SCdriver

I did a Lexus dealer inspection on my SC400. It is worth the money and make sure they give you the printout of the car's lexus service history and don't forget to get a carfax history in addition to the Lexus records. Besides the computer diagnostics, I specifically asked for the condition of the power steering unit (tends to leak at 75-100,000mi) and the condition of the rotors,pads, suspension etc. Have the Ac checked for leaks especially if it is a pre 1994 R12 unit. They should also check the transmission,electrical and sound equipment, exhaust, and body panels for repairs etc. You should also inspect the car for simple things like tire wear (is it even or uneven indicating possible alignment problems), body and paint, and the interior and the condition of the windshield for rock chips etc. Take the car for a good test drive on the highway and also over some rougher backroads or city potholes and then make your informed decision on what to offer if you want the car.

If you don't need all season tires and want the best tire for wet and dry non snow performance at the best price go with the Goodyear eagle F1 GS D3 tires. That is what I use and I've have used a lot of high performance tires over the years and these are the best in the rain and are very quiet. Tire rack has them on special for $119 and you should check to see if goodyear is giving additional rebates. Don't skimp on your tires. At $119 plus shipping and mounting costs these tires are a steal. Spending a couple of hundred dollars less on mediocre tires doesn't pay in the long run unless you plan on trading in your car in the near future. Remember the only thing between the car and the road is your tires. Consider the Goodyears a cheap performance upgrade in terms of improved grip and braking.

I'm an SC400 driver but thought I'd have a look at the new GS. I think the styling is derivative. It has rounded lines suggestive of the Audi and even the Nissan altima. It appears similar to many of today's wind tunnel designed modern cars. I don't know if Lexus will ever out source the exterior designs of their new cars as they did with the ground breaking SC400 but it might add some needed flair as I'm not taken with the exterior designs of any of their recent offerings. Many dealerships feel the same way as Lexus leads in engineering but lags in exterior design appeal for drivers in the 30-45 y/o range. Perhaps they should consider an Italian design firm as many of the best looking cars still come from that country. A maserati quattroporte is a beautiful design inside and outside and won't be confused with all the mercedes,lexus, and infinity offerings even if it doesn't ride as well or have the the reliability history of the a Lexus. It is not only Lexus but BMW as well that needs the equivalent of a good plastic surgeon as their designs are to my eye unattractive despite their excellent engineering.

I use Flitz followed by a cleaner/wax. This combo cleans well and lasts for months.

Check the detailing forum and do a search under headlights or yellowing etc and you should find a solution for your problem.

You should check out your planned modifications with someone who knows how your car will respond by mixing engine and suspension changes so you end up with a car with balanced safe performance. You might consider checking out planetsoarer.com for some of their offerings(bushings,headers etc) and suggestions. Personally, I would consider doing a brake upgrade and perhaps headers and a high performance torque converter. I've not seen anything on airbag suspensions for the SC400 although someone must have tried it somewhere... You might do coilovers or just replace the shocks with tokico blues as many people seem to like them. I personally like the clean rounded look of the "94 car better than the later body styles. It all depends on whether you want a more stealthy look or whether you want to announce to everyone including those with radar guns that you have a speedster. I suggest moderation as you can easily spend nearly as much money on turbocharging, bodykits, and suspensions etc as it might cost for buying a 290hp '98-2000 used model.

Try the auto parts and accessories section of Ebay under SC 400 parts. They often have an SC car listed for parts and you can negotiate your price for the piece you need. It might take a few weeks but the part isn't necessary for daily driving so there is no rush. You can also do a search engine for used or salvaged lexus sc400 parts . Good luck....

You should have had the car checked by a lexus dealership for approx. $90 before you bought the car as well as obtaining the carfax history. Bring it to Lexus for a complete used car check similar to the check they perform to certify their used cars. Get their service history on the car( better late than never). I suggest you have a good local mechanic change the fluids and filters with the proper types according to the owner's manual. I use Mobil one 5W30 oil and nippon oil filters, teflon oil plug gaskets etc. from the-best-source.com. I would suggest NGK irridium spark plugs which can be purchased on Ebay or Yahoo for approx. $48-60. Get the brake fluid flushed and check the rotors and pads. Have lexus check to see if the power steering pump is leaking as they tend to fail at 75,000-100,000mi. When you need tires try tirerack.com . The goodyear Eagle F1 GS D3 tires are great summer and wet weather tires. If you change the transmission fluid update to Toyota T4 fluid. Many people like the tokico blue shocks as replacements at $240 on Ebay or do a search for prices. Check out the detailing section on how to wash,clay bar , polish and wax and for tips on cleaning the interior leather with woolite etc. Good luck. It is a great car....

I put Goodyear F1 GS D3 ties on my SC400 (OEM size). They are the best tires I have owned and I have owned a lot of high performance tires. They stick like glue in the wet and the dry and are very quiet. They are also inexpensive with the goodyear rebate and were on sale at tirerack. I suggest trying tirerack.com and going through their decision guide.

I don't know if this will help or not but: 1) Put in 2 reg bottles of techron or one large bottle (20oz) of techron with premium fuel and it should clean the intake system ,valves and injectors. Run the car until the tank is almost empty and then put in the techron and then the fuel and don't dilute it by filling up before go through most of the tank. 2)Change your spark plugs to NGK iridiums 3) Change your spark plug wires The techron is available in most auto part stores (Don't use a cheap brand get techron) The iridium IX NGK plugs are available on Ebay for around $48 just make sure they are gapped properly before they are installed. The new spark plug wires can be purchased at the-best -source.com ... I use them to buy nippon oil filters and oil drain plug gaskets etc. and save around $12 from what lexus charges for them. Good Luck

If you keep your car stored for months at a time and don't have a climate controlled garage you can try the following: 1) Buy one or two containers of damp check which absorbs moisture and is usually used in closets. Check out www.dampcheck.com 2) To avoid odors etc. you can fill a kitty litter box with baking soda and leave it in the car on the floor or seat. 3) Get a breathable car cover that is water repellant. 4) If you store it for extended periods you might also consider a schumacher battery tender with automatic shut off. Good luck.........

I have written several posts on what to check out before purchasing an SC400. Would it be possible for the website to have a separate section as they do for "detailing your car" for " things to check out before purchasing used cars"? That way it would be simple for viewers to check out what to do and I won't have to repeat myself along with others everytime someone logs on before making a decision to purchase a car. Good idea or bad idea or was it already done and I missed it?

Before you buy it, take the car to a Lexus dealer and have them check it out--it only costs about $90. They can also get the lexus service history and you should also check the carfax history. The '93 has the old R12 AC and it should be checked for leaks as it is expensive to recharge. Also check the power steering pump for leaks and the usual wear items. See if the timing belt service was done. Expect to change all fluids and filters. Only after you see what it needs will you know if you have the right deal. Best of luck....

Check out tirerack.com and go through their decision guide. Goodyear is giving a $75 rebate on sets of 4 tires. I have an SC400 and got the Goodyear Eagle F1 GD-D3 tires and they are fantastic but not for all season. They are super in the wet and dry and very quiet. I'm not sure they come in your size but it is worth checking to see if they do. If you have any significant snow you are probably better off with getting dedicated snow tires for the winter.

Before buying any used lexus have the checked out by a lexus dealer for approx. $90 and get their service history and the carfax history. I think you can get a car with lower miles and remember that the '93 has the old R12 AC system which is expensive to recharge if it leaks. The '94 models got the new R34 AC . Check Ebay and Yahoo and autobytel etc to see what is available but whatever you decide on have it checked out first by lexus !!! Good Luck-----

I also like the looks of the earlier SC400s. The '95 will have dual airbags and the newer R34 AC and is slightly structurally better. There are plenty of SC400s for sale. The '96 has a slightly upgraded engine at 260 hp and the "98s on have the 5 speed auto with 290 hp but are far more expensive. Check out Ebay and Yahoo searches and before purchasing have a Lexus dealer inspect the car for $90 and get the Lexus service history and then get the carfax history before test driving them. Expect to change all fluids and filters. The power steering usually begins to leak at 75-100,00mi and the timing belt service is expensive at around 90,000mi . As for the esthetics-- an all black car can get very hot in the summer and can be dreary! I personally like the beige and grey colors or the harder to find spruce green which come with an ivory interior. Take your time and look at what is available. Good Luck

Check Ebay auto parts and accessories under SC400 and they often have nachamichi head units and amps for sale and the ocassional parts car for other items. Good Luck.

I also like the look of the earlier SC400s. The important changes for 1994 was the R34 ac system-for 1996 a slightly upgraded engine HP at 260 and in 1998 the 5 speed auto with 290HP engine. Before you buy any used lexus have it checked out by an authorized Lexus dealer for $90 and get the lexus service and car fax histories. Expect power steering leaks at 75-100,000mi. If it has over 80,000mi see if the expensive timing belt service has been done. Expect to change all the fluids and filters and check the detailing section if you want to have it shine inside and out. Good Luck...

I went to a Lexus test drive event a few years ago. They had a road course set up to test the SC400 against the Jag coupe and mercedes. You could get a good idea of how the cars feel in an autocross type setting. The food was good and the people were pleasant. While they may have changed the format, I would suggest going to the event as it is a good way to compare the offerings of other manufacturers with their Lexus counterparts. The SC400 may not have looked as sexy as the Jag but it was far more comfortable with a better view of the road and better handling which is why I bought one. I still think the SC400 was the finest car Lexus ever made.

Check Ebay as they often have light units for sale. Search under SC400 in the Ebay auto car and truck parts and accessories section. You can always try a search engine . Good luck

$225 to change the spark plugs (even including the cost of plugs) sounds like a lot---- even from a Lexus dealer. You can buy 8 iridium NGK 1X plugs on ebay for around $48 and get your local mechanic to double check that they are gapped correctly and have him install them. You will probably save well over $100---- For oil filters and oil plug gaskets check out the-best-source.com Lexus charges nearly $16 for an oil filter+gasket and you can get and excellent quality filters etc (nippon, advantex,wixx or toyota) for around $4-5 each. You can probably go longer on your present plugs but if they are the originals you should change them sooner than later.

I typed in the incorrect size of my Goodyears as most of you already know the OEM size is 225/55/16 and not the 225/60/16 I typed in the above reply. Sorry--

While you can go with the 245/50/16, I think the OEM wheel is a bit narrow for that tire size. I went with Goodyear Eagle GSD3 F1 tires (225/60/16) taking the advice of one of the test drivers at tirerack and wouldn't change them . They are very quiet and sick like glue in the dry and more importantly in the wet. Great tires--I'd stick with these as I can't imagine anyone needing higher performance rubber unless they are racing.

Before you purchase an SC have it checked out by your local lexus dealer for $90 and get the service history from them and they will go over the car. Also get the carfax history. The power steering pumps begin to leak at 75-100,000mi. Expect to change all the fluids and filters and check the brake rotors and pads and tires. See if the timing belt service was done at 90,000mi as it is an expensive service. Pre 1994 cars have the old R12 AC and can be expensive to recharge so have the AC checked for leaks. A six to ten year old lexus is probably better than most new cars if it was properly maintained. The-best-source.com has replacement parts (filters, oil plug gaskets,etc at good prices). Good luck

When you change your oil you need an oil filter and an oil drain plug gasket. This is a 75 cent gasket that helps seal and seat the oil plug. If you want to save some money on these items go to the-best-source.com and you can get good quality nippon,denso and advantex oil filters and oil plug gaskets at good prices. Otherwise stick to lexus oil filters and gaskets. I use mobil one but any high quality regular or synthetic 5W30 should do well if it is changed every 3,000mi. Check the owners manual for oil weight and scheduled changes.