For Sale: 1998 Lexus SC400 in Collierville, Tennessee

In the early 1990s, Toyota was looking to expand its offerings to compete in the luxury market against Honda's Acura and Nissan's Infiniti divisions. Toyota's answer was the Lexus brand, which quickly became Japan's largest-selling make of premium cars. In 1991, Lexus launched its first sports coupe, the SC 400, which shared the LS 400s V8 engine and rear-wheel drive design. The first-generation SC 400 was produced until 2000 and changed very little aesthetically during its nine-year run.

1998 was a good year for the Lexus SC 400. It received a boost in the engine department; the 1UZ-FE 4-liter V8 got VVT-i (variable valve timing), which pushed the power ratings up to 290 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. Additionally, the automatic transmission gained another gear from four to five, while the differential final-drive ratio went to 3.27:1 to improve fuel economy and top speed.

Art & Speed is happy to present this fine example of the 1998 SC 400 Two-Door Sports Coupe bathed in Rennaissance Red with gold emblems and a tan leather interior. It also sports a sunroof. This car was a daily driver, so the paint shows well, but some minor blemishes exist. A closer inspection reveals a few touch-ups on the nose, air-dam, and doors but no dents. Four brand-new Bridgestone Turanza all-weather tires adorn the five-spoke wheels, which are in very good condition given their age. Japanese cars are notorious for hazy headlights, but the factory projector-beams on this one are clear as a bell.

Under the hood, the 4-liter 1UZ-FE VVT-i engine looks like it just rolled off the assembly line. The drivetrain still has a lot of life left in it. It drives smooth and handles as you would expect. The five-speed automatic shifts smoothly through the gears, and the car is very quiet on the road.

Inside, it is all luxury. As you slide into the factory tan-leather bucket seats and grip the leather-wrapped steering wheel, you see a woodgrain-trimmed dash with no cracks and clear digital/analog instruments. The carpet and floor mats are in good, clean shape, while the seats do have some creases in the leather from use, but no tears. The Lexus Nakamichi premium sound system works as it should and connects to the trunk's factory 12-disc CD changer. The sunroof works and shows no signs of leakage. It appears the shifter knob has been replaced with a newer version.

If you are looking for an older luxury sports coupe to get around town in or a good, safe starter car for your teen that won't break the bank, you can't go wrong with this 1998 Lexus SC 400. Come by Art & Speed's showroom today and take it for a test drive. It is a clean car with a lot of life left!

MECHANICAL

4.0L V8 1UZ-FE

Five-Speed Automatic Transmission

Factory Intake

Factory Exhaust

Bosch Ignition system

CHASSIS

Power Disc Brakes Front and Rear

Factory Power Steering

New Bridgestone Turanza Radial Tires 225/55R16 Front and Rear

Very Good Condition Factory Five Spoke Wheels

Solid Rust-Free Frame

EXTERIOR

Factory Renaissance Red Finish

Excellent Factory Glass

Gold Emblems

Factory Spoiler

Minor Paint Blemishes and Touch-Ups

INTERIOR

Tan Leather Sport Buckets

Wood Trim In Excellent Condition

Gauges in Clear Working Condition

Factory Steering Wheel

Factory Sound System

Factory Tan Carpet In Good Condition

Factory Seat belts

Lexus Nakamichi Premium Sound System (12-Disc Changer in Trunk)