I've been looking at used SC 400s again(I'm the one who talked about wanting an SC 400, I'm 14). I don't think I can escape the temptation of buying a SC 400 for my first car. The prices for the SC 400s are decreasing as time goes by. I turn 15 on the 28th of this month. This means one more year till I get my licenses and maybe two years of work. That will be three years in all. The 2000 SC 400 will be 6 years old. If I buy a 2000 in 2006 that will be like buying a 97 now. Those are about 18,000 to 25,000.(guessing) Also the SC 400 is discontinued so the price for a newer model will be less.
I know I said that I was going to buy a cheap car for my first, but I can take my dads 1990 caravan for work and just save every dime. This will save me money and time if I drive the van. I want a Lexus to be my first exprience with cars. I just can't think of signing my name to a car that isn't the SC 400.

 

GL with it! You will be able to get your car no problems. Just remember that the running costs of the car are high. Maybe since you are young, buy a early SC... and then you can rip it apart, do what you want to it... fix it up, learn that way... and if you still like SC then get a newer one after grad and you will be able to do almost anything to it yourself. Also remember not much aftermarket for the 400s, so maybe get a 300... and it should be easier to work on as well. And be careful, when I was 17 I drove like a maniac and I wasn't as skilled as I was today... although its one of the safer cars, it does have pretty decent power for a young guy to get in trouble with.

 

I remember when I was your age wanting a Soarer here in Australia... well I got one as my first car, and it still impresses me... after over a year of ownership! Just remember as Pheonix said that they are a bit expensive to maintain, but hey that's part of owning a car.

Remember, please modify appropriately!

 

I know the SC 300 would be easier, but I feel the need for a V-8 Sports Coupe. Even though the SC 300 can make more power than the SC 400. Anyway I don't know what it is about this car that makes me so attracted. In Connecticut there aren't that many SCes in the area, but when I see one I just stare. Even if it's completely stock, which they usually are. I had the idea of buying a low mileage 2000 SC 400 and just pay it off as I worked. Because it doesn't get any newer than a 2000.(buying in 2006) I know I probably can't drive it for a while because I can't afford the insurance, but I had an idea of keeping in my garage and working on the car as I pay it off.

 

Well that kind of dedication and devotion is certainly admirable and I hope it all works out well for you. I say you use your dad's Caravan for the first year or two, to learn on. It's for you own good. No matter how good of a driver you think you are, the learning curve for everyone is huge for the first few years. Adding speed and power to the equation is not helpful either. I don't mean to sound like your father, but the last thing you want is to crash your SC400 dream car because you were being wreckless and inexperienced. Admittedly, I've had some really close calls myself. My first car was a slow-***, but good-*** Camry. I still love that thing!

 

Well good luck with the search lol anytime. Not to discourage you as you know I had supported you on all your pervious posts, but as far as I know in the year 2000, they were only less than 100 made.

 

SC4Hundred beat me to the punch, you'll have a very hard time find a 2K, especially if you want a certain colour. I searched for a long time, and ended up with a '99, the last two years are exactly the same other than one colour choice and an evap. canister, and have the last round of changes - perforated leather, 3-spoke wheel, different airbag, different instrument cluster, better lumbar, DRL's, different wood, the VVT-i, trans, and gated shifter from '98, and 6CD autochanger with ASL and DSP. So realistically, at least include '99 in your search, and you should probably consider '98's as well...

 

Nice Lex you got another SC, do you have pics? Sounds like a very nice color combo, how do you like it compared to your older SC?

 

The SC 400 is , imo, a car for the soul. The SC 400 expresses me best out of any car. It's just the best of the best. I was thinking what car I would drive if I could have any car. Even though Aston Martins, Ferraris, Porsches and other expensive exotics would be tempting, but the SC 400 would win the spot in my garage. I think most of the people who buy those kinds of exotics want to make themselves feel better. The SC 400 though is a kind of car where you express yourself with. It's the fact that you worked to the bone for the money and are still willing to hand the money over for that beautiful Lexus and mods.