1997 SC300 worth buying at this time?
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1997 SC300 worth buying at this time?
First off,
I know how to search, and I'm not a newb (to CL, Lexus, or forums in general).
I used to own a 2000 GS400, boy do I miss her
So I own a total of 5 cars. Just sold my 95 Acura Legend Coupe. I currently own a mint 95 Acura Legend sedan, 01 4-Runner, 01 Infiniti QX4, 05 Supercharged Monte Carlo SS, 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE with Nav.
I was looking to replace my 95 Legend Coupe with a more comfortable luxury coupe that wasn't going to break my bank-I decided on a mint SC300/SC400.
My issue is this.....I've already sunk $15k into my Legend Sedan (due to alot of different circumstances) but the car is absolutely excellent now. I then sunk $9k into the coupe and realizing I should cut my losses while I could, I sold the coupe for a decent price.
Now fast forward to today and now, I am wondering if buying an SC300/400 right now is worth it both economically and emotionally. I know it probably isn't worth it from an economical standpoint (and I know this from my current Legend money pit) but I feel the car might become an emotional attachment for me which I am looking for. (If I don't bond emotionally to my cars, theres no point in owning them IMHO)
I'm looking at a mint black on black SC300 with gold package. It has 120k, supposedly maintenance is all up to snuff by Lexus dealer recommedations (I know this needs to be verified). The car is rust free, dent free. The guy is asking $7500 but we'll negotiate that down
I guess what I'm wondering is, should I throw money into this car, should I find another GS400 to re-acquaint myself with or should I go big ***** and get an LS400 (which scares me even more maintenance wise).
My only issue with the GS400 was the vibration at highway speeds. I had 3 sets of OEM wheels, L-tuned OZ 17's, Bilstein struts, Eibach springs and I could not for the life of me rid the car of the horrid 50+mph shaking. The car only had 32k when I bought her, then sold her at 72k still with the same shake.
THis is me rambling and me just wondering....thanks for bearing with me. I'm a car nut!
I know how to search, and I'm not a newb (to CL, Lexus, or forums in general).
I used to own a 2000 GS400, boy do I miss her
So I own a total of 5 cars. Just sold my 95 Acura Legend Coupe. I currently own a mint 95 Acura Legend sedan, 01 4-Runner, 01 Infiniti QX4, 05 Supercharged Monte Carlo SS, 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE with Nav.
I was looking to replace my 95 Legend Coupe with a more comfortable luxury coupe that wasn't going to break my bank-I decided on a mint SC300/SC400.
My issue is this.....I've already sunk $15k into my Legend Sedan (due to alot of different circumstances) but the car is absolutely excellent now. I then sunk $9k into the coupe and realizing I should cut my losses while I could, I sold the coupe for a decent price.
Now fast forward to today and now, I am wondering if buying an SC300/400 right now is worth it both economically and emotionally. I know it probably isn't worth it from an economical standpoint (and I know this from my current Legend money pit) but I feel the car might become an emotional attachment for me which I am looking for. (If I don't bond emotionally to my cars, theres no point in owning them IMHO)
I'm looking at a mint black on black SC300 with gold package. It has 120k, supposedly maintenance is all up to snuff by Lexus dealer recommedations (I know this needs to be verified). The car is rust free, dent free. The guy is asking $7500 but we'll negotiate that down
I guess what I'm wondering is, should I throw money into this car, should I find another GS400 to re-acquaint myself with or should I go big ***** and get an LS400 (which scares me even more maintenance wise).
My only issue with the GS400 was the vibration at highway speeds. I had 3 sets of OEM wheels, L-tuned OZ 17's, Bilstein struts, Eibach springs and I could not for the life of me rid the car of the horrid 50+mph shaking. The car only had 32k when I bought her, then sold her at 72k still with the same shake.
THis is me rambling and me just wondering....thanks for bearing with me. I'm a car nut!
#2
7500 seems like a good deal, specially if it's blk/blk, however, economically, why would you need 5 cars? SC's are nice cars, but I've always wanted a GS as well. It's a tough choice.
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#9
I think I know the sc your talking about. I was considering it before I purchased my '99, and only didnt get it because it was across the continent from me lol.
But I'd have to agree with the others.. LETS SEE THIS LEGEND!!!
But I'd have to agree with the others.. LETS SEE THIS LEGEND!!!
#12
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haha...everyone wants to see my $15k money pit...I'll say this...
1) I'm strictly an OEM guy and because of such, parts are expensive
2) The sedan sits at 151k now. Everything in the car is new.. i.e. new paint with complete typical Honda cancer removal, JDM headlights with HID conversion kit, new GS rims from dealer, new Michelin primacy tires, new OEM suspension, new OEM ball joints, new OEM tie rods, new OEM control arms, new OEM axles, new OEM rack & pinion, new OEM head gaskets, new OEM coolant hoses, new OEM radiator, new OEM thermostat, ummm there's a bunch more I know I'm missing..but just to think OEM suspension is $2k alone at the Acura dealer. The GS wheels were $500 each at the same Acura dealer. (That's $4k alone)
3) My coupe sits at 98k and has my old Diamond Audio sound system from the famous Don aka Pearl96Max (I know he was on here at some point) which was valued at $10k-plus all new OEM stuff as well-just not as much as my sedan- only because I saw the coupe quickly becoming a money pit as well.
without further adue, here are pix:
with JDM's:
Coupe with my 4Runner:
Sonata & Legend Sedan (Casper) at my new house:
Coupe by herself when I first got her:
I think I'm gonna pass on it and just wait for a newer Lexus to purchase (probably an 02-04 GS430) I really don't want another old car to sit around the house. (The sad truth is, I wouldn't even be questioning myself if this car was pearl white-I'm an ABSOLUTE SUCKER for PEARL WHITE cars! lol )
1) I'm strictly an OEM guy and because of such, parts are expensive
2) The sedan sits at 151k now. Everything in the car is new.. i.e. new paint with complete typical Honda cancer removal, JDM headlights with HID conversion kit, new GS rims from dealer, new Michelin primacy tires, new OEM suspension, new OEM ball joints, new OEM tie rods, new OEM control arms, new OEM axles, new OEM rack & pinion, new OEM head gaskets, new OEM coolant hoses, new OEM radiator, new OEM thermostat, ummm there's a bunch more I know I'm missing..but just to think OEM suspension is $2k alone at the Acura dealer. The GS wheels were $500 each at the same Acura dealer. (That's $4k alone)
3) My coupe sits at 98k and has my old Diamond Audio sound system from the famous Don aka Pearl96Max (I know he was on here at some point) which was valued at $10k-plus all new OEM stuff as well-just not as much as my sedan- only because I saw the coupe quickly becoming a money pit as well.
without further adue, here are pix:
with JDM's:
Coupe with my 4Runner:
Sonata & Legend Sedan (Casper) at my new house:
Coupe by herself when I first got her:
I think I'm gonna pass on it and just wait for a newer Lexus to purchase (probably an 02-04 GS430) I really don't want another old car to sit around the house. (The sad truth is, I wouldn't even be questioning myself if this car was pearl white-I'm an ABSOLUTE SUCKER for PEARL WHITE cars! lol )
Last edited by NYLEGEND95; 09-08-10 at 04:44 AM.
#13
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I'm just going to throw this out there.. if it's an emotional attachment you're looking for, an SCx00 is the way to go. That said, factory parts are retardedly expensive from the dealer, so if you get a lemon, god help you.
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Acura has already raped me ridiculously without KY and I took it like a good lil bish lol......I remember my GS400 was G-d aweful on parts-when I had the bilsteins and eibachs installed, all 4 abs sensors were blown (during the install). Each sensor was like $700 from the lexus dealer but covered under my certification.
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Thats a nice size stable you got there. If you want a car you can really fall in love with. Test drive a few on your mind first. SCx00 are meant to be kept forever. You hardly see a nice one around now a days.
My ideal stable would be:
Fun Car - SC300
My Daily Car - ??? -
Wife's Car - ??? - if you have one
Family Car - ??? - if you have one lol.
4 Cars would be perfect + any toys on the side.. bikes/quads/boats
Fill in the blanks with whatever model you want =) Good luck. If you do buy it welcome! and pics!
Be prepared to spend money either way. Just updating the looks and making it clean will cost a few 1000s. Once you get into the motor and upgrades your past 10,000 mark easy on mods. lol
I easily have $20k+ in mine but its finished, so something to think about.
My ideal stable would be:
Fun Car - SC300
My Daily Car - ??? -
Wife's Car - ??? - if you have one
Family Car - ??? - if you have one lol.
4 Cars would be perfect + any toys on the side.. bikes/quads/boats
Fill in the blanks with whatever model you want =) Good luck. If you do buy it welcome! and pics!
Be prepared to spend money either way. Just updating the looks and making it clean will cost a few 1000s. Once you get into the motor and upgrades your past 10,000 mark easy on mods. lol
I easily have $20k+ in mine but its finished, so something to think about.
Last edited by eliteskill; 09-08-10 at 07:45 AM.