Thinking of getting a SC300, just a few questions for you

marduk · Lexus Owner Joined: Dec 08, 2004 Posts: 1

I'm thinking of getting a early SC300, the only ones I can find have nearly 170k on them. They all seem to drive fine and only have minor, if any cosmetic problems. Should I take the car to a Lexus dealer for a check up, and if so, how much would it cost?

Are there any major problems or things to watch out for? I live in Vail Colorado (a ski resort) so I have to go all the way to Denver which is a two hour drive, just to look at a car, so I want to know what to watch out for the first time so I dont have to keep going back to check things out.

And by chance if any of you have or know of a 300 for sale for under $6k (I'm really tight on cash right now if you couldnt tell) let me know, I have no problem with haveing a car shiped to me, it wouldnt be the first time.

Thanks alot

mike3781 · Posted: Sun May 22, 2005 1:49 pm Post subject:

sc300...are very nice....very hard to find under 6k but possible in ebay or autotrader. if you want to see if the car has been in an accident one way to tell would be to see if the vin numbers match on the quarter panels underthe hood on top. also you can look on the front and back bumper for small bumps on the fiberglass. but if you are looking for engine performance best thing is to take it to the dealer but more than likely problems are still going to come, since you are getting a used vehicle. if you can take it to a track and just gun it.....problems will rise this way but you also risk creating more if you arent careful. problems i found with my sc was bent power steering pump shaft, leaky radiator, and some parts broken like pastic ones...the shaft, you can check by looking at the belt and making sure it is straight...lexus are very good for making cars tht make no nosie or very little noise. for the radiator just look for hissing or leaks.... and for broken stuff just put the car on a lift and just be surious and see anomalities. hope this can help you....my last suggestion would be to get an sc with a bad engine and just get a 2jzgtte froma soarer or even a supra.....perfomance is almost limiteless[img][/img]

toki · Lexus Owner Joined: Jul 08, 2005 Posts: 1

well i am new to the site but i wanted to ask a question before i buy my sc300 too i am wondering if the newer style.... 97s with the gold trim ....taillights go into the 93 models ? or even a 92 ?

also the offset of the wheels that are stock ... i have a lot of friends in japan who have good deals on rims but i am havin trouble lookin for specs for this car ...

thanks jaMes

Soaring · Lexus Owner Joined: Aug 19, 2005 Posts: 16

Buy the 5 speed one for sale on this forum. You'll be hard pressed to find a 5sp in white with only 100k on it anywhere else.

F3DERAL · Lexus Owner Joined: Feb 15, 2007 Posts: 3

Nah the 97 tail lights dont fit into the 92-93 models.

Fightgear · Lexus Owner Joined: Jan 25, 2007 Posts: 6

The 97 tailights WILL fit but you need to sort out the bulb warning mechanism. That means either wiring in hidden bulbs or replacing them with (I think) capacitors. The Toyota Imports Forum has details of the parts needed. I wired in aftermarket rear lights and did the hidden bulbs trick. Works fine and has been no problem. Quite a few people have wired in the later model rear lights successfully. If you can get hold of the control box for the 97 lights as well, it will save you having to do the whole hidden lights thing.

CMAC · Lexus Owner Joined: Mar 15, 2007 Posts: 6

i bought my 1993 5 speed sc300 with a 133000 on it in pretty good condition for 3750 some problems to look for that i have realised are wrong with theys is that lot of people do nott change the plugs and wires because that are hard to get to . also the gauge needles lights are always out and the antena cord breaks alot. also the automatic teloscopit stering wheel breaks going in the up and down position. over all it is a good car.

Blondie · Lexus Owner Joined: May 09, 2007 Posts: 4

I am also looking to buy a 92' SC300. As of right now I have it at Mercedes getting inspected. It only has 85,000 miles on it which is good for how old it is...I have a couple questions though....

*I don't like the tail lights and was wondering if they sell after market lights...
*I have 2 12" subs that I will be installing....is it better to have them installed in the trunk or have a custom box built to put in the back seat...
*I don't like the rims on the car either...but I am unable to find the specs online....
*and 1 last questions....is there any maintenance issues I should know about....an old man was the owner before me and had it reguarly maintanced at the Lexus dealership, but the vehicle itself hasn't had any issues yet...wondering how much I am looking at for repairs that might come up soon...I have technicians just wondering about parts pricing...

I am just a girl who doesn't know where to really look for all this information so I thought I would enlist the help of some car savy boys....

Thanks,

Blondie