sweetsc400

Hey all -

I'm just about to whine about my car. So feel free to pass over this thread, or feel free to sympathize and comment as you wish.

I just bought my SC400 about 3 months ago. It's a 95 black on black with 92,000 miles, 5,000 more than when I bought it. Since then I've been pouring money into it.

A week after I bought it the drivers' side regulater gave out, causing the window to crash down after hitting any modest size dip/bump in the road. About a month after that the 02 sensors went out, which I still have yet to fix. And my latest, after getting new tires mounted and a 4 wheel laser alignment, is the alternator. I was well aware that the power steering pump was leaking, as it's a common problem with SC400s, but was informed that it wasn't an urgent issue. Seems as though I was misinformed. . .

So, come this Tuesday, I will have doled out just shy of $1500 (this includes tires, alignment, window regulator, plugs/wires/caps/rotors, and the $400 alternator job coming soon) in parts/repairs. And I still have to do the O2 sensors, timing belt and water pump. I'm perfectly ok with catching up on maintenance, but I think my car is mad at me and, as a result, hitting me hard in the wallet when least expected. I hope she decides to behave after all this is replaced.

On the bright side, the Lexus dealership is going to take it easy on me for the repair cost and give me a car to drive while mine's getting worked on.

Has anyone else felt as though a black cloud was raining on their new-car-excitement parade? If so, do tell. . . I know it doesn't make my baby a bad car. I still love her.

Thanks for listening

Matt

TGRich

Dude, all of that is routine maintenance except for the regulator and the alternator

saber

SC's are typically owned by younger, more aggressive and less wealthy drivers than LS's so they generally have more mechanical and cosmetic wear and tear after 90,000 miles. IS's are even worse, often ready for the trash heap after 50,000 miles of street racing. I got a Grandma driven, Lexus maintained '91 LS with 101,000 miles and it has no signs of significant wear and tear either mechanically or cosmentically.

There are nearly always cheap solutions to common Lexus problems, like in the case of the ruined alternator problem a 99 cent temporary solution is a alternator cover made out of a plastic bottle
http://www.saber.net/~monarch/Alt2.jpg A longer lasting, but still inexpensive solution is replacement of the power steering pump air valve or its 0ring seals and cleaning the power steering fluid filter on the solenoid control valve and the filter inside the PS pump reservoir. Blocked filters = abnormally high fluid pressures = leaks.

sweetsc400

That's exactly my point. I bought the car with plans to do all the 90k maintenance. Now I'm just pissed that everything else has to break at the same time. Like I said, I'm just venting. . .

sweetsc400

I bought mine from an elderly dentist that lives in a wealthy neighborhood. The car is immaculate.

That's a good idea with the alternator. I was wondering if something like that could be done until I had the seals replaced in the power steering pump. What does it generally cost to have the pump rebuilt (seals replaced)? I got quoted at $315 or so. . .

RA40

iTrader: (6)

I feel for you, my father bought a car pre-owned with about 70K on it. He poured about $1,400 more to fix things like you are going through...once done, he drove that car well above 260K miles without major problems. (This was a Toyota 20R motor)

Hang in there...once all these things are fixed, you'll be on the road.

sweetsc400

Thanks RA40

damon

Should make you feel a little better.

"Since I started this thread I guess it is only fair that I give an update. I bought my LS for $13,276 on 12/15/01. The car had 106,082 miles on it. I have about 131,000 miles on the car now and have done lots of work in that time. Since then I have replaced/repaired the following":

06/16/04 - Replaced all 4 Air Struts (converted to non-air suspension) Struts/Springs/Mounts - $1100

11/05/03 - Replaced Water Pump, Engine Fan, Engine Fan Shroud - $851.20

04/22/03 - Repaced Air Clean, Hose Assy - 176.47

10/01/03 - Replaced Key - $43.60

04/17/03 - Replaced Cabin Filters - $43.97

03/27/03 - Replaced Trac Fusible Link - $136.70

03/27/03 - Replaced Trac Acuator - $2208.49

03/26/03 - Replaced Windshield - $206

04/22/03 - Repaired Temp. Control Panel LCD - $250

04/22/03 - Repaired Instrument Cluster - $250

06/17/02 - Replaced Timing Belt, Crankshaft Sensor - $831.19

06/17/02 - Replaced Powersteering Vaccum Control Valve - $ 508.08

06/17/02 - Replaced Heater Control Valve - $151.37

02/21/02 - Replaced Front Hood Shocks - $265.69

02/21/02 - Replaced Left Front Window Motor & Regulator - $555.46

02/21/02 - Replaced Rack & Pinion Steering - $2392.77

02/21/02 - Replaced Engine & Transmission Mounts - $520.92

02/21/02 - Replaced Antenna Assembly - $185.96

02/21/02 - Replaced Timing Belt, Plugs, Caps, Rotors, Wires - $866.36

02/05/02 - Replaced Fan Clutch - $193.00

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After seeing the post above from 350Z , I calculated my cost in maintenance per 100 miles and it came to $5.63 cents.

To do all that is listed above 350Z's total comes to an astonishing $213.00 per 100 miles. Yikes!!!


damon

VVT-i

Wow, a lot of related items was done at difference time.
The fan clutch, timing belt, water pump and caps, rotors and wires can be done at the same time. Most of you what you'd paid are labor when you do it seperately. I mean you have to remove the fan clutch, caps, rotors, timing belt to get to the water pump. That why I alway recommend to do the water pump and check all the related items when you do the timing belt. Then all you have pay is lust the parts, because most of these items are already out off the car.

Look like you replaced timing belt on 02/21/02 and then another timing belt at 06/17/02 and then the water pump at 11/05/03.

sweetsc400

Damon -

Definitely makes me feel better. It also makes me hope that my car doesn't go down that road. I take mine in for the alternator tomorrow morning. Hopefully they'll give me an RX330 to drive all day. One thing's for sure with my car, I love it, I looked for it for a long time, and it's going to get the best of everything it needs.

Matt

damon

If you are curious here is mine:

My 94 LS 400 Records:

Going to have to Ballpark some cost but will be very close:

Purchase date: 11/15/2001 Mileage: 117,815
Vin # : JT8UF11EORO199***

JP Importz: Jason Phan 214-221-3135
Davenport contact # 972-612-3377

11/23/2001 Repair Drivers Side Brake Light: $00.00 ( me soldering)

05/15/2002 Leaking Heater Control Valve replaced . $40.00 in parts installed by me.

07/30/2002
Brake Rotors & Pads changed . Bradi Rotors , Rotex pads from
Ricambi Sport
Front & Rear: Mileage 130,345 $300 parts and shipping, $100.00 install

12/06/02 Air Filter Replaced. me $28.00 part

05/02/03 Power Steering Fluid complete flush: Mileage 139,004 : $65.00

06/05/03 Transmission Fluid complete flush Toyota T-IV fluid : Mileage 140,312: $85.00

08/08/03 Cabin Air Filter Replaced: Mileage 143,216: me $25.00 part

08/14/03 Front & Rear Struts replaced. Front upper Strut Assembly replaced.
143,322: $320.00 Parts , $300.00 labor

08/18/03 4 New Kumho Ecsta HP4 716 Tires. Mileage 143,546 at Costco
$250.00 total installed

10/19/03 Bosch Windshield wipers: $15.00


12/10/03 BG 44K Fuel System Cleaner added. Mileage 148,423
BG MOA Oil Treatment added with oil change. Toyota oem filter
used.
BG Cooling System Flush added.
Complete flush of radiator and cooling system / Add 1.3
Gallons Toyota long-life coolant. Fluids $45.00 , I did the labor.

02/17/04 Brake Fluid Flushed by JP Importz:Replaced with Ate Super Blue
Fluid.
Coolant level checked and made 50/50. 149,318
JP Importz: $60.00

03/18/04 EGR Pipe assembly replaced at Tines Automotive. $120.00 parts, I did the labor.

03/21/04
New motor mounts &
transmission mount
installed by A-1 United Transmission. 149,566: $280.00 parts , $175.00 labor

03/27/04 Fuel Gauge Capacitor C-142 replaced on Circuit Board. Work done
Jeff Tregre 972-296-3421
JeffTregre@comcast.net
http://www.circuit-technology.com/h...ff__tregre.html
152,151: $75.00 in soldering , I re-installed the cluster.

04/01/04 State Inspection / Registration sticker applied. Oil Change 153,875: $50.00

06/04/04 AC system checked for leaks / none found. 4 oz. of refrigerant
added at Blendair.
www.blendair.net Owners name: Mark
156,729: $40.00

Totals: $2253.00 or $73.00 a month rounded up.

Cost in maintenance per 100 miles: $5.63

damon

RA40

iTrader: (6)

As VVT-i commented: if the front end is off, have it all done. Timing belt, idlers, water pump, oil seals and anything else...this hurts yet in the long run it is less worries.

damon

I wholeheartedly agree. His maintenance record looks like a rather plain example of an over zealous Dealer Service Department to me.

I still have my original timing belt , but plan to do as suggested here and replace everything in the path at once to avoid more expensive maintenance in the future.

damon

I know , I know , I need to get the timing belt done, but this is a non-interference engine.

VSsc400

iTrader: (1)

well the alternator situation could have been avoided if the power steering issue was dealt with when you found out about it.... It really doesn't sound bad....

I replaced the power steering pump and window regulator as well.
i spent about $6000 at the dealer to make the car like new.
Spent another $13,000 to upgrade the car....
I paid $12,300 for the car....

before this car i never kept a car more than 8 months... this car i've had for 5 years....

sweetsc400

Damon -

Yeah I searched your thread when you first posted 350Z's shopping list of repairs.

I'm getting ready to have the timing belt, seals and water pump done. Only after I get my power steering pump replaced. I wonder if the supposed "Lexus Technician reconditioned Power Steering pumps" on ebay are legit, cuz they're cheap.

BTW - The Lexus dealership screwed me over on a loaner car for the day. They ended up making me an hour late to work and I had to get a family member to go pick my car up and pay for it. They didn't even apologize to me.

VSsc400 -- Your car is nice, and it sounds like you take great care of it. After I get this stuff done I'd like to get HIDs, rims and coilovers or a nice strut/spring setup. Then I'd be perfectly happy. As of now I'm just glad to have it back! I was driving my beater 91 5.0 mustang. If you ever don't appreciate your Lex, drive an old POS like I did, then switch back. OMG what a difference!!!