OKAY. I could really use a little bit of help here, any feedback would be appreciated. This is my first post on this forum (I've never owned a lexus before), and I'm surprised at the lack of flame wars around here. I guess that's a good, bandwidth saving thing.

Found an 1992 SC400 today for around $10K CDN.

Here are my notes:

- 217,000km, Nak 12disc system, yadadada....typical lexus stuff
- engine runs really quiet, and very smooth. had to strain to hear the engine, even with the hood open. not sure what to listen for, but it sure is quiet. (i used to drive a del sol with a typeR motor...screamer)
- transmission shifts smoothly.
- shifter does not stay in D. nothing happens, really, but you can move the shifter up and down a bit even when it`s in D. don`t know if this is normal. shifts very easily, with no resistance. it feels loose IMO. don`t know if this is normal either.
- handbrake does not function at all. owner says that the "equalizer cable" or bar needs to be replaced, and will fix it.
- paint doesn`t shine very much at all around the front end. tons of rock chips. sides appear to be okay.
- climate control LCD has a few dim/smudged spots. appears to be dirt.
- brakes are mushy, but brake hard without resistance or pedal vibration. rotors are smooth and have no real grooves.
- car has been driven freaking hard, no doubt.
- interior is in overall good condition, leather has very faint signs of wear. console needs some work, but i think detailing will fix a lot of my peeves.
- doors slam tightly, but i THINK something rattles in the console.
- driver`s side window is slower to lower than the passenger side.
- headlights are a bit musty.
- A/C isn't very cold. prolly needs more freon apparently. is this expensive?
- no cardboard lining in the trunk....just a ghetto blanket..lol

Overall, the car is completely unresponsive at first, even when i mash the gas. I guess this is typical for a luxo-cruiser.

The body needs work, but damn, the thing is cheap. What can I do to fix the paint? Will wet-sanding and adding more clear-coats give me the p1mping sheen I want?

$10K will get the car etested and certified, with the CHROME (ARGH) 17s and pretty new Falken 235/40/17 tires, and a set of stock rims equipped with new Blizzak winters.

the chromies suck because i am Chinese and don't want to try and look black, but the tires are good. however, i wanted big 18/19"s to go on the car.

he will sell it to me for $9K without rims.

here are my questions:
- is 217000km high for a lexus V8? i heard the bottom end is pretty damn strong.
- mashing the throttle from a standstill yields little fanfare...is this normal?
- how is Lexus paint? will a wet-sanding suffice to give it a nice sheen and gloss?
- should i keep the chromies and falkens for an extra $1g?
- how much would replacing the climate control LCD run me?
- when you are in Drive, are you supposed to be able to move the shifter around? it feels so very loose, but....hey it works.
- is the A/C freon cheap to replace at lexus dealerships?

that's it for now, i guess. thanks!

 

Find something in better shape or buy a cheaper car.. getting it up to spec will cost a lot of money.

 

I've got a one owner SC400 for sale in NC... about 85k miles, just got a new PS pump. Runs flawlessly.

E-mail me if interested. jimswantko@hotmail.com

 

This car sounds pretty well worn. A Lexus will not need repairs often if it has been treated well, but when it does, be prepared to pay dearly ( assuming you wish to do it right) Keep searching, there are better examples of the SC line out there for the same $. Good luck & be patient. It took me a year to find the right car.

 

i think 10k is abit much try to haggle