It's the other way around. The Mark IV Supra is the little brother to the SC300 and the Mark IV Supra sourced it's 2JZGE engine; Subframe, Suspension and Drivetrain from the Lexus SC300.. The Lexus SC300 first debuted in June 1992. The Mark IV Supra debuted a year later in April 1993. I know the history of these cars like the back of my hand. Not to mention I have a Renaissance Red 1998 SC300 in Very Good condition. No accident history, No rips in leather seats, No Leaks of any kind, 115,900mi on her and runs and shifts smooth.
No problem. You're not the 1st and trust me you won't be the last to say it. It's the Aura of the Mark IV Supra. LOL It seems to hypnotize everyone. LOL!
+DJ Triton-SAMA. He only spoke about the Lexus SC300/400 in the U.S. The 1JZ was only available in Japan for the Toyota Soarer. Unfortunately we never got it here in the U.S. Although you could get a MarkIV Supra with a 2JZGTE which was turbo'd.
I bought a 92 SC400 a year ago for $800. Gave it a timing belt, new radiator, and tires and she’s good to go for years to come. If buying one watch out for lower control arm bushings and power steering leaks!
@@Dunki113 If the PS pump is going out on your LS400 also check the alternator, when the PS pump leaks on those cars it leaks right onto the alternator.
@@onlyandalwaysfooty4425 I baby mine and try not to hit the brakes often and I get 23mpg, it is rated at 22mpg highway. city driving is a different story but, it does really good on highways for a v8.
How has the power steering pump held up on yours? I'm asking because I'm looking into an ls400 with the same engine as the sc400 and I heard the PSP is right above the alternator which is bad news if it starts leaking
@@Dunki113 i just rebuilt my pump, very easy to rebuilt, although mine didn't need to rebuilt cuz the leak was from a little short hose $1.86 cut from a big reel from O'reily's
Right on! In 1997 I was looking for a nice pre-owned sports coupe. Fairly quickly I started focusing on the SC300/400 line. I looked at the factory specs for the '94 models, which were available coming off lease and priced in the low to mid $30K range at that time, and noticed that the 0-60 time for an SC400 (auto trans only) was the same as the SC300 with the 5-speed manual trans. I ended up purchasing a '94 SC300 5-speed with about 30K miles on the odo. I immediately started customizing the car. I still have that car. It has an aftermarket turbocharger (338 rwhp at a modest 13 psi boost), lowered 1" with Eibach springs and Tokiko struts, aftermarket front head and tail lamps, all exterior badges removed and painted white sparkle pearl, 20x8 three-spoke chrome wheels and aftermarket SST mufflers. I was able to obtain the NM vanity license plate "LEXUS" (rear only as per NM law). The car now has about 100k miles. Since I live in Northwestern NM I don't drive the car much in the winter but enjoy cruising the many desert and mountain two-lane blacktops in the region the rest of the year. In the video taken while the camera was pointing at the driver I couldn't help noticing a crack in the upholstery that runs just under the window along driver's door. My car has developed a crack in the exact same location about two years ago. The only issues with the car (other than that) is the skirt on the drivers seat is cracked and replacements can not be had for love or money. The gauge cluster has also started flaking out. The speedo and tach work, but the fuel and temperature gauges do not. I have a line on several shops that may be able to repair the cluster but haven't followed through yet. New or used gauge clusters are totally unavailable. Personally, I prefer the appearance of the first gen SC's. In the second gen (like the car in the video) an unnecessary additional grille opening was added above the main grille. This just clutters up the front end in my opinion.
The engineering that went into these cars was impressive. One small thing I like are the door hinges, which are not really hinges but complex linkages. Look for a video on the doors for a reason to admire Toyota engineering.
I bought a red 97. SC400 on eBay for $4k plus 500 shipping. Put new wheels and tires, tuneup, new speakers and it is my fav car. I haven’t modified anything and it has plenty of power and gets a lot of notice. People ask me if it is a new Lexus model!! When I tell them it is a ‘97, they are amazed. Best $6k I have ever. Spent. Will keep it forever.
My uzz31 is 94 but sad to hear I can't mod for high power without costing a bomb in comparison to modding the jz version... so might have to get a jz some day
I own a 98 sc400 and I love it. Up until the rcf and the lc500 came out, it was the only Japanese coupe with a v8 sold in the USA. I have plans to manual swap it in the near future.
I love my old 98 sc300 its way more better then some other cars, i know its automatic but it's been so reliable and looks way cooler then other 90s cars! 1uzfe are so nice too
I have a 97 Sc300 and I'm glad they're still kind of a Secret weapon. You'd be surprised how many people ask is it a supra when they first see it hahaha. Personally favor the Sc300 but I want a Sc400 so bad, +300hp for a 90s vehicle still amazes me!
Just picked up my dream sc400 I couldn't be happier these things are beasts stock and have sooo much aftermarket potential the suspension under it is as comfortable as a modern luxury sports car, this car was way ahead of it's time.
Just copped a 92 factory 5 speed with only 82xxx on the clock. After driving an accord for 3 years I gotta say I am loving every chance I get to drive the thing! That 2jz is just a fighter jet of an engine.
Got an '93 SC300 as my first car. (Bad Choice for a beginner) Yes I know. But I really love cars and I want to work on them, so not only is this my daily. But my "project" I plan on restoring it, cleaning it up, and V.I.P'ing it. Obviously won't be easy, but I really love these cars. They just have so much charm to them!! And it has 200,000 miles on it and still runs strong!
decided on a 96 sc400 just cause im not planning on doing very many if at all power adding mods. id just like a stock 250ish hp car with a nice sound and nice ride. 229k miles for 2500, call me crazy but ive got faith in these motors
Dear Dust Runners, please do more videos on this car! It's still too slept on for its own good! Sure, you can turn one into a Supra equivalent, but you know what? I actually use my SC400 for its *intended* purpose -- as a wonderful, luxurious GT car -- and holy crap, this thing is the best car I have ever owned! It's nothing short of a Japanese Aston Martin!! More people need to know this!
I always wanted one of these in the 90s, but they were waaaaaay out of my price range. I didn't know anything about cars then, and I just thought they were beautiful, luxurious, and cool. Fast forward to now, and they are so rare here (Canada, west coast) that 90% of people have never even seen one, let alone can identify it. And then it happened: I saw one for sale, in mechanically new condition, and with a dirt-cheap asking price. And then yeah, I found out on my own, exactly what this video is saying: it's a Supra, but with luxurious wood and leather! I was like, "Gimmeeeeeeee!!" What a steal! Easily the best kept secret in the JDM world. This is the most underrated GT car in the history of cars. If it goes up in value in the future, great. I will be thankful I got one while they were cheap, and nobody knew they were actually Supras under the skin. If they never appreciate in value, that's okay, too; I will still looooooove my car for what it is. Oh, and it gets jealous looks! The day I brought it home, nobody in my neighbourhood knew what it was. They just knew it was long, sporty, and had that expensive, "L," on it. They just assumed that I was rich, and they were just filled with quivering, envious rage. Haha.
Bought a one-owner, garaged 92 V8 from a Lexus dealer in Florida- it was in better condition than cars less than two years old- that first couple of model yrs. had less styling elements and is the only car I've ever owned that I get compliments on- riders can't believe the gigantic hinges on the passenger doors
@@ToyotaVertexSoarer You know, before I owned one of these cars, I read reviews like, "Best car I ever owned!" and, "I regret selling my SC." After taking ownership, I get it now. Ohhhh, I so get it. These are special, special machines. The haters either never owned one, or they had a bad one.
I have just bought a sc400 1992. It’s a gas guzzler at 11mpg ; just need some decarboning and a new set of spark plugs/injectors and we’ll see . The drive is indeed smooth.
I own a 1uz non. What I had read online was that max boost was 0.5 bar on the thick rod motors. But after speaking to a few local enthusiasts I realized that not everything online is true. I have found 5 different options for lowering the comp without getting forged pistons. These motors are also built crazy strong. I was kind of bummed that I didn’t have a 2jz. But what I have seen the local car pushing on the Dyno with cheap is mods is incredible. Actually glad I never got that 2jz
Hello, just seen the video on the Lexus Sc300 /Sc400. I Have the Lexus Sc300 and I enjoy everything about it. I have gotten a lot of compliments on how NICE IT LOOKS FOR THE YEAR…1995. All black on Black leather interior with a 2JZ-GE ENGINE. It’s also the Gold Edition. I enjoyed your video and will continue to look up more information on this car but I just wanted to say : Great info and keep it going. Thanks !
I have an sc300 in the UK.. I bought it 10 odd years ago from EVO magazine.. they did a feature on cars for under £1000.. and I got it for £800.. and they gave me all the magazine's it featured in too. Although you don't mention it, the Japanese import I have is a sc300 with the 1JZ GTE twin turbo engine, which was an auto but we are changing it to a manual with parts from a supra. These cars in the UK are fetching over £5k and as much as £10k for a factory manual JZ turbo. Which is a pleasant result and I'm glad I kept mine..
Overall a good review. Couple of things, the Z30 was first released in Japan in 1991 then it came out in the US, even though it was designed for the US market by Calty Designs then in 1992 the SC was released to the US market. For manual swaps R154 and W58 for the 1UZs have plenty of adapters, even though I do prefer having the CD009 (350z/G35) transmission for both the 300 and 400 since it's much more durable and is a six speed. I'm still trying to figure out why the cars are not popular but in a way I'm glad, used prices are low for both the car and individual parts unlike the Supra. Also the SC came before the Supra. The popularity of the car may be less due to it's original popularity, which was focused to be a luxury grand tourer instead of just a performance oriented grand tourer like the Supra, so most people didn't bother with it and all the cars you mentioned in the list were popular since their debut. Keep up the good work
This is a great video. Thank you for education about the 1 only SC400 with a manual transmission. And the knowledge of how to transform/modify a Sc400 to manual. I've always wondered about that... thank you so much...
@@andreturner1870 I was fixing all kinds of things. Mine was running rich too not sure what the cause was. I ended up selling it and I'm looking for one with better interior shape due to price on those parts
The subframe will bolt up but they are also very different. They do share a general shape but all the Supra arms are shorter than sc arms, so the track width is narrower, the rear diff is different, the sway bars mount differently. The rear subframe is the only thing suspension wise that is exactly the same. The front frame rails are also very similar.
Nope. The front lower control arms bolt DIRECTLY up to the SC, they are the exact same size, they just have stiffer bushings. Ive done it. Front upper control arms are basically the exact same too, cross member is the same length. havent done that one tho.
Over here in Germany we didn`t get the SC300/400 or the Soarer. I love the SC400. That 1UZ is brilliant! So I got one... Yeah ... NICE Car, but german paperworks for that car are TERRIBLE! Chasing registration for a year now! By the way, I`m looking for a 16" OEM Wheel and the OEM Antenna! But can't get them over here.
Leave ur contact info for me. I still have my orig 16" OEMs, and am willing to part ways with them. I'm in the US, so I have no idea what the shipping would be like...
I owned 2 of them the sc400. Both of them had transmission problems, i did research on it found out it's kind of common problem, did it ever happen to you?
Excellent info here! He's right - these cars are jewels! I'm in my 2nd SC300, a '95, now a '98. I like the 300 - something magic about the inherent smoothness of an Inline-6. Also a tad lighter than the V8, which sweetens the handling. But I'd be happy w/ a 400 as well. Both engines are bullet-proof. And these are 'front mid-engine' cars, affording remarkable handling. Few things I'd change to lighten it up a bit. & the Lexus build-quality is unsurpassed. 'Love 'em! Thank U!
The way you young guys talk about SC, I feel i am member of the cult because I also like my both 300 and 400. I am 70. My son drives the 400 to college. North California, SF bay area. I came to SC world 4 years ago through my nephew. He qualify as cult guru. He built his 300 Manual from ground up with turbo( zillion HP). Anytime I ask him a question about SC, He looks at me as if I am asking dumb question. In this case he is not down to earth and a guru. He is thirty years old. When he was 15, he asked me what is Horse power? I explained : one HP is the power that can carry 75 Kg weight one meter in one second. I noticed smoke came out of his ears. Now he is 30 and in Engineering school , Industrial Technology. I am retired Manufacturing Engineer. But he doesn't answer my questions. So, I am going to ask you guys: 1- why my 95, 300 the steering feels smooth and light. I feel the whole car is lighter than 400. 2- is there any easy low cost to increase some HP on my 92, 400? and/or 95, 300? I need it to be SMOG legal. Because we drive them routinely. Than you guys, Sincerely, Mr. Frank
They probably have different steering gear boxes (different ratios). Which could be the reason why the 400 feels tighter/heavier than the 300. Next time you get in each car, turn the steering wheel from lock to lock (turn it all the way to the left until it locks, and then all the way to the right until it locks). Compare the amount of turns. If they are different, even by a 1/4 turn, they have different steering ratios. Beyond that, I don't know these cars very well so that is all I can offer!
nairb lab got your first question, and I can back him up on that because they do have different steering ratios, hence one may feel smoother than the other. for your second question, It's a bit difficult to get noticeable differences in power through minor upgrades such as a cold air intake system. You would have to change out the exhaust pipes to get better flow with a cold air intake, and then moving up from there only get's more expensive. Simple things such as spark plugs can also benefit the performance of your SC's. The SMOG legal part can suck if you live in California, but my best suggestion to you if you want the best of both the sc300 and sc400 and do not live in California, is to import a Toyota Soarer from Japan. the 2.5 litre twin turbo model of the SC lineup. They produce a lot of power and are very comfortable and smooth to drive. Look them up sometime if you'd like, or ask your nephew about the Soarer and see what he knows.
Early 2024 I purchased a sc300 for $1500 a great example! It was pissing oil from the cam seal but replaced it in a day for $40. It’s a great car I love the looks and the way it drives but trying to slide it is another story it’s automatic and I’m not gonna go thru the hassle of doing a manual swap I posted it for 4,900 I have people offering me sn95 v8 mustangs and e46 full drift cars. I love my sc but it’s just not practical for what I’m trying to do I’ll be selling it or trading it for a REAL drift car. But it’s been very reliable so far. Great daily driver but not slider.
I have a 92 5 speed i love it. It was my 1st manual car. It also was the only manual car ive drove untill recently... i drove a 4 cylinder 2.3 acura CL ,Not trying to take anything away from the Acura 99 CL its nice. But wow ive gained an even bigger appreciation for my Sc ❤ the handling and power is crazy.
sc is older brother to the supra. the supra borrowed the chassis of the sc and the motor of the aristo. the sc didn't get the motor from the supra. it got it from the gs300.
A bunch of you info is either incomplete, wrong but I'm glad you made this video. SC400 support is just in the shadows but if u see the video I have on my channel you will see that there are strides for the 1uz.
@@augustinekirchoff479 I owned both the 300 and 400 and ended keeping my 400 because it was a better colour and I enjoyed the engine much more. Just the sound and torque took me over , and I have decided to supercharge her a year after and it's just such a smooth, reliable, well built Japanese V8 that should be getting as much recognition as the 2j in some sense since it can pull off insane Numbers nearly on stock parts
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 just a little quicker and heavier and rock solid as well. The 2k SC400 has the Golden Pearl paint, 30 more HP than the 96 SC400 (290 stock vs 260) 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. I like the 2k SC400 the most of the 3 I've had and wish I had purchased some of the after market parts (ECM/chip) that were available for it when I got it in 2005. Parts aren't easy to find for it now.
@@-spiinight-4383 my sc300 was a rare 5 speed manual. The transmission in the 2k sc400 is a 5 speed auto with a torque converter which together weighs more than the manual 5 speed. The transmission in the 96 sc400 was a 4 speed auto with torque converter. I'm not sure about engine weight but 2 more cylinders usually means more weight.
@@knowone1853 look it up haha, the 2j I believe is a iron block while the 1uz is aluminum block, and I’m only talking about the engine as if you really want or build the 1uz you would get a t56 or cd009. The weight of the 1uz is the biggest reason I want it
I'm 15 and I'm saving up for a sc300, ik it's not ideal for a first car, but I rlly want one, I jus hope they dont accidentally become rlly popular before I can buy one, cuz the prices will go up
And, don't forget that once you own one of these, every douchemonkey in a G35 (or other such luxury GT car) will come out of the woodwork, and try to race you. Almost guaranteed, I can be just minding my own business on the highway, when I get, "that feeling," that I'm being watched. Sure enough, glancing to either side of me will reveal some dude in another luxury car, perfectly matching my speed, and wanting me to gun it. The funniest are the small BMWs. They don't know our cars, and even though the SC is older, it ain't slow. The look on the Beemer drivers' faces, as they fall helplessly behind, is pure GOLD! Buy this car, and enjoy your life, knowing you got the sickest deal on your car.
@@HiRiSC300 Thank you. Never, ever gonna sell this car. Every time I see new cars...I give them a chance to impress me, but I end up loving my own car even more. For example, the LC500 is (admittedly) gorgeous to look at, but 5,000 pounds?!? Gimme a break! And the new, "Supra," powered by BMW? What a freakin' joke. Toyota even made it backwards compatible, with the 2JZ. I dare anyone to tell me what this means. As far as I can figure, it can ONLY be no less than a straight admission of, "Hey, we're Toyota, and we did our best work, 20 years ago. Please put in one of our GOOD engines." I would cross the continent in my SC, with a smile on my face. Nothing breaks on this car. And, if something does break, I'll just unbolt that crap, and replace it with a new part. Try that with a new car. You need a computer engineer's degree first. Let's keep these cars alive. Cheers, Brother!
My dad bought a brand new one 40k in 2000. When I got my license he gave me his sc400 . Trunk didn’t open doors was hanging motor was shaking brakes was gone at 200k miles. He told me have fun. And I put the car to its grave. I love this car I bought 3 more lol. I had a bmw. A maxima a civic but I always went back to a sc300/sc400. Im looking for my 4th now
sc400/sc300s use the same wheels as the supras/R32/a lot of jdm cars. the coilovers/angle kits/pretty much every suspension component is carried over from the supra. that, and the SCs have lower bodies than the supras, making them amazing for drifting or autocross or track use.
People tend to write off the Z30 Soarer/SC chassis mainly because a bulk of them were sold only in auto and it’s quite rare even on the JDM Spec that had the 1JZ with manual and they fetch serious premium now that word is showing up that this chassis is a excellent option to the A80 though overall clean examples are still reasonably priced with the 300/400.
So sad how unpopular they are!! I love my SC400, did a crazy build into a rally chase car out of it, then had ZERO luck trying to sell it. I had to strip off all the cool factor items just to try and sell it for $1250.. I think a lot of people are just scared away by "Lexus", thinking it'll cost a fortune to keep it up. If you can work on your own car, it should cost much more if any than most other Toyotas.
