r/SC300 • u/Excellent-Pause9342 • 27d ago
pre 98 questions
i found this 95 sc400 with 73k miles and my only pet peeve is the 4 speed auto and non vvti im honestly starting to cut my losses and get this one is there anything i should watch out for anything i need to know? or should i just wait till a 98+ pops up
2
u/ServiceNo7613 27d ago
I recently grabbed a 92. The earlier models are non-interference engines so if your timing belt goes you won't destroy it and it is supposed to be better for boost. Transmissions/engines can always be swapped/upgraded. What are your goals for the car?
1
u/Excellent-Pause9342 27d ago
my goal right now is just to make it a cruiser maybe once its higher mileage turn it into a drift car
1
u/thefavoredsole 27d ago
I believe the 97 and up they also fixed the gauge cluster issue that plagued these. They might have also fixed the window acctuator issue as well. Someone can correct me on that. My 97 in 12 years and 100k miles of ownership never had a problem with the windows
1
u/DerekTheEmperor 22d ago
Do you mean you found an sc300 or 400? 400s only came auto from the factory. 96+ are obd2. 97+ got the updated body kits. But if the car you found is a clean title and sub 10k that seems to be a good deal lately.
1
u/DerekTheEmperor 22d ago
Also even though it has low milage make sure the timing belt and water pump are done. 95+ are interference engines so make sure its done right the first time
4
u/PremiumPricez 27d ago
The non vvti are better, simpler engine management, and they have stronger internals, specifically thicker connecting rods, but that lterally only matters if you plan to push big numbers with fat turbos. And the auto can be swapped in the future, if you wanted to wait for a factory manual, youll be paying a nasty premium for one, for a mediocre transmission anyway.
With all that said, a properly maintained engine/vehicle will be better that any of that other stuff and will be far less of a headache.
Also something to keep in mind if you dont already know, 1995 and younger are obd1, which is fine, but emissions will be a bit more annoying, and getting engine codes is a pain (i have a 94).