drpatel77

iTrader: (2)

hey guys.. .. if buying go for the sc300 or sc400... auto or manual...and a later model like 97-00 or earlier is ok.....

My main thing is reliability but also i like basics eg. DRL.... but i don't want to get one with major issues - so more reliable with auto or manual..?? please advise.... i am finding mainly between 75-100K miles... is that still a good buy... ???

hate new sc430 .. no would love old one b/c love shape but if it's good quality and reliable...

thanks..

masagsxr

My opinion.... 96 or earlier models. Its OBD-1 and a lot easier to maintain because less electronics. Yeah I know. I went with 99 SC400. I knew what I was getting into. Besides, i'm pretty mechanically inclined and do most of the stuff on my own.... I just say 96 or older because you could do a lot with it. You live in california and there are only so much you could do if you go with OBD2's. For the most part the problem is getting it to pass smog. But hey, if you have a hookup on one of those places then more power to yah. I like mine to be smog legal. Yeah, I care about the environment LoL.

texan_176

iTrader: (5)

98-00 SC400 is the best car of the entire run if you want all of the bells and whistles, best styling, and most power stock.

Fuel economy is a little worse than the 6 cyl but worth the extra power.

BUT...name me another near 300 horsepower car that has that much equipment and comfort for the kind of money they are selling for used these days.

The 97+ look exterior is about $1200 in parts + paint/labor so factor that in if you plan on it.

Bone stock all of them are very reliable cars though.

drpatel77

iTrader: (2)

yeah notice.... 99 up engine modified to give v8 40 more hp.... like the styling of the 98-00 better.... but would prefer a well run engine and reliable.. plans for this car is leave mainly stock... modify body and suspension.. cannot stand a car with problems really but love the shape of this car... would like to get one in future...

if 96 and prior is OBD1 ... what is the newer ones...?? a good mechanic inspection would help?? can they actually check it properly and be able to tell if expect problems down the road??

aka paco

iTrader: (15)

97+ for sure

drpatel77

iTrader: (2)

dumb question mabye but i have searching on so much stuff i'm almost burnt out...

can some answer me this question :

the body compoents eg. front and back bumper... are the ones from 99-00 interchangeable with the old shape of 92-96...???? if so requires to change headlights and all or do the bumpers just fit in ??? also taillights???

thanks..

jadu

iTrader: (42)

Yes, they are interchangeable. It is very common doing a 97+ conversion

drpatel77

iTrader: (2)

are the bumpers for 99/00 vs 97 prior straight exchange or do u need to buy new headlights and taillights?????

czar07

there are three different body versions:

92-94 = this one has no fog lights
late 94-late 96 = a slightly different front bar, and foggies instead of turning lights. all other body mouldings identical to 92-94. has different tail lights to 92 as well
97-00= new front bumper, new rear bumper. side skirts and door mouldings. new tail lights

all versions had the same headlights. so all you need to do is replace you front and rear bumper + add the skirts and change the tail lights.

personally i would go for a 97+ sc400.

wagomaniac

iTrader: (5)

I would just suggest buying my 95 5 speed with the 97+ body conversion all ready done lol

wagomaniac

iTrader: (5)

Oh and good luck on finding a 5 speed because there rare and only came in the 97 and previous years. But don't expect to find a 97 5 speed because only 120 were made in the US

aka paco

iTrader: (15)

I had a 95 black interior 5 speed car with a 97+ exterior, i highly recommend just getting a real 97+ instead, much much nicer, my 97 feels like a much newer car inside, and the gauge cluster is alot nicer with more features, not to mention the rest of the interior lighting is a nicer bluish/green and the leather feels better then the 95's, not just cause of age, but i think they used better leather in the later models.

vietunit

iTrader: (5)

From what you stated, a 98-00 SC400 would be ideal.

+1 with paco.

madmax98

If you plan on boosting then pre-98 SC300.
But if you PLAN on keeping the car stock then 98+ for sure. the 2JZ is more reliable than the V8 counterpart so......, i would go with the SC300.
As long as the car is taken care of, i would take OBDII any day, because you're not looking to mask problems or hide them. Emission testing is a breeze in VVTi models, my emission guy was surprised of how low my emissions were <before turbo of course>, he was so astonished that he kept on looking under the car and engine bay for any interfering devices < true foocking story>. Also with VVTi, you dont have to worry about the retarded EGR, Cat converter, retarded distributer. PLus the car had an insane midrange, and of course you can't ignore the sexiest body style Toyota ever produced.
I was planning to keep my car stock when i bought it in 2007, but if you glance at my signature, it's completely a different story lol.

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

Reliability is a tossup. Both I6 and V8 are dead reliable with neither of them having a clear advantage over the other. When you're buying a used car, previous maintenance matters more than whether you have the I6 or a V8.


My choice if I was stuck in the same situation? 98+ SC400 and don't look back. It's more inline with the LS430 you have in terms of power so it's not going to feel like you've just gained weight.