Mr.SC Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 Hey how's it going...so im new to LOC..figured it was time i joined since i always end up with this site for my problems on the net.... So i bought my forest green SC400 92 about a year ago. I should have looked into it more but i was greedy i wanted that car right away and it was the best one that i found body wise. I tested it out and everything and it seemed in really good condition. I live in montreal and we have harsh winters and to my suprise there was no rust. Well the first month i was styling and it was such a nice ride and for my first car i couldnt have done better. This car is just a classic and if taken care of very well you wouldnt know its a 92. so a month passed and then the problems began. i was driving on the highway and all of a sudden the brakes stopped working. Took it to lexus and they said the brake line was rusted and had to be replaced....2500$ later drove it for another 2 months and then found out the water pump and timming belt need to be changed...that wasnt too bad of a repair. 800$......i yet have to replace the spark plugs. oh and not to forget...but in august it got so hot that i actually used the ac(normally i like the windows and roof open) but this day it was +38 degrees celsius(+100 fahrenheit)....to my suprise it didint work.....took it in and they told me that there was a leak in the pipe and the cost would be about 800$ to replace....that has to be done too... the most recent problems are that my starter is malfunctionning which is what i am seeking help about and my nakamichi sound system is making these weird sounds like bubbling noises.....the battery was just replaced and the car is still not starting up...i figured that it is the starter solenoid...but not sure...and with the sound system i have no clue....also one of my speakers the mid range on the door does not work anymore....does anyone know where i can get a replacement....???? i know that buying a car this old at 186000km (115000miles) that there are things that are going to have to be fixed...but please i bought a lexus knowing that its an extremely well built japanese car and reliable but these problems are making me hate my car to the point that i want to blow it up or just give it away!!! well that about sums up my problems and i feel a bit better...lol...so if anyone can offer help please let know about my starter and sound system..thanks...
jakemj8402 Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 i wanted that car right away Exactly, haste makes waste. Lexus makes an excellent and most reliable automobile. However, before buying an car you should always get it inspected by a mechanic, who might have saw the rusting brake lines, or inspected the A/C system. That alone would have saved you thousands. Your car is thirteen years old, what you're paying to have replaced is just what you would expect to replace on a car of this age (which is just about anything). Buying a certain brand doesn't guarantee that you'll be problem free; it simply increases your odds of getting a reliable automobile. Good luck with the stereo.
Mr.SC Posted January 3, 2005 Author Posted January 3, 2005 hey..thanks for reply...it was inspected by lexus actually. The guy i was buying it from told me that someone previous to me who was interested in the car had it inspected and all that was wrong with it was the water pump and the timming belt and that the brakes were at 50%. I beleived what he told me since he was a car rep for mercedes. He also told me thati could call lexus and ask them for myself...didnt call (big regret) and beleived him. Right now im inthe middle of a case with him. He knew about the problem since it had been inspected and according to Quebec law he is not allowed to sell a car with "hidden defects": however since it was inspected prior to my interest he is responsible to tell me. I got a copy of the inspection and in large letter it was written BRAKE LINE VERY RUSTED...along with the other 4 problems in small form....secondly also stated in quebec law you cannot sell a vehicle that is unfit for the road....and this situation fits that law....
SKperformance Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 they always say hindesite is 20/20 most issues are simple fixes and common enough to get fixed once done the car shouls treat you well
jakemj8402 Posted January 3, 2005 Posted January 3, 2005 I would definitely go after that guy big time. If you had it inspected and they didn't tell you about rusted out break lines, I would be absolutely enraged! I've never lost the brakes in my car before, but I could only imagine the shock of pressing the pedal and getting absolutely no response. He's lucky you weren't hurt, I would serve him with the bill and if he refuses to pay, I'd take him to court. I don't know anything about law in Quebec, but I would definitely go after him. Good Luck.
jzz30 Posted January 4, 2005 Posted January 4, 2005 well he was told that the brakes were at 50% so that would be his problem if he didnt fix it right away. as for fixing the car, how about fixing it your self? it will save you hundreds if not thousands in labor costs, having the starter replaced can run upward of $1000usd. if you do it yourself you just need to buy a few gaskets, and the starter or you can get the starter rebuilt. speakers go out after 10 years, the cone rips and thats that so you will have to get replacements that match your needs, replacements from lexus are really not available. and after your done with this this car should treat you very well this car has relatively few problems compared with the LS simply because it is simpler. but common suspension problems may occur so be aware.
Mr.SC Posted January 5, 2005 Author Posted January 5, 2005 Thanks for the info....i did think about fixing it myself but i think that i would mess it up even more !!! and i dont need that happening at this stage...lol...i had a feeling that suspension problems would occur. Its unfortunate the car is the age it is. I mean 13 years is old of car that may have been winter driven in its lifetime. Its just such a classic car but i guess its time is comming.....
jzz30 Posted January 6, 2005 Posted January 6, 2005 well if you feel like doing it yourself then there are many good tutorials on how to do it with pictures so its fairly simplified.
Ebonixx Posted January 7, 2005 Posted January 7, 2005 later drove it for another 2 months and then found out the water pump and timming belt need to be changed...that wasnt too bad of a repair. 800$......i yet have to replace the spark plugs. oh and not to forget...but in august it got so hot that i actually used the ac(normally i like the windows and roof open) but this day it was +38 degrees celsius(+100 fahrenheit)....to my suprise it didint work.....took it in and they told me that there was a leak in the pipe and the cost would be about 800$ to replace....that has to be done too... the most recent problems are that my starter is malfunctionning which is what i am seeking help about. ← I had all of the above problems after getting my Sc300 last winter. Alot of money for a college student. I replaced the water pump, timing belt, ac compressor, and the last problem before i decided to buy a new car was the Starter. It would work sometimes, then sometimes not. Then i took it to a battery shop, got a new batt. They said the starter was fine, and i drove for a month and the new battery was drained, went back got a new one, a week later battery died again. Took to the lexus dealer and i had to get a new engine wiring harness. that was the cause of my starter malfunction and the battery dying. Also i has to get a pulley that was eating away at my timing belt replaced, and a new timing belt. Broke and saddened, i got a used sc400 and called it a day. Workin on "pimping" it out now. Hope this helps... Eb
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now