Ive always loved the sc line....but now Im doing my homework so I can purchase one. Sold the Rx7, sold the 240, the civic is for sale soon, clearing out all my toys, for one night sc and a gsxr 750. Now I just have a few basic questions for now...Im sure I'll have a grip more to ask later, just be patient with me, thanks.


Other then motor size, and transmission, are there any other differences between teh sc300 and the sc400....do they both have all the same options (heated seats...etc etc). I want very single option avalible....but I dont want a 8cyl.

You guys with Sc's .... is it weird driving an automatic car ? Ive always driven 5spd, and Im worried driving a lexus auto would feel weird...then again Im not gonna mod this for power, just for me to cruise in, do you get use to it ? I live in Baltimore City, and Ive always hated traffic in my other cars in 5spd....but then again I love blasting down a strip or highway downshifting and crackin into it......gimme your opinions and pro's and con's of both Types of transmissions.....Thanks in advance

 

Welcome to ClubLexus and good luck in your search!

About 10% of the 92-97 SC300's were 5speeds - none after '97 - and a stock SC3 auto has 225hp, and the car is a little heavier than the V8 - about 3700lbs - it is not exactly a rocket. People love the SC3 because it's so mod-able, sharing an engine with the Supra, and the auto (same auto trans in both cars) is strong enough to handle serious hp -

You don't want to mod for power, you are fed up with driving a stickshift in traffic - - why don't you want a V8?

The 1UZ-FE is a magnificent V8. I have a '93 SC4, and it has all the grunt I need (until there's a supercharger kit available - there's a group in Australia working on one) and it is soooo smooth, and the motor is rocksolid reliable. Gas mileage is pretty good (I get 21-24 mpg hwy, 18-21 mpg city).

Anyway, I'd say don't rule out the V8. And the auto trans is also very smooth, I admit it's different than a stick when you're driving it aggressively, but you adjust to it - plus, with the V8, the power range is so wide that 2nd gear gives you what you need from 20 to about 60 mph. You'll see when you drive one - -

 

Agreed...This V8 kicks A$$. I luv it. Its got lots of power and its loud but not too loud when driving hard. Its a lot of fun. Its great to have in traffic. I used to drive home in really heavy traffic but its fun. The sound system is awesome and driving down empty streets is a feeling like no other in this car. Its pretty bada$$ if you're not planning on modding it. dont expect this to be a RX-7 or anything but I guarantee you'll love the SC line.

 

I was lookn at the sc300 rather then 400, for the reasons of insurance...Im not 25 yet so my insurance wont give me breaks, its bad enough having a luxury car in Baltimore City. Also it would be cheaper.....can I get all the availible options of the 400 in the 300 ? Like heated seats and stuff ? Im not lookn for performance out of this car at all, Ive done that up, and in a few years I'll buy a sports car again, to be honest the lexus is gonna get the whole "Jiggy" treatment with big chromes and and a nice stereo, perhaps even a Tv or two....Ive never owned a "Luxury" car before, and the sc300 is so sleek and smooth lookn, very classy, so I chose it as opposed to the GS or ES line....

 

I see your point insurance-wise, so find a clean sc3, yes they come with all the goodies although the spoiler is rare on the earlier ones, heated seats and traction control were bundled as a "winter driving" option, imo don't sweat the level of stereo, they are all weak, the moonroof was an option but most cars have them, pretty much everything else is standard.

 

Yeah, stereo doesnt matter to me....taht will come out, got my eyes on Alpine in dash LCD, with the changer/mp3, navigation to dvd, two independent tv's for the headrests, looked into the sprewell rims .... how well do 20"s fit on the sc ? how wide can I go on a lexus as far as wheel and tires

 

dig around in the wheels forum...

 

...or in the SC Suspension subforum. My 17s are 9.5 in the rear, but again they are only 17s . There are a couple of guys with dubs here, and they all fit well with lowered suspension. There is some very minor rubbing when you have the wheel fully turned out, but it isn't anything to worry about because you aren't turning your wheel all the way out too often. You can always roll the fender to fix the problem permanently.

I would suggest you get the V8. Insurance companies dock all cars with over 200hps anyway. The V8 can sound very mean with exhaust and girls do jock the "400-factor". I just fear for your sake that a stock SC300 rolling on heavy *** chrome 20s with a fat entertainment system and subs in the trunk won't pull like you want it to.

As far as options, I haven't heard of too many SCs with LSD. The Nak system is good for stock, but doesn't satisfy me, so if I were you I wouldn't hold the premium sound package too high on your priority list. One thing I miss is traction control and heated seats. Not sure how often I'd ever use them, but I do wish I had it.

Oh one difference is that the SC300 comes with 15"s stock and the SC400 16"s. That's about it.

 

I am a newbie also. I just bought my SC. I went through the same decision, i thought i wanted a SC300 5spd until i drove one.

It did not have the ***** i thought it would. I test drove an SC400 right after test driving the 5spd and knew instantly that i wanted the V8. It was much smoother, quieter and faster.

Unless you have the $$ to do the turbo, go with the V8. I spent my money on getting the newest i could afford, rather than upgrading an old SC300 5spd.

I love my car and am very pleased so far. I have only had it a couple days and this is my first post......

here is the link to pics of my car:

http://www.fototime.com/inv/C2C7385A9E9C493

 

Uh oh,
uh oh, uh oh, uh oh
uh, oh

Here comes the hammer.

 

yep, glad to be here also...
this site help me a lot in my search.....
sorry wrong link, its fixed now.....

 

Welcome to CL hammer. Renaissance Red, a nice rare find. So is a 5-speed for that matter. You car looks pristine from the headlights, to the paint, down to the very wheels. You guys seem to have all the good SCs over there in Texas...

 

thanks,
i looked far and wide and just happened to find it in Austin. The car is a one owner and was most likely a second (or third) car that stayed in the garage. I just could not pass it up.

Now i just have to take care of it and i'm sure it will take care of me!

 

AWJ has jokes too!! that was funny!

Nice car Hammer, congrats and welcome


AWJ......where in KY are you?

 

Hammer, where in Austin are you? I was born in raised in North Austin (Wells Branch). Texas is awesome, too bad I've been conditioned to San Francisco's Mediterranean climate, I can't take the arid Austin heat anymore .