REVscene - Vancouver Automotive Forum


Welcome to the REVscene Automotive Forum forums.

Registration is Free!You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today! The banners on the left side and below do not show for registered users!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.


Go Back   REVscene Automotive Forum > Technical Discussion > Manufacturer Tech Forums > Toyota / Lexus Tech Resources

Toyota / Lexus Tech Resources All Toyota & Lexus Tech info
THIS ADSPACE OPEN FOR ADVERTISEMENT

Reply
 
Thread Tools
Old 11-09-2013, 01:01 AM   #1
Proud to be called a RS Regular!
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 109
Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 2 Posts
SC400 owners

So I've been looking around and im very curious about the Lexus Sc400.
I was wondering what the pros/cons of owning and maintaining one of these is!
thanks
Advertisement
skyline32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-09-2013, 02:00 AM   #2
Banned By Establishment
 
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: outdoors
Posts: 40
Thanked 48 Times in 12 Posts
Failed 25 Times in 2 Posts
cons : gas consumption.
4x4runner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2013, 10:08 PM   #3
Proud to be called a RS Regular!
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 109
Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 2 Posts
Anyone know about more mechanical wise? transmission, engline? big problems?
skyline32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-16-2013, 10:49 PM   #4
I don't get it
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 432
Thanked 685 Times in 161 Posts
Failed 75 Times in 17 Posts
toyota v8 = bullet proof
evlee is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 11-17-2013, 01:40 AM   #5
I Will not Admit my Addiction to RS
 
narfy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: vancouver
Posts: 572
Thanked 57 Times in 45 Posts
Failed 2 Times in 1 Post
the 1UZ-FE is bulletproof as is the transmission… i've seen these with well over 500,000km and still never had the heads off or the transmission apart…

one thing you'll notice is that upper ball-joints (comes as a control arm assy) need to be replaced every 150-200k… aside from that… these cars are pretty much corolla like reliable…

dash cluster bulbs and needles tend to stop working after 20 years tho…
__________________
__________________
VZN185 - 32" BFG AT, 32" TOYO MT, OME suspension, ARB bumper, Warn winch, 3sixty LED light bar, TRD trans cooler, TRD exhaust, AMT sliders, budbuilt skids...
ZWA10 - stock F-sport with LEDs...
fng@regencyauto.com
narfy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 12:37 PM   #6
RS Veteran
 
TouringTeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: An Island
Posts: 14,400
Thanked 5,024 Times in 1,083 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 4 Posts
I owned a 92 SC400 for 3 years. Great car!
All I had to fix was front wheel bearing and front sway bar end links.
No other mechanical issues.

My only complaints about the car:

Heavy doors. On some cars the hinges are failing.

Not much space in the back seat or for moving anything bigger than groceries.
Backseats don't go down and the fuel tank is behind the back seats.

Dash cluster needles and bulbs do go out but there is a company that will rebuild it for you in the colors you want.

Gas mileage is not great but it is a 4.0L V8.
TouringTeg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 12:40 PM   #7
My dinner reheated before my turbo spooled
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: NYC
Posts: 1,702
Thanked 1,554 Times in 563 Posts
Failed 57 Times in 15 Posts
I've heard stories about expensive starter replacements
They're located inside the V of the engine, requiring the removal of many components to get to it...
AstulzerRZD is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2013, 02:45 AM   #8
Proud to be called a RS Regular!
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: vancouver
Posts: 109
Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 2 Posts
Thanks guys! I see that there are plenty of SC fanatics! Anyone know much of a difference between the 92/93 etc. compared to the 97+? Im hearing that its mostly just the VVti and 5 speed auto transmission
skyline32 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2013, 09:22 AM   #9
RS Veteran
 
TouringTeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: An Island
Posts: 14,400
Thanked 5,024 Times in 1,083 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 4 Posts
There were some minor body changes. 95-96 got a different front bumper and tail lights
97+ Got a nicer front bumper, side skirts and door caps, rear bumper, and the nicest tail lights IMO.
TouringTeg is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 11-18-2013, 10:12 AM   #10
I *Fwap* *Fwap* *Fwap* to RS
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: -
Posts: 1,593
Thanked 370 Times in 178 Posts
Failed 27 Times in 11 Posts
How bad are these on gas? Saw the 92/93s go for pretty cheap on craigslist awhile back.
Purely is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-18-2013, 02:16 PM   #11
Where's my RS Christmas Lobster?!
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: surrey
Posts: 854
Thanked 1,026 Times in 201 Posts
Failed 119 Times in 17 Posts
I got one, its a project tho haven't driven it yet, soon though
__________________
93 CDN Mazda RX7
02 RSX Type S 6spd
82 CDN Mazda RX7 scca track car
68 Plymouth Barracuda
03 Custom Chopper
TurboFC3S is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 11-18-2013, 11:20 PM   #12
Hypa owned my ass at least once
 
AVS_Racing's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 6,592
Thanked 1,491 Times in 341 Posts
Failed 218 Times in 69 Posts
few years back I was seriously considering one of these, I probably went to see 10+ of them. ALL OF THEM were beat in some ways, either it was poor body condition, ripped leather, cluster/ lcd out, or damaged ac vents, door panels.

just seems like all of the owners neglected them.

pros is I guess they are pretty bullet proof if its been well kept,

cons is finding one in a worth while condition to buy and since its a slush box gt car, you better be happy with the power cuz trying to extract more out of the v8 adds up very quick and it won't be a high hp monster.
AVS_Racing is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2013, 11:02 AM   #13
RS Veteran
 
TouringTeg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: An Island
Posts: 14,400
Thanked 5,024 Times in 1,083 Posts
Failed 4 Times in 4 Posts
Very true. Not much support for the V8. I put a Nitrous Express 150shot wet kit on mine Fun times!
TouringTeg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12-08-2013, 01:45 PM   #14
Need my Daily Fix of RS
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: New Wesminster
Posts: 254
Thanked 51 Times in 22 Posts
Failed 12 Times in 7 Posts
I've owned 4 of these cars, a '92, '95 and two rare '99's (they only made 905 1999 SC400's) - I kept them all in immaculate condition. My current one is a black '99 with only 80k (for sale in the classifieds unfortunately). I've got a bunch of performance and handling mods done to it, and its by far the funnest car I've ever driven. Only thing its missing is a manual transmission (which I'm looking into swapping in if I end up keeping it) which would essentially make it the perfect luxury sports car for me.
IMO I wouldnt even look at pre 98 SC's as the power difference, drivability, and small upgrades around the car make it a night and day difference with older SC's. The upgraded vvt-i and 5spd transmission really bring the car to life. The bolt-on mods I've done to mine serve to do so even further (the Supra LSD = WOW!).

As far as maintenance, what everyone else said is accurate. Keep up with regular maintenance and you shouldn't have any unexpected surprises (as long as you buy a well-kept one). The SC does have its share of small common issues; stupid things such as failing trunk shocks, yellowing headlights, etc. all of which can be easily fixed if you follow the many detailed DIY's on ClubLexus.com.
As far as modding, this will decide whether you buy an SC400 or an SC300. The 400 has decent power out of the box, with a few bolt-on mods (things like BFI, headers, etc) which bring it to life - my 400 has pretty much everything available done to it minus a tune. However if you're planning on highly modding it then I recommend the SC300. The 2JZ obviously has a multitude of mods (turbos, etc) available, if not swapping a 2JZ-GTE or 1JZ-GTE completely (not saying you cant do the swap on a 400). Basically any mod available for the Supra is a direct bolt-on for the SC, as well as stock TT parts (breaks, suspension, LSD, etc etc). The list is endless.

Anyways, if you or anyone has any questions about SC's then feel free to shoot me a PM. I'm quite active on ClubLexus and can steer people in the right direction if they're considering an SC. I dont mind showing you mine if you want to see what the 98+ models have to offer.
__________________
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough!"
scENFORCER is offline   Reply With Quote
This post thanked by:
Old 02-11-2014, 12:51 AM   #15
NOOB, Not Quite a Regular!
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Abbotsford
Posts: 28
Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post
Failed 1 Time in 1 Post
I have a soarer, Exact same car but has a 1JZ and its RHD I love the car a lot but it does suck the gas up.
Zyro1214 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2015, 03:22 PM   #16
spammin my services for a case of stella...
 
midnight_r's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Richmond BC
Posts: 444
Thanked 65 Times in 28 Posts
Failed 21 Times in 12 Posts
had mine for 3-4 years. For me its a mid luxury powerful V8. Interior is very comfortable and well designed. Unfortunately, I’ve had problems with low engine pressure..maintenance at dealership is ridiculously expensive. If I would have to do it again I’d probably go for SC430

dont hate on the video lol I sold the vehicle in 09’


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2n3I...ma::spamarama:
__________________
Forget About World Peace. Visualize Using Your Turn Signal!

quality > quantity
midnight_r is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-10-2015, 03:54 PM   #17
To me, there is the Internet and there is RS
 
underscore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Okanagan
Posts: 16,796
Thanked 9,479 Times in 4,136 Posts
Failed 429 Times in 227 Posts
To the best of my knowledge they're considered one of the most reliable cars made and the 1UZ won numerous awards in its day. Supposedly the biggest "problem" is the transmissions tend to go after 500,000 miles (miles not km).
__________________
1991 Toyota Celica GTFour RC // 2007 Toyota Rav4 V6 // 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee
1992 Toyota Celica GT-S ["sold"] \\ 2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD [sold] \\ 2000 Jeep Cherokee [sold] \\ 1997 Honda Prelude [sold] \\ 1992 Jeep YJ [sold/crashed] \\ 1987 Mazda RX-7 [sold] \\ 1987 Toyota Celica GT-S [crushed]
Quote:
Originally Posted by maksimizer View Post
half those dudes are hotter than ,my GF.
Quote:
Originally Posted by RevYouUp View Post
reading this thread is like waiting for goku to charge up a spirit bomb in dragon ball z
Quote:
Originally Posted by Good_KarMa View Post
OH thank god. I thought u had sex with my wife. :cry:
underscore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-27-2015, 04:40 PM   #18
NOOB, Not Quite a Regular!
 
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Coquitlam
Posts: 27
Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts
Failed 7 Times in 3 Posts
I have an ls400, which has the same drivetrain... Love the motor/trans. It's butter smoothe.
Rjtoby is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 09:19 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
SEO by vBSEO ©2011, Crawlability, Inc.
Revscene.net cannot be held accountable for the actions of its members nor does the opinions of the members represent that of Revscene.net