tenshu2k

Lookin to buy a 99 SC300, found one with around 95k on the clock. No service since 60k.

What would I be looking to do, and how much would it cost? I'm guessing timing belt for sure. What else should I look at?

It also seems like the rear bumper will need to be repainted, is that expensive to do? Any ballpark figure there?

I'm almost considering getting a slightly higher mileage car to avoid having to go through all the maintenance required at this point. Or am I just overestimating the costs?

xwingzero2

iTrader: (2)

pretty low miles id take it dude. well i cant really say how much its gonna cost you but if u really love the car id say take it and fix it when something goes bad. bought mines at 160k

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

I would set aside about $300 for a rear bumper repaint, The price will vary with each shop, but it will probably be cheaper than that.

The timing and stuff can get expensive if you take the car to a dealership. If you do it yourself or have an independent mechanic, I would set aside $600 for parts and labor. If the dealership is your only option, the 90.000 mile service is typically around $1,000 from what I've seen.

Buying an SC in 80,000 to 110,000 mile range usually means you'll get stuck doing that stuff. It's common for owners to sell these cars with miles in that range so that they can get out of putting a lot money in the car. I bought my 93 SC with 91,000 miles and I have to do the entire 90,000 mile service now. A higher mileage car MIGHT have the work done, but it varies with each owner.

Nolamatt

You can never really tell sometimes to be honest man. My first car when I was 16 was a 92 sc with about 90k. two weeks after getting it, radiator went out. 5 months later, the engine went. (Take into account I was 16 and driving like a complete d0uche!!) Purchased a used engine with about 50k on it and had it put in. That costed me around 4k. Shortly after someone hit me and totaled the car out. After that, I went from a 07 civic, to an 05 3series bmw, to an audi A4. Well after all those cars, guess what I ended up back in? 1996 sc300. I missed the car, loved the car, didnt think twice about purchasing one again. Got it with 60k miles. It just clicked over 100k. Since buying it a year ago I have spent a total of 1,543 dollars on it. The repairs included: Thermostat, Radiator, fan clutch, and master break cylinder. Now, I was under the impression the car was over heating cause the gauge was reading in the red. Turns out, the gauge just went bad. So the radiator, thermostat, and fan clutch were not needed. (got effed by my mechanic)

But where I'm going with all this is, the car is strong. Will last you a very long time if you take care of it. Little stuff that you can wait a few extra miles on in a newer car can not be passed up in a car with miles like that. Keep the oil clean, air filter clean, and other regular maint.

Hope I was some help!

Nolamatt

Oh and also, I'm about to replace shocks and struts. Might look into doing the whole 100K maint. I have a friend who works in the dealership and is getting me a price check as we speak. I'll post back when I find out and let you know what that includes and what the price on that would be. (I live in New Orleans and the streets are horrible down here, so its not uncommon for cars down here to need new shocks/struts from time to time)

juniord94

I bought a 96 sc300 with 97,000 miles on it about 3 monts ago and I love it. I had to replace the power steering pump but the car runs great. The engine is pretty powerful and the stock exhaust sounds great! im in the process of building my own air intake system and plan on changing the timing belt when I hit 100k.

lulu4545

I think it even though you may end up doing all that maintenance stuff yourself that may actually be a good thing...if you intend to keep the car for a while. That way you know exactly what was done on the car, when it was done & who did it. When I was shopping for an SC, there seemed to be tons of cars with higher mileage but none had service records. The current owners would have no clue what the previous owners did. On a lower mileage car it might not be as sketchy...
It may cost you a bit more to dobe the service yourself but it might be worth it to keep your new baby happy & healthy!

blacksc4

iTrader: (1)

got mine with 135k, needs a little mechinical work, but like said above, as long as you take care of it, itll last u, even if it needs a little work now, ull enjoy it later

are there any CELs?

tune up, ive seen from 700+ (timing belt, etc) keep in mind tho, you may not need it yet but have a lil cash set aside for when you do

if you can find a decent body shop u can get your rear bumper painted for roughly 200-350 bucks paint matched, if you plan on doing big things with the car down the road (body kit, new paint etc.) hold off on painting the bumper and do it all at one time

and always remember, fix your mechanical problems first! then move on to the body, theres no point in have a nice sexy car, when it doesnt run right

also while your changing parts, also mentioned before, youll know when it was changed and who did it, while your at it throw in some new spark plugs and do minor upkeep things to get optimal performance and ull know its new, air filter, get an oil change etc. spend a lil money now enjoy it all later

last thing, builds take time, nothing happens over night, so if moneys a concern, dont just start throwing tons of money at the car, do it slowly but do it right, and ull love it

hope that made sense lol have fun, and everyone will help you with a DIY so dnt be too scared to rip stuff apart

lemaylexus

This all depends on the maintenance history. You say you've had the 60k mile maintenance - good. When I bought my car, it had around 90k on it, and it had every service up to the 60k but none recorded at the dealer after that. Mine has 140k+ on it now, and though I've replaced a few things, the timing belt is not one of them (although if you buy a '99, you'll be interference, so that replacement may be more important for you than it was for me).

These cars are reliable. I have no doubt mine will go to 200k if I keep it that long. If you really like the car, and the price is right, don't worry too much about any Lexus under 100k.

Edit: I should say "don't worry about any maintained Lexus under 100k."

tenshu2k

Hmm, well any advice between two cars:

99 sc300 95k mi (tan int)
98 sc400 150k (black int).

sc4 is gonna be around 500-1k cheaper @ around 5k. black interior seems to be pulling me, but is it a bad buy at that price?

Zerodrag

iTrader: (5)

$5k for a 98 SC400 seems pretty cheap. Two years ago, when I was looking for one, the lowest price I could find was at around $6.5k with around 180k miles on it.

account2x

iTrader: (5)

I'd take the higher mileage 400 with black interior over the lower mileage 300.

Nova

iTrader: (21)

when i got my sc300 the first thing i did was the timing belt and water pump. if u are handy you can knock it out in a day and once u get to know the car u can cut that down to a 3rd of the time. id go with the sc400 though. just make sure u get as much info as u can

blacksc4

iTrader: (1)

id say a 98 sc400 with 150k and black int is a pretty good deal at 5k, but that also depends on the body and int of the car. still a good deal though
between the sc300 and 400 just depends on your taste for mods, many prefer the 2jz over the 1uz but its all up to you but either one seems like a good deal to me