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It's always hard to tell, I would have to assume that even for one of these caution must be excercised when it's that sort of miles and who knows how it's been driven? Might consider posting such a question on a Supra forum, this one seems to not be too active. What are the mileages on the ones you indicate you found through your dealer? I could try looking at this car on Friday if you're interested as I have a meeting in Chicago in the early evening and wouldn't mind driving it myself. Hard to tell much about condition with that *really poor* photo from the near-square on front. Does not tell you much. I can try to call them tomorrow, but you know the line they will say... There is a V-8 SC400 auto near my house that is a '92 with a flawless interior, 80k miles, two owners, and a somewhat high asking price of $8995. So they are not too far off with $4500, likley. It would make, perhaps, a good project car. Let me know what you think. -Randy

I feel as though I spoke too soon ; here's another one, similar mileage, do not have a clue as the car or the dealer, but if you want an inexpensive one, here you go... http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_...sp=y&cardist=18

I have seen plenty of SC 300's for sale around Chicago and only ONCE have a found a manual SC. They are sought-after, people know they are a well disquised Supra. The red '92 was actually at the Lexus dealer I work with, and the sales man really didin't want to show it to me - it was going to the auction. It had 195k on it and was ragged. Really too bad... I'll let you know if I see any around here, that was over eight months ago. Good luck in your search!

Not completely for Lexus here but generally these symptoms indicate the following: 1. a blown head gasket. 2. A craked or warped cylinder head, or 3. Both of the above. I understand (and it's likley in the Frequently Asked Questions) that the Iron block/aluminum head engine used in '92-'93 models were prone to overheating and head gasket failures. Unfortunelty this is likley what happend to you. Also, this would explain why you lost your cabin heat as well. Good luck with your car.

Sorry about the car, looks like a total, have you called your insurance company as of yet? Sometimes can be quite positive. By the way, nice Dodge truck - is it a Cummins? Even nicer Versitile Bi-directional. Excellent tractor!

branshew, Thanks, I just e-mailed you back, will talk with my sister in the next day or so as to her thoughts.

It's good to know such a feature exisits--I very much understand why. Branshew you may reach me via: rleverne@aol.com I would be interested to know the mileage and basic service history, and to see a few picutres of the vechile. Thanks!

Thanks, it didn't allow me to PM you, not sure as to why. I fyou can PM me, great, otherwise I'll provide an e-mail whereby I could discuss more details. Thanks for your help.

That is certanily my feeling as well. The '98 my neighbor just purchased had been sold and serviced at the same dealer it's whole life, they had all the records--and it had been very well maintained. My original question was posed to begin to discern the differances between first and second generation models. Thanks again for the help! I also just missed a wondeful white/silver Coach edition '96 with 115k on it for an asking price of $6995 from the Lexus dealer that sold it to the frist owner. Sold a week ago, still advertised to make me drool. Oops, oh well, there will be others.

Thanks for the info so far--keep it coming. Frankley I was likely looking at the newer series, however I would be fine with a first gen if they will be relaible. Biggest need is to get her up to drive one to see what she would prefer. They are hard to find in her area, and those that exist are overpriced. With regard to the "oil gelling" symptoms of the second gen models--would this occur if synthetic oil was used and changed at 5k intervals? Guess I ought to search on this one a bit. Thanks again for your help--great forum!

Hello all, I'm new here as my post count will suggest. I helped a neighbor purchase a '98 ES 300 with 141k on it yesturday--and I was so impressed with the car that I would also like to help my sister replace her ailing '91 Accord with a similar unit. She is limited to around $7k, and in my area, there are a few '97's and '98's for about that much, and more '95-'96's for that price. I realize these models are based off of and correspond with the Toyota Camary of the same years. So--which one would be better assuming it will be kept for 4-5 years and driven average miles by a gentle driver? She is also curious about fuel ecomomy--what are real-world figures (city & highway) for both generations? Are both V-6's non-interferance engines? What else is there to watch for as I look around for the perfect car for her? Thanks in advance--I can't wait to pick up one of these for my own daily driving!

Hello, new here; I will eventually be picking up one of these myself after grad school is finished. I just helped my neighbor purchase a '98 ES 300 that had 141k on it--one owner, all work done at the dealer that sold it originally, tight as a drum, one small scratch in left front fender. Excellent piece of work. After test-driving a '92 SC 400 (with only 80K on it) as well as this ES today--I'm sold on Lexus. I've been a car guy for over 15 years, and my opinion changed that quickly! I will be looking forward to learning more on this forum as I help my sister--next in line to buy a car--decide between a 1st and 2nd generation ES 300. She is looking to spend about $7k for a new used car. Any advice with this is welcome! Thanks in advance for the help!