morbid

I have found an SC300 local and am wondering how much it is worth. I know how much I would like to pay for it, but I am just trying to get a few other Lexus owners opinions.

It is a 1997 red mica SC300 original 5-speed. Body seems to be in good condition, and so does the interior. Tan leather, sunroof, standard Lexus stereo, no burnt led displays or needles, aftermarket wheels that look OKAY at best, and the cup holder is not missing . It has 135,000 miles on the clock.

Okay, now here is the catch. I ran the Carfax and they report it as being a manufacturer buyback/lemon that was bought back in 1999. I was curious as to why it was bought back so I gave Lexus a call and had them run the VIN and check the cars history in their records. Their records show that the car has never been bought back. Around 1998 - 2001 the car came into the dealer numerous times for vacuum leaks and a misfire. It was even CHECKED to see if it was eligible to be bought back, but it did not meet the requirements and therefore was not bought back. I contacted Carfax to see if I would be able to have the history report corrected, but haven't heard back from them yet.

Other then that little "hiccup," the Carfax looks great.

SO, given all this, how much would you say this car is worth?

CrazySC300

iTrader: (16)

$7,500-$9,500 easily.

SH_JZZ30

iTrader: (1)

I've seen a stock red 97 5spd lowered and had supra tt wheels sell down here for $7000. That was exactly a year ago. It had a clean title and looked very good and well maintained.

UrbnSC

I agree with CrazySC300, 7500-9500 sounds very fair.

TheKevin

iTrader: (6)

+2, $7500-9500

Amini9

buy it! [persian pride btw ]

96SC4

iTrader: (2)

i think that if an automobile is determined a lemon, it has to be crushed, by law. so it sounds that the carfax may be wrong IMO.
my old man bought a brand new Ford F150 a few years ago and it turned out to be a lemon... it had to be crushed. Supposedly they aren't even allowed to strip any parts off of it first either...
Regardless, good luck!

P Weezy

iTrader: (1)

+3. Get it!!!

morbid

.........

soarer13oy

iTrader: (13)

Your discription sounds similar to this one but this one is in Cali.
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/1493678725.html

morbid

Damn that is similar. If what you guys are saying is accurate then someone should scoop that up quick since hes only asking $7k. Unless it's a salvage or something.... you never know

CrazySC300

iTrader: (16)

When you do buy the car, Be sure the VIN tags haven't been altered in any way and that the person selling you the car is able to provide the pink slip at that very moment ownership is handed to you...If it appears the VIN tags have been altered,don't match up and/or the seller can't provide the title, Then chances are, it's a scam. There's a growing scam going around called "Cloned Cars" be careful since coincidentally there's 2 eerily similar cars being sold in 2 different states.

morbid

Good info. The one I am interested in, however, was a trade in to a local dealership and is now for sale by the dealer. I don't see people trading in "clone cars" to a dealer, but it is definitely possible. I'll thoroughly check all the VIN tags.

UrbnSC

Did carfax get back to you? It sucks getting stuck with a "salvage" car. Make sure before you buy.

morbid

No not yet. **** Carfax, I've had nothing but bad experience's and stupidity come from them every time I have to deal with them. I have been told from Lexus it is not a lemon/buyback so I don't really care what carfax says. If they don't want to change it the first time around I'll just keep complaining and threatening them until they do, lol.

I'm going to see the car in about an hour. If all is well I'm getting it.