SCdriver

The RE 950 bridgestones are excellent on my other lexus ls400 -- both in the wet and rain. No all season tire is really good for snow.

Enjoy the car. I use mobil one 5W30 and change it every 5,000mi. If you use regular oil try penzoil and change it every 3,500 mi. Don't get cheap oil filters. Use the lexus or nippon or advantex or wixx brands. Make sure that you don't have the dreaded power steering pump leak and if you do fix it quickly. Change whatever fluids have not been changed (coolant, brake, oil, transmisson, and differential). Check out the-best-source.com for parts and the tirerack.com when you need tires. The detailing section here gives excellent advice. See if your engine and trans mounts and your bushings are ok the next time you have it serviced since you have high milage. You should get plenty more miles since the car was well maintained and the drivetrain is bulletproof. Happy motoring.....

Before buying have the car checked out by a lexus dealer for approx. $90-100. They will check all systems and you should get the service history. Make sure they check the AC for leaks as it uses the old R12 and you might not be able to recharge it easily as r12 can run $60-100/lb if you can find it. The conversion to R32a is very expensive. Check for power steering pump leaks and the condition of the shocks and bushings and tires etc. Get the carfax report. Expect to change all fluids (oil, coolant, transmission,brake, differential)and filters and possibly the brake rotors and pads. Was the timing belt service done? Price should be negotiated after you know what needs to be done and what large services are coming due soon. You can check current cars on ebay or the blue book for approx values for that year with low milage but it really depends on the condition and how much you like that particular car. Good luck.

Most of the things I've read about runflats say they ride harsh and loud and should be replaced with regular high performance tires. Whatever type you want to buy, tirerack.com will always have good advice and prices for the kind of driving you do. Check their website or call for advice. They have not given me any bad advice in 20 years. You can't always go by price or wear ratings.....

$250 sounds like a lot to change the plugs especially if you don't know the type of plugs being used. Regular platinum plugs can run $5-7 each and iridiums can run $7-18 each depending where you buy them. The best deal I've seen is at performancesparkplugs.com for NGK IX iridium plugs. You can get 8 plugs for $59.99 plus shipping. Get your mechanic to double check the gapping and install them. I'm happy with mine. It is not necessary to spend the extra for the denso plugs. The NGKs will give you the same performance and last 80-100,000 miles.

I think you need to have the car up on a lift and checked out by a qualified mechanic. If the drive train checks out OK you might want to check out the transmission mounts and the rear anti-roll bar bushings to see if there is excess play or any rubbing etc. I vaguely remember reading about a similar problem and I think that is what was suggested. Sorry I can't be more specific.........

I believe the rear spoiler was an option on the SC400 for the first couple of years of production and later became standard equipment. It lowers the drag coefficent a bit at high speeds and can be added on with an original or aftermarket part if wanted but the car looks good with or without it. I would leave it as is unless you expect to drive a lot at speeds over 100mph and want additional downforce.

You should get the carfax and lexus service history from the VIN number. If the seller will allow you to have it checked out by a lexus dealer before completing the purchase do so as the lexus inspection ($90-100) will give you a good idea of what type of shape it is in and the cost of repairs and pending scheduled services. It probably has the old R12 AC so make sure it is fully charged and doesn't leak as it is hard to get R12 and it is expensive. Check to see if it has the power steering pump leak that usually developes at this milage and whether or not it has had the expensive timing belt change service done etc. Expect to do fluid changes oil,brake, transmission coolant etc. You need to have it professionally checked out before you can tell if the price is a fair value.

Every few weeks you can usually find a nakamichi amp listed on Ebay. Check the automotive parts and accessory section and type in sc400 and see what they have. You could always try a search engine.

The 1996 SC400 got the updated engine that was introduced in the 1995 lexus LS400 with 10 more hp and perhaps a little more torque. I believe the 1995 and 1996 models also came with a remote trunk opener and additional cup holder. They may have also had some upgrades to the suspension but it is unlikely you would notice a major difference in driving the 1992-1996 models. You should not only test drive the car you are considering but have it checked out by a lexus dealership for approx. $100 before making a purchase. They will have the service history and will check the engine suspension,electronics etc and you should also get the carfax history. Cars with over 75,000mi often need a new power steering pump and are close to the major timing belt and water pump service. You might need new struts and shocks, rotors,pads,and tires and all the fluids flushed and changed. If the car is a 1992-93 it will have the old R12 AC system and should be checked for leaks as R12 is hard to come by and can cost $60-$90lb if you can still get it. Once you see what the car needs you can negotiate a final priice if still interested. Spending $100 up front can save you thousands even though lexus owners take good care of their cars. It is still possible to find low miilage one owner cars on autotrader.com, ebay etc. It pays to be patient and do an internet search as well as a search of the car section of major newspapers. I found a 1993 in the color I wanted with only 18,000 documented miles on it!

I would stick with 18" wheels unless you always travel on smooth roads. The larger the wheel diameter the less the sidewall diameter which results in a harsher ride and the likelyhood you will damage your rims the first time you hit a good sized pothole. The original wheels look much better if you take off the decorative chrome disk and show the 5 spoke design as Lexus has done with the 2004 model. You might consider running the stock wheels this way and investing in some better tires that are not run flats. Tirerack.com has excellent info on tire upgrades. You will save a small fortune and improve the looks, ride and handling of your car. Just my opinion..............

Sounds like it could be a problem in either the fuel deliverysystem or electronic management. The simple things to do would be to change the fuel filter if it has not been changed for some time and to add 1-2 bottles of techron fuel additive to the gas tank to clean the intake,valves and injectors. The next thing would be to check the plugs,distributor and wires and change them if they are due for replacement. Review your service history and if the problem persists see if lexus can have a technician test drive the car and run diagnostics to see if anything has shorted out etc .

The alarm, trunk CD changer, remote locking system and clock will drain your battery. If you store your car in a locked garage you can turn off the remote activation switch by the hood release and keep the car unlocked with the alarm off. For longer periods of storage the battery tender is a good idea. Make sure you get one that won't overcharge and has an automatic shut off with a trickle charge option like the schumacher.

I would stick to the recommended oil weights of 5W30 or 10W30. If you have extreme ambient temperatures go with mobil one. I put in NGK irdium plugs and my car drives perfectly well. I was told that the iridium plugs could have some problems in extremely cold start up situatons but I have not experienced any. Go with a good oil filter from lexus or wixx etc. Don't use a cheap model purolator filter etc. or you will be wasting the money you spent on the synthetic oil.

Trunk struts are listed from time to time on Ebay and you can get some that will fit at large chain auto part stores just call to see if they have them before you make the trip. The key remote button on the master key is for the doors only. The remote trunk option started with the 1995 or 1996 model as best I remember. For switches and odds and ends parts check Ebay under sc400 in the auto parts and accessories or try a search engine for lexus sc400 parts etc. This forum has a section for cleaning headlights and an excellent secton on detailing.

I use mobil one in a LS400 with over 100,000 miles and have no leaks. I also use mobil one in my SC400. Castrol didn't do that well in my old BMW (worn rocker arms) so I now use Pennzoil with pure base when I go with a conventional oil. I believe that it may be more important to change your oil more frequently than what type of oil you use, as long as it meets the recommended specs.

I use chevron techron fuel additive once or twice a year to keep the injectors, intake and valves clean. I would be careful cleaning the engine and would cover the plugs, distributor etc and check with lexus before hand as you don't want to short out any parts of the electrical system. I expect that oil additives are mostly hype but have added prolong and trufoil with no ill effects to mobil 1 oil. I find that meguires or mothers spay detailer will provide excellent maintenence between waxings. The car detail forum section gives a fine review on maintaining the finish of your auto.

You can find plenty of sc models for sale on Ebay and autotrader.com etc. I would never buy one without first having it checked out by a lexus dealership for around $100. They will check the mechanics,electrical systems and suspension and you should ask for the service history and in addition spring for a carfax report. The main problems are with the power steering pumps which begin to leak at around 75,000 miles. Also see if the timing belt service has been done as it is an expensive service. Expect to change all the fluids and flush the brakes and cooling system and replace the usual parts that wear with age. Struts and shocks usually need replacement at 60-75,000 miles. Pre 1994 models have R12 AC units and it can be expensive to relace R12 or switch to R34. The lexus inspection should give you an idea of what has been done and what needs to be done and then you should negotiate a price if you like the car.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think the SC400 looks better than the SC430 and prefer the older smoother body lines of the earlier 92-96 models. You might consider doing less than more. The car might look better with nice 5 spoke wheels but I wouldn't over do it as the car looks pretty good the way it came from Lexus. Just my 2 cents worth.......

lexus gives owners a flat key in wallet sized plastic holder. It might be a master key. Was this key also locked in the trunk? It is usually kept in your wallet as an emergency spare. If you don't have it, you might give lexus a call as they may be able to help you access the glove compartment or trunk . As a last resort they can always cut you a new master key.

There are many good to excellent condition Sc400 models on sale on Ebay and autotrader.com etc. Never buy one unless you can bring it to a Lexus dealer for an inspection ($100) where they check it over and get the service history. Also get the carfax report and test drive it. You should expect to change the fluids etc. unless it was recently serviced. You should be able to get a 1992-95 model with less than 80,000mi for $8,500-$10,000. Very low mile cars will go for up to $15,000+. If over 75,000mi see if the timing belt etc. was changed as this is an expensive service.

The Ram FX foam air filter(approx $16) was obtained on Ebay. The sellers were accomodating and had good feedback with quick service. Go to Ebay automotive parts and accessories and search under Lexus SC400 filters to see if they are listing more filters. If you can't find them let me know and I'll try to find their website for you.

On a long highway trip of 500 miles I got 22mpg in my SC400 with an ave speed around 70 mph. Later, I put in mobil one 5W30 with prolong, iridium plugs, and a foam FX air filter and got 26.7 mpg on a 750 mi hiighway trip wiith an ave speed of 70+mph. I don't think it was poor math or just the above changes; proper tire pressure, temperature conditions and a good tail wind probably helped. There was little mpg change, if any, for city driving.

I believe the Jag XK8 has a bit more power than the 1992-1997 Sc400 models and about the same power as the 1998-2000 Sc400 models. The Jag may look more sexy but as I remember the rear seat was useless while once you get into the rear seat of the Sc400 it is quite comfortable (unless you are over 5'10"). Looking out the XK8 is like looking through a narrow tunnel because of the low seats and long hood. The Lexus has a more comfortable seating positiion and better view of the road. I believe the Lexus is more reliable and probably cheaper to maintain. I looked at and test drove both models and am driving the Lexus which should indicate which one I liked. It all comes down to personal preference and I suggest you test drive both models as they are both heavily discounted in the used car market. The Jags are available at most dealerships and Sc400s can be found on Ebay and autotrader.com etc. If you decide on a Sc400, have it checked by a Lexus dealership before you purchase it for around $100 to see what kind of shape it is in and the service history in addition to getting the carfax history. Good luck....