{FAQ} I want to buy a used SC, what should I look for?
#1
Keeper of the light
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Thread Starter
iTrader: (17)
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We certainly have enough of these threads, several per week. I'm going to use this thread to put everything together into one FAQ for potential SC purchasers.
Contribute the points you feel are most valid or will be asked by the new member. We will make it an FAQ thread and put it in the FAQ. This will allow members to simply link the new member to the thread instead of answering the same questions over and over as well it will serve as a helpful introduction to new members looking towards an SC.
Examples:
"Is this too many miles for an SC?"
"What's the going rate for an SC in /this/ condition"
"what should I look out for"
etc...................
Include the question and answer and your submission will be placed into the FAQ. Thanks!![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
For your efforts I have included cookies and milk, a puppy dog, and a thank you card.
Contribute the points you feel are most valid or will be asked by the new member. We will make it an FAQ thread and put it in the FAQ. This will allow members to simply link the new member to the thread instead of answering the same questions over and over as well it will serve as a helpful introduction to new members looking towards an SC.
Examples:
"Is this too many miles for an SC?"
"What's the going rate for an SC in /this/ condition"
"what should I look out for"
etc...................
Include the question and answer and your submission will be placed into the FAQ. Thanks!
![Smilie](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
For your efforts I have included cookies and milk, a puppy dog, and a thank you card.
Last edited by O. L. T.; 04-18-12 at 08:09 PM.
#2
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Is this too many miles for an SC?
Answer:
The 1UZ has been known to last over 300k. Most Sc owners own a high milage SC and swear they still drive the same as when they bought it.
The 2JZ for the most part is in the same league with many over 200k and still running strong.
Answer:
The 1UZ has been known to last over 300k. Most Sc owners own a high milage SC and swear they still drive the same as when they bought it.
The 2JZ for the most part is in the same league with many over 200k and still running strong.
#3
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These cars are old enough that they usually have some specific things to watch for:
Power steering pump tends to go out.
Bushings.
Power seats.
DIY stuff you can fix (just look in the forum):
Steering wheel motor.
Trunk struts.
Cabin filter.
Power steering pump tends to go out.
Bushings.
Power seats.
DIY stuff you can fix (just look in the forum):
Steering wheel motor.
Trunk struts.
Cabin filter.
#5
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (10)
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I got an excel on my thread regarding the parts that I've replaced and repaired. But based on my experience;
*Boots of the rack and pinion was ripped, so dirt and dust gained access, and soon enough it damaged the seals for the inner tie rods and contaminated the fluid in the system.
*More likely it was the cause of the power steering pump leak, and since the alternator was directly below it, alternator was completely soaked in fluid and boiled the alternator connector wire insulator to crisp and causes my battery light to turn on until today, both was destined to fail.
*Valve cover gaskets weren't replaced when the previous owner did the timing belt, so it was leaking up to the engine mounts, since the mounts were rubber and absorbs the hot oil dripping, they were literally split in half and causes a lot of unnecessary vibrations.
*Front main seal was not replaced as well when the timing belt was done, so there's oil everywhere all the time in my undercarriage.
*Tranny mounts and bushings all around were also busted from time and cause a lot of vibrations and loud clunks.
*Radiator had several cracks that were JB Welded.
*All hoses were bloated and hard, never replaced by any of the previous owners.
*Telescoping steering wheel wasn't working, easy fix.
*Gauge cluster and needle lights were missing a few.
*Bleeding AC LCD display.
*Headlights were hella dirty and has heavy condensation build up.
*Brake lines were already cracking.
I'm pretty sure there's a lot more, so I'll add up when I remember...
*Boots of the rack and pinion was ripped, so dirt and dust gained access, and soon enough it damaged the seals for the inner tie rods and contaminated the fluid in the system.
*More likely it was the cause of the power steering pump leak, and since the alternator was directly below it, alternator was completely soaked in fluid and boiled the alternator connector wire insulator to crisp and causes my battery light to turn on until today, both was destined to fail.
*Valve cover gaskets weren't replaced when the previous owner did the timing belt, so it was leaking up to the engine mounts, since the mounts were rubber and absorbs the hot oil dripping, they were literally split in half and causes a lot of unnecessary vibrations.
*Front main seal was not replaced as well when the timing belt was done, so there's oil everywhere all the time in my undercarriage.
*Tranny mounts and bushings all around were also busted from time and cause a lot of vibrations and loud clunks.
*Radiator had several cracks that were JB Welded.
*All hoses were bloated and hard, never replaced by any of the previous owners.
*Telescoping steering wheel wasn't working, easy fix.
*Gauge cluster and needle lights were missing a few.
*Bleeding AC LCD display.
*Headlights were hella dirty and has heavy condensation build up.
*Brake lines were already cracking.
I'm pretty sure there's a lot more, so I'll add up when I remember...
#6
Mortgage Slave
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I've owned the following Soarers over the past couple of years:
* S1 2.5GT twin turbo (bought with ~77k, sold with 200k)
* S3 2.5GT turbo (bought with 53k, currently being rebuilt with 150k)
* S1 4.0GT-Limited (bought with 145k, nearing 200k)
Well, after 11 years of ownership of a Soarer of some description these are the things I have noticed (so far):
* KM/Mileage isn't so a sign of a vehicle's condition when you're going to buy.
* Common on both of my S1 Soarers are the door trims... my old JZZ30 was in a lot better condition than my UZZ31 trims (completely broken away), but my S3 JZZ30 trims are in awesome condition (no cracks whatsoever).
* A/C display had burnt out a few years into ownership (about 4 or 5 years in on my S3)
* Valve cover gaskets started to leak at about 100k (1JZGTE, both S1 and S3)
* Blown differential on my S3
* Radiator top tank developed cracks around the 120k mark (again on the 1JZ Soarers, my V8 already had the top tank replaced)
* One ignitor on the 1UZFE died ~165k
* Driver's window motor died on S1 UZZ31 last year after 10 years of service
That's all I can think of, off the top of my head.
* S1 2.5GT twin turbo (bought with ~77k, sold with 200k)
* S3 2.5GT turbo (bought with 53k, currently being rebuilt with 150k)
* S1 4.0GT-Limited (bought with 145k, nearing 200k)
Well, after 11 years of ownership of a Soarer of some description these are the things I have noticed (so far):
* KM/Mileage isn't so a sign of a vehicle's condition when you're going to buy.
* Common on both of my S1 Soarers are the door trims... my old JZZ30 was in a lot better condition than my UZZ31 trims (completely broken away), but my S3 JZZ30 trims are in awesome condition (no cracks whatsoever).
* A/C display had burnt out a few years into ownership (about 4 or 5 years in on my S3)
* Valve cover gaskets started to leak at about 100k (1JZGTE, both S1 and S3)
* Blown differential on my S3
* Radiator top tank developed cracks around the 120k mark (again on the 1JZ Soarers, my V8 already had the top tank replaced)
* One ignitor on the 1UZFE died ~165k
* Driver's window motor died on S1 UZZ31 last year after 10 years of service
That's all I can think of, off the top of my head.
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