Alright, here's the deal, I'm turnin 16 on Thursday and I'll finally have the freedom to drive on my own. My parents are makin me save up until after the 1st of next year before I buy my own car though (I already have a Ford piece of crap), and I know I want a Lexus, and preferrably and SCx00. I'm going to be looking into the older models ('92-'95) cuz that's probably all I'll be able to afford. I'm used to driving an LS400 because that's what my mom has and I was wondering what your opinions were on the 300s and 400s of that year range as compared to an LS400. Thanks!
-Pete

 

Can you afford $8000-$15,000 on an SC?
Also, can you afford the high insurance rates(at your age), Gas, Maintenance, and Accessories it takes to own an SC?
Good on the part of your parents making you save for your car.
This will make you wise and responsible!
Most of your hard income, flipping Burgers, will go into this vehicle. If you want a Lexus don't get into half blind. Make sure you can afford what it takes to own it and properly maintain it.
If not............. Hondas are a dime a dozen and cheaper to accessorize

 

Not really. You may find a civic for cheaper off the bat but the "Accessories" are not any cheaper for the most part. Less, JDM exclusive components - it's the same no matter what car Nissan, Honda, Toyota, etc.

Although to do real work on anything cost real $$$$. At 16, I would be looking at a V8 for speed, but my Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let me have one. You want the SC go for it but it will take some commitment. You should always take care of your car no matter what it is, though my sc 300 deserves special attention. If only to fork over the 7k for the turbo. Stuff dreams are made of.

What was the question? Oh yea, I think the SC300 kicks ***.

 

I've been looking more into SC300s because they're a bit cheaper. I don't mind buying a car with high miles because these will run forever, and I don't care about the V8 for speed...I don't plan on street racing a Lexus anyway. So yea, I do know pretty much what I'm getting into as far as money, and I think its worth it.

 

Well I got my SC400 at age 16. Insurance was insanely high but just drive carefully. You say you don't care about the V8 for speed? Once you start getting your butt kicked by little civics & integras, you'll wish you had some more power.

If I had to choose again which SC to get, I'd get a manual SC300. I've seen the potential it can produce with an engine swap or an aftermarket turbo system.

But, whatever floats your boat. You'll be happy with either one you choose.

Tony

 

The SC300 5-speeds are hard to come by, but if you're leaning towards the SC300 I would definitely hold out for the 5-speed. They are just a hair slower than the SC400, but with BPU you can easily make it faster. The I-6 is probably more reliable anyway and will give you less trouble after high miles. Plus there's always the potential for TU-U-URBO!!!

 

I don't think I'll be doing too terribly much racing though. I want a Lexus more just because I like how they drive and pretty much everything else about them. If I was gonna race, I'd spend less money and get something like a 3000GT VR-4 .

 

And watch it break into pieces. If it ain't broke already. Those cars are notorious. A dsm is fast, until it breaks like so many I've seen. The transmissions are weak on the AWD. To say the least.
A GSX would be a better buy, but not by much.

 

also the dsm cars that are AWD are actually front wheel drive rear wheel assist .. aka crappy!

 

Thats part of the reason I'm going with Lexus: much more reliable. I don't want to have to spend the money every time the tranny blows, but getting back to the point, does the 300 or the 400 ride more like an LS400?

 

the SC ride is a little more sporty than the LS , you should go test drive one?

 

Yea, I'm hopin to do that soon after I get my lisence. Luckily for me, my hockey coach is friends with the owner of a Lexus dealership, so he can get me a deal. That should be nice.

 

I have seen few 95-96 sc's at lexus dealers .. and never a 92-94 but thats just me .. they usually have the 97-00
when were you planing on getting the lex?

 

How are you gonna afford one at a lexus dealer??? Your best bet is a private seller, as Lexus typically sells 95 scs with 70k-90k for about 21k, atleast in my area they do.


If you dont care so much for speed, go with the SC300... although the v8 sounds really nice.

And how the hell will he get beat by a Civic??? An Integra type-r, yes, but a civic????????

 

I've been looking at private sellers on Autotrader, if anyone has any better places to look (other than the classifieds in the paper, of course) please let me know.