The Lexus SC300/400 is the Most Underrated Japanese Sports Car From the 90s

Here's why you should buy a Lexus SC300 or SC400. Except don't actually, because I want one and I don't want the prices to go up. The SC400 is the only rear wheel drive V8 powered coupe to come out of Japan during the golden era. And the SC300 is the 2JZ, 'nuff said.
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If you enjoyed this video, there are plenty more like it on the channel! If you have a request for a make/model I haven't done yet and would like to see, let me know in the comments!

[@AcuraAdvice]

CORRECTIONS: VVT-i was added to both SC's in 1998 coinciding with the SC400 5AT and the updated engine covers. I had a preexisting belief that it coincided with the '97 cosmetic update so when I read info stating it came out in '97 I didn't realize it meant it came out in '97 for the '98 model year. Turns out there is no manual SC with VVT-i (still want one tho). 🤦‍♂Clearly I am not a real Lexus owner and will not be welcome in Cimarron Hills. The '95 update DID change the front bumper and fog lights. The design of the "grill" on the lower part of the bumper changes and there are lines that extend across the centre of the fog lights. Pre '95 fog lights do not have this line. Thank you to those of you that pointed these out to me in the comments!!

[@thedastardlydashcam6977]

Correct. Hence the 1997 is considered by many to be the most desirable year. Original engine and transmission (better and easier to mod) but with the updated styling. The truly unique year. The 1997 is the model year you see in video games i.e. Forza Horizon

[@johnnyk6906]

still looking beautiful and no sound system today can match the Nakamichi. I miss them a lot.

[@campaignslayer]

Sc300 with a factory 5 speed checking in 🤙

[@GamerGoneHam]

Factory 5 speed, with 87k, broken lol

[@campaignslayer]

@@GamerGoneHam that’s crazy low miles. I have 226,000 on mine.

[@thedastardlydashcam6977]

The greatest SC video on KZbin! Thank you!

[@blazedxjan]

great video! i had a manual is300 but always wanted the sc300, still do. this has reignited the fire lol

[@hdz30]

Glad to finally see a really nicely made video about the SC! I’ve got a ‘97 5 speed and it’s honestly such a blast to drive. If you can find a manual example it’s worth the money.

[@Asianwitamexicaname]

great video!! sc/soarers for life!

[@SCaddiction]

As my name suggests I know a lot about these cars and You’re video is Top 5 on my list of great SC reviews all your information, images and research couldn’t be any better great video man 🗣️🔥

[@AcuraAdvice]

Thank you!!!

[@MrRavakian]

Love it great video! A long time owner speaking. Owned a 93 model, a 97 model AND a 98 model sc300.sadly no manuals or 1uz just yet but I think you buy one of these for long distance trips/ fancy dates and get yourself a manual corolla or something for the hills.

[@MrRavakian]

This car may be paired well with a miata, which you won't be able to drive long distance as much but go have fun with the manual.

[@alexsaffamerica]

The SC/Soarer has one of the most attractive designs for a 90s Japanese car. Nothing beats that voluptuous soapbar design.

[@1MADZ]

My mom had a Baddass SC300 pearl with all whistles. Loves that car

[@kavkaz879]

This was gold

[@nathanha8760]

In Japan the JDM version the Soarer GT-T had the 1JZ-GTE along with the 5 speed manual.

[@3ZN357]

I’d love to drive that for a day

[@GamerGoneHam]

Make sure you get your ecu checked too. I had my main and fuel pump ecu go at the same time lol 😊

[@coryanderson5210]

The college I went to had a huge international presence. One of the favorite cars at the time were the s2000s, and they’re a few of these sc400s worked up. I always thought they were super clean and would be a sweet daily cruiser for one or two people. This video takes me back. Had a family member with an ls400 which I always liked, and it was super reliable….

[@Dontdoitguy]

Love the SC300 ❤

[@andrewskannavides428]

In Australia these were brought in as "grey imports' in the 90's.. By the mid 2000's they were at every wrecking yard and got trashed. All everyone wanted from them was the v8 motor to retrofit into project cars !!

[@DF-ec9de]

Bringing tears to eyes seeing this. Loved my Lexus SC 400 cpe it was a beast. Mine was the 1995 model, got hit and totaled.

[@MyKeeP81]

i crashed my 94 and totataled it

[@MegaLoghome]

The "Prelude" make sense now...

[@LOUROK-SR20]

Briefly had a 95 300. It was so smooth.

[@DisneyMusicVideos]

This was hands down the best looking car from the 90's IMO & still is today. I've driven both the SC300 & SC400. My grandma owned a black on tan 1992 SC300 that she drove for twenty years & replaced it with a new 2012 ES350 in 2012. My friend had a 1992 SC400 in the same color combo as my grandmas that he bought a few years ago (I believe he just sold it). They both felt very similar in terms of power delivery & handling. I've always been a huge Lexus fan in general. Have owned two of them so far as my first was a 2017 gray on red IS200t F-Sport that I drove for a little under two years & currently a beautiful white on red 2016 GS350 F-Sport that I bought four years ago.

[@AcuraAdvice]

Totally is the best looking car from the 90s 🙌 I have driven a SC300 and SC400 as I had a friend who had a 300 (imported from the US) and his Dad had a 400, I found the power difference to really only be noticable at highway speeds

[@jonathanramoslexusmaster298]

i own four sc's one is factory manual imperial jade have cinnabar red one which is na-t then i have an 051 white one it has 2jzgte vvti swap. emu black stand-alone big fuel system soarer trans s372 at 25 psi certified ripper. it's my daily then i also have a sc400

[@TysonHugie]

I'm a fan of these, esp in the '97+ look as you mentioned. They made an incredible color called "Royal Sapphire Pearl" that is absolutely gorg. Didn't realize there was a climate control vent underneath the steering column - how convenient. Side note, if Jeff from Cimarron Hills want to sell his Vigor, have him get in touch with me.

[@largetarp]

8:07 No, series 2 sc/soarers do have different front ends, there is no middle bar in the front bumper it is replaces with a grille piece, the fog lights are different and the way the sides of the grille connect to the bumper are different.

[@AcuraAdvice]

Oh wow I can't believe I didn't notice that before! Thank you for pointing that out!

[@largetarp]

@@AcuraAdvice alot of people dont realise haha, i like my s2 soarer its unique.

[@scaleartsg]

97 sc in black ❤

[@AcuraAdvice]

🙌

[@btrdangerdan2010]

Nissan Sentra video next?

[@redrum707monkey]

i always say Soarer is my number 1 JDM

[@illuminate4]

Another noteworthy thing: with the VVT-i update to the SC300, the 2j got its own "GE" rods. Before this they were using the same rods found in the GTE motor. this means that if you get a VVT-i motor your tuning potential without doing an engine overhaul is drastically lowered (those VVT-i rods can only handle like 350 before they explode compared to the previous rods 500-600)

[@AcuraAdvice]

Thats very interesting and good to know thanks for sharing that!

[@Krasibana]

Owner of 2 SC's right now. A 96 SC400 with over 200k miles for 19 yrs now & A Modified 2000 SC300. I also Had this 99 SC400 Too bad I was hit from behind & the 99 SC was totalled. Here is the video of the 99 SC400 - right b4 i bought it : kzbin.info/www/bejne/rnKxlYF7ob5kj7csi=Cvkc5_zbMpKDBHqJ

[@jestar5237]

episode on the 9th gen civic?

[@AcuraAdvice]

Civic video is in the works. Its taking awhile because I'm doing all 11 generations, but its coming!

[@rushmatic]

SC300 was available with a 5 speed manual, I had one a very long time ago.

[@hueyfreemaniii6214]

He addresses that in the video

[@jonathannauck7453]

I’d kill to find a manual sc300. Incredibly hard to find-such a sleeper car!

[@Stone15656]

Yo is that a Soupbruh 😮😢😂 (80000000hp on stock) 😭

[@Timothy9x]

Wow, you put my car in your video... Well the pictures before I bought it.

[@AcuraAdvice]

Which one is yours?

[@Timothy9x]

@@AcuraAdvice There's one that you keep showing. It has a blue microfiber towel covering the license plate. There's also an interior shot of the exact same car. I know because I have all the pictures. But I don't mind it though. I, like most SC owners, hope the value of these cars go up.

[@AcuraAdvice]

@@Timothy9x ah cool thats a nice one!

[@FIowersForMe]

I’m 20 years old have have about. 50 grand what version of the sc should I get I would like one with the most power obviously and would like the learn manual but yeah I just want the coolest and most powerful model that I could upgrade for cheap hp if anyone can help me decide thanks

[@user-wx7co9hr7e]

The ultimate SC will be a 1997 SC300 5speed manual but they are so rare it doesn't really matter how high your budget is, there might only be like 50 in existence left. Aside from that, a '93-'96 SC300 5-speed will be the best model to buy and stick a turbo in. If you want the coolest and most powerful modded spec, this is it. Lastly a '98-'00 SC400 is also a super rare gem that BY FAR has the most stock power and features of any SC. They are also the most reliable and have a greatly upgraded 5 speed auto that is smooth to shift yourself and is unbothered even at 130+ mph. These are also super rare with under 1k made each year, but unlike a '97 5-speed you can find these super pristine for about $20-25k. Any SC is still a solid beautiful car and I'd say if you saw a good deal on a pristine car from any year, 300 or 400, you can't go wrong with it.

[@FIowersForMe]

@@user-wx7co9hr7e I was looking to buy a sc-400 but I found a sc-300 1197 automatic is in perfect condition these can be manual swapped and turbo swapped if needed

[@JAYD3EChannel]

Vvti was added in 1998

[@AcuraAdvice]

You are right 🤦‍♂️ that also explains the conflicting info I read about the transmissions, they said 5 speed came in 1997 but they meant for the 98 model year, and same with the engine. I always thought the engine was with the cosmetic refresh, but nope I was wrong! Thanks for the correction!

[@Pelllaw26]

Honestly, my take and growing up loving this car. It looks nice, but if I'm getting a luxury car I'm straight up getting a pimpin car. Ls400 was it's competition tbh. I'd take an ls400 for a luxury car. My younger self would love the SC but not for a luxury car. Honestly looks a bit ugly without body kit.

[@blue_lancer_es]

Yerp!

[@sentiencepsn2714]

Oh come on. The sc430 wasn’t that bad. Maybe those first gen wheels. And the run flats. And the suspension pre-face lift.

[@manbatmiso]

Deserved a manual for sure IMO

[@Dtt4]

Not exactly sports cars. But Grand Tourers.

[@2URLex]

Dissing the 430 is a crime

[@maureencora1]

The 2001 SC 300 was a Joke. Give Me 1992 - 1999 SCs

[@Benjiaboy]

I would avoid these cars at all costs. Lexus SCs are the japanese endless moneypits. If you want reliability get an avalon or camry. Parts are very expensive on these cars.

[@user-wx7co9hr7e]

the SC is not a moneypit at all. They are built to last and do not have any major weak points that will total the car. Parts and labor are more expensive than a Camry or ES300 because these were a limited production very high end car. It's true, these cars are not for broke people who need a good cheap beater. But they are solid quality cars that hold value, and can be enjoyed and upkept by an average person with a job Of course if you buy a neglected pos that needs everything done, it will be in the thousands to fix but thats how literally any luxury car is.

[@Benjiaboy]

@@user-wx7co9hr7e Have you ever owned an SC400? Parts are very expensive. I currently own a 1998 SC400 that was dealership serviced for most of its life and that car has been nothing but a headache to own. Stuff was always constantly going wrong, the power steering leak issue is a huge design flaw that will leave you stranded one day. I'm strongly considering junking my car.

[@lexusls4305]

SC430 >SC400

[@GoogleAsho-qs1vx]

I own 2 sc400 cd009 swapped with a spitronic ecu and harness and a sc400 2jzgtevvti swapped from an aristo with a zf transmission supra diff ls400 big brake kit on both my manual swapped sc400 is my daily drive it 30 miles to work everyday