Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 05:02 pm, by: Thomas Lai(I_sun)
Hi all,
Always a Lexus fan, am currently looking for a SC400. What should I look out for when inspecting a SC400? What is the current price range for a 100 000 Km car, and additional $ for options? Is it necessary to send the car for a comprehensive inspection prior buying? And any good inspection place to recommend?
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 06:00 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
Price depends on age more than on mileage. In fact, I suggest you do not pay too much attention to mileage at all but look at physical condition. Other than that, Search will tell you quite a lot about common problems, costs and features while the ads on this site and on carsales, drive etc will tell you what the market is looking for on price. A few other people have asked the same question recently so, do some research and you should pick up quite a lot.
to future Soarer ownership
Daniel Lee TryHard Victoria Soarer GT Limited UZZ31 V8
Wednesday, January 18, 2006 - 06:58 pm, by: Daniel Lee(Son_gokou)
Thomas,
All Soarers were sold as Toyotas and any bearing Lexus/SCx00 badges were rebadged -normally upon arrival in Australia by dealers or owners Models:-
UZZ30 4.0Ltr V8 Auto only 1UZFE with coil suspension (standard model - known as GT)
UZZ31 4.0Ltr V8 Auto only 1UZFE with air-bag suspension(Same engine as LS400) (Late models with VVTi) (luxury version - known as GT-Limited) these come with numerous options like adjustable airbag suspension (standard), electric memory seats (standard),and others which vary from car to car like EMV touch screen for climate control/radio/cassette/cd stacker etc, sunroof, reversing camera etc.
UZZ32 4.0Ltr V8 Auto only 1UZFE Active - Electronically controlled Active hydraulic suspension - flagship model - most expensive Japanese mass produced car even today - 800 odd produced, highly sought after by enthusiasts.
What to look out for when buying a Soarer?
Electrics :
This is the killer. Ensure every single bit of that complicated dash is in perfect working condition. I mean absolutely perfect. If a single warning light wont extinguish or their is a quirk with a guage, do not buy the car. It simply isn't worth while, as fixing the electrical problems is very expensive. Make sure the radio has been modified for Australian use.
Things to watch out for:
1. Odometer, the digital is easily diddled with most common as has been said is to remove the 100,000's digit, and has been said, look for signs of bigger kms (interior wear is a good sign) while looking we came across one that said 11,000kms but even the guy selling said it was probably 111,000kms (looked like it too)
2. For the UZZ30 and JZZ30 there's not really a lot of specific things to look for, just general
3. For the UZZ31, the TV and satellite navigation will not work in australia. The tv can be changed to work here but its pricey.
4. The electromultivision screen (an touch screen option) has a habit of dieing and can be fixed but is expensive. and if that doesn't work you can't control A/C, ventilation or audio.
5. For the UZZ32 with Active suspension and yaw control, check that it works and that the hydropnumatic cylinders aren't leaking. And that the 4ws system is okay.
6. The v8's usually are trouble free just check general things and a full fluid change is a good idea, only use Toyota fluid in the transmission.
Anyway most of the answer can be find using the "Search" function and if you still in doubt dont hesitate to ask
Welcome, Thomas . You certainly aren't the only one looking for something special to drive - about the 700th, in fact, which suggests that your questions have been asked and answered before. There is a wealth of info accessible via the "Search" button.