The Ikon

Okay I understand the auto light question now... thanks for clarifying...

*Valet seat is when the passenger seats automatically moves forward when you let the back of the seat down to let a passager.put a package in the rear seat... Then it returns automatically once the seat back is up again... As a valet would for you..

VQT

Both of my 93 have that feature. I thought that's standard for all SCs.

Ali SC4

Thx Ikon,
I had noticed that before just didnt make the connection till you explained. Sorry, its still early here and im a little hung over.

Bean

iTrader: (1)

Yup I've got the passenger side valet feature.

The chicks LOVE it. One time I was taking this girl and her female friend out for dinner on a friday night..... yeah she liked it. And the front seat passenger area when the seat was ALL the way back

Just her though; her female friend left early

Camshaft

Valet pass. seat is where when you lean it forward to get into the back seats, and it slides forward. This does not go back all the way, it goes back half. That way, the person in the back automaticaly has leg room. Rather nice feature, anyone that rides with me loves it. They all love the one button darkening rear view mirror, retracting steering wheel, and the memory seats. Its the little things.....

trebien

Excellent information from everyone. Thanks.

The problem is that there just aren't any good info sites that I have found that explains the changes or the features of the early years. I figured the best way to find out is to ask!

Ryan

Guys,

This is a great thread. I am very interested in these changes as well. I am starting to fix up my '93 400 and look to these changes as potential upgrades when things need replacing (i.e. cup holder). I got the following information from www.lexusclub.co.uk. Some things may be different because it is UK and most people on this forum are US.

A couple of questions: Did the steering wheel have a wood option in 2000? Was the instrument panel changed in 99 or 00 to blue colors? I've heard these before but don't know if it's true. Also, anyone here upgrade their cars with features found on later models, if so what and how much did it cost?

Thanks,
Ryan


Date
Modifications

1992 Model
Introduction of Lexus SC400

SC400 4.0-liter (242 cubic inches.), four-cam, 32-valve 90° V8
Horsepower at rpm, 250 hp @ 5,600 rpm.
Torque at rpm 260 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm.
0-60 mph acceleration 6.9 seconds.
1/4-mile acceleration 15.3 seconds.
Top track speed 150 mph.
Fuel consumption 18/22 mpg City/Highway.
Aerodynamic drag coefficient 0.32 ,0.31 with opt. rear spoiler
4-Speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (4ECT-i), with power/normal shift modes. Rear-wheel drive (optional Traction Control System).
4-wheel independent, double-wishbone suspension.
Vehicle speed-sensing, progressive power rack-and-pinion.
4-wheel ventilated, power-assisted anti-lock discs (ABS).

1993 Model

Passenger airbag SRS added.
New Lexus Portable Plus Cellular Phone option.
Automatic headlamps added.
All outboard passenger seatbelts now include "ALR" function that allows easier use of a child seat (without a locking clip).
New exterior colour: Graphite Metallic.

1994 Model

Instrument panel illumination changed from white to amber.
Climate control system revised for CFC-free refrigerant.
New emissions controls and on-board diagnostics.
Revised stitching on leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Thicker steering wheel rim.

1995 Model

Revised front air dam; extension deleted.
Revised tail lamps.
New wheel design.
Cornering lamps replaced with foglamps.
Audible remote entry.
Revised power passenger seat.
Parking brake handle moved 0.4-inch farther away from driver's seat.
Climate control and audio system displays changed from green to amber.
Outside temperature gauge added.
Second cupholder added.
Revised audio system.
Meets 1997 side impact standards.
Slight suspension and steering retuning.
New noise-control measures added.
Ivory instrument panel changes hue.
New interior-trim colours: Black Leather replaces Gray Leather
New exterior colours: Renaissance Red, Platinum Silver Metallic and Teal Mist Metallic.

1996 Model

Engine still is a 32-Valve V8, but power uprated to 260 hp.
Horsepower at rpm, 260 hp @ 5,300.
Torque at rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 4,500.
0 - 60 mph acceleration 6.8 seconds.
1/4-mile acceleration 15.3 seconds.
Top track speed 149 mph.
Meets 1997 federal side-impact standards.
Multifunction remote entry system with audible signal, car finder, trunk release and "panic mode".
Rear-window glass-imprinted antenna.
Pre-tensioners added to front seatbelts
Adoption of electrochromic mirrors
Moonroof adoption of one-touch open slide function.
Lexus chrome-plated wheels.
Exterior colour discontinued: Teal Mist Metallic.
Exterior colour addition: Bordeaux Pearl.

1997 Model

Flush foglamps.
New upper/lower grille.
Color-keyed side skirts.
Redesigned rear spoiler, bumper and taillamps.
New alloy wheel design.
Exterior colour discontinued: Sandstone Beige Metallic, Royal Jade Pearl and Midnight Indigo Pearl
New exterior colours: Shadow Rose Quartz, Classic Green Pearl and Royal Sapphire.

1998 Model

New engine with continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i).
Horsepower at rpm, 290 hp @ 6,000.
Torque at rpm, 300 lb-ft @ 4,000.
0 - 60 mph acceleration 6.3 seconds.
1/4-mile acceleration 14.7 seconds.
Top track speed 149 mph.
Fuel consumption 19/25 mpg city/highway.
Aerodynamic drag coefficient 0.32 (0.31 with optional rear spoiler).
New five-speed Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i).
Five-speed automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i). Overdrive fifth gear, auto-select shift program, engine/transmission networking, flex-lockup torque converter
Improved tires.
Genuine wood trim on the center console.
Electronic programmable garage-door opener.
Gated shifter and wood- and leather-trimmed shift ****.
Adoption of in-key multifunction remote.
Vehicle theft-deterrent and immobilizer system, with in-key transponder.
New exterior colors: Imperial Jade Mica and Baroque Red Metallic

1999 Model

Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL).
Adoption of Digital Sound Processor.
Six-disc CD auto-changer standardized.
Floor mats standardized.
Three-spoke steering-wheel design.
Daytime running lights.
Larger brake size.
SC 400 V8 engine meets Transitional Low-Emission Vehicle (T-LEV) certification for 50 states.
New exterior colors: Golden Pearl, Millennium Silver Metallic and Angora Beige Metallic.

2000 Model

On-board Refueling Vapor Recovery (ORVR) system.
Exterior colour discontinued: Baroque Red Metallic.
Exterior colour addition: Cinnabar Pearl.

New Model introduced for 2001
SC430

trebien

From the research I have done, it looks like these UK changes model the US changes at the same time.

Also, a lot of the changes may not be able to be passed to a previous generation since they may need the newer ECU to control those functions.

Does this mean that pre-1996 cars did not have auto-dimming rearview mirrors?

hoops_24

The valet passenger seat is the auto forward feature that propels the seat forward for easier entry and exit of rear seat passengers. This is a standard fetaure but only works on the passenger side of the vehicle.