Ultimate collectible SC?
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Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
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From: Maryland
Ultimate collectible SC?
I was just thinking as it is fun to wonder and speculate; which Lexus SC will lead the pact in terms of desirability and in conjunction price realizations in the future?
They aren’t really collectible yet but low mileage examples are starting to be snapped up and taken out of daily rotation. The car has some classic indicators such as a strong name (for a Japanese brand), 2 doors, modest production with high attrition, some history with the Supra genes and part support to end up collectible. Not to mention a classic design
There easy answers are the late 98-2000 sc400 and the 5speeds to include the 97. Some might think that colors will play a part as it typically does but I see colors adding lquidity more than value. A RSP 5 speed might be the current king of the mountain but there might not be one of those in collectible condition left and most of the value is in the 97 5speed with the color just being popular with enthusiasts. The few options and deletes aren’t money makers either IMO.
I could see the 5 speeds being the king for the next 10-15 years but once people start seeking them out, I suspect the V8s across the board will be the ones to have.
My hypothesis is a low mile 2000 SC400 in red will be the king of the price board once collectiblity takes hold. With a few 97 5 speeds nearby. What say you?
They aren’t really collectible yet but low mileage examples are starting to be snapped up and taken out of daily rotation. The car has some classic indicators such as a strong name (for a Japanese brand), 2 doors, modest production with high attrition, some history with the Supra genes and part support to end up collectible. Not to mention a classic design
There easy answers are the late 98-2000 sc400 and the 5speeds to include the 97. Some might think that colors will play a part as it typically does but I see colors adding lquidity more than value. A RSP 5 speed might be the current king of the mountain but there might not be one of those in collectible condition left and most of the value is in the 97 5speed with the color just being popular with enthusiasts. The few options and deletes aren’t money makers either IMO.
I could see the 5 speeds being the king for the next 10-15 years but once people start seeking them out, I suspect the V8s across the board will be the ones to have.
My hypothesis is a low mile 2000 SC400 in red will be the king of the price board once collectiblity takes hold. With a few 97 5 speeds nearby. What say you?
Last edited by Crypto79; Apr 5, 2018 at 02:05 PM.
An original 1997 5 speed Shadow Rose Quartz
That doesn't tickle the fancies of fanboys but it does fit the bill of something worth a lot of money in the future.
It's everything a RSP car is but 1/4 the production numbers.
It's so rare that 75% of current SC owners don't even know SRQ was a factory color
That doesn't tickle the fancies of fanboys but it does fit the bill of something worth a lot of money in the future.
It's everything a RSP car is but 1/4 the production numbers.
It's so rare that 75% of current SC owners don't even know SRQ was a factory color
Last edited by 1997Soarer; Apr 5, 2018 at 06:10 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 79
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From: Maryland
i guess that is sort of the question. I am not aware of s collectible RSP hardtop 5speed. I know three low mile 5 speeds (92, 97, 97) that traded for between 11-15k. But just to use the rose color example with the two tone interior. Rare but not ideal desirable although most likely the lowest mile 97.
Are there any low mile 00 Sc400?
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Pit Crew
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An original 1997 5 speed Shadow Rose Quartz
That doesn't tickle the fancies of fanboys but it does fit the bill of something worth a lot of money in the future.
It's everything a RSP car is but 1/4 the production numbers.
It's so rare that 75% of current SC owners don't even know SRQ was a factory color
That doesn't tickle the fancies of fanboys but it does fit the bill of something worth a lot of money in the future.
It's everything a RSP car is but 1/4 the production numbers.
It's so rare that 75% of current SC owners don't even know SRQ was a factory color
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,082
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From: Nor CA
Not sure any color/feature set combination of our cars will ever get the tag of a "collectible". We are definitely jealous of the Supra models and the lofty sums those cars fetch on the market.
We have several variants of owners as documented by this site. There are the Purists that elect to keep their car completely stock. There are the "resto-mods" that apply cosmetic and upgrades (I am in this camp). The "sleepers" that put very impressive drive trains in the platform and then blow away cars on the streets. And, the drifters that take these cars for often a one-way trip to the drift track.
All have valid goals for their cars and reading about the exploits and seeing all of the evolution of each car is fun. But, ending up as a highly sought after and collectible car is not very likely.... I will own my '92 SC for a long time and it is not for sale and will continue to invest in maintenance and repairs as needed.
We have several variants of owners as documented by this site. There are the Purists that elect to keep their car completely stock. There are the "resto-mods" that apply cosmetic and upgrades (I am in this camp). The "sleepers" that put very impressive drive trains in the platform and then blow away cars on the streets. And, the drifters that take these cars for often a one-way trip to the drift track.
All have valid goals for their cars and reading about the exploits and seeing all of the evolution of each car is fun. But, ending up as a highly sought after and collectible car is not very likely.... I will own my '92 SC for a long time and it is not for sale and will continue to invest in maintenance and repairs as needed.
When I read or hear the word "collectible" , I look at a car which is very desirable and supply couldn't cope up with the demand thus pushing their prices to the roof making it almost very hard or even probably impossible to own one.
Just like what Duck05 said , I don't see these cars ever being collectibles. Some of them are already 27 years old and yet they are sold for nothing or are sold for giveaway prices . Don't get me wrong . They are very desirable especially to the younger generation . But not so many are willing to pay a premium for them.
What made the Supra MKIV go up in price is that the demand became greater than the supply . People were willing to pay the price whatever it was. Seven or more years ago, I can buy a stock 6 speed TT MKIV for $14k - $18k . You will be lucky if you can get the same car for $45k now. I just recently sold a fully built 6 speed Supra MKIV with 68k miles for $100k which I bought for $25k nine years ago. Even if you put exactly the same drive train from that MKIV to an SC , meaning the SC will now be making same power and torque, you still won't get $25k for the SC . I have never seen a built SC sold as a whole car for the right price. They were all parted out just to get more back of their investments.
The market or the enthusiasts for the SCs willing to pay good for them is simply not there even if some are already more than 25 years old or even if they are rare colors with 5 speed transmissions . You see good SCs posted for sale and take years before they are sold for bargain prices just to let them go so I doubt they will ever be collectibles. But who knows , only time will tell. I hope I am wrong.
Just like what Duck05 said , I don't see these cars ever being collectibles. Some of them are already 27 years old and yet they are sold for nothing or are sold for giveaway prices . Don't get me wrong . They are very desirable especially to the younger generation . But not so many are willing to pay a premium for them.
What made the Supra MKIV go up in price is that the demand became greater than the supply . People were willing to pay the price whatever it was. Seven or more years ago, I can buy a stock 6 speed TT MKIV for $14k - $18k . You will be lucky if you can get the same car for $45k now. I just recently sold a fully built 6 speed Supra MKIV with 68k miles for $100k which I bought for $25k nine years ago. Even if you put exactly the same drive train from that MKIV to an SC , meaning the SC will now be making same power and torque, you still won't get $25k for the SC . I have never seen a built SC sold as a whole car for the right price. They were all parted out just to get more back of their investments.
The market or the enthusiasts for the SCs willing to pay good for them is simply not there even if some are already more than 25 years old or even if they are rare colors with 5 speed transmissions . You see good SCs posted for sale and take years before they are sold for bargain prices just to let them go so I doubt they will ever be collectibles. But who knows , only time will tell. I hope I am wrong.
Last edited by gerrb; Apr 29, 2018 at 02:12 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: TN
Only ones that will be collectible will be the 1JZ-GTE Soarers imported from Japan IMO. If the US market cars had that engine, they'd be worth about 6 times what they are worth now.
Also coupes are very out of fashion right now, especially luxury coupes. Luxury cars tend to go out of fashion and stay out of fashion I've noticed. V12 Benz S600 coupe of this 90's era, equally worthless as the SC, 8 series BMW, equally worthless, Acura Legend coupe, equally worthless, 90's Cadillac Eldorado, I think 4000lbs of fill dirt is worth more than one of those now days. The big difference with the Lexus SC(and the Acura) is that 20-25 years later they still run great, are reliable, and won't drain your wallet when they do break.
Also coupes are very out of fashion right now, especially luxury coupes. Luxury cars tend to go out of fashion and stay out of fashion I've noticed. V12 Benz S600 coupe of this 90's era, equally worthless as the SC, 8 series BMW, equally worthless, Acura Legend coupe, equally worthless, 90's Cadillac Eldorado, I think 4000lbs of fill dirt is worth more than one of those now days. The big difference with the Lexus SC(and the Acura) is that 20-25 years later they still run great, are reliable, and won't drain your wallet when they do break.
Last edited by Aron9000; Apr 28, 2018 at 11:40 PM.