Is My Cheap Lexus SC400 Trash Or Treasure?

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My Cheap 1999 Lexus SC400 was a project I never started, so I think I might need to get rid of it.
Apologies for the microphone squeaking. I'll have it fixed by next video. Also I am aware that it's a UZZ31 platform, not a JZZ30 specifically.
Questions? Comments? Business inquiries? Email me at [e-mail]
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[@ezale08]

One of the best v8 built, these things last forever. On my second ls400

[@MrCarGuy]

Ezale THE best Toyota V8 for sure.

[@bmos02]

clearly it didn't last forever then LOL

[@d1sturb3d119]

Lasted forever for someone else.

[@ezale08]

My first ls was rear ended. But the engine still ran strong and smooth with 256k

[@kgisabeast]

Usually these go for 300k + quite easily

[@SunnyV-0]

Clean it, do the required maintenance on it and give it your wife. I'm sure she'd rather be in a Lexus than a Hyundai Elantra.

[@bradleycase4129]

I know it's kinda randomly asking but does anyone know a good website to watch newly released series online ?

[@abovenbeyondlimits81]

Lolzz facts

[@tiyastincher7653]

Bruhhh i had an elantra when i was looking for one these😭😭😭😭

[@thebestisyettocome4114]

In '92 I bought new. 2018, 76k miles. It is the finest car I've ever owned. People smile at my car. 😊

[@bbyfpk]

big facts, im just a little disrespectful 😈♥️

[@dannynitro78]

Seems a shame to rip the engine out when it sounds like it's running so nicely.

[@andresubri]

I don´t see any reason to swap that beautiful engine.

[@andrewgonzalo2608]

Same

[@user2917]

So true can make a lot of hp

[@thiccricc5964]

Keep it make it clean af

[@MrCarGuy]

TheHumanOfEric Agreed!

[@danielfl.9347]

TheHumanOfEric But those rims need to go

[@thiccricc5964]

Yep absolutely. ASAP lol

[@m3chan1zr]

I'll buy those rims if they're not faded or anything lol.

[@reesebobby99]

Tavarish and Hoovie need to battle to see who can collect the most beaters.

[@tavarish]

I'm down like a clown.

[@randolphcirilo4800]

Tavarish .. if it didn't have so much rust. I'm actually looking for one now, always wanted one

[@randolphcirilo4800]

Tavarish Hey Tavarish.. I've got a 1992 w140 that I need to do something with.. it needs a main harness so it's not drivable currently.. I want to get this car running and driving, but as much as I want to keep the car whole.. I've been thinking about swapping the drive train for something more conventional.. Do you now of anyone doing swaps like that or a company that sells kits for an American v8 drive train??

[@joeyscleaninglady2877]

Tavarish needs to collect all of the cars from the Car and Driver comparo 300zx

[@nickwood8694]

Hoovie doesnt fix cars himself

[@RA-oy6bg]

the SC is becoming hard to come by much less an 1999 and up.. they're all being turned into drift machines. I would buy that car so fast

[@243wayne1]

I agree Ricardo- I am the proud owner of a Silver on Black 1998 Lexus SC400 with Nakamichi and factory chrome 5 spokes. All books and manuals plus window sticker. Sales brochure and press kit. 45,000 Miles. By FAR the cleanest in the country. It belongs in the Lexus museum.

[@hispanosaurusrex]

I'm picking up a Lexus 96 sc400 today yay!!

[@demonfireomegamu2374]

Ricardo Acevedo i have a 97 sc400

[@xCkillaxC]

243wayne1 how much you want for it

[@xCkillaxC]

243wayne1 Id give you 10K cash

[@okinawanah3463]

SC400 is a classic. Love the lines.

[@MShort0]

Might be tough getting rid of a northern car in Florida. The exact opposite of what most people want.

[@tavarish]

Yeah, it's a concern, but it's not like I'll want top dollar for it.

[@MShort0]

Tavarish best of luck. Keep up the great content.

[@josiahbrooks1748]

Tavarish in Jacksonville. I'll get it from you if you want to sell it.

[@tavarish]

[e-mail] if you want to send me an offer.

[@MrCarGuy]

Tavarish Fix it! Save the glorious 1UZ-FE! Btw, I own a 2000 GS400 Platinum with the VVTi. 300hp rated.

[@mousiee7]

These were great cars. I believe 99-00 got all the goodies (3-spoke steering wheel, 5-speed gated shifter auto, upgraded vvti engine, perforated leather seats, and some other things). I had a '95 SC400, that I gave to my daughter. This video makes me want another one.

[@stvkomer]

no keep it its a beautiful car honestly. even in stock form.

[@meowdalachow7932]

gascanEXPLODE put some rims

[@ssaxmanful]

Please for the love of god finish the graffiti Lexus. I love that car and it just sits there. I would rather see videos on that car than your Aston and Mercedes

[@alexmoran731]

I'd say keep the Lexus and get rid of the other two.

[@alexmoran731]

Do you watch Harry's Garage by chance? :)

[@tavarish]

I do!

[@firstname1lastname127]

Are you sure that's not Matt Farah's Million Mile Lexus?

[@tavarish]

OH CRAP IT MIGHT BE

[@DaTwistedOne1]

Not even the same model..lol Farahs Million Mile Lexus is an LS400 not an SC, they look nothing alike.

[@firstname1lastname127]

XfiRated Relax, its a meme, and you didnt get the reference.

[@eman0828]

Doesn't matter of the model since they are all Toyota's. Toyota is known for its legendary benchmark reliability as they pioneered Lean Manufacturing. Can't say the same for all those German money pits. ha

[@colormesarge]

@@tavarish 2 year old comment hits you right in the YOU OWN IT NOW

[@typo148]

I had a 1992 version sc400 and really liked it. Basically drove it into the ground, 350,000 km plus when I gave up on it finally. That engine was amazing.

[@phillipmitchell5879]

Beautiful car! A true GT, albeit a bit more luxury than sport. The SC300's have a marvelous inline-6 - amazing engine. The SC400's have an equally wonderful V8 - so well-built that it's approved for aviation use. There are aftermarket superchargers & turbos available for these gems, I'd only want to increase the power in a modest way. The 'unmolested' or minimally modified samples are the most desirable for collectors. '98-2000 models are very much sought after. You've got a gem worth restoring, etc.!

[@Zooooooooooom123]

I'd like to see a video where you fully clean it inside and out. it will. look sick. I say keep it.

[@Swordie100]

This, seems like a good daily..

[@powerbookkid]

OMG those are SO RARE, late model, silver on black, with nak?! super rare UGH i wantttssss it! My vote: clean it up. exhaust, mild drop, nice 18'' wheels (ISP Mode's would look AWESOME!).

[@miniman203]

These were great cars for sure Tavarish, yours is salvageable especially with your skills and resources, it'd be badass daily or project car

[@JustAnotherHo]

legit i was amazed that quarter even balanced for that amount of time.

[@manred6253]

That steering wheel tough! Looks better than most steering wheels of this time

[@alpha7ization]

Dash lights are in good shape, those needles usually are burnt out in those 90s lexus. I would gladly take it off your hands

[@AndreBraham]

Lexus: I wanna see you set it up although that's the least practical advice given how my projects you have. Outro: I f**king love your outro, man. Very unique, very trollish (in a good way). To help with non-subs getting confused, include links/previews of other videos overlaying the outro.

[@superstrongchedder]

i think you should definitely keep it! its such a clear example and if the rust in the back isn't to challenging to fix then i think its worth holding onto until your other projects are done.

[@Random12231]

Love the SCs, 400s specifically. Another vote for keeping it

[@BrysonChyoChing]

Crazy that these 1997-2000 SC's are going for a lot, especially with the black interior in 2023.

[@WarriorsPhoto]

Black interior is tough to find as clean as this one’s is. I would keep the car and good luck with whatever you did.

[@Jursaw]

I fixed the WORST 3000GT VR4. Watch my new video on it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4qwlWaEq86kb9k

[@raywright2401]

my 97 Sc400 is awesome. Every option AND 188K miles on v8. I drive a truck for work now but this car is the epitome of silk muscle.

[@AntiqueAcceleration]

Keep it and build it! I vote for the IS-F motor swap option.

[@Devastator0]

Dude, you should totally keep it, clean it right up, modify it and have it as a nice, super clean ride!!

[@mkt3000]

With how many of these I've seen that are trashed, or have been questionably modified, I'd say bring it back to stock/stock-ish, and keep it around as a spare car. Should be easy, and somewhat cheap to do, you'd get a good series of more advanced maintenance videos (changing exhaust, etc), and you'd have a fairly reliable spare car.

[@illwill311]

i like the original endings. at first I was would go back to make sure I didn't do something and then I caught on. It was different. Maybe just not every time, just don't stop it cold.

[@karlschroen392]

I would love to see the 1UZ supercharged and the car kept as a clean cruiser.

[@eastside722]

Any series you put out is interesting.

[@tavarish]

Thanks!

[@HellBaron-rb4vu]

Tavarish please continue working on the Mercedes s600 i want to see that car with the amg kit. thanks

[@barneyr1294]

Tavarish trash,too hard to work on for too little payoff.pick and pull.

[@m3chan1zr]

Keep it and finish one of your ideas on it. I have a 1997 SC 400, no mods or anything (I just wanted a good cruiser for daily driving), and I get compliments on it on a regular basis. Including whenever I stop by the Lexus dealership to get some parts. All the service people there tell me I should put my car in a museum and others ask if it's for sale. So in short, fix it up, drive it. You won't regret it.

[@Spartan536]

Tavarish, If you want to sell the car, make it a RESTORATION PROJECT, get it back to stock, little to no rust, and polish up the interior, engine bay, and exterior as best you can. This will allow you to sell the car back at a decent price, and there are quite a few people that would be interested in it.

[@francobnyc]

KEEP IT!! I've got a Red 1998 SC300 in really great condition so i'm biased though. LOL! Love the SC300/400's!

[@scottray2314]

VERY good motor, treasure! Restore it.

[@zangovu]

ISF! 2ur-gse with 8 speed. You'll be the first to do it on the this car that's my dream build. And if you get a salvage ISF it'll have all the parts for the swap. You'll have enough content and videos if you take on a big project and trust me I'll be watching every single one and the whole SC community back you up and watch you. I think that's how you win subscribers especially with car videos. You tap into each brand and their followers with a car specifically from that company and earn the audience in each one. I think you can earn a lot of more followers especially on something that hasn't been done yet. Anyway you go, Good Luck!

[@ThePropGuy]

I have a 93 SC400. 286,400 miles. Never had to do any real maintenance. These things are built like tanks. Keep the SC and built it. I really think once the supra prices get super insane these will start to go up in value as well.

[@Shadowdancer777]

Sold my sc300 years ago. I miss it. I want to get my sc back.

[@chrisantonello6831]

Put a spoiler on the back. Makes it look so much better

[@kaibaumgartner7721]

Body and Interior are pretty damn good. Plus it's a VVTI 1UZ in an SC. Just get a new subframe and you'll be set.

[@meeee500]

Man what a beautiful machine I hope you decided to keep it what a treasure you have man

[@crisismcnoodle]

I hate to say it but the SC should go. you could do an episode swapping the subframe, welding the exhaust, and giving it a scrub and then sell it. you're doing well at being more serious about KZbin but we want to see one or two projects being done start to finish in a reasonable time frame. an extra car that you're not too interested in takes away from that

[@ryfel99]

Use it to revive the Art of the Flip! Start a video version in the same style you do the other videos, I think it would be an awesome way to get rid of it but still use it for video content AND bring back what I know a lot of your readers including myself had as an entry to the tavarish brand!

[@tristanblock]

I love those cars. I'll gladly take it off your hands! Would it make a road trip to California? :D

[@pufflelover1]

treasure by simple virtue of not having been turned into a "MLJEE HOONAGIN DRIFT MACHINE" but abandoned halfway through as with most SC's on craigslist

[@fernandom5150]

Man this shit is rare. The rest of the 400s only have 250 horse and this one had 290. They only had 290 for a couple of years, maybe 2 years

[@BhupinderSSingh]

Keep it, the engines on these never die. I have a 98 Lexus LX470 and it still runs like a dream. And for a 99 these cars are really nice. Car these days still dont come with leather or high end premium sound system while yours does, same goes with my LX. Use it as a daily driver, cause your S class still needs work, the ford is a gas guzzler and the aston shouldnt be driven everyday

[@user-yr3kt5ei5d]

I like the cut off endings. Maybe if you really don't like dealing with confused idiots, stay on a freeze frame for a second and put 'to be continued' or... something more creative.

[@lunaticcycle1300]

You make me miss Florida, keep it up dude

[@bluebearbank247]

Keep it, I want to see the rust repair on rear subframe.

[@Dizzy206]

So my dad wants me to just outright have his SC400. The only thing that throws me off is that it's an automatic. But hey, i still plan on building it to some extent.

[@louiscaraballo7354]

The 302 V-8 is from Ford. It was sold to Toyota and then developed the V-8 that is in the Tundra's

[@koomo801]

At the time of this comment your video is 2-1/2 years old and it's probably gone, but for anyone else...those 12-CD changers in the trunk are always on and are a power drain. If you don't start the car weekly you're likely to need a jump. It can be disconnected by a plug connecting to the changer's bottom, behind near the fender.

[@pingasuncion5054]

I'd keep it stock... I had a 97 it was perfect I chose it over Mercedes and BMW...

[@gardenoftruth8265]

98 and up are even better with the vvt-i and 5-speed automatic not to mention the interior upgrades in the 99 and 2000 models

[@kayagocebe315]

@@gardenoftruth8265 I also much prefer the ls400 style shifter and 3 spoke wheel that the 98-00 sc's had.

[@gardenoftruth8265]

@@kayagocebe315 my 98 didn't come with three spoke wheels

[@kayagocebe315]

@@gardenoftruth8265 Maybe someone swapped it?

[@gardenoftruth8265]

@@kayagocebe315 no it's original one owner car

[@marcogallo2811]

this should be a car you focus on... it would be super interesting to watch

[@camtheham13]

I am not particularly into the project but will watch the vids, in the meantime I am looking forward to the car Tetris game that is taking shape in your driveway

[@greenman8]

A new set of wheels&tires, and a set of Coil-overs. Fix the exhaust and do the car a decent once over, detail it, and sell it at cost/break even. Even if you don't keep it, use your skills and resources. Pass it on, without greed, only to know you helped a person get a solid ride, and one less car filling landfills.

[@TheArchbishop53]

Hi, I ran across the video you had about the 1999 Lexus SC400, and I was wondering, what did you decided to do with it, if you kept it, or got rid of it?

[@annieworroll4373]

A tape deck! Even my car doesn't have that. I wish it did, though, because I wouldn't be considering replacing the stereo to let me hook up my phone for Pandora. Hopefully I can find something affordable with line in, so I don't have to mess with casette adapters.

[@paulmayou370]

Keep it i`m a big fan of yours from the UK love to see it all sorted keep up the great work

[@jaypatricksei8428]

I say flip it & keep looking if you still want one get it then. In the meantime use the money for one of your next project & get into that you will forget all about it! Hopefully something with more potential than the Lexus had...

[@HunterDugasVideos]

"Temperature is at, uh, COLD" 😂 idk why I thought that was so funny lol

[@ajhill5094]

That would sell in a minute here in South Florida. It seems like everyone's driving brand new cars or old Lexus models, no in between

[@spakentruth]

Bro that car is a gem. I'm not a car expert but these are the pre cursors to the famous supras. Built on the same platform and pretty much use all the same parts. The only real issue with it is it's heavy because of all the luxury features but no that car is severely underrated because car Bros hype the hell out of Subarus, supras

[@slegendary6003]

Thanks for considering changing the outros. Was giving me the shits lol.

[@freak5837]

I had to skip ahead to this video where he finally stopped with that stupid shit.

[@SFitz35]

Keep it bro SC400 Clean as fuck has so much potential. Coupe V8, lightweight. Keep it.

[@337speed]

I'm a simple man. I see a Tavarish video, I hit Like!

[@Capt.Starion]

Tavarish Love your vids so simple but so entertaining to watch

[@TheBrownGarage]

i got a 97 sc300, none of the cluster back lighting works but the needles all illuminate. i say keep it but you have twice the amount of project cars i do and 2 of them are SCs, i can see why it be easy to let it go. wrench everyday

[@LukeTheJoker]

Keep it, clean it, supercharge it, ultimate sleeper...

[@bradkratz7758]

Build it

[@starman5500]

good cup holder. that's about it. maybe a good lawn ornament

[@starman5500]

let it go.

[@dougauzene8389]

Miss my Dad's immaculate emerald green 92 SC400...Hope you kept it!

[@Torchi0]

Do DIY on it, like coolant, oil, brake fluid change on a budget (But with quility), clean the interior, clean the exterior with an easy wax and FLIP IT. Can't expend more than 100$. Good luck.

[@LOWLOWS18]

you should do a diy video on how to clean your car. show them how to clean the leather and how to buff out the paint.

[@aa2398a]

dude i laughed when i saw the dead lizard....i like the car, just needs a good wash and some TLC...keep the car and drop a 2JZGTE in there, run a big ass turbo call it a day

[@junglesbongles8592]

if theres no big holes but only surface rust then the rust work is actually pretty fast and easy. u just need to get under it. u may have to unscree the tailpipe off etc but nothing major.

[@junglesbongles8592]

i say restore. get to work on it.

[@yansselllb123]

The price went up like crazy this year, like above 10k

[@rhettgalloway3199]

I have a 1995 SC400 Red with Black interior. It's stock but I love it. A build of this thing would be really cool.

[@tavarish]

Well, I already have a '92 SC300 that's also getting a build.

[@rhettgalloway3199]

My fuel needle is out and it is a pain!

[@rhettgalloway3199]

It would be great as you said for someone who wants a good starting platform.

[@victoryepik487]

bro keep it i love these macchines and very easy to modify

[@buckykattnj]

I think your outro is the best part of the

[@Dogman36]

dont put a 2J i this thing. there are far too many of those to be considered "unique". plus it would no longer be a 400. id say fix it and flip it for profit. these particular model year SC400s are rare, being that less than 2200 were built. and hey, if you decide to go for power gains, get new cams, new pistons with thicker rods, and raise the compression slightly, you'd be touching 390hp at the rear wheels. we need SOMEONE to keep the 1UZ VVTi alive!

[@bbyfpk]

heard 1j fire though

[@Louis93]

Lexus &toyota 👍🏻💪🏻💪🏻

[@andressein2011]

All for watching a fix up series, but in the end its your decision man.

[@twiggy5843]

Well my friend, I hate to say this but it's exactly the car I'm looking for. Post 1997 Silver with black interior..... Though I must say, my never-ever winter driven 1996 SC400 has no, repeat NO rust anywhere and no aluminium oxidation either which is a bit surprising for a Montreal car. So I wish I had the last version of the engine and tranny that your car has but it needs some work to get it to be as clean as mine....which has 120k miles BTW. Ahh! C'est la vie ! like we say here. I think you should clean it up a bit, you can easily do that kind of thing with the ambitious projects you have. I'd be happy with a perfectly stock, nice '98 through 2000 SC400 if I can find one.... If it's not sold yet .... I'm sure you'd have a few buyers... Hint!! Do what Zach suggests and I'll buy it ....or maybe 243wayne1 will sell me his at its market value... Who knows..... ...Still love my '96 though.... been driving it for 10 years -Pretty fun to see what you do... Guy the guy!

[@studda88]

Do you still have it ?

[@hchelfman]

why did you want to swap an m120 v12? I have one and am trying to determine if it's worth using for a project

[@VintageRKO]

Dont know what happened to this car since its an old video but if it was up to me, I'd Keep it stock, keep maintaining it and this car WILL appreciate in value in the next few years

[@zerocool2352]

Be real dude, you're not going to cruise the car. Turn it into a track car so you don't have to worry about being gentle with it and have fun experimenting with ideas. Put the battery in the trunk, rip out all the comfort stuff, put a cage in it ... do the work yourself hacking on it.

[@Pigeonbutter8790]

Supercharging the UZ would be awesome

[@tabuksh]

IMO u have enough projects to keep you busy for quite a while... so let this one go to another home that can give it the loving it needs. But that said, all ur projects are interesting so I'm looking forward to a good year! Love that balancing trick tho!

[@cindywyattrailey8391]

The beauty of this car is keeping it original ( tough to top Toyota's highly trained engineers ). yes you can patch a bunch of engine and transmissions...but it will never run right and it will always just be a money pit after that...after all it must be very easy to install a merceds v12 engine and all it's associated harness and couple it with a completely electronically controlled transmission from BMW...go ahead if your budget is open and have a few friends in NASA.MUMBO JUMBO maybe ? Or maybe you can put a Jet engine and a transmission from a hovercraft ?

[@Neil4Speed]

I had a 98 and it was fantastic. Yours is a great color combo and in overall great condition, I would keep it!

[@Neil4Speed]

The nakamichi is fantastic too! a true reference system

[@TRASHEDTEG]

if you're not going to do anything with it then just sell it, I would suggest keeping it and have fun with it... beater cars are the most fun cars

[@antoinepageau8336]

Sell it or build a bigger garage next to your house. NO point in having so many cars if you can't store them in doors. Entropy will always win.