WeatherDon

Just curious...For those of you who ignored (or procrastinated) the 90k timing belt replacement and your timing belt failed, what was your mileage when it failed? If you haven't experienced this personally have you heard from others when their belt failed?

Love the Lex, but it's time to move on to other things. I have a '96 SC400, 79k mi., maroon, beige leather, chrome wheels, Nakamichi sound system, good rubber, strictly maintained always using Lexus parts. $12,500. Can assist finding car shipper...or come to the beautiful Seattle area and pick it up. Pics emailed upon request to serious buyer. The car is a real gem. Thanks! WeatherDon@aol.com

The Lexus SC300 & Cadillac are cars on two separate missions. The suspension, shocks, etc., are tighter on the SC because it's a sports car (OK, for you purists: "sporty"). It's built with going around mountain twisties at an accelerated rate of speed in mind. The Caddy is built to handle potholes with grace and mush down the interstate in comfort. I don't know if the suspension/shocks on my SC400 are much different from the 300 but it sure seems "pillowy" going down the road to me.

I bought my SC400 on eBay. I live in Washington State and it was purchased from a dealer in Arizona and the experience overall was very satisfactory. You always run a certain risk of getting a lemon if you don't see/drive the car in person before buying and as a general rule I don't like to do it. But my car had relatively low miles, the dealer went into exceptional detail describing the car including at least 10 photos and the price was so attractive I decided to go for it. That said, I also did some homework in running a Carfax check and checked the dealer through his local BBB. The nice thing about eBay is their feedback system. If the seller has a high number of positive feedback's then you can at least lessen your chances that he's some fly-by-night con artist. Another tip: If possible put the purchase on VISA or Mastecard because you always have some recourse if things go badly. Again, there's always risk but using some caution and common sense you can at least try to stack the deck in your favor.

Any auto parts store will sell battery corrosion preventative, or you can order online by doing a search for a product called NCP-2.

There is no single answer to this, it depends on where you live, how many other cars are on the policy, driving records of each driver, how may miles each car is driven, whether there are any discounts for driver training, grade point average, added homeowners policy, etc., etc. My 16 year old daughter was added to my policy as the principal driver of a '95 Honda Odyssey but is still covered if she has an accident in my SC400. Annual additional cost: $385 (The Hartford through AARP).

Try: Cars.com They show five SC300's for sale within 100 miles of Greensboro.

To get rid of the musty smell try a product called Wynn's Air Condition Treatment. can be ordered at: http://www.jemdistributors.com The stuff works great!

Go to: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ratings.htm If the information can't be found at either of these two sites it probably doesn't exist.

If the '93 is like the '96 here's the drill: Turn the ignition key "ON" and the selector lever in the "P" position. 1) Set the driver's seat, tilt and telescopic steering and outside rear view mirrors to the desired positions. 2) While pushing the "SET" button, push "1" or "2" until the signal beeps. Thereafter when you push the "1" or "2" the signal beeps and the driving position automatically adjusts to the position recorded or that button. You may want to consider buying an owner's manual. I don't know what the dealers charge but you can also find one by going to: www.books4cars.com

Driving cars, mostly fast ones for years has taught me one thing: Fast driving in itself doesn't get people in trouble - stupid driving does. If you don't know your limitations or know where that danger threshold is then you're asking for trouble. There's still a spark of in me in that really gets a kick out of pulling up to a lowered Honda with fat !Removed! exhaust and bass speakers that make the ground tremble, dusting him off when the light turns green or having one get smaller in my rear view mirror on a clear and open freeway after he dared to pass me. That's one of the reasons I drive an SC400, it provides the luxury my aging bod craves but also gives me the option to occasionally have an adolescent moment. I'm 60 years old and know that I should put all that behind me and grow up...Nah!

The term "cat backs" pops up so often in this forum that I'm starting to think that everyone but me knows what they are. If someone wouldn't mind indulging my shameful ignorance could I get a Cat Backs Basics explanation of what they are, how they differ from what I have on my stock SC400, what all is involved in installing and why I would want to have them?

Did you ever think to ask him what it is he's fixing every 18 months?

I've been looking everywhere for windvisors (wind deflectors) for my '96 SC400. I didn't see any currently listed on eBay. What supplier sells these on the internet for SCs?

I don't quite know how to phrase this but I'll give it a try: On my '96 SC400 at low speeds, say around 30 mph if I step on the accelerator then let off I get a small but noticeable "thunk" coming from the rear end. Is this normal?

Regarding Item #3: You get what you pay for so go for NGK iridium spark plugs, the few dollars more for these are well worth the price. Ebay is usually your best bet for a good price. Since you are going to change out your spark plug wires it's not a bad idea to also replace the rotors & caps, best to use OEM not some cheap-o aftermarket junk. Since you live in the Seattle area compare the price for the OEM parts at Lexus of Seattle in Lynnwood to a good discount OEM parts house like Hoy Fox in Texas: http://www.hoyfoxlexus.com The price you will pay in shipping may work out to about what you would pay over the counter at Lexus of Seattle. I would not suggest Lexus of Bellevue - too pricey. Next go to a good independent shop like Greg's Japanese Auto (downtown Seattle, see Martin, tell him WeatherDon sent you) and have them install all of the above if you don't plan on doing it yourself.

Try polishing compound but go slow using a very light touch.

Excuse my ignorance but I need a little history lesson here. What year(s) was the Griffin emblem applied to the car from the factory? Was it on SC300's...400's?...Only on non US Soarer models?

If I have ever made any valuable discoveries it has been owing more to patience than to any other talent. Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

Out of curiosity I called two local Lexus dealers about this today and the first parts guy I spoke to didn't have a clue about much of anything much less the key fob issue. The second parts guy said that once a remote fob has been programmed for a particular car you can't re-program it for another, end of subject (as far as he was concerned). I hate to seem cynical but were they being less than helpful because they saw a $200 remote key fob sale slipping through their fingers? <_<

The whole idea just sorta' died on the vine due to a lack of interest. :(

Ignore him, he's one of those 6 cylinder guys with envious of those of us with a larger....tool. :D

By the way it's real easy to put on, it has a self adhesive backing. Here's another view. Go to: http://www.tpdigital.com/wxdon/may22/lexus_v8_02.jpg

OK, here's a pic of my car with V8 emblem. Go to: http://www.tpdigital.com/wxdon/may22/lexus_v8_1.jpg