1999 sc300 Yes or No?
09-11-03, 09:40 PM
#1
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1999 sc300 Yes or No?
hi i was wondering if i shold buy the 1999 white pearl sc300 that they had on ebay last week
it cost $24k and there was only 22k miles on it
it also did a carfax on it and there was nothing wrong with it
so what do you guys think?
should i or not?
it cost $24k and there was only 22k miles on it
it also did a carfax on it and there was nothing wrong with it
so what do you guys think?
should i or not?
09-11-03, 10:02 PM
#2
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At that mileage they can cost up to $28K. It sounds like a good deal. Only thing with carfax is if the owner didn't report and accident it doesn't show up. My car had body work done in the right rear and carfax never had it.
Ed
Ed
09-11-03, 10:54 PM
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That car spent alot of time in the garage or made a ton of short trips. One of the two is very bad. I'd be a little reluctant to pony up the cash to buy down the mileage. These cars are so amazingly well built that you should be able to buy a one or two owner car with higher mileage without too much concern. Put the money to better use finding a nice SC400 and enjoy the greater HP. The SC300 was really meant to be coupled to the 5-speed, which saddly enough, ended production in any meaningful quantity somewhere around the 95 model year, though they are scarce 96's to be found. The smaller engine does not shine with the automatic. SC400 luscious V-8 automatic is the way to go if you are not after the magnificant 5-speed.
09-11-03, 11:14 PM
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Originally posted by SCoupe
That car spent alot of time in the garage or made a ton of short trips. One of the two is very bad. I'd be a little reluctant to pony up the cash to buy down the mileage. These cars are so amazingly well built that you should be able to buy a one or two owner car with higher mileage without too much concern. Put the money to better use finding a nice SC400 and enjoy the greater HP. The SC300 was really meant to be coupled to the 5-speed, which saddly enough, ended production in any meaningful quantity somewhere around the 95 model year, though they are scarce 96's to be found. The smaller engine does not shine with the automatic. SC400 luscious V-8 automatic is the way to go if you are not after the magnificant 5-speed.
That car spent alot of time in the garage or made a ton of short trips. One of the two is very bad. I'd be a little reluctant to pony up the cash to buy down the mileage. These cars are so amazingly well built that you should be able to buy a one or two owner car with higher mileage without too much concern. Put the money to better use finding a nice SC400 and enjoy the greater HP. The SC300 was really meant to be coupled to the 5-speed, which saddly enough, ended production in any meaningful quantity somewhere around the 95 model year, though they are scarce 96's to be found. The smaller engine does not shine with the automatic. SC400 luscious V-8 automatic is the way to go if you are not after the magnificant 5-speed.
Hamid
09-11-03, 11:32 PM
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i use to have the 1993 sc400 with about 60k miles on it and that car had too many problems, but now i have a 2002 is300 , and now im going for that 1993 sc300 and turbo it out probally from toyomoto.
so how much do you guys think lexus will inspect the car for?
or if any of you guys from arizona, then can you check it out
thanks
to ship it down in houston cost 380
so how much do you guys think lexus will inspect the car for?
or if any of you guys from arizona, then can you check it out
thanks
to ship it down in houston cost 380
Last edited by 2JZGE; 09-11-03 at 11:36 PM.
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09-12-03, 12:51 AM
#8
Lexus Fanatic
If I was looking to buy a 98+ SC, I would look for a SC400 instead. The '98+' SCs had the 280 (or was it 290) HP motor so it should be pretty damn quick....unless you know for SURE that you're going to do something like a 2JZ-GTE/Getrag 6 swap... 
My '92 SC400 hasn't given me any problems aside from some minor stuff (mostly interior) that needed fixing due to overall age. Mechanically, I only replaced the motor/tranny mounts and the lower A-Arm bushings (I replaced the entire A-Arm because the Daizen/TM Engineering bushing weren't out when I did the fix)...and I had the Power Steering Pump rebuilt....all just a preventative measure as they didn't HAVE to be done. Other than that, it only need a fluid change (I did all the fluids). And that's only because I'm a **** SOB...I think most people would have probably just left everything alone for a while. I bought my car with 64K miles on it. I did a full test at a dealership and they said everything was pretty solid.
If you really want a SC3, I don't see why a older model (pre-97) wouldn't do...unless you really want the minor upgrades the '97+ models offer (in the SC300...I think the SC400 received the only big change...the new motor)
My '92 SC400 hasn't given me any problems aside from some minor stuff (mostly interior) that needed fixing due to overall age. Mechanically, I only replaced the motor/tranny mounts and the lower A-Arm bushings (I replaced the entire A-Arm because the Daizen/TM Engineering bushing weren't out when I did the fix)...and I had the Power Steering Pump rebuilt....all just a preventative measure as they didn't HAVE to be done. Other than that, it only need a fluid change (I did all the fluids). And that's only because I'm a **** SOB...I think most people would have probably just left everything alone for a while. I bought my car with 64K miles on it. I did a full test at a dealership and they said everything was pretty solid.
If you really want a SC3, I don't see why a older model (pre-97) wouldn't do...unless you really want the minor upgrades the '97+ models offer (in the SC300...I think the SC400 received the only big change...the new motor)
Sound like a sound deal to me....
09-12-03, 08:19 AM
#10
Lexus Champion
I'm dead against Manaray on this one, buy it, you won't be sorry, there's plenty of upgrades Lexus did for the last two years of the coupe and the mileage is way down there. The motor is basically the same as your IS, distributorless VVT-i with coil packs, nice and hi tech, with unlimited upgrade potential. I don't think the VVT-i V8 is very quick at all, and you'll be limited in regards to upgrades, if it were me i'd have had a deposit on it already subject to inspection. One more thing, don't trust the monkeys @ Lexus to tell you this car is OK, you need an import mechanic you trust and a bodyman you trust, take it to both of them and have them fine-tooth it, my greatest concern would be any signs of major collision damage, since that's the one thing that can never be made 100% correct again. Good luck and I hope you buy it, so few fellow '99-00 coupes on CL, it would be good to have another.
- LL
- LL
09-12-03, 09:12 AM
#11
Chicago Lexus Club Moderator
I agree with Lex Luthor. I really enjoy the 97+ body, updated dash, and large tranny tunel for 6 speed swap. Do yourself a favor and find '97 to '97.5 SC300 automatic if you're doing an engine swap. Otherwise look for '97.5 and up for turbo kit.
Updated dash:
Chris
Updated dash:
Chris
09-12-03, 02:30 PM
#13
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Originally posted by SCoupe
That car spent alot of time in the garage or made a ton of short trips. One of the two is very bad. I'd be a little reluctant to pony up the cash to buy down the mileage. These cars are so amazingly well built that you should be able to buy a one or two owner car with higher mileage without too much concern. Put the money to better use finding a nice SC400 and enjoy the greater HP. The SC300 was really meant to be coupled to the 5-speed, which saddly enough, ended production in any meaningful quantity somewhere around the 95 model year, though they are scarce 96's to be found. The smaller engine does not shine with the automatic. SC400 luscious V-8 automatic is the way to go if you are not after the magnificant 5-speed.
That car spent alot of time in the garage or made a ton of short trips. One of the two is very bad. I'd be a little reluctant to pony up the cash to buy down the mileage. These cars are so amazingly well built that you should be able to buy a one or two owner car with higher mileage without too much concern. Put the money to better use finding a nice SC400 and enjoy the greater HP. The SC300 was really meant to be coupled to the 5-speed, which saddly enough, ended production in any meaningful quantity somewhere around the 95 model year, though they are scarce 96's to be found. The smaller engine does not shine with the automatic. SC400 luscious V-8 automatic is the way to go if you are not after the magnificant 5-speed.
What U B Talkin About??? I have a 1999 SC300.. Compaired to the 97- it is MUCH faster (feeling at lease) Its quieter and smoother.. I love the gate as well..... Even though my g/f drives it most of the time..
Get it.. Sounds like a great deal, also it should be under warranty for a good while (at least long enough to get Lexus to check it out)
09-12-03, 02:43 PM
#14
Chicago Lexus Club Moderator
Originally posted by SCLexus3.0
What U B Talkin About??? I have a 1999 SC300.. Compaired to the 97- it is MUCH faster (feeling at lease) Its quieter and smoother.. I love the gate as well..... Even though my g/f drives it most of the time..
Get it.. Sounds like a great deal, also it should be under warranty for a good while (at least long enough to get Lexus to check it out)
What U B Talkin About??? I have a 1999 SC300.. Compaired to the 97- it is MUCH faster (feeling at lease) Its quieter and smoother.. I love the gate as well..... Even though my g/f drives it most of the time..
Get it.. Sounds like a great deal, also it should be under warranty for a good while (at least long enough to get Lexus to check it out)
Chris
09-13-03, 09:22 AM
#15
Lexus Champion
Originally posted by DIrEctQL
According to the information floating around, the VVTi SC300 is slower than it's older version.
Chris
According to the information floating around, the VVTi SC300 is slower than it's older version.
Chris
Now where did you get that from? My VVT-i SC3 is just about as quick as my SC4, and is smoother and more responsive, matter of fact it'll spin the tyres off the line just hitting the gas, while my SC400 won't. You're telling me I just got a good one?
- LL