SuperCoupe400

SW03ES, I see your point here. Really I do. I think when you're so close to the action it's hard to take a step back and see the big picture. It really is quite easy to tell the two apart - when you live and breath Lexus. But to an outsider...or heck, even an insider who happens to drive another model, these things can begin to blend together real quickly with barely legible seams in between. Case in point: With the exception of all you antique and collectible auto enthusiasts, who among you can REALLY tell the difference between a 1920 Oldsmobile 37A and a 1922 47 if you saw them both drive by you on the road? As far as I'm concerned, just about ALL of those pre-historic cars look alike - Ford, Olds, Buick, etc. But to someone who pours over these cars an oval shaped tail lense in the following year's production model versus a round one the previous year makes all the difference in the world, and thus classifies it as a whole new animal. And for most folk, that's just not enough to create a distinction.

I too believe that Lexus will someday grow some balls and start creating their very own own design cues - as they did with the SC and IS. Though I must say that in the earlier years I felt their approach to interiors, both with materials and controls, was too understated and conservative. I know that many buyers prefered this approach, as I'm certain many of you do. However, I have always loved gadgets. The more buttons to push, the bigger the grin on my face. :D I could care less about dumbed-down simplicity where one knob performs 20 different functions - make the cockpit LOOK like that of an $80k car! Not that of a point-a-to-point-b Datsun And on the LS460 I think they've pretty much satisfied my lust for buttons, lights and switches.

I always get strange looks of disbelief when I tell someone I expect to get no less than 400,000 miles out of my SC. I figure it's no stretch of the imagination to think the car would last that long given that my last car ('91 Integra) got 273k before being sent out to pasture - and that was only due to my terrible habit of not performing regular oil changes. At times I'd go 8 months between changes and barely keep it leveled off in between. Which was really a testiment to the build quality of those engines. But seeing as how I'm not only keeping up on my oil and other fluid changes (plus using Mobil 1), and the fact that Lexus is and has been #1 in quality since they hit the scene some 15 years ago, there's simply no doubt that I'll be driving this car for life. Besides, I made up my mind a long time ago that I don't ever want to buy a car as an investment (for it's resale value). I only buy cars that I'm passionate about and want to keep for a very long time. And the SC is definately one of those. I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. Because most people who buy a car just for transportation or for it's trade-in value don't bother joining forums and discussion groups. So how many miles do you expect to get out of your SC?

Very interesting discussion here. Hi everybody. I'm just sneaking a peek over the wall from the SC300/400 forum to see what people are saying about the new LS460. I'm really look forward to experiencing it in person at the Detroit Auto Show in January. I was enthralled enough by the features, comfort and all-out luxury of the 430 a year back. But this generation LS appears to be a fitting upgrade from it's predecessor. I really have nothing to contribute regarding any tactile qualities of the interior, given that I havn't been inside the car yet. On exterior styling though, I must voice my critique. It is definately the most stylized LS to date. Though that merit just won't quite stand on it's own. Were there no such cars as the '06 Toyota Camry or '06 Avalon, I'd say HOORAH FOR LEXUS. Unfortunately though, the styling cues introduced by the two afore mentioned lesser class autos have already seen the light of day and thus been made mental note of by all who even bother to pay attention to such things as "design cues". And for this very reason, the LS460's exterior suffers. It suffers the same way many of you lovely women out there do when some other lady shows up at a party wearing the same dress you so painstakenly hand-picked - thinking you would be the ONLY one there with it. :whistles: And for that I must give a thumbs down on exterior styling. I simply don't want to drive a $70k car that takes STRONG design cues from it's little siblings. To be quite honest, I wish Toyota would stop sharing and reusing design cues between models alltogether. Case in point - when the SC430 debuted, it was so unique, so refreshing, so one-of-a-kind... And then Toyota comes along and dresses down the rear of the late model Solara with some of the same architecture and near-replica tail lenses. Even though, in this instance, it was little brother imitating big brother, it still deminished the uniqueness once held entirely by the SC430. I'm just glad that no one, including Lexus or Toyota, has ever ripped off, parted out, or otherwise diluted the absolutely timeless design of the 1st generation SC by sharing it with another model. I'm so glad to have one to call my own. I find myself thoroughly disappointed with what i've seen in promotional images of the 460. Hopefully though, it's physical presence (when I see it in person at the auto show) will speak something to me that the miriad of Avalon...... sorry, Camry...... sorry, LS460 press release photos don't.

You've got a point on the cleanability. Though it wouldn't be too challenging. Since i wipe my car down three times a week (in my garage), brake dust wouldn't have much of a chance to build up. Plus, I had a similar wheel design on my 2nd generation Integra (Konig Elan 4h) konig_elan.bmp

I've never been one to put much stock in public opinion - especially on items I intend on buying anyway. But because I'm not even remotely able to afford these yet, I just thought I'd solicit everyone's feedback on how you think these TSW Sakata 5's would look on an SC. They won't work on just any car, but I think they might be quite "choice" on an SC. What do you all think? Sorry I couldn't do a photoshop job to give a better impression. Just use your imagination.

jzz30, one more thing. When you had your bearings done did they mention anything about having to replace and "inner and outer sills"? I got a quote over the phone from a local machine shop that presses bearings in-house to do mine for only $25/ea, but they mentioned that I would need to also provide them with inner and outer sills (in addition to the bearings, of course). Do the bearings automatically come with a new set of sills?

jzz30, once again you have saved me much $$$ with your great advice. My front bearings are hummin' like mad, and in need of replacement too. I'd have never thought to remove the hub assemblies and take them somewhere to have the old bearings removed and new ones pressed in. You just saved me $200. My shop guy wanted $150 per wheel labor. About how long did it take you per wheel to remove the hubs? (I'm assuming it was a solo job) I've got a few more 55-degree days up here in the Detroit area before temps dip back down into the 30's making it less than desireble to be grease-monkeying around outside. Thanks!

Stay with OEM plugs, These motors are very picky about the plugs. It's worth the xtra $ ;) Will do. Just wanted to know I wasn't tossing $$ out the window with an unnesesary expense.

I'm about to do a tune-up including new wires. My import parts supplier wants $8.56 ea for the stock plugs (Laser Platinum). But the Bosh Platinums are going for only $2.50ea. I have no problem paying the $8.56 for the OEMs if that's the best way to go. But I just wanted to get some input from you guys first. What are some of you using? Any performance or longevity issues with non OEM plugs? Thanks.

Sounds like you've got your hands full with that install. But if it works like you've described, then you'll have a nice new toy to keep a passenger's attention on those long road trips. This all sounds like stuff I probably would have gotten heavily into had I not lost that audiophile bug. I'd love to see some "during" & "after" pics.

Surprisingly, I'm getting a consistant 21.5 to 22.5 mpg driving my '93 about 70%-highway & 30%-city. And, yeah, it is next to impossible finding a '92-'94 with <100k mi on it. I got mine with only 88k, but that was two years ago. I intend on getting at least 400k out of it.

Bosy, you seem quite taken with various body style charcteristics of the 1st gen SC. I noticed that earlier you posted for advice on swapping the front end of your late model SC for a 1st gen becuase you preferred its more rounded form factor. Sounds like you also might be considering swapping your tails to 1st gen too. Can't say I blame you though. I prefer the 1st gen tails myself - mostly because of the larger-than-life yellow turn signal.

I'd love to do a staggered set-up on mine, but there's always the concern about tread wear. once you go staggered (be it rim diameter or tire size) you can no longer rotate tires. Left to right rotation won't even work, because all low-pros are directional. But maybe i'm making too big a deal out of tire rotation. Maybe it's not even a real concern as long as your camber, alignment, tire pressure and suspension are all on point. Can somebody out there weigh-in on this?

btw, UNDRPSI, did they (Extreme) re-stitch your existing seats, or are those seat covers?

While I'd have to agree with your basic train of thought Bosy, I'm not so sure this one's quite crossed that line just yet. There's nothing at all wrong with lowering. In fact, the moment you go with aftermarket low-pro grips you GOTTA slam it! These wheel wells are already sreaming "fill my gaps". Even without lowering, the least someone could do is add spacers to push the wheels further out. But spinners - - - I'd have to agree with you. And yes I've seen them on 1st and 2nd gen SC's. No they do not look flattering. Personally, I would have done a candy-apple red suede to match the paint job - though that may have given it that Fast & Furious boy-racer look. I was seriously considering the exact same approach for mine, but with seude inserts matching my Spruce Metallic paint - much less of a stand-out next to the almond leather. In fact, if you've ever taken a peak inside a Bentley Arnage T (I think that's the one), you'll see a very similar application of suede to leather surfaces. If it's done right it can come off very "first-class". With regard to the sound system, irregardless of how much better the midrange sound is, I just don't see how in the world somebodies not kickin' the crap out of those speakers on the floor (not to mention the dirt, dust & debris that'll get knocked into those enclosures over the course of just a week). Hope you're not planning any extended road trips in it. You're gonna wanna stretch your legs at some point. Those speakers just look like the perfect foot-rest.

Soweet! I'll try and knock that out this weekend. Thanks jzz

Hey, silly question here, but how do you know when it's time to replace your starter? Seriously now. And before some wise guy replies, "when your car no longer starts", let me qualify that question. My car's taking about 7 to 10 cranks to fire-up. I just replaced my battery for one with 875cca @32 degrees (I think the stock one is 700cca), so it cranks up twice as fast as it did when I bought the car over 2-years ago. But it still takes 7-10 cranks before the engine fires up. How many cranks is it taking some of you guys for your engine to start? I'm really curious to know because from the time I bought the car ('93SC4) I thought the engine took much longer than normal to turn-over. Could this be a sign that my starter is on it's way out? Thanks a bunch - I just hope it holds out through winter. Even though I've got an attached garage to work in, it's not heated and daylight from an open garage door is always better to work by than 1000-watt halogen floods casting shadows everywhere.

Nope. Doesn't miss. You're probably right on the money about the engine and tranny mounts though. I was just thinking about how I need to get in there and swap those out. I've read in past posts that the tranny mounts are not hard at all to do, but the engine ones take a little more patience. Have you done yours before?

I'm getting some mild to medium vibrations from the engine at revs between 1000 & 2500 rpms. This only happens when the car is in park. Could this mean it's time to swap my plugs, wires and distributor? Anyone else experienced this before? thanks, J.B.

Oh well... Guess I'll start saving those bottles and cans. Thanks 082.

My LCD display screen for the climate control has been turning dark (blackening) in spots for the past few months now. I've read several threads about how to replace the bulbs, but for some reason I just don't think this is a bulb issue. It just seems like the LCD screen is going bad. It's starting to look like a messed up LCD on one of those jumbo calculators after you've dropped it and cracked the screen. I'll take a picture and post it if anyone needs to see what I'm talking about. The darkness on the display even stays there after the ignition has been killed. It permanent. That's why I don't think it's a bulb issue. Has anybody had to replace this display before? What can I expect to cough-up for a new/replacement one? Is it something I can swap-out myself? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Michael

Southern, I'm having the exact same symptom on the front-end of my '93SC4 (140k mi). I'll probably be getting the wheel bearings changed within a couple months. I've found bearings (at my local foriegn auto parts supplier) for $75/ea. And my mechanic is talking $150/ea for the install. I'm in no rush though. Not just because I don't have the $450 for the job right now, but also because I've had front bearings go bad in my Integra before, and went two years before replacing them - just didn't have the spare dough at the time. Much to my surprise though, the rubbing noise never got any louder throughout that two years than it was during the first couple weeks. Now, maybe this is a bit niave on my part, but I figure if an Integra can go 2-yrs on bad front bearings, my SC can surely do a few months no prob.

Dhoe!! I spoke too soon. I just heard it again yesterday. This is probably just going to be one of those things that never gets resolved. The sound doesn't seem to be linked to anything I do or that the car does. In which case, it's not something I can take to the dealer and reproduce for them to listen to. It's happened while standing still, and while in motion. I never hear it with the radio on (sound is too low to hear with music on). It doesn't even happen every time i'm in the car. on average, it's about once a week. Oh well. Nothing seems to be wrong, so I won't sweat it.

I tried so hard this weekend to get to the solenoid on the steering rack (which houses the steering fluid screen/filter), but to no avail. :cries: The only grip I could get on it (to unscrew it) was with a pair or vice grips directly on the solenoid canister - instead of the hex-bolt piece at the top of the solenoid canister that you're supposed to unscrew it by. Well, I had a good enough grip to turn it, but just felt too unsure about shearing it off at the nut because everytime I turned the canister a 1/4" or so, the nut wouldn't turn with it. So I figured I'd better not force it, otherwise I may just end up twisting/ripping the solenoid right off the nut that holds it on the the steering rack. Problem is, there seems to be absolutely no way to get any type of tool around the nut at the top of the solenoid. I know some of you have done this before, because I've read posts about cleaning this filter. Problem is, this is one of those parts that's just not at all easy to get to. Can anybody provide some direction here? Should I be removing something else first to get to it? :( Thanks.