Future Classic Grand Tourer? The Lexus SC400

Photo Source: autoviva.com

With the impending launch of a new Lexus grand touring coupe, we will take a look to the past when Lexus previously produced a grand tourer to compete with the best from Germany. The Lexus SC was one of the first front engine, rear drive coupes from Japan to go head to head with the likes of the Mercedes SL and the BMW 8 series. While the Lexus certainly held it's own against this competition, it has largely been left in the pages of automotive history. Will this Lexus turn out to be a real classic, or a forgotten chapter in the Lexus history book?

History 

The Lexus SC was produced from 1991 until 2000, when it was replaced by rather tragic looking Z40 SC430. The first SC was made near the introduction of the Lexus brand, and Toyota was putting Mercedes build quality to shame. The SC was the pinnacle of this over-engineering, and was one of the cars that has cemented the brand as having top build quality and reliability. It's styling was like nothing else at that time, with most approving of it's sleek design.

Models to Look For

The SC came with two engine options. The top of the range was the SC400, which had the buttery smooth 4.0L V8 with 250hp and 260 ft lbs. The SC300 had a 3.0L inline 6, producing 225hp and 210 ft lbs. Later models saw an increase in horsepower in the V8, with '96 and '97 cars having 260hp. 1998 to 2000 cars had 290hp and 300 ft lbs. While the SC300's were popular and can be found just as easily as the V8's I am mostly focusing on the V8 model. Differences during production were minimal, but later cars fetch higher prices due to increased power and slightly improved cosmetics. If it were me, I would find a later model 400 for the 290hp and updated styling. These cars improve significantly with larger, more modern wheels. The originals are very small for today's standards and haven't aged well.

A rare black interior. Photo Credit: clublexus.com

Problems to Watch For

Like most Lexus' of the time, the SC is a fairly bullet proof car, with mainly suffering from standard 20 year old car problems. The one issue that pops up is the power steering pump which can leak and drip onto the alternator, usually ruining both. The seal in the pump can be replaced very cheaply so that is a very avoidable accident. The major problem with finding a nice SC is that most have fell victim to nasty cosmetic modifications and neglected interiors. Through my searches for SC's, many have very tired interiors. Replacement interior parts and trim pieces may be difficult to come by, so finding one with a good interior is key.

High mileage isn't an automatic no-no, however the interior condition would be a major factor in most high mileage examples. Both the inline 6 and V8's are very reliable, long lasting engines; so with proper maintenance these cars can surpass 200,000 miles no problem. These cars did sell well, but they are difficult to find in decent condition. Being patient will be important to find the color combination and condition you are looking for.

Pricing (2017)

These prices will be based on the SC400, although strangely the V8 cars don't bring much more than it's six cylinder counterpart. This is mostly because of the many performance modification choices for the inline 6, which was shared with the hugely popular Toyota Supra. The largest factor in price is the year, with newer cars bringing much higher numbers.

$2,000 - $5,000

These are definitely the higher mileage cars that will more than likely need attention to the interior, along with some mechanical help. Despite the low price, all of the cars I have seen in this range were running well, and would be reliable as is. Be careful that the interior doesn't need too much attention, as you could be putting more money into the car than it is worth, depending on mileage and exterior condition. Most of these cars will be earlier models.

$5,000 - $10,000

This is where most of the cars are priced. Cars in this range should have a well kept service history, along with good to above average interior condition. Pass on cars that have ripped seats and cracked dashes for this money. I have seen sub 100,000 mile cars up to nearing 200,000 miles in this range. Remember, with Lexus a well maintained car is always better than one that isn't, despite mileage. This is the price range I would stay in if you want a nice driver's car.

$10,000 - $15,000

This is pretty top dollar for one of these cars. If I was spending this much, I would only settle for a '98 and newer car, with all of the maintenance updated, even if it is a low mileage car. Many people don't realize that a sub 50,000 mile 20 plus year old car will need just as much maintenance as one with over 100,000 miles. While the use of the car may not have worn parts out, the effects of 20 year old rubber seals and hoses will require replacement. For this reason alone, I would never buy a low mileage example of a car like this, unless of course this maintenance has been completed.

Summary

The Lexus SC isn't old or rare enough for the values to go up in the near future. More than likely, these will never be extremely valuable cars. Later year models are still depreciating from their original msrp's.  Don't be afraid of high miles, just make sure the car has a nice interior and has a decent service history and you should be set for thousand's of trouble free miles.

Car Cleaning: How to Sell Your Car For More

Car cleaning is something that people either keep on top of, or only occasionally. What many people don't realize is that keeping your car clean, especially the interior, can help the resale of your car tremendously. If you are thinking to yourself all of the excuses of why you don't have to time to give your car a proper detailing, then lets put something into perspective. Most detailer's would probably recommend two exterior details a year. That includes washing and waxing the exterior. Depending on the type of car, about two hours. A full interior cleaning (probably twice a year when the exterior is done) is about an hour or less. That's only about six hours per YEAR that you spend giving your car a proper cleaning.

In my personal experience, a good cleaning of the interior (vacuuming, panel wipe down, windows, etc) should be done at least once a month. This should only take about 30 minutes or less. I don't use any detailer's for this, just a microfiber towel. For me, at least twice a year my interior gets a complete detail. I break out the brushes to get into all of the vents and cracks, and use a good quality detailer. Griot's Garage make outstanding products that I started using about a year ago. Do not use cheap detailer's (Armor All) as these leave a terrible finish and are very over powering with odor and chemicals. Griot's Garage Interior Cleaner is the absolute best interior cleaner I have used. I am not sponsored by them, I simply like their products because they do not leave any evidence behind other than a clean finish just as it left the factory. For leather seats, I use the Griot's' interior cleaner and then finish with a leather conditioner. I have found leather cream conditioners give better results than liquids.

As for the exterior, once or twice a year you should apply a coat of wax or paint sealant. Traditional wax works best with older paints and clear coats, while paint sealant works best on newer clear coats. I have used Wizard's paint sealant and Mothers carnauba wax, both of which have been fine. I may try Griot's Garage next since I have been so impressed with their other products. Wheels should receive a good scrub down with a dedicated wheel brush (Not to be used on the paint). Tires should receive a proper tire gel for faded tires. I usually use Invisible Glass for all of the windows and glass. The key with glass is to use a dedicated glass microfiber towel, they work wonders.

So there is my extremely short run down of car detailing. While keeping your car in top mechanical shape is priority number one, keeping it clean is much cheaper and can be done by yourself. When it comes to resale, I see private seller's getting 10% more when their cars are cleaned for the pictures, and even more when the car has been properly detailed most of it's life. Taking the time a few times a year to pamper your car pay off big time ten or twenty years down the road.

Classic Cruiser: Mercedes SL (R107)

Later style wheels. Earlier models had much nicer ones.

The Mercedes SL has been in the Mercedes line up for half a century now, and they have always been a very popular car. This is partly because of it's handsome looks, and the fact that it can be a coupe, convertible, or a soft top. There have been several iterations of the SL, from strait 6 cars to twin turbo V12s. Perhaps the most famous in terms of production run and numbers sold is the R107.

 History

This article is about the R107 SL which was made from 1972 through 1989. Long production of cars are typically a result of a very good car. This car replaced the W113 SL which is a very pretty car that is now very popular with collectors, and therefor the prices have started to get into the $50,000 and up range. The R107 SL is a classic design that can be had very affordably. More importantly is that these Mercedes' came from a time when their cars were made to astonishingly high standards, and therefor if maintained reasonably well can be very reliable daily drivers.

Models to Look For

The R107 was sold which a variety of strait sixes' and V8's, none of which produced a very impressive amount of horsepower. Remember these were made in the 1970s, when strait line performance was definitely at a low. If it were my choice, I would go for the 450SL. This model has a 220hp V8 and has a more classic looking interior. Some of the 80s models have some changes that haven't aged well cosmetically. The interiors were made with a special vinyl from Mercedes that wears extremely nicely, to the point they can seemingly last 40 or more years and not need attention. The 6 cylinder cars are under powered, although none of these cars are going to win any drag races. Surprisingly, the 3 speed transmission is much nicer than the 4 speed.

Photo Credit: wheelsage.org

Problems to Watch

As stated earlier, these cars were very well made and have aged well, but with any 30 or 40 year old car, many will need a major service if unrestored. That being said, if a car has been well maintained, it will need minimal work to be a daily driver. Despite the classic looks, these cars were very advanced for their day, and because of fantastic build quality they are not a far stretch from cars of today. As long as the car is mechanically sound, regular wear and tear items will be the only serviceable parts. The engines in these cars are especially modern and reliable. The 450 I was in was not very well looked after, and it still ran like a gem.

With that in mind, a Mercedes will always be expensive to maintain. Luckily parts are readily available and there is a lot of information on the inter web with loads of information. While they may be expensive to repair, they will nothing in the league of a modern Mercedes. These cars are plentiful enough that cars with any major rust should be avoided unless you are completely restoring the car.  Most importantly, if a car is maintained properly, it shouldn't need to be worked on very often.

Pricing (2017)

*Prices are based on the 450SL, which I believe is the best, middle of the line up. These cars were made in abundance and sold very well in the US, meaning there are plenty out there for sale. If you fancy a certain color/engine combination, it won't take you long to find one. Obviously prices will be higher with 500 and 560 SL's, and lower with the 6 cylinders. Newer SL's can be purchased for about the same, but keep in mind these cars will more than likely need more attention and are usually more expensive to fix. The old adage that the more gizmos a car has, the more there is to go wrong certainly rings true here.

$3,000 - $5,000

In this range, you should be able to get a running SL, probably one with a 6 cylinder, but a V8 is not uncommon. A car costing this much will definitely need some major work. The engine and transmission should be fine, but it may need cosmetic work, along with a host of mechanical repairs. Be ready for a project car and at least few thousand to bring the car up to snuff. Again, avoid rusty cars unless you are prepared for a serious (and expensive) project.

$5,000 - $10,000

A lot of cars are available in this range. Most of these will be mostly unrestored, but should be drive-able with minimal to a moderate amount of work needed. Probably won't be perfect cosmetically. You can get a 500 or 560 SL at the high end, but I would go for a nicer 450SL or even a 380. Cars may have higher mileage, but if maintained higher miles are not a major concern. I have seen some very nice 450's ready to drive in the higher end of this range.

$10,000 - $15,000

This is where the nice cars are priced at. If you want a driver car, I wouldn't go above this price range unless you are looking for a show room piece. You can get pretty much any model in this range, and most of them should have a well documented service history. Don't compromise with cars in this section, they should all be in very good condition.

Summary

The R107 SL was made in such large numbers that the chances of the values increasing dramatically anytime soon is slim. These can certainly be daily drivers, despite their age. If it were me, I would find one that looks nice cosmetically and is mechanically sound, then drive it everyday. They are not sports cars, but rather a luxury cruiser that is guaranteed to give you a nice, relaxing drive.

Entry Level Porsche 911: The 996

Photo credit: autoevolution.com

The Porsche 911 has long been the pinnacle European sport's car. It's classic shape, rear engine layout, and benchmark setting performance has made it a desirable car for many. While 10 years ago, most 911's over 5 or 10 years old were affordable for the average middle class person; the price's of most classic 911's have shot up through the roof. Even the once very affordable 911's of the 1980's are now regularly being listed for over $40,000, even not restored. This has made 911 ownership for the masses a difficult stretch. One era of 911 hasn't been received so well however, the 996.

History

The Porsche 996 was the 911 variant made from 1999 to 2004. The rather short production run for the 996 shows what this was car up against, and many people's disapproval from the traditional 911. First and foremost was the lack of an air cooled engine. The 996 broke away from a 30 some year tradition by going water cooled. The second major problem was a cosmetic one. While the 996 kept the iconic 911 shape, the legendary round headlights were changed for a different look. As with most 911's, the 996 included the typical range from Carrera's to Turbo's. Eventually, the 996 was evolved into the 997 variant. Despite some modification to the interior and the return to the classic round headlights, the two variants are almost identical in looks and similar in performance.

Models to Look For

Many will agree with all variants of the 911; the base models tend to be the best. While the 996 Turbo is certainly a wonderful car, and has proven to be reliable runner as with the other 996's, the value's of these models are in the range of 997's now. The Carrera and Carrera 4S both had 300 hp 3.4L flat sixes, later bumped up to 3.6L and an extra 15 hp. These cars would do 0-60 in around 5 seconds, along with top speeds north of 170mph. Typical 911's characteristics are abound; great steering, and swift acceleration. While by today's standard's the 996 performance is rather average, it is a more than capable car that will put a smile on any one's face.

Problems to Watch 

As with most cars of this type, a full service history is a first. Luckily, 911's make great daily drivers, so high mileage isn't really a problem as long as the car has been maintained. Car's with miles on the high side of 150,000 are fairly common. The most famous problem with these cars is the IMS bearing which affected about 8% of production cars. Many owner's have already replaced the bearing with a retrofitted unit so most car's are considered "safe" in the regard. If the car has high mileage and the bearing hasn't been replaced, more than likely the engine is not affected and the bearing will not explode the engine.

Standard wear items also need occasional attention as well. When buying car's of this caliber, it is always worth it to have a pre purchase inspection done (usually $150-$300) by a certified technician. Worn clutches, corrosion, and other common 10+ year old car problems affect these Porsche's, however the repair bill's can be rather expensive compared to your average Chevrolet or Toyota. My general rule from experience is that a car that has been driven regularly with higher miles will be much more reliable than a garage queen that has had some maintenance skipped since it doesn't hit the road much.

Photo credit: autoevolution.com

Most will not have the rare Navigation option.             Photo credit: autoevolution.com

Pricing

As of February, 2017, 996 has been the lowest I have seen them. These car's constantly pop up for sale, so take your time and look for the best one you want, it shouldn't take long for one to show up. Convertible models tend to be a little cheaper since they are less desirable. The all wheel drive 4S model is a popular one I see for sale, and if you want a great all season car, they tend to also be a little less than the rear drive models.

$30,000 - $35,000

This price range should get you a low mileage, later model Carrera or Carrera 4S that has had excellent service history. You can get a Turbo in this range, but keep in mind that it will likely need some work. I would be wary of car's in this range if everything isn't up to snuff. This is top dollar for these car's, so they should be turn key and ready to hit the road with no up front maintenance.

$20,000 - $30,000

This is the price range I would look in, although careful and patient searching could get you a better deal. Car's in this range will have higher mileage, some near or over 100,000. The good news is that these car's will have likely been maintained, and shouldn't have many problems. Expect to spend a few thousand with some preventative maintenance and peace of mind. Most 996's in this range are the earlier models, but don't be put off by that, the differences are negligible.

$15,000 - $20,000

This is definitely the low end for any year of the 996. I have seen earlier models sell for as little as $10,000 that needed minimal maintenance. For anything in this range or lower, I would leave room for some major maintenance work, possibly in excess of $5,000. These are the bargain cars, so choose carefully as there are plenty of contenders. Be patient and look for a motivated seller who has their car listed on the low side in hopes of a quick sale. It is still worth to have the pre purchase inspection done, even if it won't budge the seller's price, you at least know what you will need to spend to make the car 100%.

Summary

Don't buy a 996 to store away in your garage and wait for the prices to rise. 911 prices have been on the rise, but even the 997 cars have stopped dropping around the $35,000-$40,000 mark. With that being said, the 996 will eventually start going up in price, but I don't foresee that happening anytime in the next 5 or 10 years. Buy this car to drive. Don't worry if you have a 150,000 mile car, they will last if maintained. Most owner's are surprised that as long as the car is maintained properly, the running cost's can be lower than expected.

Welcome to Affordable Classics

While many of us get excited about the idea of owning the cars we dreamed about as a child, but when the realities of owning these types of cars hit us, we often go the safer, more mainstream route. These "non-mainstream" cars tend to have high sticker prices, expensive maintenance, higher insurance costs, and usually impractical. However, the wonders of depreciation have slotted many of these cars into being attainable for the more average person. Of course many of these classics (or simply used cars) are still expensive to maintain, but the entry price for them is well within reach for many people.

There are many places on the Internet with information about cars, however there are far fewer that combine them into one site. This website is a guide and archive for used cars that do not fall into the "average car" category. They do not have to be expensive, exotic, or even rare. I will list current prices, possible trends, common problems, and lists of information from online sources that would provide even more information about a certain vehicle. Please feel free to message me with any suggestions or criticism's of the site, I will constantly be looking for new content and ways to improve!