Faults:

When I got the car and did some research on it, I discovered that the steering pump seal was not replaced, as it was a common fault in this car.

The A/C would not blow warm air - research pointed to mix servo motor requiring replacement.

Faulty Dash lights.

Faulty O2 sensors caused Aircare failure - check engine light and traction off lights on.

General Comments:

Probably one of the best cars I've owned so far.

Luxurious.

Sporty.

Great Stereo.

Smooth solid driving.

Extremely Reliable I've seen this cars on Ebay with like 500,000km's with still the same un-rebuilt engines and transmissions.

Plenty of power especially at top end highway cruising...

Got the car up to 260 kmph (approx. 160 mph) on a cool summer night on the trans-canada highway (with the sunroof down no less) while a riced out 2005 Audi A8 desperately tried to keep up, but couldn't compete with the Lexus - a car 12 years older with 93 less hp.

I've since had a 2003 Porsche Boxster and it had nowhere near the top end cruise capability that the Lexus had.

Alas, on the Coquihalla Highway on a 60 degree incline slope at 235 kmph, a riced out dodge colt was *just* able to squeeze past me (I saw the colt had a gauge pillar alluding to possibly having nitrous or a turbo) - keep in mind at this time the Lexus wasn't running properly due to faulty O2's and 89 octane.

Faults:

Replaced shocks all around.

Replaced the LCD panel on the climate control. These are notorious for suddenly "flooding" and good used climate control units are hard to come by and expensive. I found an after market replacement from Sacramento, CA for about $100 that took about 2 hours to install - works great. Look on e-Bay under Lexus climate control LCD. The kit comes with new light bulbs for the unit so it's like a climate control refurbishing.

Replaced radio antenna mast - broken.

Repaired A/C liquid line perforated by corrosion from road salt in Ontario. Lexus wanted over $1,000 to replace the line. I patched it for $50 - including buying a tube flaring tool. Works fine - no leaks - easy repair.

Replaced both headlights with new because of discoloration and fogging. Tried reconditioning/cleaning, but mine had inside moisture damage - new replacements are about $300 each on the Internet and well worth it - the car looks soooo good with clean headlamps.

That's it. Everything else works - over 200,000 miles and it still runs like a new one.

General Comments:

I've owned 60 or so cars over the past 43 years and this one is my favorite. It had 270,000 kilometers on it when I bought it 2 years ago and I still get a thrill out of it when I walk up to it. It has an incredible subtlety to its design that just makes you sigh.

Driving it is just plain pleasurable. It's quick, but not scary quick. It handles very well on the highway and you could drive it all day at 100 mph if you could find a place to do it without attracting a ticket or two. The seats are comfortable and there is a minimum of squirming even on very long days behind the wheel. I drove mine 3,000 miles in 4 days without incident - and what a great car for passing 18 wheelers with - zoom - your past. The cockpit design is cozy, a real driver's car.

The SC400 is an anomaly among cars. It gets sexier each year that goes by. It still turns heads every day, including my own.