i just got a good deal on a pair of sc400s. one is a 94 w/92k miles and the other one is a 95 w/120k miles.
both of the cars are in excellent condition, but the 95 seems to not have much power. when i step on the gas there is a hesitation from the start, and the accelleration is just poor compared to the other car. i know the car needs a tune up, but is there anything else it might be? i've never driven an sc400 until i bought these, so when i drove the 95 (which i drove first) i thought it was really fast. so when i drove the second one, (the 94) i assumed they drove the same. i didnt notice the difference between the two for a couple of days after i brought the cars home and drove them back to back. i live in socal, is there any place i can take it and not have to pay some ridiculous amount for a tune up or service? could i have a problem w/ the MAFsensor? any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. thanks in advance.

Jay

 

wow, i must have the only car in these forums thats not running perfect.

 

Start with a tune up like you said.
Then I would start changing all the fluids in the car
engine oil, tranny oil(the whole thing and use toyota type IV only!), radiator fluid, injector service, rear differencial service, fuel filter, air filter, thermostat(when you do the radiator), PCV valve and related hoses. The silicone hoses acutally do some good for the car. I would start changing all the hoses etc etc.
that should take a month or two.... if both car does not have mechanical problems then those things should power the sucker right back up there.

Go to a toyota dealership instead of lexus dealership. should be like 20% cheaper. or if you have a trusted mechanic the tune up procedures are something that most mechanics can perform.

oh one more thing... my car runs absolutely perfect.

 

lol

thanks for the reply, any info is helpful.

unfortunately, the car shut off on me at a red light on the way home. but it started right back up. hopefully this problem is only tune up related.

taking it to a toyota dealer is a really good idea. i'm gonna take it there in the morning.

 

long ago my car shut off 2 times when i came to stop light but i was able to start it right up too.
I did injector cleaning and fuel filter replacement and it never died out again. (except fo the time when I leaned out the S-AFC too much and forgot to change the setting and did a burnout and it shut off at the box).

if they tell you, you have to pay more because its a lexus, promptly take a large heavy blunt object to their head and go to the next dealership.

 

A tune up is a great start and does wonders.

 

At 120k miles the car is due for a tune up anyway so everyone had given you good advice. My dealer said a major service was recommended every 60k. Good luck

 

well, I took the car to toyota. they said they did a diagnostic test and nothing came up. they also said the car runs fine. the guy who drove it said it hesitated on him only once, and never did it again.
so, I guess I'm gonna have to take it to lexus and pay the big bucks. I know for a fact it does'nt run near as good as my 94sc. If I floor the gas on my 94 it will break the tires loose. the 95 wont spin the tires at all. not even if I powerbrake it. but anyways, since I only can take my car in on saturdays, I could not get an appointment at lexus, so I took it to get the oil changed and transmission fluid changed. oh yeah, and I replaced the air filter and put fuel system cleaner in the gas tank. hopefully this will get me by until next weekend. if anybody knows of a reputable shop with decent pricing....please let me and anybody else in the so cal area know.

 

who buys two sc400s at the same time? ive never heard of it, but hey i bet it feels good to have 2x as many sc400s as me...rawr im jelous!