I looked up some #'s at KBB.com (Kelly Blue Book). Granted, the numbers are all way too high, but that's what the company/market is suggesting they're worth. Here we go:

1995 SC400 - 16,790. (too much)

1995 M3 - 15,950 (too much)

1995 325is - 12,770 (too much)

Then I went to manheim.com, which is website based on manheim's auctions all over the country. You can only get access to it if you have a dealers' license. It gives prices of cars actually sold. Here's an average for the month of august:

1995 SC400s - $9500

1995 M3's - $12,000

1995 325 is - $ 7,000

1995 540i 6sp - $9500

So, Jayson, I'm not trying to argue. I'm just trying to show you that in my experience. Lexus has held its value. So has BMW.

Matt

 

The Manheim numbers are interesting. To be statistically correct, you have to know the number of SC’s and M3’s that comprise the base numbers for the average prices. Also, the condition of the vehicles has to be taken into account. In all likelihood, they were sold to used car dealers on smaller lots, not the new car dealers that make up a major portion of the buyers. I’ve been to the Manheim auction in PA and have found that “special orders” from customers account for some of the higher prices paid for very clean vehicles, low mileage cars. I’m not commenting on which has a better value retention, just how numbers can vary. Now if we had a year of sales numbers to play with, that would provide a good statistical sampling. Then again, for a single month average, taking values from KBB, Edmunds, NADA, and Black Book, for an SC and M3 in good condition, same mileage, same zip code area, same color, same options, add them together and divide by the number of sources used might give a reflection of their true street value. Of course if you’re using dealer retail, subtract $$$$$$ since these guys have a vested interest in raising the retail value for dealers.

Since I’m not selling my SC or looking for an M3, I think I can be unbiased in my observation. It all boils down to crunching numbers. Now if I were offered $16,790 for my 95 Red SC, watch it go Bye-bye. Just my $.02

 

Yes, you're absolutely right, Hansjl. There are several factors not taken into account. I was just going for a reasonable level of accuracy. As for the Manheim auction I use, I'd say about half the cars are from new car dealerships. And I, too, would gladly give away a 95 SC400 for $16,790. I would also gladly give away a 95 M3 for that price, providing they're in similar condition with similar miles.

 

i'm 2 minutes away from the manhiem auto auction

 

SweetSC400, you did an excelent job of putting your numbers together, and putting in the effort to get them. Me, I'm from Germany and I'd be damned If I'd buy a BMW or Benze. To many maintenance problem and not enough dealers around to fix them correctly. At least I have a Toyota dealer locally that can take a good shoot at my SC if needed. Besides, I already paid my $$$$$$$ for mine and I plan on driving it for a very, very, long time. Now as for the comfort and ride of the SC over the BMW, give me my Jap rice burner any day of the week. I can afford what ever I want and I picked the SC over the field others. Damn they're nice cars....... That was a lesson learned when I bought my wife her GS and I found I didn't want to drive what I had, and would rather ask/beg her if I could borrow hers. Sometimes you just have to be humble to get what you want. Once again, thanks for your effort.


And as for, 2 minutes from Manhiem,,,, your assignment is to investigate what the M3's and SC's are looking like and selling for. Other wise, your location could be in Alaska and would be of the same value...Nothing. This message will self destruct in 5 seconds.......... Just kidding of course.

 

Interesting that a 95 SC400 is valued at near $17K. Mine only has 58K miles (also red) I'd have to give that some thought as well - but frankly, that's about what I figured it would be worth with the low mileage.

Would you rather have a 95 with 58K miles, or a 97 with 90-100K? (STOCK, of course - I'm one of those rare ones who does not care for the mods).

 

OH cmon guys....

I have a 92 SC400. I wouldnt sell it for $16,000, I dont think I'd sell it for $20,000. I got the car as a one owner trade with 49K miles. It is mint and clean, granted the occasional ding and scratch show up that tend to drive me wild, but when you look at the big picture, I truly plan on having this car for years and years to come. What are the odds that the 16,000 I could potentially get would buy a nicer car than an SC400?

Not bloody likely.

 

I own a 95 SC 400, color teal blue and understand that color was only manufacured for 6 months. Anyone know how many were produced? I collectors car ya think I gots??

-CK

 

I'm glad you asked that mynoles. In my experience I have found "low miles" to be over-rated, in most cases. Here's how I look at things: A car with low miles has either had its fair share of time sitting in the garage for lengthy periods of time, or it gets driven for short jaunts, regularly. We all know short jaunts are harder on a car's tranny, engine, cooling system, etc. We all also know that a car sitting for long periods of time isn't the best for it. Seals dry up, dust builds up, etc. A car with higher miles has a better chance of holding more highway trips under its belt. A cruise at a steady rpm in one gear under less strain burning less fuel adds up to less wear, except for the paint on the nose of the car. I'm not saying that a car with low miles is a bad car or is going to blow up. I would still prefer a car with lower miles actually, I just don't mind spending 5 grand less for a car with higher miles that drives just as nice. For example, I could've bought a 92 SC400 with 60k miles for $9500, it was VERY nice. Instead, I bought my one-owner Texas car with full service history and 143k miles for $6500. It's in excellent condition and seems to drive just as nice and looks, IMO, better than the 92. I suppose I'm biased because I enjoy being continually impressed by the performance of a 10 year old car after 143k miles. Take care guys!

Matt

 

Matt, excellent point on the usage of the vehicle. Mine, too, was a one-owner car (Dr's wife) and had all the Lexus Dealer's records to support it's condition. I've always wanted a SC4, and the opportunity to get one that could potentially last many years to come was too good to pass up. Only had 53K on her when I bought it. I just love the performance and handling. Awesome car, especially for it's age.

Now if I could just get that pesky CD Changer replaced soon.........................

 

Thanks mynoles, what year is yours? Sounds like you got a nice one! Yes, these SC400/300s are hard to beat. It's no wonder they're such a highly regarded coupe. I have yet to meet someone that doesn't like them. Mine came from Texas, maybe my car and your car were friends?

Matt

 

Mine is a 95. Red w/black interior. Nakamichi.

The car came from Houston area originally. Really runs and handles great. After owning new BMW 5's and Acura's, I got tired of the car payment scene and decided to get a car I had always admired and wanted. Sure glad I did, I plan on holding on to her for quite some time. I'm just old-fashioned in that I do not plan on putting mods on her. I really like the stock look and feel.

 

Ditto on the stock and pre 97’s. The low spoiler looks classier. My only mod to stock are the wheels, 17inch GS narrow alloy 5 stars. They really make my SC stand out over the stock wheels. In this area summer and winter treads make sense. I picked up my red, ivory interior, 83K miles, loaded SC after a 5 month search for the right vehicle. I paid a premium for the service pedigree that came with it. Do I expect to turn at least 300K (now at 92K) with it and every day that I do my 70 mile loop to work and back, I’m comfortable, relaxed and really tickled that I bought it. I looked hard and long and saw some real toads during my search. Some crap SC’s that aren’t maintained and going well under and over market pricing, and some real a-hole owners that thought their SC was made of gold and the world should come to them on bowed knees. Oh well, it takes all kinds to make an SC community.

SC400-V8, for 20K, I’d take the money and run, and for 16K, I’d do the same and in either case, buy a 95 or 96 in cherry condition. You’d just have to look around a bit. Hey Lex Luthor has a red 95 for sale. As for the dings and scratches, mine had a few (more like a dozen) dings and for a few scratches. This is NOT an advertisement but, I had the dings (dents from doors) removed (and now there are NONE, and can’t tell where they were) and the paint scratches sanded and buffed (still have a few barely visible) and out came a very clean-bodied SC. Well, if my math is correct, in another 11.89 years, I’ll check back to declare I’ve made my 300K mark. Till then, it’s happy motoring.

 

I'm sure if someone asked Lexus USA for the sales figures for the SC300 and SC400 they could get hold of them.

Out of the 150,000+ Soarers/SC300/SC400 ever built my best guess would be that around 90,000 were for the US market.

I have some of the Lexus USA sales figures from 1995 onwards but no idea what was sold in the earlier years.

These figures are approximate from the data I found. So if someone could ask Lexus USA we would know for sure
SC300
1995 3350
1996 2390
1997 3400
1998 1800
1999 1600
2000 450

SC400
1995 4364
1996 2557
1997 2220
1998 1316
1999 719
2000 180

The sales figures for the month of December 2000 show just 9 SC300 sold and just 2 SC400 sold. Which is as far as my data went up to.

The most up to date production figures for all Soarer models (including SC300 and SC400) are here:
http://soarer.toyotaimportsforum.co....production.htm