SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)

New '97 SC400

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Old 07-15-06, 09:53 PM
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JLSC
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Default New '97 SC400

Just arrived...'97 SC400 with only 28,266 miles! I was actually looking for a low mileage '98 or '99 but couldn't pass this one up after seeing its condition. It was garage kept, never driven in the rain or snow, one owner, etc. The previous owner is a great guy who took impeccable care of the car. I'm really enjoying the "new" car look and feel, particulary since my other SC400 has 188,443 miles (even though it's in great shape), what a difference! I love these cars and this one took a bit to get home since it came from Vermont and is now in Vancouver, Canada.
Attached Thumbnails New '97 SC400-imgp048511.jpg  
Old 07-15-06, 10:37 PM
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95 Integra
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Wow, nice find on the clean 97+. Whats up with the almond colored side skirt though?
Old 07-15-06, 10:41 PM
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Sly Guy Yu
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nice man. Mine is a white 98 sc400 and came with 26,xxx miles. GL with ur new car.
Old 07-15-06, 11:15 PM
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markesc
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Very very nice find!! congrats!!
Old 07-16-06, 02:39 AM
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How was the importing process? I'm looking to do the same thing and I'm also in BC. Could you give me a run down of taxes and inspections and whatnot?
Old 07-16-06, 03:00 AM
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O. L. T.
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nice!
Old 07-16-06, 04:18 AM
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Congrats, great find, and GL.
Old 07-16-06, 08:04 AM
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Thanks all!
95 Integra - as far as I can determine from the Lexus dealership, it isn't uncommon for the white skirting to discolour a bit (paint aged differently on the metal vs fibreglass). I' ve also seen that on many other white SC's.

604_Coast - I'll include some info here but if you want further details, PM me and I'll gladly help you out. You definitely need to check out the following sites so I won't cover all the info provided in them:

www.riv.ca
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/impusae.htm

A Few Tips:
1. Check the list of admissible vehicles (the 2000 SC400 is not admissible, the other years are)
2. Recalls will need to be dealt with and a letter to that effect received from Lexus. The '97 has a recall related to the magnetic switch in the starter motor.
3. You'll need to obtain a "binder of insurance" from ICBC in order to drive it from the US destination to your home.
4. You'll also need a permit to operate the vehicle while in Washington (~$8/day)
5. You'll need a similar permit from an insurance agent in Canada when you enter (~$8/day). This is not the same as the "binder of insurance".
6. Daytime running lights are required, which can be done after you import it. All the SC400's prior to 1999 do not have that feature (as far as I'm aware).
Old 07-16-06, 09:26 AM
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so pretty
Old 07-16-06, 09:40 AM
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Default Nice car

Very clean SC.

It is really hard to find one like this and takes time / patient.......
Where did you find this? eBay? cars.com?.........
Old 07-16-06, 12:48 PM
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IronCobra
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Originally Posted by JLSC
Just arrived...'97 SC400 with only 28,266 miles! I was actually looking for a low mileage '98 or '99 but couldn't pass this one up after seeing its condition. It was garage kept, never driven in the rain or snow, one owner, etc. The previous owner is a great guy who took impeccable care of the car. I'm really enjoying the "new" car look and feel, particulary since my other SC400 has 188,443 miles (even though it's in great shape), what a difference! I love these cars and this one took a bit to get home since it came from Vermont and is now in Vancouver, Canada.
Actually it apears this car has been repainted or the sideskirts are from a 98+. I believe the 98+ was a pearl white (the color of your sideskirts)..

I could be wrong but don't think I am.

Very nice car though! great find!

here is a picture of a 99 to compair color
Attached Thumbnails New '97 SC400-pearlwhite.jpg  

Last edited by IronCobra; 07-16-06 at 12:54 PM.
Old 07-16-06, 02:24 PM
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Congrats... Nice SC4
Old 07-16-06, 05:35 PM
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mikefly
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Default sc400

looks great - my 93 should look that good (110k miles)
how did you find it
and what $ did it set you back?
mike
Old 07-16-06, 06:40 PM
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JLSC
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I found it on cars.com and I see that a several days ago a '99 with about 28K miles was just listed (Lexus of Tampa Bay)....I'll probably inquire about that car.

Thanks IronCoba for the pic. Since it will bug me to leave it like that for too long I'm going to get an estimate from a local body shop for painting the skirts and go from there.

Price. $19K. More than Kelley Blue Book, Less than NADA. By comparison, a '97 SC400 in Vancouver with approximately the same mileage recently sold for a little over $27K US. Price is one of the main reasons that Canadians are importing higher end cars from the US.
Old 07-16-06, 07:31 PM
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lighthalo
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Originally Posted by IronCobra
Actually it apears this car has been repainted or the sideskirts are from a 98+. I believe the 98+ was a pearl white (the color of your sideskirts)..

I could be wrong but don't think I am.

Very nice car though! great find!

here is a picture of a 99 to compair color
actually i have a 97 pearl white 5spd (like my profile says) and it looks exactly like that (regarding the color of the sideskirts)... except lower.. and on rims...


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