I know they're Toyotas and run forever, and there's the host of normal issues that even lower-mileage cars have, but what are your thoughts on buying a clean but high mileage SC, specifically a 400?

 

I wouldn't unless you are mechanically incline brother.

 

Despite Toyotas awesome reputation with reliability. A car is a car. And 200k is 200k.

A v8 by its nature is gonna be unreliable. Your talking about a lot more moving parts then a small 4 banger.

By 200k miles your talking about oil leaks, needing to change like everything (starter, plug wires, plugs, timing belt, water pump, 02 sensors, anything relating to suspensions, ect." Not to mention odds are your gonna have compression loss and a need to rebuild.

I would not by a 200k car unless you plan on engine/tranny swapping.

 

why not get a sc300?
many guys running their sc3's here with original motors over 200k miles and still running as strong as it is new.......

 

I got SC400 with 360k KMs...but tune up done with timing belt at 300k KMs...
Engine mounts and valve cover gaskets changed.
It runs perfect with no leaks and no burning oil...
The compression test was perfect too.
It runs better than most new cars
I think its all about maintenance that was done by the owners..
Mine had all dealer maintenance record that filled the whole binder..
Good Luck-

 

I agree with Peter, get you a SC300...I have 215Km on my 5 speed, still running strong only replaced gaskets, and getting ready to replace the clutch-and this is my daily driver with over 80 miles a day.

 

replacement long blocks for these cars are cheap as dirt, especially for the 2JZ

 

have you guys heard of the SC with 621,382 miles on it??

here is the thread

and here is the pic of the cluster right after the car died

and you guys are worried by a mere 200K ... hahaha ... you guys have another 400K before the light at the end of the tunnel starts appearing for your SC

 

if my car had 620k on the dash i'd be scared to go over 60mph lol...

 

I agree with some of your points, but I think there is a flip side to this one. a V8 typically turns at a lower RPM, which means less friction and heat, a V8 typically has a lower specific output, so they are less "high strung" and by nature even with similar HP, the torque at lower RPM allows them to run most of their life at lower RPMs even if doing the same "work" Also V8s tend to run smoother, lower vibration equals less wear and tear.

 

I would be afraid to drive period. My sc400 has only a few k's left till 200k, but it is running super strong.

 

I'm at 220k and still beating up on stangs and 350z.

 

i bought sc4 about 215k and running strong!

 

Tranny swap is in the plans for sure - I despise automatics so it'll have a five-speed ASAP. I've seen 1UZ's for pretty cheap, too, but they're such bulletproof motors that I'm not super worried about that. I do not want an SC300 - that is not negotiable. I imagine I'll be replacing a lot of suspension components anyway, with Daizen or Energy Suspension bushings and the like, so not that big a deal if the factory stuff is old. I've seen several people mention that it's often better to get a newer car with more miles than an older car with fewer miles. The '95 I'm looking at isn't exactly "new", but it's not a '92 or anything like that.

I guess I feel like I should be worried, but I'm not. Both of my trucks ('86 4Runner, '85 Toy pickup) have over 270K on them. They've got problems, but they're almost 25 years old too. I feel like the 14 year old Lexus should have far fewer issues, and what it does have I'll upgrade anyway.

 

SO would you say an SC400 with 142K is in good shape...I know for a fact that it has been well maintained...Other then Power steering issues.