I'm looking into purchasing a 1998 Lexus SC400

Current Car
1989 Mustang GT Convertible AOD (slowest of the 89 mustangs)
Mods: 3.73gears , advanced timing, UnderDrive Pullies, exaust(headers, o/r h, mac dumps)
Dyno - 206hp / 287tq (I could always find the exact rpm of peak power later)
Track - 15.1 1/4m (my first time at the track on street tires, a better driver could have done better)
89,000org miles - owned for a year... already put in a new AOD, rebuilt traction lock, covt motor.. omg it goes on
13/16 miles to the gallon w/ fresh tune up

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Now, how would a SC400 compare as far as:
* Seat of the pants power
* 1/4
* Sound (can it be made to sound good, aka not .. aah.. you know)
* How many benifitial mods are there for the SC400, I'm not looking for a track car.. just something that can shut down jack-off Mustang peeps (I know them, biggest asshats)
* Reliablity / gas mileage - This is alot better than my 5.0 I assume?

Please don't send me off to google or search, I've done both thank you

 

Get a SC300 5 Speed.

It's a Inline Six as opposed to a V6.

the SC400 doesn't have as much potential... if you've modded your mustang, you'll get bored with a SC400 quick... the list of possible mods isn't that long.

The SC400 only comes with a automatic transmission which puts you roughly in the same RWHP as the SC300 5 speed range. Your 1/4 mile time won't be too far off either.

The SC300 has the potential for lots and lots of mods. From small things like cam gears & egr blockoff plates () to turbo kits or engine swaps for 10 second 1/4 mile times. Personally, the SC300 (2JZ-GE) exhaust note is nicer that the small displacement V8 (1UZ-FE) the SC400 has... and therefore responds better to aftermarket exhaust setups.

SCs were all made in Japan, and they're ultra-reliable toyotas.

If you do end up getting a SC300, you're in luck because the wealth of information over at www.supraforums.com pretty much directly applies.

That's because the SC300 has the same engine & driveline as the N/A MKIV (1993.5-1998) Supra.

...and with the SC300, you'll get even better gas milage.

Welcome to Club Lexus

John


PS: Search for turbo SC and just look at the results :-) you'll see what I mean about mods!

 

I didn't even bother reading past the word "Mustang"....there's no comparison...

 

This "buy the 300 and turbo it" thing is getting old. IMO. The Sc400 is more than capable of holding it's own, i drove an sc300 the other day (5 speed) and it sucks to have to DRIVE the power out of it everywhere i want to go. The sc400 does it painlessly. Use any amount of pedal and the Torque/Power is still there, no stressing, winding it out to make it move.

There are now MULTIPLE supercharger kits for the SC400 including one that i know of right now that is in the USA and soon to be in this very forum. I don't like cars i have to "drive" the power out of, i like a nice effortless ride. Hence why i am still not totally in love with my Porsche Turbo. It does 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, but the first 2.3 seconds are ............... tick toc.. tick toc........

Makes me love my SC400 even more... and look forward to the twin screw supercharger coming our way

It's a nicer ride when you dont have to DRIVE the power out of it and you can just put your foot down and enjoy.

My vote = Sc400 and if interested, future supercharger.

We drive these things on the street, not professional drift racers.

 

WOW, those were two VERY good arguements over the SC400/300. And I happen to agree with them both. I personally own a 95 SC400, and a 91 Mustang 5.0 Notchback (that I'm trying to sell). And as Mikeloc so eloquently stated, there's no comparison. The SC was, in its time, one of the most sophisticated coupes around (and still holds its own by today's standards). And your mustang, which resides on a chassy that dates back to 78, has the sophistication of a horse-drawn carriage. I'm not tryin to knock it because I've had 2 of them, one of which was a 12 second car.

The beautiful thing about the SC400 is that when you romp on it, it emits a nice *****-out V8 gnarl, albeit a hushed one, and it's as smooth as ripping silk. And one of the first and most beneficial mods to the SC400 is the dragon torque converter, which chops a substantial amount of time off your runs.

However, I'm sure you've been finding the 1,000hp SC300s by now. Enough said with those. . .

I think you'd be better off test driving both.

 

I've owned Mustangs in the past (2 '94 GT convertibles, one auto, one 5spd) and it's not even worth asking about a comparison. The SC400's were $40k+ new and they were built for performance AND luxury. The Mustang is what it is, a light and fast muscle car on an old chassis design (as sweetsc400 said). I prefer the seat of the pants feal of a V8 so I bought a SC400, but go drive one of each and come back to answer your own question. You'll be putting the 'Stang up for sale pretty quick. I guarantee it. I bought my 1992 SC400 as a second car to my 2000 RX300 and I now drive the SC much more than my RX. Go figure. I love both cars, but man do I LOVE driving the SC400!

Jeremy

 

my best time as far as 1/4 goes is a 15.0... I could have gotten in the 14's with some better launches. My 60ft still has room for imporvement. hope that helps- ohh and my mods where catback with one of the three cast removed, RMM intake with K&N cone, Tokico Blues with Espelir springs (not a drag set up by any means), and weight reduction

 

O.L.T you said it perfect. That "Buy a SC3 and turbo it" IS OLD. The SC4 is wonderful. I have a 92 SC4 with 59k on it right now and it purrs! And if you are right about a supercharger Remember what I said SupraCoup3? You will be seeing SC4 pulling off on your SC3 turbo one of this days I promised you. SC4. Oh yeah stangs suck

Philly

 

5-speed SC3 for life. Yea, it may be harder to get her to pull, but thats why its fun! Nothing like shifting into 2nd around a turn and breaking loose. But then again, I dont drive anything but stick-shift. Both cars are awesome, turboed SC3 has more potential, but an S/C SC4 would be more unique.

Good luck, just dont buy another mustang

 

excuse me, but a turbo'd SC3 does not have more potential. If it did, then Blast Racing would not have choosen the 1UZ for their low 7 second drag SC.

got'em

 

I just recently acquired my first Lexus a 1998 SC 400. There is no question I wanted a V8, I looked a long time to find a low mile black/black with Nak. I hardly have to press down at all & I'm there!!! I do alot fo city driving so I wanted a auto.

I specifically wanted a 1998 for the VVT-i (intelligent variable valve timing) wanted the 4 spoke stearing wheel (last year) and wanted the traction control, along with the Nak system. My first car when I was 16 was a 1969 mustang with dual headlights & hood scoup. That car started my love for the automobile, now that I'm much older I am floored to know that I have a Lexus coupe that was once $60M, the previous owner took excellent care & now I'm reaping the benefit. I also wanted to get one of these coupes before there gone. Toward the end they made very few of this model & the bodystyle is as classy now as they were then. Amazing car.

 

ok ok, lemme correct what I said: The SC4 has less potential for those unwilling to spend 10's of thousands of dollars on the engine alone. So for the average person, one looking to spend a few thousand on the engine, the SC3 has much more to offer

 

We had a major thread awhile ago. It was determined that stock for stock, the 1st gen SC400s got better gas mileage with our drivers than 1st gen SC300s... based on the fact that during acceleration you need to open the throttle more to achieve the same acceleration to normal speeds with the SC300s. Unless your driving very conservatively and accelerate very gradually, gas mileage for an SC300 is determined to be worse. Even the EPA estimates only show the 300 to get about 2 mpg more?

 

I actually started a threat a while ago about gas mileage...and the sc4 and sc3 roughly get about the same gas mileage....in all types of driving styles...

CEO

 

Stock to stock comparison, SC400 is a bit faster than the SC300....I raced my friend's 97 5 speed from light to light and by the 2nd light I'm a car length ahead of him....Go figure....I have a 95 SC400 by the way...

Consider what your priorities are before you decide...