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I live in north Atlanta, GA and have visited GERRBS several times. He's got some great rides! I have one of the SC300s y'all are tracking. It's a '97 SC300 triple black 5 speed, VIN ending in 400019. I bought it from a 'Dad-to-be' in San Diego in 2005 with ~85K miles on it. It's now got 390K miles an d the only 'major' work was a new clutch at 325K miles. I installed a One Plus clutch. Great car! *Note: I am NOT selling it! **HOWEVER, I need some black (original paint) body parts: passenger door, right fender, hood, front bumper cover, front grill, right headlight and right fog light. I you have one or more of these please message me.
Thanks!!
Thanks for the kind words buddy. Trying to recall if you are the one who went to my place in Duluth or Snellville . Can you pm me your complete VIN number so I can verify the car ? Thanks .
Well ladies and gents, I've cracked the code. There have always been questions surrounding the validity of the 120 number, and today, we finally have answers - both good and bad.
I've taken all of the data that our friend @bzublin had compiled for us a few years ago and went ahead and looked into every single VIN, all 226 of them, and here's what I've learned.
Back in the day, Lexus used two different model codes for the '97 5spd SC300 - 9201 and 9211, both identical with the only difference of 9211 having California/New York compliant emissions.
After checking every single VIN, here are my findings:
9201: 120
9211: 106
So the good news? We finally have concrete evidence that there are actually 226 '97 model year 5spd SC300s. The bad news? Someone way, way, way back wasn't aware that multiple model codes existed for this car and advised us all that only 120 '97 5spd SC300s exist.
Another fun fact - 58 of the 226 '97 5spd SC300s either have a salvage/rebuilt title or were junked entirely, meaning 168 clean title cars potentially still exist out there. If you'd like any more info, feel free to ask here.
_______________________________________
Next day edit - here is a breakdown of exterior/interior color for these 226:
How do we know which one belongs to the 9201 or 9211 ? Just wondering about our list now ... how many belong to one code and how many of the other. Trying to figure out how many are we missing from each code.
@Bonemaster@AaronMc please PM me a picture of the driver door plate that shows the car info / VIN so your cars can be added on the list
1997 Production - Model 1997 (LAST YEAR THE 5speed SC300 was manufactured)
??? - JAN - 0039571 - MdDRMS (Naiwst) - FL 046 - JAN - 0039598 - VInStarz - NY 289 - JAN - 0039770 - 187 - NY 948 - FEB - JT8CD32Z8V0040007 - Figak - MN 485 - FEB - JT8CD32Z7V0040273 - GoCarSC300 - CA
797 - MAR -JT8CD32Z0V0040339 -2JSKezy LA
051 - MAR -JT8CD32Z5V0040546 - rcmile1234 - GA 288 - MAR - 0040550 - BigBang - TX
471 - MAR - JT8CD32Z1V0040561 - ThomasGS4 231 - MAR - 0040608 - Bramos24 - FL 927 - MAR - 0040661 - One120 - NY
APR - -0040710- MSprchr - TX 245 - MAR - 0040814 - Chitoe - DE 223 - MAY - 1000069 - myLEXsc400 - IL 446 - MAY - 1000166 - jabbajt -LA 453 - MAY - 1000168 - xshurikx -NY
1000206 - jpr2013-TX
582 - MAY - 1000260 - ar3 - CA 907 - JUN - 1000374 - soaring361 - DE
370 - JUN - 1000579 - My97sc300 - SC ??? - JUN - 1000677- UniqSC - SC
??? - JUL - 1000814 - Careet - IL 921 - JUL - 1000834 - jmorando05 - NJ 940 - JUL - 1000843 - OurSC120 - NH
952 - JUL - 1000848 - MongooseGA - GA 030 - JUL - JT8CD32Z1V1000877 - Charlie Quatmann - MO (Shay sold to Collin then to Charlie) 046 - JUL - 1000883 - Evans4g63 - NY 282 - JUL - JT8CD32Z6V1000969 - gerrb - GA 812 - JUL - 1001158 - 1of120 - CA 169 - AUG - 1001324 - Brucelee28 - CA
218 - AUG - JT8CD32Z6V1001345 - GoCarSC300 - CA
1996 Production - Model 1997
??? - AUG - JT8CD32Z2V0037541 GS Fonzy - CA 855 - AUG - 0037616 - ashtray - TX
793 - AUG - 0037701 - regulate - VA 072 - AUG - 0037798 - Ezroni - CA 786 - SEP - JT8CD32Z1V0037854 -Mikeg15 - MD 328 - OCT - JT8CD32Z9V0038170 - crypto79 - MD
317 - OCT - JT8CD32ZXV0038226 - pass1914 - FL
NOTE :
* The list above mentions the last known owner. If the new owner doesn't claim the VIN then it is still under the old owner. There are a few on the list which I know have already been sold.
List of cars whose VIN seems to indicate that they are part of this list
VIN Number - Known INFO about car from Posts on this thread and Carfax
1997 Production - Model 97 JT8CD32ZXV0040025 #588 07/20/15 wrecked and totalled - Carfax 4/20/15 Waldorf MD TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32ZXV0040056 #182 10/28/09, Blk/T 165kmi Houston, Tx - Carfax 09/01/17 Houston TX Clean title 195k miles JT8CD32Z6V0040071 #146 08/30/09, Wht/T 120kmi Milford, Ct - Carfax 10/18/17 San Mateo CA Clean Title 216k miles JT8CD32Z6V0040152 Blk/Blk 145k mi now owned by Micheal Donald (Facebook 04/08/19) - Carfax 08/10/17 Marreo LA no mileage update JT8CD32Z4V0040229 mentioned to gerrb from Facebook 03/28/2019 JT8CD32Z3V0040240 #42 Wht/T 114kmi Bellevue,WA - Carfax 12/02/14 Aiea HI no mileage update JT8CD32Z8V0040251 #481 12/08.14 Wht/T 127kmi Orlando,FL - Carfax 11/28/17 Ft. Lauerdale FL Clean Title 141k miles JT8CD32Z9V0040260 Sold at Long Island through Craigslist JT8CD32Z2V0040388 Facebook 5/24/2019 Travi Rivera JT8CD32Z9V0040209 salvaged and auctioned at Copart 1/2021 owned by local Atlanta guy before being at Copart JT8CD32Z8V0040430 #103 07/17/09 , wrecked ,260kmi Fremont, Ca auction IAAI - Carfax 10/06/09 Rancho Cordova CATOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z4V0040439 mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 03/29/19 218k miles salvage title in CA but minor damage and would get rebuilt title in FL JT8CD32Z4V0040456 Facebook ad 04/22/19 in WI JT8CD32Z8V0040475 #355 11/16//12 wrecked totalled - Carfax 08/18/10 154k miles Springfield VA - 11/16/12 TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z7V0040581 Wht/T 95kmi LAUREL, MD Clean stock CL Member Karwan - Carfax 03/02/18 Chesterfield VA Clean Title 181k miles JT8CD32Z2V0040598 now owned by Taylor Morgan in GA mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 170k miles 03/10/2019 JT8CD32Z8V0040637 was sold on cars and bids on 1/19/22 JT8CD32Z5V0040661 #38 of this thread 07/08/09 , PltMt 75kmi Pompano Be, FL - Carfax 04/08/17 Forest Hills NY Clean Title 101k miles JT8CD32Z3V0040710 RRd 195kmi Arlington,Tx Carfax 04/06/17 Spring TX Clean Title 215k miles JT8CD32Z5V0040725 Found at Cargurus (mableton, ga) Carfax 04/04/15 231k miles JT8CD32Z7V0040726 Wht/T 134kmi Hollywood, Fl Dealer clean Greenfield Auto Sold 06/09 Carfax 04/14/14No new reports JT8CD32Z1V0040785 mentioned to gerrb through Facebook on 05/19/2019 .owned by Francisco Gonzalez JT8CD32Z1V0040804 Kris Kang , mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 04/02/2019 JT8CD32Z5V0040823 Alan Vilfort , mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 03/10/2019 230k miles JT8CD32Z6V0040927 #67 07/10/09, Blk/Blk 92kmi So, Ca Carfax 05/30/13 Pflugerville TX JT8CD32Z6V0040958 #45 07/08/09, Blk/Blk unk SF/Bay, Ca Carfax 02/07/17 San Jose Ca Clean Title 230k miles JT8CD32Z2V1000001 #44 07/08/09 , Red/T 179K FRANKLIN, TN Trenton Wright Carfax 05/20/13 Yukon OK TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z7V1000026 #37 07/08/09 Carfax 09/29/16 Gardena CA Clean Title 188k miles JT8CD32Z8V1000035 Bring a trailer , 103k miles, Original Owner JT8CD32Z4V1000047 parted by Carlos Santos on FB JT8CD32Z1V1000071 #152 09/27/09, CGrp/T 114kmi Princeton,NJ Clean title Carfax 09/27/14 Brooklyn NY Clean Title 162k miles JT8CD32Z7V1000088 #40 07/08/09, Blk/T 69kmi Greatneck NY Carfax 02/08/17 Newhall CA Clean Title 128k miles JT8CD32Z4V1000100 #108 of this thread 07/21/09 , CGrp/T 131kmi Davie, Fl Salvage Carfax 03/5/18 Miami FL REBUILT TITLE 215k miles JT8CD32Z3V1000122 #191 of this thread 12/04/09, RRed/T 135kmi Dulles, Va Carfax 03/09/18 Palm Harbor FL 204k miles (mfr buyback lemon in 1999 but seems clean title now) JT8CD32Z3V1000153 Red 130kmi Stockton,Ca Beat salvage Carfax 11/12/10 Oakland CA 163k miles TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z0V1000191 owned by Lucas Russo , mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 295k miles 03/10/2019 JT8CD32Z3V1000226 #304 03/26/11 wrecked Carfax 03/28/11 Grand Prairie TX TOTAL LOSS Salvage Title JT8CD32Z4V1000310 mentioned to gerrb through facebook 06/03/2019 Steve Gordon JT8CD32Z8V1000312 mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 05/02/2019 PA Orandy Guthrie For sale JT8CD32Z1V1000412 info provided by ThomasGS4 224k Dallas TX JT8CD32Z8V1000438 #41 07/08/09, Red/T 123kmi Ft. Lauderdale, Fl Mint modded 2jzgte Carfax 09/05/14 Wellington FL SALVAGE TITLE JT8CD32Z8V1000469 #141 08/14/09, Blk/T 160kmi Lynn, Ma Mint clean title Carfax 05/29/12 Worcester MA 182k miles TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z7V1000625 #139 08/10/09, 148k miles Carfax 10/21/17 Carmel NY TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z7V1000656 #177 10/26/09, Wht/T 84kmi Felton, De Clean title Carfax 02/20/15 College Park MD SALVAGE TITLE JT8CD32Z2V1000693 #43 07/08/09, Red/T 125kmi Miami, Fl salvage rear end damage Carfax 01/17/17 Hollywood FL SALVAGE TITLE JT8CD32Z2V1000818 For Sale on Craigslist 04/13/17 in AZ JT8CD32Z3V1000864 For Sale on Cargurus 07/13/18 in IDAHO Falls , ID at a dealership JT8CD32Z7V1000950 #39 07/08/09 , Red/T 123kmi Coral Springs, Fl Carfax - 06/26/15 Windsor Mill MD Clean Title 169k miles JT8CD32Z4V1001246 #343 09/12/12 Blk / Beige salvage title Carfax 01/04/17 Fort Lauderdale FL TOTAL LOSS JT8CD32Z9V1001274Phoenix Craigslist Production date is 08/1997 Black exterior/black interior. Per the ad it has a clean title and 59,500 miles. JT8CD32Z6V1001314TOTAL LOSS # 149 Wht/Tan Carfax 4/17/18 Total Loss Virginia Beach, VA 459k miles Currently on Copart
1996 Production - Model 1997 JT8CD32Z9V0037522 #673 10/01/16, 14,974 original miles. 3K7 rose quartz, San Diego Carfax 04/03/17 Redmond WA Clean Title JT8CD32Z3V0037547 #785 12/30/17 Sil/Blk with 225k miles Los Altos, CA Carfax 12/08/17 Palo Alto CA Clean Title JT8CD32Z4V0037556 #143 08/15/09, Bur/Iv 99kmi Chandler,Az Mint clean title Carfax 02/10/18 Peoria AZ Clean Title 177k milles JT8CD32Z5V0037565 #286 12/17/10 Carfax 11/14/17 Mount Pleasant SC JT8CD32Z5V0037596 #347 10/30/12 White Carfax 03/01/13 Depew NY TOTAL LOSS JUNK TITLE JT8CD32Z8V0037639 #467 11/16/14 1Red / Ivory 5spd Carfax 10/27/17 Napervill IL 112k miles REBUILT TITLE JT8CD32Z2V0037717 #46 07/08/09 , BlkO 126kmi Atl, Ga clean Carfax 01/29/18 Tinley Park IL 193k miles REBUILT TITLE JT8CD32Z5V0037730 08/13/19 mentioned to gerrb through Facebook by Marvin Zapeta JT8CD32Z1V0037854 0813/19 JT8CD32Z0V0038106 #48 07/08/09 , BlkO 140kmi LB, Ca clean Carfax 03/19/18 Lakewood WA TOTAL LOSS REBUILT TITLE ISSUED JT8CD32Z6V0038157 #138 08/10/09, Blk/T 102kmi ,Al Clean title Carfax 07/05/17 Jacksonville NC Clean Title 175k miles JT8CD32Z5V0038182 owned by Carlos Santos in TX , mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 03/10/2019. JT8CD32Z7V0038202 mentioned to gerrb through Facebook 03/28/2019 . Car is at Twin Cities MN. JT8CD32Z4V0038335 07/20/18 posted for sale on cars.com JT8CD32Z5V0038795 #271 05/25/10 Carfax 02/11/17 Indianapolis IN Clean Title JT8CD32Z5V0038828 01/17/22 Sold at Copart Salvage Title JT8CD32Z4V0039176 RRed/T 168kmi Santa Monica, Az Clean Title Carfax 02/17/16 San Diego CA Clean Title
Note : As Per Carlos Santos from Facebook , he parted out one some time back but didn't get the VIN
SUMMARY :
104 1997 SC300 original 5 speed (1 of 120)
39 owned by known clublexus members
64 owners unknown if they are clublexus members
1 parted out but didn't get the VIN
out of the 103 , 18 have been issued SALVAGE / TOTAL LOSS Titles and out of the 18 , 4 now have REBUILT TITLES
History Table for the Soarer Model: JZZ31 3.0ltr -> month and year a car rolled out of the factory by their VIN (serial #)
Here is a table I lifted from Wikipedia that can be informative . Looks like this info is based on Calendar Year. The annotations in blue are references from which the editors lifted the numbers. Looks like they have lumped the 1991 production with the 1992 that is why the number of production is a lot bigger than sales and technically the Lexus SC model started in 1992. So is the 120 number only for the 1997 calendar year manufactured vehicles ? I still don't know ! Hope one day we will find a more credible source and will find out .
How do we know which one belongs to the 9201 or 9211 ? Just wondering about our list now ... how many belong to one code and how many of the other. Trying to figure out how many are we missing from each code.
Hey Gerry,
PM me with your email address, I've got the master list in a spreadsheet that I can send you.
Found an old e-mail from Lexus from 2008 when I inquired about 97 production - don't know if this adds or removes from the mystery. They counted 137 for the MY.
"Thank you for contacting LexusCustomerSatisfaction and for your continued patience.
We can advise the MY (model year) extracted sales for the 1997 SC 300 5-speed manual vehicles sold were 137. The paint color for the Royal Sapphire Pearl is 8L5 but the system would not breakdown the color specifics for this color. This is due in part to the number of years which have passed since the time of production. We can advise 8L5 was a new color for that MY. We do apologize we cannot provide you the specific breakdown.
If you require further assistance, please respond to this e-mail, or contact LexusCustomerSatisfaction at 1-800-255-3987, Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time.
Thank you for posting that, Lee. I guess it goes to show that we've known that there are more than 120, but that exact number has been in question for quite some time.