Pearlpower

iTrader: (2)

Really depends on your skill level and how much of the restore you can perform yourself. Parts are not cheap for a Lexus ..even older models. Almost always better to get the best condition example you can afford. But why even bother with a SC300 unless you plan on putting a turbo on it? An SC400 can be had for pennies more and you get so much more for your $$.
GS Ltune, from the limted description you gave, sounds like my old SC.

IronCobra

I am a sucker for recovery stories though. If you did get that car and put the money and time into it and made it into eye candy for everyone else I would vbe happy

Djdot2k

My thoughts exactly, I think we need ta start a recovery stories thread.

hemogoblin

I dont think its too bad... The interior can be restored fairly cheap thanks to Aliga/AutocoutureSC. The exterior can be fixed with a 97+ upgrade, the motor can be bought for fairly cheap, and of course wheels/suspension can be as expensive/affordable as you want it to be. But for $2K it isnt THAT bad... i'd see if you can get it for a lower price though.

95 Integra

It depends on what YOU want out of the car. If you plan on pulling the motor and swapping a 1JZ or rebuilding the motor, doing a 97+ "kit" and a new paint job, then really whats the point in paying $6k for a nice SC when the end product will be the same? If you plan on just fixing it back to stock spec, then maybe you should look for a nice clean SC in the $4500ish range. Thus, it depends on what your plans are for the car.

Gs L-tune

GS Ltune, from the limted description you gave, sounds like my old SC.[/QUOTE]
Really? soon this will be eyes catcher LOL. I have a long going on for this baby. I just slammed two days ago with 105 Degree heat in my buddy garage LOL. Waiting for the payment to go thru and receive my wheel. Next stop going to be new paint job with either 97 all around or Auto Couture. Got all the interior fixed for free off of my other SC part car. Here is the budget plan.
Car= $2k
Suspension = $1000
Paint job with 97 all around =$3k
Wheel and tires = $2500
God daym i didn't know that almost hit $10k LOL
Oh well I'm sure most of you in here put more than that into your car. Just work with what you can.

swolekat

ha! as you all can see from the pics i already have my nice looking toy (G35). the lexus will be strictly for perfomance purposes. the engine is coming out as well as the interior. the body will be fixed but will never see paint. i wouldnt mind putting a kit on it but suspension comes first. it will never be pretty so i am sorry to those who wanted to see a "recovery story." if anything you will see me at the track stickin out in the crowd of 240s and corrollas. that should make you all happy right?

dejacky

iTrader: (2)

Please do not pay $1,500 for a "medium" paint job. Pay more money for an original Lexus dealer / certified paint job at the very least. IMHO, the car is worth no more than $1,000. Don't forget you'll most likely have to change out all of your control arms for newer ones since new control arms will include new bushings and ball joints. Then, you have to change out your shocks and springs....the list goes on. If you can get it for $1,000, the frame is not bent, and the engine + tranny were working perfectly fine, then it would be a good deal imho. just my $0.02.

sc250tt

i feel like i got robbed my 94 pearl white sc was super clean when i got with 60,000 miles on it i paid 7500 for it tranny wen out the first month i had it, then the lower control arm bushings were badly off had to change that now i need new struts .this car is very high mantainance if u do buy one make sure your bushings are good .they cost alot to have them replaced

CleanCL

yea, i wouldnt pay more than 1,000 for that. good luck.

dejacky

iTrader: (2)

it really cracks me up when people think you can just "slap on a turbo on the sc300." there are so many maintenance issues that need to be fixed before doing that. The SC300 has been way over hyped as this car you can turbo for cheap, yadda yadda. BS, don't buy into the hype, realize that the SC300's can be expensive cars to maintain and enjoy. But imho, they are reliable.

IronCobra

If he's in the market for a $2000 SC then I'm sure there is a money aspect here. If I were repainting MY car then perhaps I would drop $2500-3000 on a paint job, but $1500 would get him a MORE than average paint job and repair his body work.

swolekat

ok..check it out

paint: $0
engine: $2500 or less w/ 5 speed tranny (complete front clip) 1jz
body:$0
interior:$0
rims/tires:$400 IS 300 rims with tires (local sale) optional
suspension: $1300 Teins/sway bar (brand new from a friend) optional
labor: $0
exhaust:$300 (optional)
misc: $300
car:$2000 (i would much rather have this be $1000 or so)

$7000 (w/ everything) $4800 (w/o optional stuff) 280 HP Twin turbo drifting machine!

i think i could sell various parts on the car to make back around $500 or so. the car has everthing. power heated seats w/ position memory, sunroof/moonroof, traction control, and 12 disc cd changer. everything in the car works too! this car would be much better for someone else cause all i want to do is take it to the track. i would take all that power stuff out. the engine is fine. we did a leakdown test and the results were perfect. it only needs a new radiator and the whole fan assembly which i already found for $120 ( fan with shroud and fan clutch)

am i missing something?

jgscott

iTrader: (1)

Thats a $ 1000 car if running engine trans and drivetrain, if that.

LexusLimit

There are plenty of possibilities for this car. Try talking him down to $1500 or less.