SC- 1st Gen (1992-2000)

Just checked out my first SC300, worth it?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-04-12, 08:02 AM
  #1  
NYsNumba1M
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
NYsNumba1M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Just checked out my first SC300, worth it?

1995 Lexus SC300, 122k miles, 5 speed, stock 2jz ge, black
Got to talk the guy down to 3200-3300







It need a new battery, all 4 center caps, new shifter boot and shifter, radio doesn't work, tilt steering wheel doesn't work, seats need to be re-done, sunroof has a crack in it, exhaust is broken on one side and rattles a bit. But i did drive it and it felt smooth, didn't feel the clutch slip or have any problems getting into any of the gears. The clutch felt soft though, the owner told me thats how all n/a supras and sc's feel like. Is that true?

I've been a fan of these cars for a while and i always do my own work on my cars so this doesn't seem like that big of a headache...... is it a good price? is there anything that screams stay away?
First time poster on these forums and hopefully i'll be around more if i do buy it Thanks!
NYsNumba1M is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 08:15 AM
  #2  
NYsNumba1M
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
NYsNumba1M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

And a picture of the interior
NYsNumba1M is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 08:20 AM
  #3  
Kohinoor
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (22)
 
Kohinoor's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 5,271
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

go for it if you want to pour money into it
Kohinoor is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 08:25 AM
  #4  
Tabaka
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (8)
 
Tabaka's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Dale City, VA
Posts: 3,811
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Nice car, but I see a lot of rust on bolts under that hood. Everything else that you listed can be purchased for a reasonable price in the classifieds or from various online sources. Check for head gasket leaks and test all electrical components including windows, switches, etc. I bet with a $1,000 you can get it looking decent again. I'd be a little concerned with the dent on the rear passenger side bumper/quarter, mechanical stuff, and of course the rust.

What's going on with that red wire down the upper fender wall? Is there a system in the trunk or something?
Tabaka is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 08:34 AM
  #5  
g4ebguy90
Lead Lap
 
g4ebguy90's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: IL
Posts: 442
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Yea the engine bay does look a bit on the rusty side. Have you looked under the car yet? Honestly it seems a bit high for my taste even if it is a 5 spd.
g4ebguy90 is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 08:37 AM
  #6  
NYsNumba1M
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
NYsNumba1M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Engine seems to be solid, probably a nice tune up would do it wonders but I couldn't tell any leaks or anything..... All windows went up and down no problem, sunroof opened and closed fine, its just a crack it isn't leaking though.
I'm already prepared to drop 1000 into it, god know how much i put into my previous car hahaha.
I noticed a little accident in the front but there wasn't any frame damage. Entire car was repainted.

Its prewired for an amp and sub (from the PO), which saves time for me. I can just drop my old system in there.
Trunk looked clean, spare tire looked decently new.
NYsNumba1M is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 08:38 AM
  #7  
NYsNumba1M
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
NYsNumba1M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by g4ebguy90
Yea the engine bay does look a bit on the rusty side. Have you looked under the car yet? Honestly it seems a bit high for my taste even if it is a 5 spd.
I didn't get to lift it up but from what i could see there wasn't any rust on the body, just the broken exhaust in the back
NYsNumba1M is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 09:39 AM
  #8  
/Aerostar\
Pole Position
iTrader: (2)
 
/Aerostar\'s Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 2,009
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Do it, the paint looks nice and it has relatively low miles. The 95 and 96's have those coveted taillights too. All those broken things can be upgraded too (expect the sunroof and tilt motor, lol super torque tilt would be nice). Man it's a 5-speed go for it.

Even if it has leaky valve cover gaskets and distributor o-ring (check around the valve covers and the metal pan under the distributor), those are easy to replace. Do you see any oil on the motor further down?

Also did he smoke the headlights?
/Aerostar\ is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 09:45 AM
  #9  
Rising_Sun
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (2)
 
Rising_Sun's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York
Posts: 2,138
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Looks like a good deal. Check out the NELOC section and you can find good guys that can give you a hand with your repairs/upgrades.
Rising_Sun is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 09:55 AM
  #10  
Kira X
美少女戦士セーラームーン

iTrader: (24)
 
Kira X's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: 東京都
Posts: 11,222
Received 424 Likes on 348 Posts
Default

It looks like an alright deal if you can handle the repairs.
Kira X is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 09:56 AM
  #11  
NaturalJZ
Driver
iTrader: (1)
 
NaturalJZ's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: MN
Posts: 181
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default

Yes dude that is worth it. I got a 5sp 94 with more mileage, same interior condition i bet, and worse body for more then that! I say go for it bro!
NaturalJZ is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 11:16 AM
  #12  
Teal Sc400
Pole Position
 
Teal Sc400's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: MD
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 0
Received 10 Likes on 10 Posts
Default

It's probably going to cost more than a $1000 to fix IMO, but if your will to spend the money be my guest...How are the cluster/needles in the dash?... any bleeding on climate control/radio? Are you going to get a Carfax/history of the car? Here are some other common problems to look for in the link below
http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html
Teal Sc400 is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 01:37 PM
  #13  
ASTERiSK
Lexus Test Driver
 
ASTERiSK's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: SoCal
Posts: 807
Received 9 Likes on 5 Posts
Default

Looks pretty good, my only complaint is the cracked seat.
ASTERiSK is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 03:25 PM
  #14  
FuMoFFuTT
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
 
FuMoFFuTT's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: QC
Posts: 1,449
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

It looks like a money pit. I hope you have atleast $5000 if you want that car in 8/10 shape in terms of mechanical and looks.
FuMoFFuTT is offline  
Old 04-04-12, 04:33 PM
  #15  
NYsNumba1M
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
NYsNumba1M's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Aaaand it's sold. Mods you can lock this up....
NYsNumba1M is offline  


Quick Reply: Just checked out my first SC300, worth it?



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:28 PM.