Vehicle Description
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)
