Hello!
I just picked up a beautiful 97 SC400 with 147k miles, got a good deal as it was recently given a salvage title for a small fender bender. I am absolutely in love (7 year old me would be freaking out right now) and had a questions.

-I only got one key, if I buy another what’s the process for getting it cut/programmed? Can I buy the later remote+key in one unit and have both programmed to work?
-Is there a way to get a chrome Lexus emblem on the steering wheel?
-Mine idles at around 500RPM give or take, is that fine?
- Any recommendations for good carplay double dins?
-What are some hidden features of the car?

 

Welcome!
-About the keys -- its gonna be expensive any way you go, just the way it is
-I know some people swap their wheels/airbags, especially with the early RXs and GSs, which might be the way to go for the chrome emblem.
-500 rpm is perfectly normal for the 1UZ-FE, mine is usually between 250-500.
-I went with the cheapest unit I could find, which was the Alpine ILX-W650. Solid unit, but it does lack a few features tho. Check out the Sony ones, the best bang for your buck IMHO. On a side note, do you have the Pioneer system or the Nakamichi system? The Pioneer system is an easier install (or so I've heard) but the Nakamichi system has much better speakers and sub. LMK if you have the Nakamichi, I can help you with that one.
-Hidden features? If your needles ever stop working just smack the dash a couple of times, bring them right back
Good luck and have fun!

 

Welcome! The 97s were the last of the SCs without a transponder key, so there is a way to get another key for much cheaper than a newer one. If you find a local key shop/locksmith that will cut side-cut keys, they will usually make you a duplicate for around $50-60, but the keys look awful.
Alternately, you can go buy an OEM blank on eBay (Something like this) and have your local shop cut it for you. Most shops will charge you the same price as them providing a key, and many shops won't cut any keys that they did not provide. You may also have to offer to take no warranty that the key will work to get them to cut a key that they did not provide. There is some risk here, but I have had good luck with this, and this will net you an OEM key, cut to your car, for around $100 or so.

If you were lucky enough to get one with a black interior, the IS300 steering wheel and airbag set is a direct swap (a $40 adapter is required to make the airbag function correctly) and updates the interior look tremendously - it is one of the first things I've done to every SC I've bought. If you have a tan interior, which is far more likely, look into the 98-00 steering wheels or the GS/RX steering wheel/airbags. Some of those have chrome emblems on the airbag and are also much better-looking 3-spoke wheels.

Hope you enjoy and love the car!