Eyeing a 1996 SC300
06-24-14, 11:50 AM
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Eyeing a 1996 SC300
Hey all. I'm looking to get into the SC game. I found a really nice looking 1996 Pearl White SC300, 5 speed manual. 129k miles for $6500.
As I've come to understand, finding a manual SC can be really tough. Just looking for some suggestions on what to look for in a good used SC300. Maybe you guys have compiled an inspection list somewhere?
Would appreciate some input. Thank you!
As I've come to understand, finding a manual SC can be really tough. Just looking for some suggestions on what to look for in a good used SC300. Maybe you guys have compiled an inspection list somewhere?
Would appreciate some input. Thank you!
06-24-14, 12:44 PM
#2
Price seems pretty high, considering how many SCs you have to choose from in Texas. But, the mileage is fairly low, and supply and demand will push the price of 5-speeds up. Which is a bit ironic, since it's usually cheaper when the car is new.
Some of the main SC wear items include: dead or flickering LED gauge needles (I think '96s are less prone to this than the earlier models), LCD bleed on the HVAC unit, cracked center dash vents, cracked window trim (plastic support and vinyl cover), dead tilt/telescoping steering wheel motors, and various dead seat motors. I'm sure someone will chime in with all the suspension and engine stuff to check.
My experience so far has been that these are incredible cars mechanically, but the "Toyota quality" reputation is a joke when it comes to durability of plastics and leather. If you find one with the common wear items all looking pretty good, then you most likely have a winner.
Some of the main SC wear items include: dead or flickering LED gauge needles (I think '96s are less prone to this than the earlier models), LCD bleed on the HVAC unit, cracked center dash vents, cracked window trim (plastic support and vinyl cover), dead tilt/telescoping steering wheel motors, and various dead seat motors. I'm sure someone will chime in with all the suspension and engine stuff to check.
My experience so far has been that these are incredible cars mechanically, but the "Toyota quality" reputation is a joke when it comes to durability of plastics and leather. If you find one with the common wear items all looking pretty good, then you most likely have a winner.
06-24-14, 12:51 PM
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Price seems pretty high, considering how many SCs you have to choose from in Texas. But, the mileage is fairly low, and supply and demand will push the price of 5-speeds up. Which is a bit ironic, since it's usually cheaper when the car is new.
Some of the main SC wear items include: dead or flickering LED gauge needles (I think '96s are less prone to this than the earlier models), LCD bleed on the HVAC unit, cracked center dash vents, cracked window trim (plastic support and vinyl cover), dead tilt/telescoping steering wheel motors, and various dead seat motors. I'm sure someone will chime in with all the suspension and engine stuff to check.
My experience so far has been that these are incredible cars mechanically, but the "Toyota quality" reputation is a joke when it comes to durability of plastics and leather. If you find one with the common wear items all looking pretty good, then you most likely have a winner.
Some of the main SC wear items include: dead or flickering LED gauge needles (I think '96s are less prone to this than the earlier models), LCD bleed on the HVAC unit, cracked center dash vents, cracked window trim (plastic support and vinyl cover), dead tilt/telescoping steering wheel motors, and various dead seat motors. I'm sure someone will chime in with all the suspension and engine stuff to check.
My experience so far has been that these are incredible cars mechanically, but the "Toyota quality" reputation is a joke when it comes to durability of plastics and leather. If you find one with the common wear items all looking pretty good, then you most likely have a winner.
I'll definitely try to pull him into the 5000 range but AFAIK it's the only manual SC300/400 in the central texas area. I'll definitely get it inspected for any mechanical issues.
Thanks for the pointers.
Last edited by enderx475; 06-24-14 at 01:02 PM.
06-24-14, 01:40 PM
#4
There aren't any Manual SC400s, unless someone did the conversion. 
I would show up armed with Blue Book lookups of the same year/mileage with Auto and Manual. My guess is the difference that way is far less than the price premium for limited availability Manuals. If so, that should give you more bargaining leverage, since you currently have none if there aren't any other examples available.
I would show up armed with Blue Book lookups of the same year/mileage with Auto and Manual. My guess is the difference that way is far less than the price premium for limited availability Manuals. If so, that should give you more bargaining leverage, since you currently have none if there aren't any other examples available.
06-24-14, 06:27 PM
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There aren't any Manual SC400s, unless someone did the conversion.
I would show up armed with Blue Book lookups of the same year/mileage with Auto and Manual. My guess is the difference that way is far less than the price premium for limited availability Manuals. If so, that should give you more bargaining leverage, since you currently have none if there aren't any other examples available.
I would show up armed with Blue Book lookups of the same year/mileage with Auto and Manual. My guess is the difference that way is far less than the price premium for limited availability Manuals. If so, that should give you more bargaining leverage, since you currently have none if there aren't any other examples available.
Manual
Auto
I'll find some listings for auto SC300's for a baseline.
Either way, I would be surprised if an inspection didn't turn something up that I could dock the price on.
06-24-14, 07:58 PM
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Read this thread, it's just been covered, it will give you an idea of market value. It's actually at the bottom of the page ...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...s-a-sc300.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...s-a-sc300.html
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06-24-14, 10:34 PM
#8
If it's in great condition with decent repair history and you just HAVE to have a manual there's nothing wrong with paying $4,400-$4,700 for it.
But I bought my 92 5-speed in Austin 2 years ago with similar mileage decent repair history, perfect interior, in great condition, and some mods I was planning on installing and I didn't pay as much as this guy is asking to put it into perspective for you.
It's simply not worth what he's asking. In great condition, it's worth about $4,200. If you're willing to pay more, nobody is stopping you from doing exactly that, but if you're offering to pay his asking price you won't be finding much competition to pay that much, and I doubt anyone will be really willing to pay more than $5k for it. Make a mid $4k offer if it's in great condition and stick to your guns, he won't get any offers for more than that for a long while unless he gets really lucky.
But I bought my 92 5-speed in Austin 2 years ago with similar mileage decent repair history, perfect interior, in great condition, and some mods I was planning on installing and I didn't pay as much as this guy is asking to put it into perspective for you.
It's simply not worth what he's asking. In great condition, it's worth about $4,200. If you're willing to pay more, nobody is stopping you from doing exactly that, but if you're offering to pay his asking price you won't be finding much competition to pay that much, and I doubt anyone will be really willing to pay more than $5k for it. Make a mid $4k offer if it's in great condition and stick to your guns, he won't get any offers for more than that for a long while unless he gets really lucky.
06-25-14, 06:31 AM
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Thanks again guys. I'll see if I can push into the 4000 range.
I blame the dealerships for outrageous prices... you guys will laugh at this.
1998 SC 300 112k miles, $9950
1999 SC 400 149k miles, $9980... but to their credit, check out the carfax on this thing
With THOSE lurking around on craigslist (been there for a LONG time, wonder why...) it almost makes this guy's price look reasonable.
Still, you guys know what it's worth more than I do. Yes, I am pretty dead set on getting a manual so I'm willing to pay a bit more than the baseline price for it.
I blame the dealerships for outrageous prices... you guys will laugh at this.
1998 SC 300 112k miles, $9950
1999 SC 400 149k miles, $9980... but to their credit, check out the carfax on this thing
With THOSE lurking around on craigslist (been there for a LONG time, wonder why...) it almost makes this guy's price look reasonable.
Still, you guys know what it's worth more than I do. Yes, I am pretty dead set on getting a manual so I'm willing to pay a bit more than the baseline price for it.
06-25-14, 09:30 AM
#10
Thanks again guys. I'll see if I can push into the 4000 range.
I blame the dealerships for outrageous prices... you guys will laugh at this.
1998 SC 300 112k miles, $9950
1999 SC 400 149k miles, $9980... but to their credit, check out the carfax on this thing
With THOSE lurking around on craigslist (been there for a LONG time, wonder why...) it almost makes this guy's price look reasonable.
Still, you guys know what it's worth more than I do. Yes, I am pretty dead set on getting a manual so I'm willing to pay a bit more than the baseline price for it.
I blame the dealerships for outrageous prices... you guys will laugh at this.
1998 SC 300 112k miles, $9950
1999 SC 400 149k miles, $9980... but to their credit, check out the carfax on this thing
With THOSE lurking around on craigslist (been there for a LONG time, wonder why...) it almost makes this guy's price look reasonable.
Still, you guys know what it's worth more than I do. Yes, I am pretty dead set on getting a manual so I'm willing to pay a bit more than the baseline price for it.
06-26-14, 02:06 AM
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Those ads have been up forever, I always see those 2 SC's posted on Craigslist. Lol
Mine may be up for sale for the right price and im in your area.
Its not a 5spd tho, but its the "superior 97+"
Mine may be up for sale for the right price and im in your area.
Its not a 5spd tho, but its the "superior 97+"
Last edited by Joey-E; 06-26-14 at 02:11 AM.
06-26-14, 09:57 AM
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06-26-14, 03:39 PM
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Hopefully, it's okay for me to post this Portland, OR car that was just listed? I have no knowledge of who the seller is.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4540489174.html
It's a 5-spd SC300 for $3800, with 210,000 miles. It has some cosmetic issues and the unknown of whether there's more to the branded title than just a fender bender, but it goes to show there are Manuals out there for more reasonable prices. And prices in Oregon tend to be higher than other areas, so that's probably a $3,000 car in the OP's neck of the woods.
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4540489174.html
It's a 5-spd SC300 for $3800, with 210,000 miles. It has some cosmetic issues and the unknown of whether there's more to the branded title than just a fender bender, but it goes to show there are Manuals out there for more reasonable prices. And prices in Oregon tend to be higher than other areas, so that's probably a $3,000 car in the OP's neck of the woods.
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