A little background: in 1993, I was completing training, and test drove an SC. It was wonderful, but I lacked the means then to make it happen. Fast forward 23 years, establishing a career, a family and raising two kids, I find myself on the cusp of an empty nest, and with a 2009 VW tdi that will soon be bought back from me by VW, putting me into the car market earlier than I had planned. The practical side in me was looking at a used LS, but I stumbled on the this forum, and have been scouring the internet for a high quality sc400 this evening. I live in Minnesota, but have excellent access to mass transit on snowy days (and my wife has an RX). I would nevertheless like to make this my daily driver (within reason). It seems that I can expect to pay in the upper four figures for lower mileage, and better condition examples, but I am powerfully drawn to an sc400 for sale that has 22k miles and looks to be in nearly mint condition. They are asking 13k. I will not be modifying the car, and I am not a mechanic, although I am a meticulous guy for maintenance. I would appreciate hearing your perspectives, and I am grateful to learn from your experiences.

 

In my opinion, it would be more practical to get a used LS instead of an SC, since you have a family. What made you choose an SC over a LS?

 

Tell the practical side it's gonna be stuck with a Corolla if it doesn't pipe down.

 

No doubt. But, with the kids now moved out, and with the wife's car for company, well, the heart wants what the heart wants. That said, before the Jetta, I drove a Camry station wagon for 15 years, so this is not my typical mo.

 

What model year is the SC400 with 22K on it you're looking at? Cars that sit undriven also develop issues from non-use.

 

i have both the 93 sc400 and a 06 ls430 and they are both great cars.the sc is more fun to drive in the corners.the 430 is the road warrior,long drives that dont wear you out.get the sc you wont regret it.

 

i'm an sc kinda guy the ls is nice but its big and not as fun/efficient.

Don't get the sc with 22k miles though unless you want to pay to have everything resealed.

Get a car with a good maintenance history via carfax, something with 100k miles 120k miles or less but thats already had a timing belt and seals, water pump done recently so you know your good for another 10 years. FInd a late model the 97-2000 they have 300 hp instead of 260, i'm sure you'll notice the difference and vvti would be good for you since your not planing on further modifications for power like turbo or whatever

 

VVTi is '98-00. And the power level is 290 HP.

 

1992. This bothers me as well, but maintenance records have been kept.

 

Your car is beautiful. Thank you for sharing the pictures!

 

intake and exhaust and you've got yourself 300 especially if its got a rotted out stock 18+ year old exhaust lol

Get a 98-00 one with good maintenance records it will be faster and last you longer. interior will probably be in better shape.. remember for not too much more money you can get yourself a car 8 years newer.

 

A '99 SC400 with under 90k miles, in what looked to be very good condition, just sold nearby for under $7k. I'd take that any day over a '93 for nearly double the price, no matter how low the latter's mileage.

 

Thanks for the guidance. I went out and sat in one for the first time in 23 years this evening. That is a beautiful car, but I am quite tall, and driving with the seat leaned back far enough for my head to not touch the roof was just not comfortable anymore. I am bummed, but it looks like I wil get an LS instead.

 

Depending on how much headroom you need to recover, you could put in a MKIV Supra seat (or other less plug 'n play options) to lower the seating position maybe an inch or two.

 

You did lower the seat adjustment when you sat in it, right? When I first bought mine, I didn't know that the seat was height adjustable, and drove 200+mi home with my head nearly touching the headliner. lol