Well, I thought that instead of getting an opinion from some of my close buddies who know nothing about cars to begin with, I'd ask some knowledgable people who know what they're talking about. I have a 1993 Lexus SC400. Champagne Exterior/Beige Interior. The car only has 63K on it. So the question I pose is simple... Would any of you, if in my position, either sell the car or put in a good amount of money and make it even better then it already is. I, myself, am leaning toward just making it better. I already have new mufflers, am looking into tint, and am replacing the audio on Tuesday. I guess I've really already answered the question myself but I just wanted to see what everyone else thought. I like others input beside my own.

 

With only 63k miles...you are better off keeping it. Nobody is going to give you what the cars worth.

Gets some wheels, lower it, new stereo, tint, and spend some on servicing the car to last you another 200k miles.

MW

 

Go the full service route. Maybe think about doing whatever is needed to 'restore' or improve to mae it more sporty and luxorious.

 

That car is still a cherry with 63k on it.

 

damn i wish my car still had 63k on my car. The car will last u forever but now that i'm looking back on it, if i didn't put all the money i used to mod my lex, i would have had a lot of money to put a good down payment on a new car. Do i regret spending all this money??? I'll get back to u on that when i get my car back from the body shop this week. God damn it's gonna look fine w/ kitted out!


khang

 

Renew your joy of the car by modifying it. Trust me, it works. My friends drive 2000 CLK320, 2002 WRX, 2001 M3 TT, 1999 Cobra 351, 1998 GS400, and a laundry list of others. I sustain my happiness by buying new stuff for my own car. You can make a 1993 SC400 look finer and sexier than 95% of the car on the road today with the right mods. Try things like reupholstering interior, a completely new stereo system, wheels and springs, new paint job, new body kit, or even things as simple as Manaray's wood trim steering wheel group buy, or HIDs, a nice dark tint. I also find it revitalizing to allocate one full day to detailing my car top to bottom, inside out, and when I'm done, popping in a nice smelling air freshener . Also, try a major service overhaul like a 60k and tell the mechanic to check out some minor issues that have been bugging you over the years.

I figure you'll spend just as much if not more money buying a new newer car and then what? You'll be happy driving it the first few months, but you'll still have a boring stock car and the cycle of buying and selling will continue until you're out of money---aka leasing .

 

I respect my car more and more everyday,

especially when I drive someone else's car,

I realize my car is much better than most of the others

Theres too much effort put into my car to actually think about buying another car

 

Bone,

Think about this: What would it take in a new (or near new) car to make you really feel good - and then figure out what it will cost you. For me the answer was in the $30K range - that's a monthly payment (over 5 years) of $575!

I don't know about you - but that's a lot of dough - especially for an "asset" that depreciates like hell. If you spent a few thousand, you can fix everything that bothers you - shocks, leather, paint, etc.

Look at it this way - if you spent $5K in maintance/mods and it kept you happy enough to keep your car one more year, you would be better off than making payments on a $20K car during the first year.

Remember, you like myself have an older SC - they have been depreciated to a point where they are worth more to us than what you can get for it (assuming you know your car well, etc). It is a very clean looking car with classic lines that stands the test of time. In most cases - you are better off financially fixing up the SC and driving it a few years (even if you assume you get nothing back on what you put in) if it prevents you from going out there and getting into something that empties your pockets every month.

I can't wait until my wife gets her Range Rover (no comments from the LX470 people please) so I can drive her current car and send mine to the shop for a few weeks and make it look like new.

Hope this helps.
Ryan

 

I'm a poor college student whose account balance is always fluctuating dangerously on the edge, so for me this car is perfect: it's extremely reliable, it's fun to drive, it's comfortable, it's bodystyle is timeless, most people still jock it, and I already know enough about it to feel comfortable trying new things here and there. I will drive this thing until it dies. If it doesn't die I'll keep it and after 20 years it will become a coveted classic car. I don't think there will ever be a time in the future when this car will be considered ugly, which is more than I can say for 95% of the cars on the road.

 

I also drive an earlier SC and I also have the same thoughts as you all the time. "Hmmm, should I buy a new car or fix the Lex??"" I still havent figured it out. Fortunately my car is practically in mint condition. I bought it from a older doctor who had it just as an extra car in the garage. It was parked next to his GS430, and has newer ls 400. So you can imagine how pleased I was to buy it. I have pretty much decided to keep it because insurance is very reasonable on it. The car runs like it is a 2000 and still looks very nice. Fortunately for me, there is no "getting my car back to original stage", it's already there. Its actually amazing how many people compliment me on it (not being egotistical ). Like Lex400sc said, Im a college student also, so money doesnt just grow on trees, you can still be very happy with an older SC.

Considering I will probaly keep the Lexus, I want to buy another toy. Just dont know what yet. Bike, boat, jetski, etc., etc., etc.

I think I just have a problem where I need something new every 6 months.