not always the case though of course.

I dunno just my opinion.

 

Higher mileage typically does not bother me if I can verify the service history. Cars are meant to be driven, and the only thing low miles does is increase the selling price...and probably increase your maintenance costs with some of the things Paco mentioned. That being said...I just paid 5k for my 87k mile 95 SC300 Limited Edition. Timing belt was done 10k miles ago...but that was also 5 years ago. So this car has done a LOT if sitting for the last 5 years which IMO is NOT a good thing. But I can make the claim that I have "low miles," for better or worse. I ALWAYS offer lower than what a seller is asking because as a buyer I increase the price that I want specifically for hagglers. That way the buyer feels like they got a deal and I get the money I really wanted in the first place. A car is worth whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Anywhere in the 7k-7500 range is where I'd like to be on that car.

I'm probably in the minority, but I like the look of the pre 96 SC's better. The chrome around the taillights and the front fascia of the 97+ SC's is not appealing to my eye. So I purposefully looked for pre 96. Money wasnt the object for me (not that I'm rich). I just wanted an EXCELLENT condition (especially interior) vehicle that has been properly maintained which is exactly what I got. So far I've spent $600 on the car. That got me new Wagner Thermoquiet brakes all the way around, a brand new used ECU to fix an overdrive issue, and 2009 IS350 wheels and tires.

 

isnt that what people usually pay for 98+ SCs, or swapped SCs....very low miles though

 

That's very true about the low mileage cars. All of the SC's I ran into with low mileage didn't have the 90k service done or the records to prove it. I ended up finding one, but sometimes you might be better off with one with a little higher mileage. I too like the pre 96 SC's better depending on the color or if it doesn't have the spoiler.

Try offering $7,000-$7,500 first. I would pay $8,000, but $7,000 sounds more reasonable since it isn't a 97+ SC. I never see SC's in my area with mileage that low, so I'd get it for that alone. Good luck with your decision!

 

Thank you very much to everyone for your comments. I used to have SC’s but it was long time ago so I lost my touch with these cars. Based on what I read I have decided to offer no more then $7.5. The owner originally wanted $10K but agreed to take $8.5K so chances are he will not take my offer. Its okay, I’m not desperate to buy this particular car (I would prefer black or white color). Hopefully I will be able to find some better deal on SC’s. Again thank you for your time and valid suggestions.

 

10k is insane, with the market the way it is today he'll be lucky to get 7k for a 95 in my opinion...

alot of people bought these cars when they where worth more, the truth is they have dropped alot in value and there are deals to be found all over with SC's.







I also like the 96 and older look of SC's, sometimes i really miss the look of my teal wingless 95 SC i had. But i must admit if i had to choose, i slightly prefer the 97+'s they just look much newer.. the interiors are definetly nicer on 97+ SCs..

 

lows miles for a 95