1998 Lexus SC 300 TURBO

Description

You're looking at a wolf in luxury clothing. This 1998 Lexus SC 300 is actually carrying the famous 2JZ-GTE inline 6 motor. So while the coupe is still displacing 3.0-liters, it now has a MINIMUM of 570 hp running to the rear wheels thanks to the turbocharged powerplant. And yes, it's still just as quiet and comfortable as a proper Lexus should be.

Big coupes come and go, but the history books will probably identify the first-generation Lexus SC as one of the better designs from Japan. Clean, elegant, and with a minimalist approach that lets the sheetmetal do the talking, it was everything the Lexus brand was trying to achieve in its early days. The correct Imperial Jade Mica shows quite well, which leads us to believe it's all original. As you'd expect, build quality is impeccable, but there's much more to this car. The font splitter, clear lenses, HID lights, lowered stance, large exhaust tips, and 20-inch Antera wheels – it all tells you there was an investment into making this a very special coupe.

Before we get to the brawn of this car, let's talk about the beauty. The leather interior is why Lexus is the powerhouse it is today. Expertly stitched from top-quality materials, it still looks contemporary and attractive today. The familiar Lexus electro-luminescent instrument panel snaps to life when you turn the key and the low-slung bodywork makes the luxurious coupe feel sporting without being claustrophobic. Like a good modern luxury car, it comes loaded with a sunroof, power seats, power windows, power locks, cruise control, ABS, dual airbags, power mirrors, and automatic climate control. There's been a serious upgrade with in the sound department to a Kenwood AM/FM/CD/XM/DVD stereo that has a touchscreen interface and three 10-inch subwoofers.

Under the hood is the real treat. The 2JZ-GTE motor earned its reputation for providing bulletproof power in cars like the Toyota Supra. There might be 123,575 miles on the chassis, but there are only about 6,500 on this highly tuned motor. This hardy powerplant has been ported, polished, and fortified. Then a Turbo Precision 72mm turbocharger was added (recently rebuilt). We have the full specs on the upgrades when you to call for all the details, but for now, just know that this produces 570 hp at the rear wheel with ease running off of pump gas. Dial in the turbo more and step up to race fuel, and this can be an 820 hp monster. That what happens when an over engineered block is built with the right components. Plus, you have complete control over this speedy powerplant thanks to the six-speed manual transmission. But more than just an all-out stealthy speed machine, this is a true everyday driver with feature like power steering, fully independent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes.

This is what a Japanese classic is all about. Just like how we covet big block power in some of the most premium American muscle cars, this Lexus takes the best motor from its family for a very professional and outstandingly quick execution. It's a turbo rocketship with premium leather seating. A car like this is a rare treat that you may never see again. Call today!!!