Hey everyone! I'm looking at my first Lexus, and it's a 1999 SC400, 99K miles, Black on Black. No Nakamichi, no heated seats, no traction control. Issues are these: Salvage title (rear end damage back in 2000, so 11 years of driving after the salvage, I'm not too worried since I'm buying for consumption and not resale). The seller says the "amp and cd changer are bad" and he has replacements he hasn't installed yet. The ECT button is missing, owner says because the top and spring popped off, so he removed it (anyone know where I can buy one?) and the climate control screen is, well, you know. Also, his brother was the first owner, he bought it from him not long ago, probably realized the timing belt was going to cost him and is selling it, so yes, it needs the timing belt service done. He is asking $6000, seems firm, but I feel that with those issues, I can work him down a bit. If I could work him down to $5500 would that be decent? Or should I be worried about the ect button missing and such? Do I need to drive it straight to the shop and do the Timing belt service or can I go 3-5K miles while I save a little to have it done?

Input is appreciated, I need a car that is going to last me another 120K miles, and low mileage sc's are VERY hard to find in my area. Most come from the bay area and are bought my ghetto folks and beat hard / never maintained.

Thank You,
Scott

 

1999 sc400 is amazing if you found one, but reguardless salvage title.. shouldnt be 6k.. if its never been serviced at all up at 99k.. I would do a full tune up, I myself would pay 5k max for it if you cant even tell its been in an accident and the motor is good.

 

So I should shoot for $5k regardless of the missing button and stereo if the body is nice (which it is) and motor is good. Also, it has the older four spoke steering wheel, aren't the '99's supposed to have the 3 spoke if I'm not mistaken?

 

For a 1 year old car to get a salvage title that must have been a bad accident..

 

Ya I'd thought about that...
I can't say for 100% sure, that's just what I found on quick free vin check online, it could be wrong. I shouldn't be that cheap and go for a real carfax.

 

i say go for it! and yea you can probably drive another 10k without a belt change. mine was changed at 114k in my 94

 

http://stockton.craigslist.org/cto/2241815861.html Here it is.

 

I believe that's a 98, not a 99. That has a four spoke steering wheel, not a three spoke like 99-00's should have.

 

Ya I've actually heard of people going to 180K and having them hang on by threads, but I'm not going that route, especially with it being an interference motor. Just hoping the bank says yes (personal loan since it's salvage) and there are no huge red flags. I'm gonna shoot for $5300, I'm sure he'll counter at $5700, maybe $5500 will meet. He says he has other offers but money talks.

 

That's what I was thinking, however I ran the VIN with my insurance company, and a few other websites and it shows up as a '99, maybe it's a really early model, but lexus doesn't strike me as a company that would do the half-year change type of thing.

 

yes 99 's are supposed to have the wheel-------my guess is the original wheel was damaged in the first accident-and they cheaped out and bought an older model.--meaning this was a very severe accident

the vvt engine is an interference engine----it is not wise to play russian roulette with it.

This car needs to be checked out by an experianced mechanic before any money is exchanged.

Be very weary on this one.

Aside from that a 99 sc400 is a real gem. especially with the low mileage

 

Salvage title for 6K? Pass, even if it is a BLK/BLK 99SC4

 

Junk, look at the front bumper, the paint is falling off the bottom of it. PASS.

 

I have to agree on this one. I would pass, unless you can get for than 4K with that salvage title. My buddy bought a 98 witha couple of issues, but it was lowered and had rims. It also had 198K. He paid 4500 for it here in Bama.

 

thats 100k more than this one. lol