Theft Recovery... Good Idea, Bad Idea?
01-23-02, 07:47 PM
#1
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
Theft Recovery... Good Idea, Bad Idea?
Well... I've got an interesting development. It appears i may be able to purchase a second SC...
it's a SC300 theft recovery -- it's missing the front end, hood, deck lid and air bags. The car has only 45000 miles on it. What's your guys take on this? If this car got rained on w/out a hood, will the engine be FUBAR? I got the 1UZ-FE, and I know your in trouble if you try to wash the engine down w/ those deep spark plug wells...
Anyhow, what's everyone's take on this? for about $3.5K it seems like it would be worth it, but am I gonna end up shelling out mad loot just to get this thing off the ground (well not litterally). But anyhow...
<Short Circuit>
Johhny 5: INPUT NEED INPUT
(Disasemble, dead.... DISASABLE DEAD!! No dissasable number 5, number 5 alive!)
</Short Circuit>
it's a SC300 theft recovery -- it's missing the front end, hood, deck lid and air bags. The car has only 45000 miles on it. What's your guys take on this? If this car got rained on w/out a hood, will the engine be FUBAR? I got the 1UZ-FE, and I know your in trouble if you try to wash the engine down w/ those deep spark plug wells...
Anyhow, what's everyone's take on this? for about $3.5K it seems like it would be worth it, but am I gonna end up shelling out mad loot just to get this thing off the ground (well not litterally). But anyhow...
<Short Circuit>
Johhny 5: INPUT NEED INPUT
(Disasemble, dead.... DISASABLE DEAD!! No dissasable number 5, number 5 alive!)
</Short Circuit>
01-23-02, 11:43 PM
#2
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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This could be a mixed bag. Is the frame of the car in good condition? If it's okay, then the car would be an excellent project car, although it's going to need a lot of lovin' (time and money) to get that car running.
On a side note, where do you find theft recovery cars? If you pass this one up I might be interested in picking it up.
On a side note, where do you find theft recovery cars? If you pass this one up I might be interested in picking it up.
01-24-02, 11:15 AM
#4
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I think I'm gonna go through with this... just one thing -- I'm going today to see about a job @ my dealership. Get parts @ cost AND get to be around lexus'es all day. (My HS requires 2 weeks of unpaid intership someplace to graduate, so we'll see if I can do both here.)
01-24-02, 01:40 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
I called them... it's missing:
Door Lock Passenger/Driver
Ignition - a hole in the dash
Radiator
Condeser
Hood
Front End
Deck Lid
Climate Control
Head Unit
Driver's Airbag
he said he doesn't know the milage...
Anyone got an idea of how much all this will cost?
Door Lock Passenger/Driver
Ignition - a hole in the dash
Radiator
Condeser
Hood
Front End
Deck Lid
Climate Control
Head Unit
Driver's Airbag
he said he doesn't know the milage...
Anyone got an idea of how much all this will cost?
01-24-02, 02:20 PM
#6
Lexus Test Driver
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: California
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I would buy it, but that's only becuase I've got the money to really turn it into a street monster. Carbon fiber hood, electric fans and intercooler fitting, nice sound system, shave the door handles, lowering, rims, repaint, toyomoto kit with boost controller and all electronics. I'd expect to spend almost 20 grand on the car, but I'd have a Supra killing street machine.
01-24-02, 02:47 PM
#7
Lexus Champion
Thread Starter
how bout a bit more mild setup... it's an AT so it could only handle 11 sec 1/4 miles, but still. Anyone have prices for all those parts? If I can work this guy down on his price, I might do it.
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01-24-02, 07:48 PM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
I bought mine as a theft recovery. The instrument cluster, light housings, seats, cd changer, amp, moon roof, mirrors, and carpeting were all missing, and the quarter-panel window was smashed in, windshield was cracked from a sloppy removal of the rearview mirror. I bought it, restored it using a parts car (totalled '93 SC4) and in the end it only cost me $8k. It's a '95 in champagne gold with 47k miles, the paint is in mint, no door dings or scratches, and nothing under the hood or drivetrain was touched. Tires were practically brand new, the brake pads had at least 50% left in them, and all the replaced light housings are crystal clear and pretty much brand new. The only disadvantage was that because the instrument cluster was stolen (and the mileage is stored on it's ecu), the car had a not actual mileage title on it. But the dealership confirmed that 2 months prior to the insurance claim, the car had 44k miles on it, and the oil change sticker said a change was due at 47k. I had a guy put in a new windshield for me, but I think he screwed up on a section of the seal. Above 90mph, I can hear wind passing through my windshield.
12-01-04, 06:43 AM
#11
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Location: New York
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i would say its worth 2k, most people here buy running good condition sc's for 3.5k or less. I guess if it only has 40k miles on it and the body and interior is mint. then its worth the 3.5k but if not i think the price is a bit high. I bought my 93 5spd for 3.5k and its was in excellent condition.
newbiesssssss....lol