Deciding on 97 SC300 5spd purchase
05-31-13, 04:48 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: GA
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Deciding on 97 SC300 5spd purchase
I've had my eye out for awhile for a clean 97 SC300 5 speed. I recently came across this video comparing the 97 SC300 against the 97 Buick Riviera.
This video really opened my eyes. I cannot believe I had my sights set on a 97 SC300. These cars both have excellent styling but as the video points out the Riviera really wins in comfort, convenience, and value. I am convinced it truly is a better balanced car.
I'm now looking for a 97 Buick Riviera. If anyone can recommend some good coilovers and wheels please let me know.
This video really opened my eyes. I cannot believe I had my sights set on a 97 SC300. These cars both have excellent styling but as the video points out the Riviera really wins in comfort, convenience, and value. I am convinced it truly is a better balanced car.
I'm now looking for a 97 Buick Riviera. If anyone can recommend some good coilovers and wheels please let me know.
05-31-13, 05:43 PM
#3
I'd take a clean Riveria if it came my way - it's way easy to make a factory supercharged car much faster. There just aren't many left worth owning anymore. I picked up a 1-owner 2000 Continental as my DD and it's mint -- and has an intake & tuner 
05-31-13, 10:21 PM
#5
I have to wonder if this promotional video really swayed anyone to the Buick at the time.
The only thing I'll give the Riviera was that it did have some nice looks for the time and as MooJohn stated, they had a factory supercharger option. The 3800 Series II Supercharged engines aren't in the class of the 2JZ-GTE or 1JZ-GTE, nor do they have the overbuilt qualities of the 2JZ-GE's but stock for stock you could get more juice out of them more easily. Pulley changes for more boost were all the rage for a while.
But chassis for chassis... it's very funny. A RWD luxury car with a manual or auto vs a front-drive Buick with only an automatic. Even in 1997 I knew the difference even if the Lexus had less horsepower. I'd like to believe that most people did at the time unless they weren't in the market for an expensive Lexus coupe. There was still this black elephant in the room in 1997 called the discontinued Grand National. Most people didn't know it had existed but they were still occasionally seen on used car lots back then. And to replace that timeless refrigerator shaped missile we got FWD Regals and Rivieras.
The only thing I'll give the Riviera was that it did have some nice looks for the time and as MooJohn stated, they had a factory supercharger option. The 3800 Series II Supercharged engines aren't in the class of the 2JZ-GTE or 1JZ-GTE, nor do they have the overbuilt qualities of the 2JZ-GE's but stock for stock you could get more juice out of them more easily. Pulley changes for more boost were all the rage for a while.
But chassis for chassis... it's very funny. A RWD luxury car with a manual or auto vs a front-drive Buick with only an automatic. Even in 1997 I knew the difference even if the Lexus had less horsepower. I'd like to believe that most people did at the time unless they weren't in the market for an expensive Lexus coupe. There was still this black elephant in the room in 1997 called the discontinued Grand National. Most people didn't know it had existed but they were still occasionally seen on used car lots back then. And to replace that timeless refrigerator shaped missile we got FWD Regals and Rivieras.
Last edited by KahnBB6; 05-31-13 at 10:26 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
