Okay, it's been a busy day, sorry for the delay.
Both GS and SC problems to look for:
- ECM (engine computer) always go bad after 9-12 years on these cars. See if it's been done before. If it has over 150,000 miles, it probably has been replaced. They aren't cheap, about $800-1200.
- A/C repair is never cheap, usually involves pulling out the dashboard, in both cases. $1200-3000 at a Lexus dealer. Pray they've had A/C repairs before.
- Power front seats are expensive; make sure both operate (driver's seats always go first). On both, the seat track and motor assemblies can be $1500-2000, but if you can find a firm that repairs them, then you'll save some money. Also, some techs have told me that you can swap some motors out with other cars, making the parts findable in junkyards and such.
- Power steering pumps and power steering motors tend to go on these cars. Check for leaks and noises: Tug the steering wheel the way to one side and then the other and if you hear a groaning noise, then the pump is about to be history.
- Front and rear bumpers have paint issues; SC's have peeling around the rear bumpers, the fronts tend to fade. Sometimes the factory authorized re-painting, other times, the customer may have had it done. GS bumper undercoatings tend to fade the paint, for some weird reason. Usually, you can buff it out or use a little wax and elbow grease. In both cases, if the owner was meticulous, then you probably won't see these paint problems.
- Trunk shocks always fail if over 10 years old; if you plan on using your trunk, buy a broom or stick of wood to hold it up, or you'll get hit in the head. I've heard that aftermarket installations are tough to find, but you can modify other brands of shocks to fit, I've heard. Lexus shocks are about $250-350. A helmet might be a cheaper alternative.
- Headlights always yellow on these cars, unless they've been replaced or always garaged. If one is yellow, and another one isn't that's an obvious sign the car's had a side impact. Sometimes, you can polish it out, and there's vendors out there that will make them look near-new for $100-200.
- Alternators tend to go on these cars at 10 years, just like any other car.
SC issues and notes:
- Shocks and struts wear out in 60,000 miles, a new set changes the handling and ride noticeably.
- Starter motors wear out quickly on the V8-engined cars; the labor is rather steep, since it's nestled inside the vee of the engine.
- Driver's and passenger door trim distorts. Probably because the door is very heavy, and people slam it. Black trim bezel around A/C vents is always cracked, doesn't affect much, but both types parts are very expensive, like $600-800.
- Because of "heavy door", window motors tend to go out; check both of them, make sure they don't go up or down too fast, and with not too much noise. If they seem to get slow when going back up, then the motor's about to go. If they go down too fast then the window regulator might be worn out.
- Seat leather on the driver's bottom cushion always has tears.
- A handful of 1992 models had recalls, I never encountered one. Some 1997-98 models had engine computer and/or starter recalls, but those were also very rare.
- A handful of 1995-1998 models have 5-speed manuals. But they're rare.
GS issues and notes:
- These cars have been known for overheating at 150,000 miles. Temp guages at halfway are common, but 3/4 and up are not. Keep an eye on the coolant. The guys at various Lexus forums that maintain the cars don't have any radiator problems, and I only saw them on cars with sporadic maintenance.
- Wood trim cracks on inside, buy the aftermarket stuff, unless you're a perfectionist.
- Steering effort is really light at slow speeds; it's normal. It builds up at higher speeds.
- 1993-1994 models have 4-speed transmissions, '95 and up have 5-speed autos (no manuals).
- 1997 models are literally rarer than Ferrari Enzos; about 160 were made. No joke.
- Front ball joint recalls on the 1993-1995 models (SW1 recall), replacement is free no matter what the mileage, unless it was already performed.
In passing:
Otherwise, they're tough motors, whether I6 or V8, just regular maintenance every 5000 miles. Timing belts every 7 years/90,000 miles (they don't really break unless the car's really old without replacement, or had over 120,000 miles, but with interference motors, don't take the chance).
If you go to a Lexus dealer, you can get a full service history for all repairs at any Lexus dealer, get recall info. It just takes a few moments. Ask them to go over items line-by-line, since their program (it's called Dealer Daily) just gives a rough caption of each line, it takes a little extra time for a complete breakdown of each complaint, cause, and correction for each line.
In your area, Sewell and Park Place Lexus are in a constant battle for supremacy. Use this to your advantage. You get good treatment, but you pay for it.
Otherwise, they’re solid cars. No commonplace electrical issues, emission issues (that would be later on), oil leaks, blowups, transmission issues if taken care of, smoking, excessive brake or tire wear, alignment issues, and people who've wrecked them lived to tell em they liked thier new car. If I remember correctly, Car & driver once called the SC 400 the “perfect luxocoupe”. That’s a lofty echelon of cars, since only the Accord, BMW M3, and the Porsche 959 have ever been considered perfect in C&D’s eyes.
The 1st-generation GS 300 didn’t win a lot of praise (it was a tad underpowered, overwieght, funny-looking, and overpriced…about $40,000 back then), but it filled a gap between the LS and ES 4-doors at the time. Me, I like mine. It’s fairly unique, I don’t see many where I live, you get Italian exterior styling with Japanese internals (although a German suspension would give it the trifecta it deserves). I also picked it up on the cheap.