If you had the choice, would you pick a used 2002 IS300 E-Shift w/ Nav. with mileage between 20~35k or a 1998 SC400 with higher mileage (55k). Price being about the same as would be the case in this situation. Of course there will be differences of opinion, but I want to know which ones and why.

We'll say the SC can or cannot have Nak., heated seats and/or traction control. It's your call.

Without a doubt.. The SC. In 1998 the engine was upgraded to 290 HP and it has the new body style introduced in 97. Also, the rear lights are the newest version of that model and look pretty darn good. Heated Seats, Nac, Traction Control or not, I say SC. More rare, very beautiful and a lovely 8 cylinder beast to pimp all around town. ;)

-Anthony

I'm sure there's a bias depending on who you ask....

that's okay, I certainly expect a bias especially from SC and IS owners. I don't mind as long as I am given a reason why he/she would choose one over the other.

if I want a sporty 4 dr to carve corners and to carry my smaller friends in the back... :) I'd take the IS

but for cruising, making an appearance I'd for sure sor sure choose the SC400!!!



personally- you'll find me in my SC :) I already have a sporty four door haha

SC without a doubt......more power, sportier look, and rare. plus depending on the peron the 5 speed will get annoying after awhile to you. def. take the SC i love sc's woulda rather had that then my GS.

~ Stella

I would chose the SC because I think the IS would get boring after a year or two.

i say IS only becuase i got one and i love it. But E-Shift ehh, i would go with the SC if you were planning on getting EShift IS.

depends on what you want...
nimble and quick--IS300
or
powerful and fast--SC400

Im on the sc side of the spectrum, but the IS sure is fun to drive... can you imagine an IS with the gte swap!:eek2: but I just have to stick with my 8 cylinders... plus the SC is much more rare...

Originally posted by LexRX
If you had the choice, would you pick a used 2002 IS300 E-Shift w/ Nav. with mileage between 20~35k or a 1998 SC400 with higher mileage (55k). Price being about the same as would be the case in this situation. Of course there will be differences of opinion, but I want to know which ones and why.

We'll say the SC can or cannot have Nak., heated seats and/or traction control. It's your call.
I will take the 98 SC400 with the V8 because it has more ponies and it is faster than the IS300:)

Originally posted by gs400998
I will take the 98 SC400 with the V8 because it has more ponies and it is faster than the IS300:)

Me too.

i'd take the sc. i like brute force.

The SC says "you've arrived".
It is luxurious, and gives off a mature flair.
It is a V8 and just is sexy as hell.
It is respected and beautiful.
It is an SC....Sexy Car.


The IS is nice, but that SC is the one I would choose for sure.

if u gonna get an is300, i'd get a bmw3series, otherwise i'd get the sc400

Thanks for the input guys. I'm actually surprised at how overwhelming the support for the SC is. I'm planning on checking out the '98 SC400 at a dealer on Monday.

I thought about the 3-series vs. an IS and the 3-series's are going for way too much. An IS is more in my price range for what I want. I absolutely do not want the weak 328i which leaves the 330i which is pricey even used. I could get a used, low mileage IS with nav., heated seats, VSC, etc, etc, for about the same pirce or less than a comparably less equipped 330. A much better package IMO. The driving experience of the IS is amazing too. BMW reliability also worries me.

When you start looking around at what kind of car you want to have, or at least when I do, you see how a company like Lexus just has it together; they've got their mojo working :D

Originally posted by legendary
The SC says "you've arrived".
It is luxurious, and gives off a mature flair.
It is a V8 and just is sexy as hell.
It is respected and beautiful.
It is an SC....Sexy Car.


The IS is nice, but that SC is the one I would choose for sure.

stole the words right out of my mouth

my roomate has an IS..and its a great car..more hip and new..hes 26

i am 21 and have a sc

its definitiely more stylish, and much more luxurious in my opinion..less boy racer:)

The SC400 deal was a no-go. I test drove it, in the rain, which I would have rather not done, but it was enough for me to decide against. The car had 56k miles and was showing it's age/mileage.

The plan was to trade my RX for the SC. The dealer came up with the figure of my car + $3500. I spoke with my saleswoman for a while. I eventually had to leave for an appointment and told them I couldn't stick around. They wanted me to stick around...I had been there long enough and was going to be late. I didn't expect to be there so long and it was taking them a while to come up with any figures.

They called me, soon after I left, with another offer: my car + $500. I thought about it...didn't really want the car at it's age and couldn't justify paying anything over my trade for something that I felt wasn't better than my RX. I later called them back when I said I would and denied the second offer. They offered again: even trade.

So, I still have the RX. I would still trade if I could find an low mileage 1999 or 2000 SC400. There is one on ebay, perfect one, sliver, 34k miles, buy-it-now at $26900. This is the same price (withing a few hundred dollars) as the dealer was asking for the one I was looking at.

well if you're going to be buying the car with modification in mind. the sc300 would be a better choice due to the fact that they have 2jz motors on them and turbo kits are readily available as well as a variety of aftermarket bolt on parts. the is300 also carries the same motor and handles better as well as the car's sharp look....than again, i also drive an is3 ;)

Is300!! Would get it in either silver or blue!

SC4, absolutely, no question.

The IS is nimble, sporty for a 4door, but too small.

And remember, Gentlemen Only Drive V-8's;)

(I've been spending too much time - or enough time, depending on how you see it - at the UK LSOC site):cool:

And if that '98 you test drove was "showing its age" with only 56K, take a pass, it wasn't loved - my '93 had 83K when I got it a year ago, it looked and drove showroom new, obviously came from a good home -

if i were in your position, i would find myself a 97+ sc in better condition. sc's are just classier. but they're small...not much room for very much in the trunk.

I voted for SC, I have liked this car ever since I first test drove it back in 1997 from the dealer, it was a SC300 pearl white fully loaded with trac & nak system which are hard to find nowadays on a 300. (I still wonder what happen to that car I was in Hee Hee) I will never forget that first test drive. The price is what stopped me in my tracks. It was like a dream car to me then & no matter how much I loved it, I knew financially at that time I could never afford it. Now with the luxury tax gone & the prices more my budget, nows the window opportunity to own this classy car.

I'm almost at the point of getting my first SC, used but in perfect condition. Details to follow soon. The car has to be special in order for me to have "never" forgotton about this car all these years. There's not too many cars that do that to me. I agree that SC=Sexy Car. There's also few of them on the roads that make them even more special & more of a head turner. I see alot of IS's in the road but much fewer SC's I just like the handling & the sporty look of the SC w/ the luxury inside that is first class.

SC400 is my pick. Better performance than the IS3 and slightly better mileage on the highway too.

99 SC400
- 0-60 mph acceleration 6.3 seconds[1]
- 1/4-mile acceleration 14.7 seconds[1]
- Top track speed 149 mph[1]
- Fuel consumption 18/25 mpg city/highway[3]
- Aerodynamic drag coefficient 0.32 (0.31 with optional rear spoiler)


02 IS300:
- 0-60 mph acceleration 7.3 seconds[8]
- 1/4-mile acceleration 15.5 seconds[8]
- Top track speed 143.7 mph
- Fuel consumption 18/24 mpg city/highway[9]
- Aerodynamic drag coefficient 0.29