JDOwen2

The bigger the wheel the harsher the ride. Do you have run-flats now? Stock wheels and anything but run-flats will increase ride comfort. Asking what size wheel/tire combo is best is like asking what size turkey do you want for Thanksgiving. It's all about taste and preference.

Your current problem may be coincidental to the disconnection of the fuel pump. Verify timing and plug condition. What is your vehicle mileage?

Call your friendly Lexus dealer and see what they want. If the used one is 1/2 that (and in good condition) it's a good deal.

Per the 95 sales brochure "When the trunk-mounted 12-disc CD auto-changer is added to the Coupe's standard system, max. power increases from 170 to 210 watts amd the 8-inch subwoofer is upgraded to 10 inches." The Nakamichi System is rated at 280 watts.

Wouldn't hurt to flush brake fluid, power steering fluid and rear diff lube.

When your transmission slips, shifts hard, late, early, etc it's going bad. Causes are low fluid level, overheating, infrequent fluid changes and probably a few more. The cost of changing one is the cost of transmission R+R plus the cost of a new converter and fluid. Figure at least 4 hours labor. I'm not aware of a one step up from stock other than the high performance variety. I wonder if a hotter converter would eventually kill a stock transmission. If you're going to upgrade the converter you should probably upgrade the trans also.

Saw another 2003 SC430 on Ebay for $20,000.00. Emailed the seller (different name but still in Great Britain) inquiring about payment and inspection and 5 minutes later it was cancelled. Very interesting!

I copied and pasted Ebay's policy about payment in my last email to the seller as well as any other payment options. Haven't heard from them since. Thank God my first attempt at payment failed.

If anyone noticed, there was a 2003 SC430 on Ebay yesterday for $18,000. Seemed to good to be true but I emailed the seller. They wanted $999.00 money transfer from Western Union as a down payment. The auction info said car was in "Great Britain" but the emails I got said the car was in Italy and the reason for the sale was because the car was U.S. specs and didn't pass Italy's emissions. Silly me, I tried to send a wire transfer thru Western Union online and got a processing error. I called WU and set it up over the phone until their service rep told me Ebay doesn't condone using wire transfers because of the fact you can't trace them. :o She also told me Italy was notorious for wire transfer fraud. Let the buyer beware.

I've seen the hood and trunk lid offered by one of the forum supporters and emailed them about compatability with the factory support struts. They say it will work but I was under the impression if you went with a fiberglass (or carbon fiber) hood or trunk lid that you would need softer struts or springs so as not to overstress the attachment points. Anyone have these pieces installed? Do the factory struts work? The price seems reasonable if you don't have to change anything else out.

I've notice some SC's with a black "chin" spoiler attached to the lower front fascia. Was this an option with the traction control and heated seats? I guess my 300 is "stripped", no trac control or heated seats. :( Anyone have an idea what the spoiler would cost. Sure like the way it looks.

I just bought a replacement mast from JPImports. The nylon "cord" is attached to the metal mast. If you get one off Ebay make sure the plastic button on the end of the mast matches what you have.

From what I have read on the subject, I'd say your amplifier is bad. You could check out the connectors under the rear seat and also at the amp for corrosion.

If you pull out the rear panel in the trunk you should see a strut cartridge on each side. You almost have to climb into the trunk to see them. Considering they are 10 years old, it's time to replace them. You can find them on Ebay or from one of the Forum supporters. I've never investigated remote trunk access. Might be out there somewhere. Enjoy the ride and don't forget to wave.

I finally got around to getting the passenger side door panel off and trying to fix the door handle. Only way to open the door was to use the handle on the inside. Found a small plastic clip broken that holds the rod going from the outside handle down to the door latch. Went to a large automotive parts store and they don't carry Lexus door handle parts. Closest thing was a Chrysler part. Too small. Also found the the rod had dropped down and was stopping the window from going all the way down. I'll bet Lexus doesn't sell the $.35 part individually.

Anyone happen to buy the wax comparison test from www.gurureports.com?

Sold the fronts, still have the rear calipers and rotors.

I put Supra TT rotors on my 95 SC300 then bought IS300 17" wheels. Wheels didn't clear the calipers. Ended up pulling the calipers and rotors and putting stock brakes back on. The calipers where catching on the wheel spokes.

My passenger side window only goes 3/4s of the way down and stops. Any ideas before I take off door panel?

I got rear ended about 6 weeks ago. Got new rear bumper cover, bumper shock absorber and paint. Also could not eject CD cartridge. Insurance company got me a new CD palyer. Couldn't eject that cartridge either. Then I read the manual. I was opening the top before pressing eject button rather than the preferred method (per the owner's manual) of pressing the eject button first then sliding back the cover. Doh!

My antenna mast died on me the other day and today I pulled the assembly out of the trunk. The nylon cable is broken just past the mast. I also found a coax cable (just like a tv coax cable) laying behind the inner trim panel in the same harness as the radio coax. Can't imagine what it's for. Car didn't come with a phone. Called my "friendly" Toyota dealer this afternoon and gave him the Toyota part number off the motor. "That's a Lexus number, you have to call them." I asked if I could bring it down to compare with a Toyota mast and they said sure. The parts guy was nice enough to pull a few different ones out of stock and they were different lengths. I may have been able to cobble something together but didn't want to risk !Removed! it up. I'll be calling Lexus Monday :-[ Anyone have a clue what the second coax is for?

Could be leaking from the transmission cooler in the radiator. Or loose clamp on one of the cooler hoses.

How bad is it leaking and from where? A radiator shop might be able to fix it, rod it out. You might be able to find a decent one from one of many Lexus recycle yards. I have found out through experience that it is best to go with factory replacement parts or high performance parts just to be on the safe side

It appears to me that there are a number of auto wholesalers that deal on EBay. Why limit your self to one model? You could be a specialist though. And pick up a few parts cars along the way and refurbish the ones you sell. Also a good market for parts but then you need storage. Go for it. I'd like to trade my 95 for a 97 or 98!

Disconnect the battery lead going to the lighter. Not sure if there is a plug-in to the wiring harness. If all else fails, cut it at the lighter.