Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 02:17 pm, by: Phil Stuart(Ericdog)
Hi Guys,
I've had a 92 lexus badged soarer for about 12 months. Unfortunately, it met with 5 (or so) 5" square concrete posts after sliding off a wet road avoiding a moving rock (wombat). Therefore, it was written off.
I've been looking into getting another soarer (safe car, I wouldnt be here if I had been in anything else smaller etc), and I have found a 91 model, but it is badged as an SC400.
So what is the great difference between the 92 soarer I had and the 91 SC400 (other than the obvious things such as the 12 month manufacturing difference) ? Its also a 2.5TT as was my last one...
Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 02:24 pm, by: Gregg Holden(Xzotic)
Phil in a nutshell it's simply a rebadge. SC series was released under the Lexus brand in the US (With left hand drive and analogue display). All right hand drive imported soarers are Toyota Soarers (see compliance plate).
And just to be specific before someone jumps on the thread only the NA 6 (SC300) and V8 (SC400) were released in the US. The 2.5TT was only available in Japan....
Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 03:22 pm, by: David Vaughan(Davidv)
If you are looking at a 91 TT then it is a bit odd to find it badged SC400. People normally use that for one of the V8s. Better to badge it a Soarer.
Expanding on what Gregg said, as well as the 2.5TT not being sold in the US, the V8s that were sold there were based on the UZZ30. The UZZ31 and 32 models (i.e. air or active suspension) were strictly sold only in Japan. That is one reason people get their knickers in a knot when you badge a UZZ31 Soarer a Lexus SC400 but happily the people who do it do not care. Like Kevin said, it's just a badge, mate.
Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 09:41 pm, by: Phil Stuart(Ericdog)
Hi Guys,
Thanks for the replies.
Well, after actually owning a 92 soarer for 12 months, this 91 model I'm looking at is *almost* identical to the one I used to have, except for the SC400 badge on it (and some trim), thats what I thought was odd... Its definitely a 2.5TT with a 1JZ motor, Ive checked that out in the pictures. The only difference inside is that the "woodgrain" trim on the dash extends down the console beside, and behind the gear shift (and remote central locking, which I didnt have before). Oh, and it has a rear window wiper !
Personally, I'm not keen on the SC400 badge, so, if I do buy this 91 model, I think I will remove it. My previous 92 model only had the "L" badge on the back. This 91 model Im looking at has 3 badges on the back ("lexus", "L" and "SC400").
So far, I have only seen photo's of it, and was thinking of taking a run up to Sydney (90 min drive for me) to look at it.
Getting real soarer withdrawals, having not had one for nearly 2 months now !.. Its an "interesting" process looking for (and finding) a good one (like I had !)
I have removed all the badges off the back off my UZZ31. I am not out to impress anybody. I don't care if people think it is a camry or a commodore. Only reason it is known as the 'Lexus' around the house is because the wife 'knows' a Lexus is a nice car and a Toyota is a 'nasty little car'
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