SCdriver

If the Lexus SC400 is a 1998 model as stated it should be the first edition of the 290hp vvt-i engine and the newer 5 speed automatic. The 0-60 time would be 6.3 sec and I expect it would be as fast as a manual 1995 BMW540i. The original lexus specs quoted as 260 hp and 0-60 in 7 sec are for the 1996-7 model SC400's. Which is better? That all depends what you are looking for. The BMW is an excellent sedan with excellent performance. The lexus is a touring coupe with a nicer interior and exterior design and room for kids or small adults in the back seat. If I didn't need extra room, I'd take the lexus. I've owned the lexus SC400 coupe, LS sedan and BMW 5 series sedan. My favorite is still the lexus SC400 (1994).

$9500 for a '93 SC400 with 89,000mi is a bit steep. If it hasn't had the timing belt changed along with the water pump and thermostat, you will be looking at another $1500 (US) in a major service and you still don't know the condition of the brakes,rotors,electrical system, suspension and exhaust etc. If you are going to buy it, give it to a lexus dealer for the $95 certification check up and get their service history records and the car fax. If it hasn't got the timing belt service and needs other items serviced you can haggle about the price. It should be lower anyway.

I've got the Goodyear F1 GS D3 tires on my SC400. They are the best rain tire I've ever had and about the best in the dry as well. In addition they are quiet. I've been in some heavy downpours where cars have gone off the highway in front of me but even at 60-70mph these didn't even hydroplane. Check out Tirerack.com and read their reviews. Perhaps something better has come out in the last 3-4 years but I doubt it. Having a QUIET high performance tire has its advantages on long trips--- wet or dry.

I've read a lot of posts with differing opinions on doing a transmission flush and changing to type 4 toyota ATF. Even different lexus service managers disagree but this is what I was able to discern from all the different advice: 1) older SC400's with high miles should not get a transmission flush. Instead, gradually replace the type 2 with type 4 fluid along with each oil change (3,000mi or so) by dropping the transmission pan and draining 2-4 quarts at a time. Clean or replace your transmission filter when you do this. You should have mostly new type 4 by 4-6 changes. 2) low mile SC400's can probably be flushed and switched to type 4 ATF without problems. 3) Type 4 and type 2 ATF should be compatible but my service manager goes against the grain and likes to stick with the original type 2 So with your car (>100,000), perhaps a gradual change over might be a safer way to go.

If you have a local lexus dealer, have them do a used car certification check for about $100. They should be able to pull up the lexus service history and you can get the car fax. Does it have the power steering leak common after 100,000mi? Was the timing belt changed? These are expensive repairs. If you are going to buy any used lexus spend $100 and have lexus look it over.

The car looks clean but you will never know how good it is until it is gone over by a good mechanic or Lexus. A Lexus dealer will charge $90-110 to give it a full certification check and pull up the service history. I'd change the wheels and enjoy the car if it checks out. You have to watch for PS pump leaks and see if the timing belt and water pump were changed if it has 90,000+ mi on it as that can be an expensive service. At the purchase price you can't go wrong as the parts alone are worth much more. Keeping it just depends whether you will enjoy this car more than the one you are driving...

I believe you did not understand what I was getting at. I was wondering if there could be a separate section or permanent post on "buying a used SC400" just as the site has a separate section on detailing. That way potential buyers or those who bought without getting a full inspection etc. would know what to look out for and what they need to check. I don't have any questions on detailing as that section is well documented and full of good advice.

Check Ebay's auto parts section. Type in SC400 nakamichi into their search engine. They usually have an amp show up every few weeks or so. If it is the same amp (check with lexus) used in the older LS400 sedans you can search under that heading also. Also check for cars that are being parted out. The amp should run around $100-$125 if my memory is correct. Good Luck.

Before you purchase the car (any lexus), bring it to a lexus dealer and have them do a pre owned certification inspection for around $90. Also, get the full service history from lexus and the car fax as well as any other service history the car has. Was the timing belt done and water pump replaced at 90,000mi? It is an expensive service. They will also check the electrical, trans, engine, tires, brakes, exhaust, suspension etc. Make out your own check list to see if they cover all your questions about the car. Take a good test ride but let an expert evaluate it before making an offer. Better to pay a bit more up front than to make a costly error.

Check out ebay as some nice tan leather seats are being parted out from a '97 SC400. Just enter lexus sc400 parts in the auto parts search and look under the interior listings.

Most all of the threads I've read on replacing the transmission fluid suggest a gradual change by dropping the pan and putting in the newer T4 fluid (2-3qts every 3-5,000mi) until the color changes to close to the new fluid or do it 5-6 times. Some people reported trouble with flushing out the transmission fluid in cars with high miles on the trans. and then replacing all the fluid at once so I'd rather be safe than sorry. Don't use anything other than T4 (or the older T2) Toyota brand trans fluid or you may get yourself in trouble. If you google lexus parts or toyota trans fluid you should be able to get T4 for about $5.50qt and free shipping for orders over $50 is common. Clean the transmission filter when you drop the pan. You can also check with your local lexus or toyota dealer but the above advice is a summary of what I've found on the web.

Check ebay if you need replacement parts as at least one SC400 is being parted out and you may get a matching door if you you need one. Otherwise, I would, check with lexus to get the cars service history. Did it have the timing belt done at 90,000mi? Also, the PS units tend to start to leak at about your milage and there are less expensive rebuild kits available if needed than what lexus would charge you if you need to repair/replace it. I would change the oil, oil filter, air and fuel filters if these have not been recently done. I use mobile one and OEM,Mahle or Wixx filters. Also, flush the brake fluid and consider gradually changing the transmission fluid to Toyota T4 synthetic. I use NGK iridium spark plugs off ebay for about $48 and they have been excellent. I've found that Goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3 tires on the OEM 16" rims work great in wet or dry conditions and are very quiet for a high performance tire. You can upgrade your headlights to silverstar plus bulbs. For more performance you can get a dragon torque converter, headers, chip etc but Jibbby is the expert in those areas. Also check the detailing forums ( I'd wash, clay bar, polish, wax and seal the exterior and gently clean the interior with a magic eraser using woolite & water in a 1:5 dilution) if necessary. Ultimately it just depends on what you want to accomplish and how much you want to spend.

There are usually SC400 cars that are being dismantled and sold for parts on Ebay motors. Check the site and you might be able to find your part without paying a small fortune to a lexus dealer. Just show the seller your photo and see if they have the undamaged part.

I replaced my OEM plugs with NGK iridium plugs which I got off Ebay for $6-8/plug. They are good for approximately 100,000mi and I have not had a problem in the 4 years I've used them. They are very good and they are inexpensive.

Be careful when changing your fluids and filters. Stay with original Lexus /Toyota fluids for coolant, transmission and power steering! I'd go with mobil 1 synthetic motor oil or amsoil synthetic ( 5W30). You need to replace your coolant with the proper toyota (red?) coolant and the transmission if fully flushed should get upgraded toyota type 4 transmission fluid. If they only drop the transmission pan and don't do a complete flush you can replace the 1-2 qts with the original toyota type 2 or type 4 trans fluid. Some people think it is safer to replace the transmission fluid over time with older cars than doing a flush some don't. I believe the power steering fluid is actually a transmission fluid and you can check this in your owner's manual or with lexus. I would not put anything but TOYOTA approved and TOYOTA made fluids in the car and if your mechanixc doesn't have them get them from Toyota as you can ruin your transmisssion, PS etc. with the wrong fluids. Have them clean your transmission filter and put in a quality toyota or wixx oil filter. Good quality dot 3 or 4 brake fluid will be fine for flushing the lines and replacing the old brake fluid. You can check this site for upgrading your rotors and pads but if you only drive around town or some highway stay with OEM replacements. Or, you can upgrade to drilled rotors and more aggressive pads. Get a new air filter (OEM or upgrade ). To clean out your intake and injectors, put in two bottles of chevron TECHRON cleaner in one tank (read label instructions) when 3/4 or more empty and fill with premium and run it through. If you still have problems you can repeat this or try a SEAFOAM treatment as described in this site. I'd put in new spark plugs if yours are old. I like NGK iridium plugs (get them on Ebay or Yahoo for about $46). Mine have run great for 3 years. If your mechanic says his fluids are just as good for your transmission and they are not Toyota type 2 or 4 go some place else or bring the fluids you want used in your car to him. People like to take short cuts and it can cost you a lot later on if the work isn't done properly and with the correct products. My costs would be $60 for oil and oil filter change including mobil 1 and filter. A complete transmission flush and replacement with toyota type 4 fluid would be approx $200-260 at toyota (give them a call as lexus doesn't do a flush in my neighborhood). The rest is time and material costs for brakes etc. Good Luck. You have a great car....

You have done a lot of work. These cars usually have power steering fluid leaks at 75,000-100,000mi. If yours has one see if you can get a rebuild kit as replacement is expensive. Make sure you put in only toyota type (4) transmission fluid. I use mobil 1 engine oil but others use amsoil etc. I would flush the brake lines and put in new brake fluid and check the pads and rotors. For replacement parts check Ebay as often they have cars that are being parted out. Also check the detailing forums on this site. I'd wash the exterior, follow with a clay bar, polish and wax. For the interior if the seats are dirty, try 1 part woolite in 5-7 parts water and lightly go over it with a Mr. Clean magic eraser and finish with a leather conditioner like lexol. If you have any major problems you could always go to a lexus dealer and have a certification inspection for about $100. Good Luck

I have read a lot of posts regarding changing &/or updating the transmission fluid in older Sc400s. I've got a 1994 Sc400 with just under 30,000 mi on it. I've switched out most of the fluids long ago but have got many different opinions on the transmission. Some say to switch to type 4 from the original type 2 transmission fluid. Some say to do a flush and others say do a gradual change. I've even got different opinions from lexus. The latest Lexus suggestion was not to do a gradual change to type 4 but stick with the original type 2 fluid and not to mix them. Not upgrading to type 4 goes against almost evey post I've read. Does anyone have any real long term experience with changing out the transmission fluid (from type 2 to type 4) in an older but low milage Sc400? Thanks

While changing the torque converter, air intake, exhaust/headders, ECU chip, etc. has been well reported by member Jibby, you might get some more bang for the buck for real day driving by upgrading the tires and brakes. I kept my original 16" wheels and put on goodyear Eagle F1 GSD3 tires from tirerack.com. Great in the dry and even better in the rain. If you want to go fast make sure you can stop fast too.

Before you go further have an authorized lexus dealer service department evaluate the car and pull its service history. They charge about $90-100 for the lexus certification review and will check the engine, transmission,shocks, brakes, exhaust and electrical system. Cars of this age often have power steering pump failures and leaks at 75,000-100,000 miles and this needs to be carefully checked. In addition the '93 has the old R12 AC coolant and should be evaluated for leaks as updating to R34a or finding R12 freon will be expensive. The final price should be negotiated only after a full inspection. Keep in mind that a bit of money spent beforehand for a careful professional lexus inspection can save you a small fortune later.

I use iridium spark plugs. They should be good for about 100,000 mi and are about $6-8/plug. Try ebay or Yahoo and make sure you get the proper gapping. My brand are NGK but Denso plugs are fine although a bit more expensive. They have run fine for the last two years.

If you keep the stock wheels, I'd put Eagle F1 GS D3 tires on them. I would also think about upgrading your brakes if you are going to use nitrous. You will want a balanced car; one that will stop as well as it goes. Drive it for a while before you start modifying the base car. You may want to check out planetsoarer.com for headers and other ideas for the future............

I agree with the above post. Safety and grip, especially wet weather grip is far more important than long term wear. You won't get great grip (dry) and long wear as the tread compounds are formulated differently. I suggest going with 16 inch rims ( the standard for early SC400's) if you have the older 15 inch rims on your SC300. They can be picked up inexpensively on Ebay. I use 16 inch Goodyear F1 Eagle GS D3 tires from tirerack.com. They are quiet and have the best wet grip of any tire I've owned. Check the reviews as they are accurate.

What did the switch to an electric fan cost? Who makes the fan kit and did it really free up that much HP? Thanks...

You should have the car given a certification check by a lexus dealer for approx. $90. They will also run the lexus service history for you. Find out if the timing belt was changed ($1200 service usually at 90,000mi). Also run the carfax history on the car and take a good test drive. Check Ebay, yahoo used cars, carsonline etc. to see what is available to compare prices. Don't get in over your head as repairs can be costly. Check the threads for common problems such as power steering leaks which start at AROUND 75,000 MI. IF THAT IS WHAT IS LEAKING ON THIS CAR YOU WILL NEED A NEW OR REBUILT PUMP AND POSSIBLY HOSES. LET THE PROFESSIONALS LOOK IT OVER.