1997 Lexus SC300
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From: Indiana
1997 Lexus SC300
Hello, I am looking into buying a 1997 Lexus SC300 with 110k miles on it. I am wondering about the safety of the vehicle since it’s so old and if there will be a lot of maintenence. If someone could provide me with more information, that would be great. Thanks
EDIT: Something important I forgot to say, the price is $4000.
EDIT 2: Forgot to add one important question, does this car only take premium fuel, or can it take midgrade?
EDIT: Something important I forgot to say, the price is $4000.
EDIT 2: Forgot to add one important question, does this car only take premium fuel, or can it take midgrade?
Last edited by standingpi; May 28, 2018 at 09:20 AM.
Welcome to the forum !
I would suggest go through the links on the following thread and will give you a lot of info you are looking for
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...tart-here.html
I would suggest go through the links on the following thread and will give you a lot of info you are looking for
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-...tart-here.html
In general these are very safe cars. From 1993-2000 all have front and passenger side front airbags. All of them have crash safety beams built into the very large and heavy (90lbs each) doors. The gas tanks are located upright between the rear passenger seats and rear trunk liner which makes them very safe in the event of a rear collision and the passenger compartment tends to remain very intact in the event of a frontal collision. The chassis was overbuilt to a very high standard.
A brand new car that meets all the current crash safety standards including all the airbags will outclass it I'm sure but that's after some 25 years of progress since the SC/Soarer was first designed.
These cars have ABS brakes standard and without too much trouble the front brakes can be upgraded to larger and superior factory 1995-2000 Lexus LS400 front 4-piston calipers. The suspension is a four wheel double wishbone independent suspension that has aged very well and provides very good handling and response (just make sure the steering rack bushings and front lower control arms both have good rubber).
In the real world practical terms today it is still a very safe car to drive even if it is a design dating back to 1991.
The car CAN run on midgrade fuel if that's all that's available in the area you're currently driving through but it is designed for the knock resistance of premium 91-93 and that's the grade of fuel that should be used for the best fuel economy and power delivery. If you use less than that the ECU will compensate by pulling timing and it overall won't perform as well it was designed to. It can run on less than 91+ octane fuel but it wasn't designed to do that on a regular basis (and shouldn't be driven hard on non-premium fuel) since it is a high compression 10.0:1 engine. 91+ octane (ie: Premium) is what should be used.
A brand new car that meets all the current crash safety standards including all the airbags will outclass it I'm sure but that's after some 25 years of progress since the SC/Soarer was first designed.
These cars have ABS brakes standard and without too much trouble the front brakes can be upgraded to larger and superior factory 1995-2000 Lexus LS400 front 4-piston calipers. The suspension is a four wheel double wishbone independent suspension that has aged very well and provides very good handling and response (just make sure the steering rack bushings and front lower control arms both have good rubber).
In the real world practical terms today it is still a very safe car to drive even if it is a design dating back to 1991.
The car CAN run on midgrade fuel if that's all that's available in the area you're currently driving through but it is designed for the knock resistance of premium 91-93 and that's the grade of fuel that should be used for the best fuel economy and power delivery. If you use less than that the ECU will compensate by pulling timing and it overall won't perform as well it was designed to. It can run on less than 91+ octane fuel but it wasn't designed to do that on a regular basis (and shouldn't be driven hard on non-premium fuel) since it is a high compression 10.0:1 engine. 91+ octane (ie: Premium) is what should be used.
Last edited by KahnBB6; May 28, 2018 at 01:57 PM.
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