Should I buy this '92 SC400?
03-28-11, 01:51 PM
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Should I buy this '92 SC400?
Hey all,
looking for some advice....
My Dad is planning on selling his '92 SC400. He basically doesn't drive it anymore, and it's been pretty stagnant in his garage for the last year to year+half. Part of the reason he doesn't drive it is because something in the electrical system is draining the battery super fast (alternator maybe?). He was fairly average in routine maintenance, e.g. oil/fluid/tires/brakes.
I'm thinking about taking it off his hands, but I'm trying to decide how much work/money it will be to maintain it. At this point, my main concern is keeping it running, cleaning up some of the interior wiggly-bits. Also, I figure a tune-up is in order. If that's not too painful, I might make some minor tweaks to it.... Also, while mechanically inclined, I don't have the time to do major work on my own.
I do want this to be a daily driver (it'd replace a '06 Honda Civic).
The details:
* The car has about 65k miles on it.
* Needs new trunk springs.
* Needs new power antenna.
* Head unit tape-deck doesn't work, but CD-changer still works.
* Pretty sure it needs a new alternator/need to figure out what's causing the short in the electrical system.
* Front leather seats starting to crack
* Rear-view mirror is permanently dimmed.
Thoughts?
looking for some advice....
My Dad is planning on selling his '92 SC400. He basically doesn't drive it anymore, and it's been pretty stagnant in his garage for the last year to year+half. Part of the reason he doesn't drive it is because something in the electrical system is draining the battery super fast (alternator maybe?). He was fairly average in routine maintenance, e.g. oil/fluid/tires/brakes.
I'm thinking about taking it off his hands, but I'm trying to decide how much work/money it will be to maintain it. At this point, my main concern is keeping it running, cleaning up some of the interior wiggly-bits. Also, I figure a tune-up is in order. If that's not too painful, I might make some minor tweaks to it.... Also, while mechanically inclined, I don't have the time to do major work on my own.
I do want this to be a daily driver (it'd replace a '06 Honda Civic).
The details:
* The car has about 65k miles on it.
* Needs new trunk springs.
* Needs new power antenna.
* Head unit tape-deck doesn't work, but CD-changer still works.
* Pretty sure it needs a new alternator/need to figure out what's causing the short in the electrical system.
* Front leather seats starting to crack
* Rear-view mirror is permanently dimmed.
Thoughts?
03-28-11, 02:00 PM
#3
well since it's your dads car you'd probably know if he kept up with the maintenance aka timing belt water pump etc. if i were you before buying the car get an volt meter and go from line to line until you find a culprit. anyways with low miles like that its definetely a keeper. if its just an electrical isssue that your worried about then i would say you should buy it, plus if you can knock off a few thousand off the price...being that your buying it from family...then i would say your crazy not to buy a lexus with low mileage like that.
03-28-11, 02:03 PM
#4
It only has 65k miles?!?! That's really damn low for a '92. Honestly, either keep it, or take it off his hands and sell it.
Your issue is probably the alternator. You can find one for roughly $100 and install this yourself. There is a DIY video on youtube on how to remove and install a 2JZ alternator if you've never done one before.
Ok, some of your other issues are very common. I bet 70% of us don't have working trunk struts or working antennas. And who the hell needs a tape deck lol. All SC seats have shown their age from the '90s.
Your issue is probably the alternator. You can find one for roughly $100 and install this yourself. There is a DIY video on youtube on how to remove and install a 2JZ alternator if you've never done one before.
Ok, some of your other issues are very common. I bet 70% of us don't have working trunk struts or working antennas. And who the hell needs a tape deck lol. All SC seats have shown their age from the '90s.
03-28-11, 02:31 PM
#5
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Hey all,
looking for some advice....
My Dad is planning on selling his '92 SC400. He basically doesn't drive it anymore, and it's been pretty stagnant in his garage for the last year to year+half. Part of the reason he doesn't drive it is because something in the electrical system is draining the battery super fast (alternator maybe?). He was fairly average in routine maintenance, e.g. oil/fluid/tires/brakes.
I'm thinking about taking it off his hands, but I'm trying to decide how much work/money it will be to maintain it. At this point, my main concern is keeping it running, cleaning up some of the interior wiggly-bits. Also, I figure a tune-up is in order. If that's not too painful, I might make some minor tweaks to it.... Also, while mechanically inclined, I don't have the time to do major work on my own.
I do want this to be a daily driver (it'd replace a '06 Honda Civic).
The details:
* The car has about 65k miles on it.
* Needs new trunk springs.
* Needs new power antenna.
* Head unit tape-deck doesn't work, but CD-changer still works.
* Pretty sure it needs a new alternator/need to figure out what's causing the short in the electrical system.
* Front leather seats starting to crack
* Rear-view mirror is permanently dimmed.
Thoughts?
looking for some advice....
My Dad is planning on selling his '92 SC400. He basically doesn't drive it anymore, and it's been pretty stagnant in his garage for the last year to year+half. Part of the reason he doesn't drive it is because something in the electrical system is draining the battery super fast (alternator maybe?). He was fairly average in routine maintenance, e.g. oil/fluid/tires/brakes.
I'm thinking about taking it off his hands, but I'm trying to decide how much work/money it will be to maintain it. At this point, my main concern is keeping it running, cleaning up some of the interior wiggly-bits. Also, I figure a tune-up is in order. If that's not too painful, I might make some minor tweaks to it.... Also, while mechanically inclined, I don't have the time to do major work on my own.
I do want this to be a daily driver (it'd replace a '06 Honda Civic).
The details:
* The car has about 65k miles on it.
* Needs new trunk springs.
* Needs new power antenna.
* Head unit tape-deck doesn't work, but CD-changer still works.
* Pretty sure it needs a new alternator/need to figure out what's causing the short in the electrical system.
* Front leather seats starting to crack
* Rear-view mirror is permanently dimmed.
Thoughts?
03-28-11, 02:34 PM
#6
It only has 65k miles?!?! That's really damn low for a '92. Honestly, either keep it, or take it off his hands and sell it.
Your issue is probably the alternator. You can find one for roughly $100 and install this yourself. There is a DIY video on youtube on how to remove and install a 2JZ alternator if you've never done one before.
Ok, some of your other issues are very common. I bet 70% of us don't have working trunk struts or working antennas. And who the hell needs a tape deck lol. All SC seats have shown their age from the '90s.
Your issue is probably the alternator. You can find one for roughly $100 and install this yourself. There is a DIY video on youtube on how to remove and install a 2JZ alternator if you've never done one before.
Ok, some of your other issues are very common. I bet 70% of us don't have working trunk struts or working antennas. And who the hell needs a tape deck lol. All SC seats have shown their age from the '90s.
But Tabaka he is inquiring about a sc400 with a 1uz------ai dont believe a video on how to remove/install a 2jz alternator will help much.
good luck and keep us posted
03-28-11, 02:38 PM
#7
There was alot of discussion here about electrical drains. Mine suffers the same thing but also sits a lot so I bought a trickle charger.
When you say it quickly drains, how long is "quickly"? I dont believe its the alternator but stranger things have happened, second question is how old is the battery? How many batteries have you gone through and does it require a jump to start it every time?
When you say it quickly drains, how long is "quickly"? I dont believe its the alternator but stranger things have happened, second question is how old is the battery? How many batteries have you gone through and does it require a jump to start it every time?
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03-29-11, 06:19 AM
#8
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Originally Posted by maynanator
well since it's your dads car you'd probably know if he kept up with the maintenance aka timing belt water pump etc.
There was alot of discussion here about electrical drains. Mine suffers the same thing but also sits a lot so I bought a trickle charger.
When you say it quickly drains, how long is "quickly"? I dont believe its the alternator but stranger things have happened, second question is how old is the battery? How many batteries have you gone through and does it require a jump to start it every time?
When you say it quickly drains, how long is "quickly"? I dont believe its the alternator but stranger things have happened, second question is how old is the battery? How many batteries have you gone through and does it require a jump to start it every time?
03-29-11, 07:49 AM
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I'd get it. Could be a fun car to tool around town in. Check the fuses maybe one of them is going bad. Also bring the car to an autoparts store and have them test the alternator while its running on the car.
03-29-11, 10:10 AM
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I don't have access to the car as we don't live in the same area. I'm going to visit in a couple of weeks, so I'll post some pics and update the thread then.
Thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the advice!
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