TJCali

Hey guys,

I am new to the forum and looking to buy an early SC400.

I am considering a 93 pearl white w/tan interior and upgraded wheels. The car has a clean title and is very clean and has never been in an accident and garaged since new. The paint looks flawless under florescent lights (amazing for a 15 yr old car), but does have a few dings and rock chips on the nose.

It has 140k miles on the clock and has been religiously maintained. The owner changed the oil every 3k miles and performed the 30k, 60k, 90k and 120k major services.

She has also replaced the following parts within the last 50k miles: shocks, brakes, motor/transmission mounts, steering rack and pump, alternator, water pump, timing belt, all drive belts, A/C compressor, radiator, mufflers, CD changer, tires and a few other things I cannot remember. She must have showed me atleast $15k in repair and maintenance invoices over the last 10 years.

She is asking $6000. Is this a fair price or overpriced?

Thanks for your help!

SClean4

It sounds good to me. I paid about $8,000 ('95 SC400 w/ 130k) for mine and then took it in for a service and had an $1850 maintenance bill so if you can get one that has already had major service done, you will save yourself a lot of money. My SC didn't have the timing belt, water pump, etc. done yet so that costed me a lot (too much).

TJCali

Thanks for the feedback.

Is there any repairs that have not already been done that I might expect in the near future? It seems she has stayed on top of the car's maintenance.

SClean4

The only thing I've had to replace since is the battery. I have a whole list of things they did to mine that I could scan for you. Do you know about when the last service was done?

TJCali

The battery was replaced when the alternator was done. I think 120k was the last major service, but oil changes every 3k miles thereafter.

Fireblaze

I can tell you that the car sounds like it is worth it. Only you can truly tell if the car is really worth it because you are the one who will own it. To me I would buy that car because most of the guess work is gone about how often things were changed.

I would rather buy a higher mileage car that has been taken care of, than an 80k car that has been abused.

SClean4

Oh, okay. I don't know the intervals after 120k, if it's still every 30k or if it increases. I think you'll be good for a while. That $1850 really tore me up, though. That was like my entire savings, which I was saving up for wheels. The reason I bought a Toyota/Lexus was so I didn't have to spend money on repairs but I didn't even think about the high cost of maintenance and all that stuff.

TJCali

I agree with you 100%.

I was also looking at a 1998 SC400 with 120k for $9k that I thought long and hard about because it had the 290hp engine vs 250hp for the 93 and of course the updated cosmetics, but there were no service records.

Do you think the 93 is the smarter buy versus the 98 even though there is only a $3k price difference due to extensive service records?

Thanks

TJCali

Hey guys,

I am about to make an offer on the 93 and just noticed it does not have a moonroof. How much should ask as discount without the moonroof? Also, there are no seat warmers, but does have the Nakamichi audio.

Is not having a moonroof a good or bad thing?

Thanks again

tttp5

iTrader: (1)

whats the kbb price for the car? i'd say knock about 500-1000 bucks off KBB value.

VQT

If you use the moonroof a lot then wait until you find one. Butt warmer are nice for colder climate. Carlifornia weather do not need it. Does it have traction control? Rear spoiler? How much thread left for the tires?

TroySC300

iTrader: (1)

Just got my 94 sc300 for $2500 with 180000 miles. Mainly because my dad works at a toyota dealership and was able to cut her a sweat deal on a new truck :P

TJCali

KBB trade in value is $6000 (excellent condition). This car would fall into the excellent category I think.

Do you think I should offer $5k?

Rexn30

Woah, what did they do to charge you $1800?

TJCali

It does not have traction control, but has the rear spoiler and brand new tires.

Moonroof is no big deal for me, but I just happened to notice it did not have one. Do you think the lack of a moonroof makes it less desirable when I re-sell it in the future?