thuglife

i will be woring my *** off during the summer and by next year i could get a car, i seen some decent sc400's that are old and have like over 125k miles. i want one because i just saw a sc400 molest a mustang gt. Are 125 k miles too high?

kylesc400

stock for stock an sc400 wont beat a newer mustang gt, not without some fairly heavy mods (ecu upgrade, torque converter to name a couple). one of the best things about these cars, however, is their longevity - there are CL members with 300k on their sc400's who have never had to rebuild it and are still running strong. the 1uz-fe engine is known for being EXTREMELY reliable, without any major common problems - the closest thing i can think of to a common 'major' problem is the power steering pump/reservoir, which tend to wear out quickly. other than that, these engines are tanks and built to last.

MartelJF

Generally speaking, no, 125,000 miles is not too high to consider buying it for the long term.

I don't own one, but from having been around these hooligans for a while, I can tell you a few things:

1) The engines have been known to last as far as 300,000-400,000 miles with proper care and maintenance. In Lexus you're looking at some of the most durable cars ever made.

2) It's all about upkeep; who has done the work and how often. You're going to want all the service records and data on who did the actual labor - generally dealerships are best. Also make sure the mileage-based services are done, and done well, like the 60k (or 65k, I can't recall) service where they give the car a proper going over - usually costs a pretty penny too.

3) Just gauge the owner's driving style, and type of miles on the car, and the overall condition. That assessment, combined with a copious amount of service records, should give you insight into what cars are good choices.

THE_CEO

i second that on the miles....some lexus engines have over 500,000 miles on them...you cant go wrong..there are about 8 to 10 things that will ever go wrong on this car and thats it...just take care of the thing and you will have a very good car for many years...

DaizenLex

one thing you should worry about thought is the WEAK transmission but they are cheap to replace either way i believe around 1000 for a brand new one, i have 140,000 mile on mine and the engine is purrrfect

undefeatedsc3

Ummmmmm...... weak transmission?? Since when have we had a weak tranny? Mines going strong after 150k and I rag on it all the time, thats "strong" enough for me. Now that said, if you were talking about a domestic tranny, I retract all previous statements...


On a side note "thuglife," this subject has been covered MANY times...please...please search. Thanks.

chris allen

My friend bought one at an auction, when we finally got a key made for it and turned it over. the speedo said 240,000. It runs just fine though. I want to buy it off him and do a turbo swap. will the 2.5 tt drop in there?

THE_CEO

your friend must have bought a 300 not a 400 i presume...

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

The minimum ive ever heard a lexus was capable of was "200,000 miles easy" they simply are the best cars out there. The lexus V8's are said to be able to do something like 300-400K miles without a rebuild or overhaul. The critical factor is not how far it can go, but how far it can go and still drive like new, which lexus manages to do superlatively.

Legends6spd

SC4's V8's will keep on running, chances are, your transmission and everything else will break first

O. L. T.

iTrader: (17)

A local junkyard had an sc400 that was hit HARD on the driver side it practically took the rear off the car it had over 270k on it and from the driver door back and was completely totaled, looked like hell. still started in the middle of the junkyard. a month later i bought mine. seeing was believeing.

SC400-V8

iTrader: (1)

I wouldnt doubt that for a second (Sc400, 270 k and still going) I just got my Sc400 last month.... its a fully loaded 1992 with only 40,000 miles.... I couldnt believe it. I did all the carfaxes and verified by the dealership papers, it really was only driven like once a week by an older man who traded it for an LS recently. My personal mechanic said only a fool wouldnt get this car, and it would last me for 10 years if i wanted it to. I got it for $14,900 w/ new brakes and tires because im VERY good with bargaining plus.... cash talks. I had my choice.... a new civic that everyone else in the world has... or one of the rarest, best built cars ever made. "I chose the path less travelled, and that has made all the difference!"

Legends6spd

i don't think the transmission is weak. when i said the engine will last longer than the rest, it's because automatic transmissions usually tend to go b4 the engine will.
Also, i believe ALL of us are good w/ oil changes every 3-5k miles and engine maintenance concept as a whole. But you'd be shocked that most ppl do NOT take care of the auto tranny. Some ppl don't even know the fluids need to be changed. Most do not get it completely flushed every once in a while. Hence lack of maintenance plays a big role in transmission going out b4 the engine.
Either case, both lasts a LONG time. Just remember that better maintenance will leads to longetivity.

stelios

I have 1993 SC400 with 152000 and it still runs great

THE_CEO

im at 99,000 miles on my 93 and im gonna get the diff fluids and tranny fluids done at 100,000...i think its about $180.00 to $200.00....