I am trying to become a new lexus owner. I have found a lexus SC400 1992 with 171k on it. I am purchasing it for 5750 including TT&L. I looks to be in excellent shape. The interior front seats have been re-done. I just don't know if this is a good deal or not. I can find pictures of it.

I would appreciate any info at all on what to look for as far as little quirks or things that are common for maintenance to have done? Anyway, Let me know your opinion.

Thanks

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...TAFSRCHUSDTEXT

Any opinions are welcome as long as they aren't rude or crude.

Oh yeah, I am new here and I hope to have a great experience with my new lexus.

 

the car looks like it's in great condition from the pictures, but i wouldn't give him 6g's for tell him $4700

 

Well, I tried to get it for lower. He wouldn't budge. I think it is very clean for what it is. Thanks though..

 

how many of the panels are original? How much paint work has it had?

Yeah, tax, title & reg is worth something. Leather seat covers are worth about another $400 (new)

But be realistic about it. The demand of the 400 isn't as high as say a SC300 5 speed, he proably picked the car up at an auction for a song. Don't blindly try to work him down, find the faults with the car and go from there.


A word of advice:
Never get too hot about one car -- there are always more of them out there


John

 

too much, i got a local guy a 96 sc300, with 97 conversion parts with 50k miles for less than 7k.

although it had a salvage title from a minor hit, it was a great deal.

 

Salvage title and Minor hit doesnt sound right.
Salvage titles are for cars that have been totaled and brought back from the dead.

 

Or was it a salvage title because the amount of upgrades?

The was a Mustang shop in Arlington that used to take 2 destroyed mustangs....cut them in half, weld the 2 good halves together, and sell them as "quality " mustangs with salavge titles.
and they asked around $11,000 for them.........

.........you have to be careful these days.

 

True you have a point. I was wondering if you thought it was worth it or not? I like the car and it will just be a daily commuter for a while. Then I may do some stuff. Other than that I was just wanting a good daily driver. Thanks for the advice. This will be my 4 car this year. I kinda get bored with them fast. I have always wanted a SC or a Supra so I figured I would get this then when the time is right buy a Supra. My daily car right now is an 05' STI and I am not trying to rack up mileage on it. It's a great car I just want to keep it nice for years to come. Are there any things that mechanically will give away a lemon? You know like certain noises or anything I should look for?

 

Yeah I would shy away from a salvage car unless I was making it a track car or something of that nature.

 

Fender bolts.!! ....see if there are any markings around the fender bolts (to indicate that the fender has been off, or replaced.) Original fender bolts will be painted over. If the bolts have been removed, you can tell.

check the fitment around the inner fender wells. (if there off at all....it also shows an accident may have occoured)

Trunk.....look closly at the trunk....its easy to hide damage to the untrained eye.....lift the lining up....make sure there arent any suspect weld marks/ krinkles in the trunk.

If it spits and tells you to shut up.........leave.

 

Just an add note

Most shops know how to "hide" damage.

bolts will be painted over...but you can still see "ridges" where the bolt was removed.
Lexus is VERY good about body panel fitment.....pay close attention

 

5750 seems like a lot.

when my next car is ready, i plan on selling my 94 sc400 w/ ~90k miles for $5000 obo. this isn't an ad for my car, just trying to give you a reference.

 

Thanks for the advice on the car. I will definately look for that stuff.

 

Just so you know that is including TT&L on the car. I dunno it is in good condition. I haven't been able to find one with a good clean body. Most around here are jacked looking... I have been having trouble finding anything else. That has been the bad thing about these cars. I have found a few but they have bad paint or panels have damage all over them. Hell I even found a 95' with 35k on it but, the entire rearend had been damaged and either cut off or just welded and bent or banged back into place. Then the paint was all messed up you know looked like a MACCO job. They where asking $13,700. Which I thought was rediculous. I just don't want to have to go thru shipping a car.