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Looking Into Purchasing A 93' Sc300


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As the topic reads, I'm looking to buy a 93' SC300 w/ 143K miles on it. The reason I'm posting is to ask a few questions since I do have a number of concerns about it. Since I just test drove it today, I'll give you an idea of all the problems that were noticeable.

**Quick note: Dealer is asking $5950.00 with all the below problems. He couldn't really negotiate the price since it is a consignment car (the car actually belongs to some contractor and he's just attempting to sell it for him)**

- Battery was dead

- Driver side door light was hanging by the wires

- Most of the LED's in the gauge arrows were bad (for the speedometer, etc.)

- Steering wheel had some pretty serious wear on it

- Noticeably bad idleing with the AC on

- Right passenger side window would only go down half-way

- When I unlocked the vehicle (from the inside of the car) on the driver side, it supposedly 'unlocked' the other door but when my father attempted to open the door... it wouldn't open. Had to open the door from the inside for him

- Rear-view mirror had 2 really dark spots on it, no matter which way the tint was set (possibly from over-exposure to the sun?)

Now, let me just say that the car ran pretty well after we cut the AC off. I'm very much in love with this car and even with all these problems, I'd still be interested in possibly buying it. I must ask a few questions first though.

- Is this car even worth the time of day if I were to purchase it?

- What exactly should I offer for the car?

- Should I even bother asking them to fix any of the above problems for me before putting an offer on the table?

- Does anyone know of a SC300 being sold for about the same price in better condition for about the same price (maybe with less miles on it)?

I'm just trying to be very careful about this purchase since I'll be heading off to college in the fall. Spending a ton of extra cash to get this car in shape just doesn't seem to be worth it considering I'll still need to put a relatively nice system in it (wouldn't survive a week on a factory system).

Any help is more than welcome and thanks ahead of time. I'll check back periodically so as to not leave anyone hanging. Feel free to ask me any questions.

**Pictures I took last night of the exterior**

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Try another car here:

http://www.cars.com/search/used/cc/standar...ml?aff=national

www.autotrader.com

The car is ok. It has couple of electronic problems, the speedometer, LCDs are common problems but a bit expensive but thats ok.

For the price, the car is NOT ok. It is too expensive. If it was in excellent condition with everything working and EVEN ran good with the AC on. Then it was perfect for the price.

Personally, I would stay away from it. Unless you can get it for $4k.

Search for some other Lexi in the two websites above.

Good luck.

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Thanks for the quick response.

I took your advice and checked out both of those sites. Unfortunately, nearly every SC300/SC400 in my range is at least 300+ miles away and quite frankly, unless these dealers email me back with more photos, I'm not going to travel that far just to see 1 car.

Now, what I am trying to do at this point is get a list of prices for each of the problems I listed above. I'm thinking if I sit down with the dealer and prove to him that this car is not worth the $5950 price tag with all of these problems, that he may just lower the price considerably (at least $4500, if not below). Hell, maybe he'll even fix a good portion of the problems for me and still lower the price just a bit.

Anyway, here's my attempt at prices. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

- Battery: ~$99.00

- Door light: Worked, so it probably just needs to be mounted and screwed back in

- Needles burned out: $99.95 (Blue Lextech needle set) *Thanks for the link in the FAQ*

- Steering wheel: $49.95 (Leather repair kit, could use in other parts of car as well) *Thanks for the link in the FAQ*

- Bad idling: I've got a feeling that this was due to the battery and the fact that this vehicle has been sitting there for 2 months. Dad mentioned that the computer may possibly need to be reset since the battery has been dead in it so long (our 95' Diamante had this problem when the battery died and wasn't noticed for a few days).

- Right passenger window: This could probably be fixed by the dealers' mechanic. I wouldn't be surprised if it's just an electronics problem in the door and would probably just require (if I really had to) for the door to be opened up. Definitely wouldn't bother fixing it myself and it probably wouldn't cost anything to actually fix.

- Faulty lock/unlock button: Could this possibly be a computer problem, or maybe the lack of proper power from the battery?

- Rear view mirror: Would definitely have to be replaced. Thinking at least $50 for a replacement, give or take a few bucks.

*Scratch the needles* Now I must find the cost of the rear view mirror (I'm not talking about the actual left/right door mirrors, just the inside mirror). If anyone has any clue where I can order one, what the price may be and whether or not it can only be ordered straight from the factory, please let me know.

And again, any help is greatly appreciated. Corrections are more than welcome and any other help you all can provide.

Total cost in repairs: $298.90

*Edited for a small spelling error*

*Edit: Added price for a set of blue needles from Lextech*

*Edit: Modified the cost to repair the leather around the steering wheel*

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I've got another question or two to add. Sorry if it seems as though I'm being annoying, but better safe than sorry.

- Is it possible that after an extended period of time with a dead battery that the computer in an SC300 (or any SC-series vehicle) could reset?

- Either way, how much does a dealer charge to actually go in and reset the computer?

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I would not buy this car. Keep looking. You can find a clean low mileage SC(under 100K), owned by older people, garaged and well maintained...for $8000 or less. Don't buy trouble. Always get something nice, that has been taken care of. Avoid dealers period. Somebody dumped that car because it was a pain. Don't expect a dealer to cut you a "deal".

I got my 92 SC400, 79K, gorgeous, not a scratch on it, $8200. Then I found my girlfriend's 93 SC300, also gorgeous, super clean, $8000. Both cars owned by older people, garaged, much loved. Second owners. Try to find original owned, or second owners. Run Carfax or Autocheck for vehicle history. You don't want a car that's been sold a bunce of times. This is a clear indication that the car is trouble. I'll bet if you run the vin. # on this car, you'll probably find multiple owners. Oh, and no doubt someone will post that even $8000 is too much to pay, but like I said, both of our cars are really super clean and well maintained, and I looked for MONTHS for the both of them, made a million calls, and looked at plenty of junk in the process. My neighbor thought that I'd leased a new car!

I missed a 92 SC300 in Palm Springs, with 30,000 original miles, for $9400. Mint. It sold in one day after the ad came out.

Take your time. If you're in a hurry you'll get burned.

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Yeah, I'm definitely going to take your advice on this one. Went over to drive it again today... battery wouldn't even start with a jumper!

I'm done !Removed! with this dealer. Let the car sit there a few more months and then maybe he'll understand how stupid he's being.

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Hey man..

I know of a person selling an SC300 its about 180 miles from you. I study at JMU btw...THE CAR is in delaware, and probably 20 times better than the car you mentioned. IT has been one owner, and kept and mainted by 55+ male. All records maintained at lexus. I want to buy the car, but i didnt because its an Sc300 and i really want a 400 so im holding out. the problems i noticed were the needeles, and the ac display. plus the drivers seat was pretty rough. Besides that engine is perfect, only 109k miles on it. the guy is also asking only 5500$. im sure he would come down to 5000 if you were to get serious. The car is excellent compared to what you described. has the 6 cd changer and peral white paint. If YOU Buy the car probably the only thing that needs adress soon (if you are alergice), is an interior wash.!

cya!

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Very nice. I'm getting really tired of messing with dealers, I'll tell you that much. Was browsing around on eBay last night, for example, and noticed a BMW 5.25i in Richmond, VA. Well, to make a long story short... I email'd him (since it's within my price range) and asked about the hoses, timing belt, 100k mile maintenance, etc. and he emails me back saying that this isn't the car for me.

Now what the holy :censored: is that supposed to mean? He suggested that I got a newer BMW with less miles on it instead. The nerve of some people.

Anyway, enough ranting. If you could pass along the guys information to me, that'd be great wantasc400. Really appreciate you mentioning this!

*Edit: Also, if you could... would you mind telling me a bit more about it? (Auto/Manual, etc. etc.)

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well i have a few pics at home so i can send those to you..the car is auto. all serivces done. has 2 brand new headlights, cus the owner dint liek the yellow in them and didnt wanna put them in the oven etc. also he recently backed into a fire hydrant, and they installed a new bumper, and since the dealership couldnt match the paint they painted the whole car. the keyless entry doesnt work, but it might just be a battery. Ill e mail you the pics, if you can post your email adress. the guy is a co worker of mine so i mostly chat with him, but after i post the pics, if you wanna come up and take a look test drive carfax check etc lemme know. i can help you set it up with him...its a good deal if you can live with the V6 :)

maybe he was being considerate and knows the car has problems that he doesnt want you to go thru

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Yeah, forget the dealers. The 300 for 5K doesn't sound too bad. Oh, and let me tell you, my girlfriend's 300 is like a rocket. I think that it is faster than my 400. Maybe mine needs a tuneup, but if I were you, I would be just as happy with the six cylinder. In fact, many people like those better. When I was out looking, I didn't care. I just wanted an SC, period. Another clue that I found when shopping...the owners are of two breeds; those who love and pamper the car, change the oil, keep it waxed, take pride in ownership/the other kind of owner drives the car into the ground and then dumps it at a dealer. Find the first kind of owner!

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Just email the pictures over to ateam311@gmail.com whenever you get a chance.

A quick question, but let's say the faulty keyless entry isn't due to the battery. Do I have the option (I beleive I saw it in the FAQ or in some other thread) of getting a new remote programmed?

I'll wait until you send over the pics before I ask about anything else. Thanks again!

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