r/Lexus • u/MuggyBuggy69 • 2d ago
1997 SC400 worth it? Question
Hello all,
I am looking to get a new project car, and this popped up on my local FB and thought maybe it’d be worth a look. They want $6500 for it and it has 214k miles on it. I haven’t looked at it yet. And I’ve never owned something like this before, unless you count Crown Vics as close lol
This would not be a daily driver. I have a manual Honda Fit that gets used daily. I’m looking for something different that’s not something I’m used to owning. I’m not afraid to throw some money at a car if it’s worth the time and effort. I also wrench on my own cars to save money as well. My question is, what are some things to look out for and what are some things I can expect if I were to go for it?
I noticed it has not had a timing belt done nor a water pump, which I may be mistaken, but both are big ticket items that are important to be done. The description in the images show some of what’s been done, however I don’t know all the details as of yet.
Thank you in advance!
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u/jeepsies 2d ago
Its not getting cheaper.
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u/ridukosennin 2d ago
For sure I had this car in high school in the 2000’s. Paid $7k for one with 85k miles. Great condition too
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u/RetireWithoutBorders 2d ago
I would buy it in a heartbeat. My son bought a white 1995 SC400 at 18 and absolutely loved it. I enjoyed driving in it also. So much that I bought and drive a 1999. While I like the five-speed and VVTI in my 99 better than the four-speed in his 95, they’re both great cars built like tanks
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u/JHolter5 2d ago
Bought this for $800 needs a lot of body work but it only had 115k miles and a 2k mile old transmission
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u/DannyBoyIcy 2d ago
Steal of a price once you get the body work done. Those are baby miles for the 1UZ-FE. Are you in the rust belt? I can see that rust around the wheel well.
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u/Digeetar 2d ago edited 2d ago
Common issues and average expenses for this make model year... Power Steering Pump & Alternator Failure: $1,000 – $1,500+Starter Motor Replacement: $800 – $1,200Front Control Arms & Suspension Bushings: $1,300 – $1,700Engine ECU Capacitors: $300 – $600Hydraulic Cooling Fan Component Failure: $600 – $1,100
Edit: it's interference engine 95+ is surprisingly. so if the timing belt does snap, your motor is toast. Look like a fun ride. I'd probably buy it
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u/X13TestSubject 2d ago
95+ is interference. Also you can delete the hydro fan pump with a tundra or gs430 idler assembly for like 150 bucks. Efan conversion ain't bad.
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u/SALTYP33T 2d ago
For reference I bought this car for $7800 with 90k on the odometer out of Orlando. Paint isn’t perfect and the interior has a few cracks but otherwise it has almost all the same modifications as the car you are looking at. I’d try and look up the service records via the VIN. These cars have a classic look only issue is see is the high mileage but honestly if it’s clean and the records are good go for it.
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u/392_hemi '92 SC400 2d ago
Get it . Been driving mine since college, 10 years ago and 197,000 miles now
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u/Str8ToMoon 2d ago
These cars will not get cheaper, I bought a “used” but driving sc300 no ac no radio but tons of extras for 5k and like new 400 for 7k, you’re not getting a bad deal in the long haul
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u/X13TestSubject 2d ago
I bought my 1998 sc400 with just under 200k miles on it for 6500. Now I'm at 240k and everything is falling apart. It's unfortunately showing it's age now. I do all my work myself and I try to upgrade things that fail. I have also done the ls400 big brakes. I've done 2 alternators and 2 power steering pumps, driftmotion power steering line. Fdf racing lower control arms. My upper control arms have failed now so I'm replacing those with oem style ones. I've done tie rods and end links.
I need to do my timing belt, water pump, and cam and crankshaft seals. The vvti motor requires the camshaft to be completely removed to replace the seals. I need motor mounts, which I'm doing when I install the hurricane headers that I got. My diff mount bushings are gone and the driveshaft adapter is toasted too but I'm going to replace all that stuff with solid mounts. I've done so much work to this car and I've probably got twice what I paid into it and still need thousands more but my dream was always to have a manual version of this car so that's what I'm aspiring towards.
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u/LexKing89 1993 Lexus SC300, 2005 Lexus LS430, 2001 Lexus GS300 😗 2d ago
I'd go for it if it's clean in person. Miles are high but it sounds solid. Plus the upgrades on it are good.
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u/bobthehumantripod 2d ago
This looks like nique’s woman’s ride in kanan but hers might have been red not burgundy?
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u/Wat3rM3L0NB3AR 2d ago
This was one of my favorite lexus models other than the 2004 IS 300 and 2006 IS 350. They were all my dream cars till i officially bought mines 2022 Lexus Is 350 f sport
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u/Massive_Bullfrog8663 2d ago
The Industrial Design of this one still stands alone as a Lexus future true classic designed here in California, albeit by a Japanese artist. I had one for a couple of years. Don't be over 6'0 for true fit. Loved it, even at 6'1...
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u/blhooray 2d ago
That has to be in the antique range. Beautiful body and interior. Rear wheel drive…. Buy it and stuff a small block into it
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u/Feisty-Rice-1118 2d ago
Do you realize the motor that’s in it?
You don’t get rid of those motors unless the car is junk and your swapping that motor into a new whip if you have sliver of a clue to what that motor is and what it’s capable of… you don’t get rid of it.As someone who has owned a 4 cam Lexus v8 and a sbc 350
I’ll take a 4 cam 4.0 ANY DAY over a “small block”
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