Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 09:24 am, by: Robert Lyn(Rob8)
Hi all, I'm a new Soarer Central member from Toronto, Canada. I love my SC400! I have a question for you folks, and would be extremely grateful for any assistance.
Q:> I need to replace the ignition key barrel on my 1995 SC400. An ignition barrel + key is available from a 1991 SC400. Would you know if the 1991 part will fit my 1995 vehicle? I have a part number for the cylinder casting (housing), which is: Toyota P/N: 45020-24-3.
Thanks!
Don Bagnall Moderator New Zealand Mercedes Benz SLK230 Kompressor
Saturday, August 23, 2008 - 12:39 pm, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
Hi Robert, I have replied to your email The good news is you can go right ahead and buy the USED part, as they are the same for ALL 30 Series Soarers & SC300 / SC400's.
A warm to SC by the way.
ps; Is your car a genuine SC400 (as in LHD US model), or is it a Toyota Soarer with Lexus badges?
Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 03:35 am, by: Robert Lyn(Rob8)
Hi Don,
Thank you so much for your fast reply!!! I had to make a decision today, and I wasn't sure if I was going to be out $100 or $1000 either way, so I guess I owe ya one.
With regards to Soarer vs. SC400, my car was originally from a Toyota dealer here in Canada, so I would imagine it's a genuine SC400. Most people have never even heard the name Soarer up here. I think they're all SC400s up here. Is there an easy way to check?
Peter Nitschke Junk Filterer South Australia UZZ30 UZZ31
Sunday, August 24, 2008 - 09:26 am, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
As Peter says Robert; ALL 30 series factory RHD cars are Toyota Soarers and were officially sold NEW in Japan ONLY. I say "Officially" because there were 5 Soarer GT-Ltd's sold NEW in NZ in 1991, and I believe there were a few of the same sold NEW in Australia around the same time.
ALL factory LHD cars are LEXUS SC300's or SC400's and were sold NEW in the US & Canada (also possibly Germany, France & other LHD Euro countries).
Monday, August 25, 2008 - 07:17 pm, by: Don Bagnall(Baggs)
One of em did come up for sale on Trade Me a while ago (like, 3.5yrs ago), and the owner made much of the fact that it was "NZ NEW" and had an original Toyota handbook in ENGLISH.
If I recall correctly, it was in slightly above average condition, with the obligatory FSG paint, worn drivers seat etc etc, and 180,000(ish!) kms.
I think he was asking around the $16k mark for it.
I remember thinking "Big whoop" at the time, as you could by an "Import" 31 Ltd with sunroof & all the fruit for less money than he was asking.
Monday, August 25, 2008 - 08:20 pm, by: Evan Kaio(Knave)
I had a talk to a rep. who has been calling us for a while. He said that his parents bought a Soarer new, back in the very early 90's. They had it 3 or 4 years. The bloody thing caught fire and nearly burnt their house down. They got insurance money, and bought a second hand Soarer for about $35k. I'll get more details if I can. Sorry to hijack your thread Robert.