1992 SC400 Project. Buy or walk away?
01-22-10, 04:19 PM
#1
1992 SC400 Project. Buy or walk away?
I have an opportunity to buy a 92 SC400 with 185k in somewhat rough shape for $800. I also would have to pay $200 to tow it. Should I pick it up or walk away?
The obvious issues:
Missing all ignition keys (says the car runs but no way to immediately test)
Dent in drivers fender.
Dent in pass. door.
Interior is pretty messed up.
Passenger window needs new regulator or track.
Cluster needles are probably bad.
A/C Display is shot
Missing rear view mirror
Not afraid of spending some time and money to fix it up, just wanted to get others opinions on the price and any other red flags I should look for. The owner did say that the engine ran a bit rough after it was washed a while back. Going to look at it tomorrow, it also has a clear title.
Here's a few pics:
More Pics:
http://cid-75b2461e164a00e9.skydrive...2092%20001.JPG
The obvious issues:
Missing all ignition keys (says the car runs but no way to immediately test)
Dent in drivers fender.
Dent in pass. door.
Interior is pretty messed up.
Passenger window needs new regulator or track.
Cluster needles are probably bad.
A/C Display is shot
Missing rear view mirror
Not afraid of spending some time and money to fix it up, just wanted to get others opinions on the price and any other red flags I should look for. The owner did say that the engine ran a bit rough after it was washed a while back. Going to look at it tomorrow, it also has a clear title.
Here's a few pics:
More Pics:
http://cid-75b2461e164a00e9.skydrive...2092%20001.JPG
01-22-10, 04:28 PM
#2
$1000 is good for just the shell of that car (as long a there's no rust), imo.
why? because i would immediately rip out/toss the motor/transmission and do a swap.
its a great platform fot $1k. the rest of the money u would have normally spent on a 'good' running sc, you can invest in a good Build/Project.
i say go for it.
why? because i would immediately rip out/toss the motor/transmission and do a swap.
its a great platform fot $1k. the rest of the money u would have normally spent on a 'good' running sc, you can invest in a good Build/Project.
i say go for it.
01-22-10, 04:50 PM
#4
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im looking at one for 850, just to get the brakes out of it, with no motor or transmission, that sounds like a pretty good price for a complete car (but i would keep in mind the keys are friggin expensive!!) its gonna be hard to find a 92-94 sc with decent leather seats, working ac display, actually its hard to find a 92-24 sc with decent interior LOL..im almost positive the only SC's with good seats in a 92-97..are already owned by members of club lexus hahaha
my 93 sc400 had mangled seats, display, needles, and every panel inside was cracked somewhere..i bought it to daily drive and have some toying with, 3 weeks later (last week) i sold it and bought a 96, everything is perfect aside from the seats having wear.. pretty much everything you listed is so common for these cars, id say its a great deal. look at the kbb for one in fair condition i guarantee its sitting around 3-4g's.
my 93 sc400 had mangled seats, display, needles, and every panel inside was cracked somewhere..i bought it to daily drive and have some toying with, 3 weeks later (last week) i sold it and bought a 96, everything is perfect aside from the seats having wear.. pretty much everything you listed is so common for these cars, id say its a great deal. look at the kbb for one in fair condition i guarantee its sitting around 3-4g's.
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01-22-10, 06:39 PM
#8
If you can buy and store it until you can buy a car that was in excellent shape but wrecked and totalled out to transfer over parts and build a nice car for under 4 grand it is a good deal; if you enjoy that kind of work.
92 SC400s in nice shape with less miles sell for in the 3-4 grand range to begin with so if you hate to do labor it is a bad deal.
92 SC400s in nice shape with less miles sell for in the 3-4 grand range to begin with so if you hate to do labor it is a bad deal.
01-22-10, 07:52 PM
#10
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offer what it is worth as an unknown. Say $300???...I don't know.
You can get a key with the vin number. You can't afford one of those electronic lock and unlock keys from Lex.
I would assume a bad engined and trans. Nobody looses a key without a good reason. Not the last one, anyway.
2 cents worth,
John
You can get a key with the vin number. You can't afford one of those electronic lock and unlock keys from Lex.
I would assume a bad engined and trans. Nobody looses a key without a good reason. Not the last one, anyway.
2 cents worth,
John
01-22-10, 08:40 PM
#11
offer what it is worth as an unknown. Say $300???...I don't know.
You can get a key with the vin number. You can't afford one of those electronic lock and unlock keys from Lex.
I would assume a bad engined and trans. Nobody looses a key without a good reason. Not the last one, anyway.
2 cents worth,
John
You can get a key with the vin number. You can't afford one of those electronic lock and unlock keys from Lex.
I would assume a bad engined and trans. Nobody looses a key without a good reason. Not the last one, anyway.
2 cents worth,
John
Yeah, definitely will at least offer less than $800. That way if the engine/tranny are screwed at least I can recoup the money I spent for it. The other thing that seemed slightly shady was the vehicle being on ramps, did they "loose" the key after they realized it had a major issue?
I don't really plan on doing an engine swap, so if something is majorly wrong I'll sell it to a junk yard or part it out.
01-22-10, 10:39 PM
#13
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It's cheap to buy a 1uz-fe engine and transmission even if the current components are shot. I've seen engine/trans for $250-400 here in Texas. The body damage isn't major either, I would buy it. If things don't work out, sell the wheels/tires for $200 and the stereo system for $200 and break even. Part the rest..sell the shell, In My Opinion there is more upside than downside.
