looking to buy a sc300
10-11-06, 12:10 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
looking to buy a sc300
hi everybody,
first off let me intro myself, im jason currently a college student attending uci. ive been viewing the clublexus forums for quite sometime now, since i've all but decided on purchasing a sc300 for a daily driver. i recently found one at a dealership in irvine for 13900. its a red 97 with 83k miles on it. personally, i think that's overpriced, but i was wondering what you all think, since you guys have first hand experience with these cars. ive done some research regarding these cars, regarding the types of maintenance problems involved etc etc, but is there anything i should defintely know about these cars? not really looking to purchase until i gather as much info as i possibly can.
thanks in advance
anybody here from irvine or 626 area...
first off let me intro myself, im jason currently a college student attending uci. ive been viewing the clublexus forums for quite sometime now, since i've all but decided on purchasing a sc300 for a daily driver. i recently found one at a dealership in irvine for 13900. its a red 97 with 83k miles on it. personally, i think that's overpriced, but i was wondering what you all think, since you guys have first hand experience with these cars. ive done some research regarding these cars, regarding the types of maintenance problems involved etc etc, but is there anything i should defintely know about these cars? not really looking to purchase until i gather as much info as i possibly can.
thanks in advance
anybody here from irvine or 626 area...
10-11-06, 12:21 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: California
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well... the lexus is from 97, and you are looking at buying it from a dealership, so the price seems right. Private sellers will sell for less. And pre-96 cars are cheaper.
10-11-06, 03:54 PM
#4
Lead Lap
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
if i m you, i will just wait around to look for the a better deal, that dealer price, like u said, is just a little high, but than again it's a dealer. in general, the SC engine is bullet proof, i have it for 4 yrs now, the only problem coming from the engine area was the alternator and that's it. unless u buy a SC that has oil leak or poorly maintained, i will say nothing is going to go wrong with the SC, just keep up with the services. and one common problem about the SC is the dash board needles, they seem to go off fairly easy, other than that, nothing. and btw, i live by tustin, since i go to school down here.
10-11-06, 04:54 PM
#5
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thx for the advice soarer1023, yea i was thinking of waiting for a better deal to come along, but imma try and haggle with the dealer and see how it goes. where do you go to school, maybe we can meet up for a beer or something and talk cars...
Trending Topics
10-11-06, 06:57 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: May 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Jason,
That price is high, and there are plenty of deals out there, either on this site, or on ebay/autotrader, etc. Obviously, it's a bit discomforting buying a car online, but you'd be surprised how many well-maintained beauties there are even on ebay. Just have to be extra careful, you know?
Anyways, I bought my 1994 with 85k miles for $8k, and then spent another $2.5k replacing the suspension, brake pads/rotors, new wheels, new tires, etc. I'm confident my baby will last a LONG time now, and I'm very pleased. The car already had the timing belt/water pump taken care of. I'm sure you could find a 1997 for less than $13.9k. Also, once 90k comes along, you'll have to spend some major $ on the major maintenance (timing belt, water pump, etc....approx $1200 or so). Maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic, but I doubt the 1997 you're looking at has had everything replaced.
Plus, in my opinion, I'd rather buy it from a private owner who could show me all the minor and major maintenance records, is more willing to negotiate, and who truly took care of the car. I wouldn't be too bothered about mileage either...I've seen examples with 170-200k miles. I'd rather buy a car with 100k miles with all the major maintenance taken care of, versus picking a car with 80k with those headaches coming up.
I'm relatively new, so perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about. But my two cents
That price is high, and there are plenty of deals out there, either on this site, or on ebay/autotrader, etc. Obviously, it's a bit discomforting buying a car online, but you'd be surprised how many well-maintained beauties there are even on ebay. Just have to be extra careful, you know?
Anyways, I bought my 1994 with 85k miles for $8k, and then spent another $2.5k replacing the suspension, brake pads/rotors, new wheels, new tires, etc. I'm confident my baby will last a LONG time now, and I'm very pleased. The car already had the timing belt/water pump taken care of. I'm sure you could find a 1997 for less than $13.9k. Also, once 90k comes along, you'll have to spend some major $ on the major maintenance (timing belt, water pump, etc....approx $1200 or so). Maybe I'm being a bit pessimistic, but I doubt the 1997 you're looking at has had everything replaced.
Plus, in my opinion, I'd rather buy it from a private owner who could show me all the minor and major maintenance records, is more willing to negotiate, and who truly took care of the car. I wouldn't be too bothered about mileage either...I've seen examples with 170-200k miles. I'd rather buy a car with 100k miles with all the major maintenance taken care of, versus picking a car with 80k with those headaches coming up.
I'm relatively new, so perhaps I don't know what I'm talking about. But my two cents
10-11-06, 10:02 PM
#10
Lead Lap
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Nor Cal
Posts: 689
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
another place to look for a SC is craigslist.org try that, there are always some good deal there. and i go to school at CSU fullerton, and my apt is at tustin, and yeah, i am definitely down for beer and car talk. let me know
10-12-06, 12:07 PM
#11
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: CA
Posts: 500
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
pm me your aim or contact, and we can set somthing up, know of any good bars round this area?
and hopkinskid, thanks for your advice.
10-12-06, 12:15 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
U go to fullerton? Ive seen a few sc's around. I have the white sc400. I park in lot e and the nutwood parking structure.
10-12-06, 04:23 PM
#13
go on ebay and buy this one if you think the red 97 is too much.....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...QQcmdZViewItem
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1995-...QQcmdZViewItem
I bought my 97 Black on Black with 58k miles for like 13k and change. So keep looking the car isnt worth more than that.
10-12-06, 11:59 PM
#15
Lexus Champion
if i m you, i will just wait around to look for the a better deal, that dealer price, like u said, is just a little high, but than again it's a dealer. in general, the SC engine is bullet proof, i have it for 4 yrs now, the only problem coming from the engine area was the alternator and that's it. unless u buy a SC that has oil leak or poorly maintained, i will say nothing is going to go wrong with the SC, just keep up with the services. and one common problem about the SC is the dash board needles, they seem to go off fairly easy, other than that, nothing. and btw, i live by tustin, since i go to school down here.
As for the price, see if the dealer is willing to go lower.
~Josh