Rex Ruthor

It is great that we have so many options for this platform. At original point of sale the stock performance of the available versions in the U.S. was all that mattered. I am sure in the secondary market, many are hunting down these cars, particularly the 3s, for mod potential. There may also be a not so vocal contingent buying the SC4s up because they are a great lux coupe that offers long term reliability second to none. My ex-05 CLK 500 and my ex-03 CLK 320 had so many expensive little trips to the dealer for poor design quality issues. Even at the top end; all 3 of my C32 AMGs left me stranded. On one, the tranny took a dump and the other's supercharger coolant pump shorted and shut down the vehicle. Sold the E55s before suffereing a similar fate. My point is that Toyota engineering was peaking in the mid to late 90's and not even the marques with the reputation of reliability can actually deliver the goods. Perhaps with the founder's grandson at the helm, Toyota can reclaim its former glory of building indestructible products.

95silversc

Imo the sc4 is for ppl who fall into a certain category. They want the most luxurious drivetrain that the car came with. Or they want the most power the car came with. Or they want to be different. Or they want the v8. Or they have tons of money feel like doing something different and want to mod the v8.

The sc3 is the poor mans supra. A used supra with turbos and a 6 speed is 25,000-40,000 bux depending on mods and condition. A sc300 comes with the n/a supra engine. And can be had with a 5 speed we all know real men shift their own gears! And is just as luxurious inside as a 400. So it starts off as a nice car that is fun to drive with a large amount of reliable tried and true mods and upgrades that are repeatable and street and track tested. Add a 7,000 dollar 6 speed and lsd. + another 5,000-7,000 4 turbos engine management etc and you have a lexus that cost less than any supra and is faster than alot of them. + the back seat in a SC is a decent seat!! baby seat ftw??

lemaylexus

I wish I would have bought a '98+ SC400. It seems like so many people buy these cars with anticipations of building a gte swap, eventually not being able to afford it. If you are just in it for the stock power and look, go for the 400.

kln552

OK, I've read every post in this thread and several others dealing with SC400 v 300, etc., and haven't seen an answer to my particular situation. Used to have a '92 SC400. Really jonesing for another SC. I thought I wanted a v8, and I've spotted a couple across the U.S. that are pre '98 VVT, low miles (68K down to about 56K) and in very, very nice shape, for around $9300 to $13000. If I buy one of those, I'll spend a few grand on nice wheels/tires, maybe lower an inch with Eibachs and new shocks, and drive it for years. I'll be about $14K into the car. Recently I found an absolutely stunning 2000 SC300, beautiful inside and out, maintained religiously, 51K miles and looking NEW. Could probably get for a little over $15K. Haven't driven a VVT SC300. I do not care about modding the car. Looking at performance figures, I don't think the 2000 SC300 is going to feel all that different off the line up to legal speeds, but I am having a really hard time deciding between SC400 and that pristine SC300. I care about longevity, cruising at hwy speeds, luxury, decent acceleration and handling. Suggestions?

Rex Ruthor

"The Lexus 1UZ-FE V-8 motor--used in the SC400 & LS400 models--was reported to cost over $400 million in research and development (1990 dollars). And it has paid off for Toyota Motor Corp. too. Today the engine is in its 16th year of production as a 3UZ-FE, and since then it has been race-proven as a 500-hp champion Fabcar placing first in its debut season at the 2004 Rolex 400 series, and if that wasn't impressive enough: there has yet to be an engine-related recall or a reported case of premature engine failure. Some 1989 LS400s have eclipsed 480,000 miles without needing any drivetrain rebuilds. As far as we know, every Lexus V-8 ever made, that hasn't been destroyed by abuse, is still in running condition today."

Longevity and desire for top of the line engineering was why I went with the 4.

Quote taken from.

http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html#01