Hi. I need some advice.

I have a 1995 SC300, standard transmission, all original, with 155K miles. Red, with tan interior. All maintenance is up to date. One of my sons was driving it, and I recently re-inherited it. It is mechanically sound, and runs like a top. I want to get it back to mint original condition. I am not interested in doing a bunch of after market modifications.

It has torn leather on the drivers seat, and the other seats are just aged and cracked. It also has multiple small dents/dings, and paint chips on the exterior. Also, the driver's rear light cover is broken, and needs to be replaced.

I got a couple of body shop bids to completely redo the exterior. One bid was for $3800.00, and the other was $4600.00. Do these bids seem to be high? I don't want to over spend on this car, but it would be fun to have it back to show room condition.

I am looking at the Clazzio slip on seat covers, and also at the leatherseats.com replacement covers. It would seem that perhaps the slip on leather covers would be easier to do myself, less expensive, and entirely adequate for my purpose.

Finally, I need a new shifter **** and boot, along with a new emergency brake boot. The leather is worn on the top of the steering wheel, but the rest of the steering wheel is mint. Can I buy replacement wheel leather covers that would match the factory original??

I am in the Hot Springs, Arkansas area.

Thanks in advance for any advice/recommendations, etc.

 

those prices do seem a little high for a repaint of the same color and to remove some dings im not sure bout your area but in florida you could good get a repaint of the same color for half of wht you quoted and it would look like glass....unless those prices are to change teh color i wouldnt pay 4000 for a repaint of the same color.

 

very high and redoing the interior yourself aint bad. leatherseats.com has real good replacement kits and have done a few of those. they provide you an install kit, which they sell, however the process is time consuming. if u have the time, or dont mind driving with some of your seats, id say do it.

 

Those prices for paint are way too high! I hear the leatherseats.com is really good and I think they make emergency brake boots.

 

Sadly, blue book on these cars is quite low. In my zip code, blue book on your car AFTER you restore it is only $4500. I totally understand that may be meaningless to you if you just wanted it fixed up for yourself, but in the end, you'll take a loss.

Just something to keep in mind.

 

Go to a junk yard that has an SC, take whatever is in better condition from that car and put it on yours. Also, there is a parts vendor on here who specifically does SC's. I'm sure he'd be able to help you out if you ask for specifically "like new" parts. His username is 'Aliga'
Also, no you need a whole new steering wheel.

 

if i paid 4800 for a paint job it better come with a damn 2jzgte...seriously way to high!!!!!

 

Agreed 4800$ should get you a top notch show room candy paint super gloss metallic pearl space age finish---which of course you dont need.

I think $2000.00 is plenty to get a good paint job done--that is unless you have some serious body work to do ---which it doesnt seem to be the case.

Good luck on your restoration.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I was thinking more along the $2K range for a paint job, too. I'll post some pics when when I get it all done. First, I've got to find a body shop that doesn't want a mint to repair the dings and paint the car.

 

lol too funny. So right too

 

i dont think its worth it to restore it to showroom condition