Carpe Diem

I have a fine real red/ivory 96 SC400 which I love. This is my first SC but probably not my last. Your opinions please. If you were buying a SC400 to keep, what year and color would you want and why?

Also, in later SC400s (e.g., 99) there seem to be very few real red cars, most that I've seen are black or silver. I know the total production numbers were low but why are there so few real red ones?

Bentley1

I prefer black. It has been a classic color since the Model T, that has stood the test of time.

SC's are different than many other models. They just didn't change THAT much from 92-2000. Unless somebody out there knows SC's, 99% of the people who see your SC won't be able to tell the difference between a 92 and a 2000 (as long as your SC is well maintained). If you pass another SC owner, then- well, they will probably be able to tell what year you are driving. Outside of the bubble of other SC owners, people are just going to think you are driving a fine looking Lexus that is out of their league. If you really feel the need to freshen up your '96, then you can always get the newer front end and tail lights like a lot of the guys on the forum have done.

Carpe Diem

Funny you say black. I too am a black car lover but the rosy cast in the tail lights looks funny on black and great on red and white.

Black94RX-7TT

1998. Has the VVTi engine, 5 speed auto, wood center trim, gated shifter, and still retains the 12 disc changer. 99 & 00 cars had all that but a 6 disc changer.

carnal_c30

99s get the 3 spoke steering wheel!!!:eek: haha coolness

ruki400

These cars are great any year! Like Bentley said no one knows the year. Mines a 94 and people always compliment and ask if its a 98 or 99 all the time!

NAZTY97

97-00 don't look like 92-96 to me.... I know the difference and personally didn't like the look of the older ones as much,... the newer one's look more aggressive,... but all SC's are still pimp, so no diss to anyone rollin gen 1 or 2's,...

Carpe Diem

I'm new to the lingo here so let me ask you all if the following is correct.

There are three exterior styling gens: 92-94, 95-95, 97+. The difference between 1 and 2 are subtle and consist of dropping that little front lip and different tail lights. Also the earlier ones have turning lights and the later ones have fog lights. The stock wheels are also different with 92-94 having 8 ro 9 rounded spokes and 95-96 having 7 semi-square spokes.

The difference in 97+ are very obvious. Is the any easy way to tell the 97+ years apart by exterior features?

lex400sc

97+s are easy to spot. They have the rasied spoilers, rounded foglights, sportier ground effects, upper front grille, five-spoke wheels, and of course the tail lights. Tail lights are usually the easiest way to tell 92-94 from 95-96 from 97-00. I would take a 2000 model SC400 because of the added power, lower miles, lower wear, sportier appearance, and superior interior/electronics.