As a 6'2" driver of one of these, that tiny sunvisor is very useful. I frequently get blinded by the sun between the mirror and the roof. Also, I can fit in the back seat, although the head room is a tiny bit cramped. Ive been in the back of much worse though. (the manual swap is a scary concept, but a lot easier than you think. I'm so much happier with my car since I completed it and it is a LOT more fun to drive. I have a factory 1jz at least.)
I've had 3 SCs, a '95 SC300 with 5 speed manual transmission, a 96 SC400 and currently have a 2000 SC400. I drove the SC300 really hard and it held up to the abuse quite well. The 96 SC400 was a little quicker and heavier and rock solid as well. The 2k SC400 has the Golden Pearl paint and still looks really sharp. It has a modified exhaust (dual exhaust all the way back with Tanabe stainless/chrome mufflers) and Juno Lux 18 inch wheels. Everything else is still stock. I'd guess the exhaust system puts the horsepower up to around 310 or more and it is fairly quick and sounds really cool. This car still turns heads and I get questions about it still. This has got to be one of the best cars ever made when you consider the combination of performance, quality/reliability and comfort.
Michael Brew can you answer a question for me... when Jeremy Clarkson reviewed the SC 29 years ago on the old Top Gear, he was driving a Lexus Soarer. Not a Lexus SC or a Toyota Soarer......🤔 I’ve argued with people about this and 100% say there was no Lexus Soarer in this generation. Today I was looking at transmission codes on Wikipedia. Pre VVTI USDM cars all used the A340 auto. (Or so I thought) According the Wikipedia page the A341E was used in the 92-99 Lexus SC400 GT-L cdn spec. I live in the states and have never heard of a Canadian spec SC400 GT-L, I only know of the JDM Soarer GT-L. When I searched google I found a few for sale listings in Australia for Lexus SC400 GT-L Soarers. They had a Lexus badge on rear and the Lion on the hood and steering wheel. I’ve been looking for a definitive answer to this mystery for over 10 years.. Can you answer it for me? Cheers!
@@skipast75 importers of the cars into Australia from Japan (dealers) would put Lexus badges on Soarers to sell them for more money. If you see one of these cars and it's RHD, it's a Soarer. Doesn't matter the engine option, the Lexus SC was never sold in Japan.
Another key note to mention for those who have the sc400 trim, their layout of the engine is considered front-mid engine layout which makes it kinda of a cool factor and also helps with the balance of the car for those who like to part take in road racing etc. Which what im doing with my 98 sc400. Other than that, good video. Clean sc by the way
I too have owned 2 SC's and currently own a 96 400w/extensive weight reduction/battery relocation, solid diff/front/rear subframe, TT Supra bars/brakes/poly urathane steering rack/LCA bushings, welded diff, etc.. and the handling and balance with after market 18"wheels is exceptional! This car is a pig from the factory, but it's potential to be a serious GT/sports car is just hidden and waiting if desired.. these cars have a highly rigid chassis compared to other coupes of it's day... very little reinforcement is needed!
Ik I used to turn off all the luminousness at night when I drove through the freeway and the interior would look so cool having no interior lights on except the gleam of light on the leather and consoles coming outside from the pole lights would make the experience feel of the car so luxurious
the door card is a big piece of vinyl, not leather. and the ECT modes do nothing to throttle response, they just change at what rpm the trans shifts at. pretty nice condition sc though
Dude, I can tell you love that car. Hands down one of the koolest SC on RU-vid. Love it! That time of day how the skyline is sooo perfect its beautiful, that orange fire color bouncing off that white paint...boi you clean!
Love the vid. On my 3rd sc300 myself. About the "ball warmer" ... my 94 camry as well as my 99 GS300 has it too.... and I'm sure other models had them too. I guess it was a 90s toyota thing.
Man .. this is making me remember how much work I have to do on mine 😭 My trunk doesn't open like that, previous owner sucked at disassembling the door cards, huge dent by the right taillight, head unit wiring is all spliced... I basically just need completely new doors & thats all mechanical stuff it still needs a paint job real bad
The 3rd sun visor seems quite gimmicky but tbh it does help at certain times of the day when driving into the sun (mostly early morning and dusk) but I found it's a perfect place to put some Ranger Eye velcro patches on for a little customization that can easily be flipped up and hidden.
I found that mini visor extremely useful as when I went on a road trip in my previous Subaru wrx the sun was peaking over the rear view mirror in my eyes for hours and I found that with that little one in the sc it helps block any sunlight coming from above the rear view mirror from blinding you while driving.
I jus converted from bimmerfanboy to lexusclub today lol sold my 325i e46 for a 97 sc400 and I ain't even mad at it💯love these things bro check off the bucketlist definitely
One thing I’d like to add about the doors, they don’t just open out like a regular door, they slide forward and tilt over ever so slightly which makes it extra af and subtle af simultaneously, I love it 🤣
the small sun visor is seen in other cars. the reason for it is the time when the sun hits you from that gap as you trying to see a light or rear mirror. vr6 passat of same era had em too
Soarers are so unrated and looked past. Until you sit and drive in one and want something different then every supra hype you can appericate it. Ive own mine for 17years and its been an incredible car. Its just something about them. Theyre build solid reilable. People dont think theyre that old either. They where truely ahead of their time. I remember first stumbling across one in a car yard and said what the hell is that thing. Took it for a drive and fell inlove. great video great to see the love you have for the soarer ❤
JDM Soarers got 5 versions. JZZ-30 2.5 1JZ Twin Turbo JZZ-31 3.0 2JZ no turbo (Lexus SC 300 in USA) UZZ-30 4.0 V8 standard suspension (Lexus SC 400 in USA) UZZ-31 4.0 V8 Air suspension (was possible to order NAV as extra equipment) UZZ-32 4.0 V8 Activ Hydraulic Suspension, NAV, 4WS (4 wheel steering)
@@lalito._.01 There were several Japanese cars with 4WS. Honda Prelude and Mitsubishi 3000GT came with this too. Sees that the Skyline GT-R should have come with 4WS on the R34 GT-R as well. It was new to me. But there are a good many more cars that have this in recent years as well.
ECT is Electronically Controlled Transmission it has nothing to do with the throttle, it changes the RPM shift points, in Snow mode it starts off in 3rd gear instead of L (low) to reduce wheel slippage, the only real leather is the seats, center console lid, shift knob, steering wheel, and arm rest on doors, the rest is vinyl, and u didn't explain the valet trunk lock feature
I have multiple soarers and at 6'2 I disagree. I rear seats are remarkably useful compared to supra, rx7, s13, s14, s15 rear seats. I fit in no problem. My r33 rear seats have zero room.
Oh and the tint in the side mirrors in mine has basically turned blue and purple and cant really see out of them. The rear view mirror is full of ink i guess from the digital display or whatever
the information and contents is informative. personly if I were doing this video, I would not do it at dusk, your lighting could better, also you need to find a way to control the wind noise, I really didn't want to mention these but the video overall is good, but I thought it would worth it to consider next time,.. good job though
raamblings whaaat I thought where you were filming looked familiar! I’m in Vacaville and if you want to meet up before you go back home or anything, HMU on ig @scruuge400
As a sc owner since 1999 still have my first one nice to see you like the soarer let me start by saying the only reason people say soarer/supra is cuz people are simple this car was made before the supra and shares its frame with the toyota chaser which is how you get all that space the soarer supra share the N/A engine and that's all that matters to none fanboys the sc300/400 are lexus so luxurious comes to mind where the supra was a Toyota sold car so luxury was not the option when talking about interior sc was made as a grand tourer where the supra was made to be a sports car which is to make my point that they are not the same other then sharing the Toyota parts been like the way VW and Audi share there parts bin
Good video. I love my 1999 SC400, including the tiny sun visor (hehehe). Each time I think it's time to retire the car, I find a host of reasons to keep him (22-yrs).
My front fender is fucked up, everytime I open the door, the door crunches into it, but I got a body kit ready for it an everything. Got a 93 SC300, bought it kinda beat up but I'm gonna restore her
I just missed my chance at owning a 97 sc400 with 1 previous owner and 40 pages of service records. When you swap the steering wheel is it easy to retain the cruise control? Nice car! Thanks
Which years of sc had all of these features is it just 2000's model or 95 and up? Im planning on getting one in the next couple of months and im trying to narrow down which one to look for also i cant seem to find any that are manual lmaooo.
92-97 are manual, and all of those are non vvti. So you really have no issues boosting them since they're all very capable. The options were few, sunroof usually was standard. Hardtops are harder to find and more valuable. TRAC, side dimming mirrors, heated seats, and sound system, were the most common options. Driveability wise, if you're planning to do engine work, there's nothing you really Need.
From 92 first year they had all these features in it I miss my 92 sc 400 hands down best fuckin car I ever owned bought it used and had for 15 yrs got totaled twice and I kept it finally let it go after it side swipe in front of my mom's house now I'm on the hunt for another one after 22yrs crazy right....
The rain drop probably slide off the windshield because you have aquapel on it. Mine has one when i got it. Aint working anymore. It aint THAT aerodynamic... i mean real aerodynamic cars would been supercars. Even those from the 80's and 90's. Still, great video !
If looking for us spec look on any of your local car selling websites would be under Lexus SC300 or 400. If looking for jdm spec then you would need to look at the Japanese selling markets but if they are eligible for import hopefully you got some cash put away.