Buying a New Car to Stance - Part Deux. Need advice on a purchase!

[SixtyTheSix]

So, I haven't posted in here for quite a while, and if I recall correctly, the last time I found a reason to create a thread was for the same reason I am doing so now-- well, almost the same reason.

Its slim pickins' for the type of car I'm looking for where I live but I think I may have found the silver bullet-- I seem to have found the car that has everything I'm looking for. But there's a catch:mad:

I'm looking at a 1997 Lexus SC300-- wait for it... wait for it... Factory 5SPD!-- yeah, that's friggin' unicorn rare.

Problem is, it's a rebuilt status/ salvage title. No frame damage, and its in good shape now body wise, fixed properly, engine seems to run fine. 131K miles.

Dude was asking $6600 for it, I got it down to $4800 after negotiation.

QUESTION: Is it worth it? would I be paying too much? If I keep it for a few years, will it even make a difference with sale price-- its not like it would be worth much more if it were a clean title, right? Any advice on what to look for when I go see it again? Known issues etc.


Any advice is very much appreciated! Thanks!:)

[evilchargerfan]

link, i wanna see that $6600 car. we're in the same boat ... im also looking for a 5 speed sc ... in white (i know, asking alot :lol:)

besides the cool bumpers and exterior ... anything else i shoud know about the 97+ sc's and any other diff's?

[SixtyTheSix]

Haha, well I don't know what to tell you as far as advice-- since I'm looking for the same info (I don't know too much about them-- this one is an n/a 2jz)...

Also, I'm weary about posting the link since I sort of want to scoop this up if its a good deal! I know you're not saying 'post it up so I can buy it' -- but somebody local might-- I've seen it happen.

[[D.I.]John46]

I've always been on the fence about Salvage/Rebuilt title cars. I can never make up my mind because I always think about future value. In the end I always decide against them. But in this case...it is a unicorn and I can't see it being hard to find a buyer in the future for an alright price. But it is totally up to you. Just make sure you look at everything carefully. Good luck!

[SixtyTheSix]

Thanks for the advice-- I went ahead and got the SC!

Did a thorough check up and found some history on this thing online (did some digging on various forums)-- looked good. Drove well, sounded good (mechanically)-- needs a little TLC on the bumpers but that's no biggie. That 5spd kept a smile on my face all day today. Turns out it got a salvage title via a technicality-- it was in an accident, but certainly not damaged to the extent you would think for a car to need writing off. In any case, I won't get as much for it when I sell, but I also didn't pay a lot.

I'll post pics as soon as I clean it up a bit :)

[XTC Dynamic Supra]

As for the salvage title status...if you're not looking to insure your car with full coverage then it's fine. Most people who buy a car for less than 10k won't full cover it. Most of the time any kind of accident or incident with the car will total it out anyways. So if you're going into it at that price I would say go for it.

[wagon-boy]

Badass man, congrats!! Such a rare find amigo.

[Chik-n-little]

U got a good deal for a 5 speed ...

"Your sister is hot but your mom does that thing with her tongue"

[SixtyTheSix]

Thanks! I've been whoring the only picture I have so far at my new home (club lexus)-- so why not post it here too. My plans are, of course, to stance it, and not too sure where to go from there. Basic stuff like exhaust etc. for now and we'll see what happens down the road. I'm going to take my time with this one and build the car I've always wanted to build.

Fairly immediate Plans:
Work Euroline DH or Meisters (19s with at least 10.5 wide in back)-- then again I change my mind 20 a day, so who knows. Those are the only 2 wheels that I've continuously liked enough to want to buy them though.
Stance coilovers
Camber
repaint rear bumper.


The Car currently has Racing harts, 18x9 front 18x10 rear on it, and some sort of spring+strut combo.

[Lynk]

clean car man, i like it, good look and make sure to keep us updated with the pics

[BXPhoto]

Sc's are fun little cars. I honestly did not have a hard time finding factory 5 speeds. Look out for the hpfp relay box to go out, but you can bypass it with a simole jumper wire either under the hood or behind the rear passenger panels. Also gauge cluster needles ect can all be customized to your likings. Solid built cars for sure, I love their double hinge designs on the doors.

[assass1n]

Can't believe I didn't see this thread sooner. LOL. As far as differences this will answer almost any question you have about the cars. http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html

[SixtyTheSix]

Can't believe I didn't see this thread sooner. LOL. As far as differences this will answer almost any question you have about the cars. http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html

Wow, nice. Thanks for that link dude:thumb:

[drift55]

Keep us updated!

[assass1n]

Wow, nice. Thanks for that link dude:thumb:

NP! You should know by now any questions you have about the SC just ask me. :P

[vis250p]

What about the IS300? SAme boat as other LExus

[SixtyTheSix]

NP! You should know by now any questions you have about the SC just ask me. :P
haha thanks. It helps to have a ready resource for small questions:thumb:

[TougeSC3]

What's the status on this? I love me an SC.

[Devil27]

nice pick up man. im not to partial to red but that broadens your options on wheel colors

[topsey]

Saw the thread title and immediately thought "lexus SC".. i didnt even read the whole OP, all i saw was "lexus SC".. scrolled down to see a picture of a SC..

i should go into the fortune telling business.

[SixtyTheSix]

Haven't checked-in in a while.

I've bought wheels since, and am looking for some coilovers. The car is decently low on the springs and stru combo, but I'm afraid stretched tires will make the gap look too big.

The wheels are rota p45r2/3 -- 18x10 +10 18x12 +20 (not a typo- I didn't know rota made these sizes either...). They've sat in my room for over a month now waiting for tires, and I feel like putting em on less and less for some reason. I'll make a decision after they're on. If I like em, they stay, if not, I'm getting Work's like I should have done in the first place :cry: (impatience is a bitch)

I'll post up mounted pics next week if I can, 2 weeks at most.

[izzyidk?]

holy lip i didnt know that rota made those either!

[Schnitz]

If it were me those wouldn't go near that car. Meisters look dope on the SC. Do it!
I do undserstand impatience though. I bought a set of wheels off Ebay and the dat I received them I sold'em. 4 sets of wheels in 16 months. Doh!

[05subysti]

Meh. I'd find a set of work equips like calitri boosts. Or get new meisters.

[max2002]

i want to see that in the car.

[Chik-n-little]

I love that the sc its red, thats pretty rare for me to see especially in 5 speed. I day nooooooooooooooo on the Rota"s, but instinct is usually the best to go with ...

[TougeSC3]

Something tells me those Rota's are gonna look hard. What's the hold up?

[TeraMashu]

Asian massage .... ewww

[TheKevin]

not feeling the rotas either

[FU12]

Check out PBM's coils. Low price and go low.

[assass1n]

He's sold this car already including the rims. So don't expect anymore updates on this thread. LOL

[ImportImage]

I bought my 5 speed sc for $2,500 lolololol