SC300/400 As First Car?
06-03-09, 12:51 PM
#31
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06-03-09, 12:56 PM
#32
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I disagree with that, like i said i have experience driving in a michigan snow storm, so i aint your average socal person who needs chains to get to bear. And even for me the car still handles like crap in the rain. Making a sharp turn is dangerous. Both my 300 and my old 400 were like this and the mk4 people say the same thing so its def the car.
I like the sc but i'm blinded by that to deny its faults.
I like the sc but i'm blinded by that to deny its faults.
Not to mention, a RWD is a terrible platform for snow driving from an engineering standpoint. Front weight bias and rear drive = lots of spinning wheels on snow or ice.
I just find it ironic that people in warmer states are commenting about the SCs ability to handle in foul weather....
Last edited by djb5118; 06-03-09 at 01:01 PM.
06-03-09, 01:00 PM
#33
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What do you mean "tricked"? Cars are made of parts not magic. Just because the cars didnt have a manufacture defect (e.g. 7m blown headgasket) doesnt mean they will run forever; Parts break.
Last edited by Ryeno; 06-03-09 at 01:03 PM.
06-03-09, 01:00 PM
#34
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Not cool. My ES300, on the other hand... that thing plowed through the snow like it was on rails.
Last edited by Jeembo; 06-03-09 at 01:04 PM.
06-03-09, 01:03 PM
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Absolutely. I've driven in the snow of MN for about 8 years now (my SC saw this last winter) and it's honestly a miracle I didn't get stuck or get into an accident this winter with my SC. A brand new driver will have no chance driving an SC in the snow unless you feel like running chains, if that's even legal (it's not here). ESPECIALLY if you want to go "fast". Stay away from RWD.
06-03-09, 01:57 PM
#36
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I completely realize the weather problem, I was in my dad's Toyota ( FWD,I was not driving ) and we made a ~90 degree turn and we weren't even going that fast, there was a light coating of snow on the road and we spun ~ 45 degrees. Luckily we were the only ones on the road....
Really, if I get a car before I go off to college, I probably will NOT drive anything FWD OR RWD in the winter. Whatever car I get will probably be in storage for the winter. The only thing I would really feel safe driving is a Subaru with Blizzak's...
Really, if I get a car before I go off to college, I probably will NOT drive anything FWD OR RWD in the winter. Whatever car I get will probably be in storage for the winter. The only thing I would really feel safe driving is a Subaru with Blizzak's...
06-03-09, 04:15 PM
#37
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as a first car, don't think an older SC is such a good idea, unless it's a newer, previously well maintained one. I personally think you have to have time, patience, and knowledge when dealing with an older SC. They can be money pits, not because of mods, but because you'll be blind sided with maintenance issues left and right.
+1 
I am actually going to go against the grain here...
I don't think the sc is that great of a first car. i personally dont think that for a new driver RWD is the best decision. Also, the OP is in Massachusetts...not exactly the best weather all year round. Most of the replies to this have been from people in places like California, Florida, etc...places that have pretty good weather (not tons of snow/ice) all year round. Coming from a guy who lives in the Northeast, I wouldn't want to drive my SC year-round (and I dont). The bad weather conditions, combined with the RWD, is a recipie for disaster for a new driver.
It is true, these cars run very well for a long time...but there is more to a first car than running reliably.
I know that my children will have something slow and fwd as their first car. You also have to realize that you are in high school (assumption). In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter what you drive, especially at that time in your life imo. Buy something cheap, reliable, and fwd then save your money up so that you can buy something worthwhile down the road.
If you really are set on modding your first car (another thing I am not super supportive of), there are a bunch of FWD with aftermarket potential...
Check out:
Civics, Integras, Accords, Corollas, Subarus, Maxima, VW etc...
I don't think the sc is that great of a first car. i personally dont think that for a new driver RWD is the best decision. Also, the OP is in Massachusetts...not exactly the best weather all year round. Most of the replies to this have been from people in places like California, Florida, etc...places that have pretty good weather (not tons of snow/ice) all year round. Coming from a guy who lives in the Northeast, I wouldn't want to drive my SC year-round (and I dont). The bad weather conditions, combined with the RWD, is a recipie for disaster for a new driver.
It is true, these cars run very well for a long time...but there is more to a first car than running reliably.
I know that my children will have something slow and fwd as their first car. You also have to realize that you are in high school (assumption). In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter what you drive, especially at that time in your life imo. Buy something cheap, reliable, and fwd then save your money up so that you can buy something worthwhile down the road.
If you really are set on modding your first car (another thing I am not super supportive of), there are a bunch of FWD with aftermarket potential...
Check out:
Civics, Integras, Accords, Corollas, Subarus, Maxima, VW etc...
06-03-09, 05:04 PM
#38
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wait till you get to 200k+, the noises begin to come lol
06-03-09, 05:46 PM
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The only thing Im saying is that if he wants to go fast, he needs a cheap car with really good aftermarket support. Supra speed costs supra money which most SC owners don't have.
NA-T, 1JZ, 2JZ-GTE, these are all expensive and will not be as fast as a turbo'd Honda unless you can afford to drop way more money. Being his first car, I doubt that will happen.
Like I said, if he wants a quick(not really fast) luxury car, buy a vvti sc400. If he wants a really fast car (IMO) turbo Honda is the way.
NA-T, 1JZ, 2JZ-GTE, these are all expensive and will not be as fast as a turbo'd Honda unless you can afford to drop way more money. Being his first car, I doubt that will happen.
Like I said, if he wants a quick(not really fast) luxury car, buy a vvti sc400. If he wants a really fast car (IMO) turbo Honda is the way.
06-03-09, 06:23 PM
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as a first car, don't think an older SC is such a good idea, unless it's a newer, previously well maintained one. I personally think you have to have time, patience, and knowledge when dealing with an older SC. They can be money pits, not because of mods, but because you'll be blind sided with maintenance issues left and right.
+1
+1
06-04-09, 07:32 AM
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06-05-09, 02:22 PM
#43
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How is the rust issue on these cars? Obviously it is a 15 year old car, but it is a lexus, right?
The 240's are rust buckets so...
how are SC's on rust>?
The 240's are rust buckets so...
how are SC's on rust>?
06-05-09, 02:31 PM
#44
A 240 in your experience has rust because of who its driven by: a younger person who parks on the street most likely and daily drives the car.
An SC is a luxury car, which means its previous owner was more likely to have kept it washed, and in the garage, and not have driven in winter.
06-05-09, 02:53 PM
#45
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The SC300/400 is a great starter car..in the southern states. Here in the midwest, or in the north..snow is a huge problem. I love my SC..but for a first car? Not too good. Just this year, my mom sold her Chrysler Sebring Convt. so she drives our Tahoe everyday..in the winter she would drive the sebring because its fwd, an I'd drive the Tahoe to school. Honestly, since you live in an area where it snows, and if gas mileage isnt a huge problem, get a 4wd truck for your first ride. SC+Snow=BAD If i were you, id look for a used K5 pickup/blazer and then once you buy one for cheap, save up for an SC400 for a summer/weekend/highway ride. This Last winter, i drove my SC all thru..and it was a disaster..our highschools parking lot is pretty steep..and i couldnt get up it with my traction control on, or off. My driveway is VERY steep(if i go up too fast i scrape) and i can show you a picture of what happens when the snow is gone and you are on bare concrete :P. I left for work one day, TRAC on, going very slow..and i fishtailed and broke a rim and threw my alignment WAY off ( i was doing about 10mph too..)..so as a conclusion, YES if you live in CA, TX, or anywhere where there isnt any snow..NO if you live where it snows or gets even icy
If you dont want a truck..take this into consideration..SUBARU..my cousin bought a used..like 2000 somethin WRX for under 10,000..its quick too..and AWD(he lives in colorado) so its great in the snow
If you dont want a truck..take this into consideration..SUBARU..my cousin bought a used..like 2000 somethin WRX for under 10,000..its quick too..and AWD(he lives in colorado) so its great in the snow