I am currently considering 2 different cars. One is a '95 SC400 with about 110K. New tires, brakes, timing belt, water pump,Power steering pump. Work was done at independent garage. Clean carfax, exterior is 7.5 out of 10. Interior leather on driver's seat is awful, passenger seat fair.

Other is a '93 SC300, 114K miles, one owner with all scheduled service done at Lexus. Interior is 9 out of 10 and the exterior is 9.9 out of 10-immaculate. Car garaged at home and work.

Both cars same color. I know I could not live with the condition of the seats in the 400, and am trying to sort out the costs for replacing.

I understand these are almost apples and oranges. I am really liking the pristine condition of the 300 even though it is priced about $2k more than the '95 SC400.

I am 69 years old, retired and this will be a second car for me.

Your thoughts?

Thanks

 

Even if the 400 is mechanically sound, the cost to re do paint and seats alone would make it more expensive and likely less well cared for.

By almost all measures, the 300 looks like a WAY better deal as the repairs for the 400 exceed the difference in price. And who does not favor walking up to a perfect car?

Those are likely two really different owner profiles. One may have put off oil changes, if he could not afford to look after his seats or paint. Another was perhaps driving to the dealer to add washer fluid and rotate the tires.

Got any pictures?

Read THIS entire thread about what It REALLY costs to buy an Sc and GOOD LUCK SIR!

 

The 300 sounds like the better deal. But the 400's power is just so addicting.. I just walked my dad's CLK350 yesterday.

If YOU feel like the $2k is worth it, then go for it.

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lexus-SC300-SC400-Genuine-Leather-Front-Seat-Covers-Ebrake-Boot-CC-Lid-Cover-/400338680765?_trksid=p2047675.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222001%26algo%3DSIC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D11%26meid%3D7168680274376368865%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1005%26rk%3D5%26sd%3D400293550657%26
That's a link for a decent from leather seat replacement. That seller would be a good bang for your buck seat replacement. If you want OEM quality leather you can order from leatherseats.com

Usually it's just the front seats that are torn. The back seats I'm assuming are in good condition.

You could just change the front seats for about $350 plus labour. If you order form Exotik leather.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1992-1999-Lexus-SC300-SC400-Leather-Upholstery-Seat-Covers-Spruce-Jade-/261204886685?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cd106449d
That link is to an auction for leatherseats.com It's $729 + shipping for full leather replacement (front and back). I'm sure if you contacted leatherseats.com they could just get you the front seats for a lower price. This would be OEM quality leather and look.

If it were me though I would jump on the pristine condition SC300. It's getting harder and harder to find these cars in that condition. Especially one owner.

I bought my first SC from an original owner, dealer maintained and there were no surprises. The car runs perfect. I would go this route if I were you. Test drive both though and see if the extra power of the SC400 is for you. It depends what you really want out of the car. I'm sure you will be happy with either one. Choose what you feel is best.

And welcome to Clublexus! Post back pictures when you pick up your SC!

 

I would go with the SC300. It's always best to buy the nicest SC you can afford. Having a beat up one can really kill the experience of owning one.

 

Buy the cleaner dealer serviced 300. The power will not be the same, but I would be the joy of ownership will be higher.

 

SC300.... The extra power is not worth it for a daily driver. If you were going to do an engine swap, transmission change to a manual, suspension change, etc. than maybe it would be a different decision.

 

I think the most reliable drivetrain made is a straight 6 with a manual trans. If you do your own maintance, there is room to work under the hood with the straight 6.

 

Greyfox, I believe this really comes down to what you want from the car. If you're interested in keeping the car as-is for the most part and enjoy it for what it is, you have to decide if you want the 225hp inline-six SC300 or 250hp V8 SC400. The power is not that different-- just it's manner of delivery. The V8 is a nice car and I don't get the impression that you're interested in converting either car to a manual transmission (which some people do with these cars).

As was mentioned above, Leatherseats.com can sell you replacement leather for your worn out seats. This is a common issue that many owners address.

The bodies will be the exactly the same as will be the suspensions. Brakes are marginally larger on the SC400 BUT I do recommend that with either car you change the front brakes to those from a 1995 LS400 regardless of which model you buy. This change makes either version much safer and more confident to stop.

The dealer serviced SC300 will have probably been gone through much more thoroughly than the independently serviced SC400 but there are plenty of good independent Lexus shops too.

BOTH engines are extremely well engineered and reliable with regular maintenance. You will find that the model SC300 engine you are looking at can use nearly all the parts from the 1993-1997 (not 1998) Toyota Supra non-turbo since the engine and transmission is the same between both cars. This makes parts somewhat cheaper to buy. The V8 shares commonality with the 1990-1997 Lexus LS400 and (I think) some models of V8 Toyota trucks. Things like hood and trunk struts and other miscellaneous repairs need not use parts from a Lexus dealer.

Overall you are looking at two low mileage cars that seem to have been taken care of. I feel this comes down to which car you would enjoy owning most: the V8 or the inline-six.

For those of us who want to convert the car into what the more powerful Japanese market version was, the SC300 is the better option but this would only apply to you if you wish to get into modifying the car's drivetrain. Since you are in California, it would not be a cheap endeavor to modify the engine and stay smog legal. You may not be interested at all in exploiting the muscle car potential these cars are known for. That is an avenue not for everyone. There is no issue with legality in modifying the rest of the car, FYI (IF you wished to).

Both the SC300 and SC400 are sporty, reliable and capable luxury cars regardless of whether they are modified or not.

But I do suggest converting the front brakes to 1995-99 LS400 spec regardless of which model you buy and regardless of whether the car otherwise remains as it came from the factory or not.

Good luck!

 

When I posted this I was predisposed to the mint 300. The extra power of the 400 means little to me. I own a 2004 Chev SSR,it has 300 hp with the 5.3 litre engine. In 2005 they went to a 6 litre with 400 hp. If you read the SSR forum some will advise be sure to get the '05 or '06 because of the extra 100 hp. I have owned my '04 since new and never came close to using all 300 hp.

I am a bit surprised that the consensus is buy the nicest one. I thought there would be some strong arguments for the 400. I certainly favor the well kept and agree that there is some message with how one cares for the looks of the car and the maintenance.

I am thinking it over, but appreciate the input and will post pics when I get whatever.

 

I love those SSR's! I had no idea they had that kind of power though. It sure does explain why everyone wanted one.

The power difference between the SC300 and the older SC400's isn't that big of a deal unless it's a 98+ SC400, which has 290 horsepower.

 

There are very few arguments for the 400 over the 300. As Kira mentioned, the scale only tips with the inclusion of VVTI on the 98+ models. For the 92-97 model, the 300 tends to be preferred around here as the inline 6 is much more mod friendly (the v8 is still a wonderful motor). Rule of thumb for vehicles in this age range is still to buy the cleanest example you can find, especially if you plan to hang on to it for any real length of time.

 

I agree with you grey fox I'm 53 n I have owned both sc300 n sc400 I have a 92 sc300 with a 1 JZ single turbo setup but I'm still a kid I guess when it come to cars . I wanted the timeless styling of the sc but the power of a street machine too. The reason I keep buying these cars is because of the excellent ride and classy style of them . Whichever you choose will be a good choice for you I'm sure . I bought my 95 sight unseen from a dealership in Iowa but no surprises it was a beautiful great car . Just make sure the timing belt has been changed on the low milage ones. The engines can be ruined if breaks

 

I just looked up the SSR!

All I can say is WELL DONE GREYFOX!

 

Unless its a 98+ SC400, go with which ever is cleaner.