So guys just wondering what are the options and year models I should be after for the SC3 platform.

For example, I looking at 1996 right now, timing job at 111k and it has 160k... has light brown interior, updated dash?; straight body garage kept has the little air diffuser on the trunk and uhm I dont remember if it had fog lights, adult owned and maintained, would this be a good buy?


Also fellas how hard would it be to add more wood on the inside? shift ****/steering wheel and any other trim in wood?

Plans for the car ATM is getting it detailed to the max, keeping up with all aspects of maintenance, replace busted oem speakers and get an alarm... then next year some VIP wheels and coilovers...

thanks guys.

edit: tramline question: all the people running 18x10 with +20 offset and similar set ups... do your cars not tramline?

 

Year and options depends on your plans, and your plans as far as I can tell is just a clean stock SC. If you were going turbo I believe you'd want a 95 or older. In that case I would really try to get a 98+ strictly because the body kit, exterior and interior upgrades. If I could I would buy a 2000 SC 300 or 400 in a heart beat, but only if it had black interior, and my wallet was a bit bigger.

After my tan interior....I knew I needed black with my next one and I wouldn't settle for less. It was just too hard to keep clean, mainly because of my job, but thats another story. Black hides imperfections much better, and the cockpit when driving just pops that much more imo, I love it.

I just bought a 96, because the price was right. The service history was perfect all from Lexus, the interior was black and in perfect condition. The mileage is only at 117. I couldn't pass it up for $2600, especially considering it was and is my favorite color, Platinum Metallic.

As far as adding wood goes...you will see a common Gated Shifter Swap...not cheap or easy...but very doable. Also CarID sells wood dash kits for our car, but from what I've seen in pictures is that it doesn't match very well and is a little on the thick side. I will purchase it soon for my own judgement, but more importantly is getting everything 1000% mechanically smooth. Don't make the mistake of upgrading audio before mechanics.

 

i agree with biddles, mechanics before makeovers!

gated shifter swaps are not hard but theyre costly, im currently doing mine. good luck and keep us updated on your decision.

 

Damn it they say to never fall in love at first site or with the first car you see!

I guess I'll try to find a 98+.

What are the major differences between the 96 and the 98+ ? H.I.D.'s? Power Seat Traction Control etcetera. This is important.
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In the long run sometimes you spend more money trying to be cheap. I plan on swapping the steering wheel with the RX wheel so a 98+ would save on the airbag.

But yeah, fellas, I don't intend to race this car or to slam it to uncomfortable status... I am after all trying to keep the ladies comfortable.

I may or may not buy the SC that I am currently looking at. But the paint and body, oem wheels, glass and interior are in very good shape since its been garaged and adult owned for over 17 years. So that may actually be worth it since it is also has a timing belt job.

I have no clue what it may lack in suspension/steering maintenance but that's another can of worms and a bridge I will cross when I get there.

 

if not hard why haven't you done yours yet? Not costly, just having to rewire it is the most complicated

 

Look at the 97+ SC's the front an rear bumpers are different, taillights have been updated, it has sideskirts. Now from 98-2000 come the gated shifter and the VVT-I feature which is what I'm truly aiming for, just because it gets errrr gas mileage and the vvti sc400 had 290hp and still gets around 25isj mpg if I recall correctly. Since I also planned to go 97+ aero on my 93 before I decided to spend te extra grand for a 98+ because it saves me money on paint, body work, and I get the vvti and gated shifter i want

 

This^^^ Increased HP and Gas Mileage.... Updated exterior/interior. But finding a 99/00 model is a challenge, especially on a budget.

And another reason I didn't do the gated shifter yet isn't just the wiring or dishing out the money for a perfect condition replacement, it's more because I hate taking any type of interior pieces apart in my car. I did that stuff in my other car, and afterwards when I would drive I would hear a lot of creaks/cracks etc... These old plastic pieces don't hold up so well after being disassembled and since my interior is mint....best to just leave it alone for now.

Good luck with your search, the car you found seems pretty good honestly. How much are they asking?

 

SCPAULO
SC4o0
Biddles
thanks guys

They are asking $4200 but I'm not budging passed 3K for even the nicest and cleanest soarer I see. And in all honesty this car is in great shape so even at 3k I would'nt feel like I lost on the deal.

Well I guess I am also going to look at 98+ v8s since I was not looking at the V8s... More VIP status lol. Thanks fellas Ill be back when I get the soarer.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/4096598631.html

obviously; while this car is great; Im not fallinf in love with the first car I see. 4200 is steep I wouuld fork a max of 2400-2800 bones for one like this. Is that being too cheap ?

 

Pre 97 SC's tend to be cheaper because they are often a lot more worn down and lack the stuff that 98+ SC's have. I wouldn't bother with a 97 SC unless it was a pretty good deal and reasonably priced because other than the body kit its no different than the years before. 98+ however has DRL and VVT-i, 99+ gets the preforated seats and 3 spoke steering wheel, and the SC400 got 5 speed auto as opposed to 4 speed auto for every other SC that wasn't manual.

 

I see u live in the Dallas area based on the Craigslist posting that u put up. I jus sent u a pm

 

I leave near.

 

would you go away! lol

 

its nearly impossible to find a 2000 sc, i saw one for sale a few months ago, pearl white sc3, 88,000 miles for 7,000$. now that i think about it, pretty good deal!

 

So I was thinking; How much does a 1999 Toyota Soarer Go For???$$$$
I see JDM happening....

 

For a Soarer imported ill def pay to play.