Two reasons:

1) California smog

2) California smog

I agree that the Legacy looks too much like a Camry. That's why I bought an SC instead. However, since I have very modest horsepower goals anyway it does make more sense to just go with a car with a factory turbo engine. If I wanted 700-800hp in a daily driver then the SC is the car to go with hands down. I only want 300-400 CRANK horsepower. A -GTE anything is very financially feasible in ANY other state than California.

I don't want to be hassled for lack of emissions equipment doing it cheaper than full USDM, since if anything happens I simply may not have the time (or energy) to swap an entire drivetrain back into my car.

 

Im really loving everyones take on all of this and KahnBB6 makes a good point. IF your SC gets hit, it might just be time to say goodbye. That would suck to put 5k into boost or other areas of the car only for it to get totaled if you got hit. I guess it is truly to each there own when it comes to modifying cars. The only reason I got concerned with all of this is because I drive the oldest car out of all of my friends. They are all running around in Subarus, Tibs, and Nissans. I seen a boosted SC in Orlando sell for 13k and it was NA-T so you can get money for these cars you just cant settle and give it away.

 

I just tell myself that I'm never going to let go of it...

 

Umm you do know I live in ca and I pass smog like a champ with my gte lol as for car wise why not just get a bimmer 330 tt then?

 

If I dont get what I want when it comes time to sell Im pulling the motor and putting an NA 2j in it to sell closer to market value. Then hang on to the engine till I get the itch for boost again. No reason to waste such a freshly built turbo motor.

 

I did not know that, no. I think it must vary from person to person out here.

A BMW 335i (couldn't find a 330-TT listed for the USA) starts at $42k MSRP. I'd love to be able to afford one of those.

I bought an SC because my last car was wrecked and I needed a car. I happened on it and liked it. I also refused another ten years of owning a front-driver even if it were a newer car. I didn't want to do financing either. The style, character of handling and the drivetrain all appealed to me and I already knew about their close relation to the Supra and legendary high mileage reliability.

lex1220 -- You're in Florida and you have none of the looming issues with emissions that I do (got to love the home state exerting good sense there). As for replacement coverage, I highly recommend State Farm. I've been with them for fifteen years. When I first got the SC300 and before doing any preliminary fixes, reconditioning or parts swaps I asked they insure me for the going market value for SC300 5-speeds in my area, NOT the KBB or similar values. I showed them my bill of sale for far more than their valuation figures. I gave them the few SC 5-speed classified ads listed that week and also got them everything I could find on 5-speed production numbers compared to SC300 automatics and SC400's. They accepted my stated insured value, so I kept the car. They honored all my modification receipts for my last car when it was totaled. I suspect this may also have more to do with the fact that I've been with them for so long.

 

What I was making reference to is the fact say I smash my quarter panel I doubt im finding an OEM one and I highly doubt im finding one from a clip thats in anyway half way decent condition. Tonight we all went out riding the courtney cambel and I was loving the sc, it was like falling in love just how smooth it rides.

 

These cars are predominately cars for older people.

There are really only 2 people who would buy an sc300/400, people who want to modify the car and drive the **** out of it, and people in their 50s who want a lexus.

The former will most likely be fine with buying a modified car, especially one with a manual transmission, the latter wants an auto and every luxury option they can get.