Xrtt8, screw luxury.... I can't think about that when trying to go fast... It's hard for those two to get along together..
Justen - Well said, no need to start a forum flame... If anyone should know this it would be me...
Lextremers - To be honest, when you've been with Toyota/Lexus cars for the last ten years like I have - Landcruisers and SC400's mainly it's painfully hard to switch to GM... You can really tell the differences between quality or ride, reliability, craftsmanship, etc.. I am not totally blinded to this fact...There is defenitely a give and a take when switching from Toyota to Chevy/Ford....
However, the Z06 is built and designed more for performance, and can handle more power in stock form, can all around pretty much out perform all the Lexus's and Toyota's in all aspects... All for under 50 grand which most of that will be recovered at time of re-sale a few years later....
To be honest if I were into luxury and reliability I would not even consider a GM vehicle, period...Well Caddy's and Lincolns are pretty cosy...However, if your main interest is not losing too much money, not losing races, driving a real performance vehicle around town, and cruise a car with sporty looks and great handling the Z06 may be the best way to achieve those goals for year or two.... That's basically my thinking at this point..
Now I am not saying you can't get an SC400/Soarer to motor hard, but so much money and effort has to go into that car to get it too rip... Same with mostly all the imports that are discussed on this forum.. Supra's and Celica's too..
Steve - I can tell you are just itching to make your Sc400 go faster and faster, I fully understand bro.. However, realistically look at what you have to do to achieve that speed... Auto tranny build when sporting over 400whp + and even that will not give you great transmission performance in the end.. The alternative is a manual or GM tranny swap (not cheap either)... Engine internal build up too will be needed, forged pistons, rods, larger injectors, etc...or maybe even a larger liter motor swap.. Building the UZ motors are not cheap either which you all know.. Lastly you still will have to deal with weight and traction issues in the SC400... You've also got to deal with illegal smog checks.. Little stock parts may start to fail also as the SC400 was simply not built and designed to handle over 400whp... I've been down this road with my SC400, i've watched my rear wheel fly off and what was left was just broken studs bolts and a scratched up rim and damaged rotor, I've seen the stock driveshaft tweek and get out of balance, blown two trannies, etc.. etc.. Don't think that stuff will happen with a Z06, well let's just say it hopefully will not.....
In the end unfortunately you will never be able to recover all the money that would be spent to drive a truely FAST and unique SC400.....While the challenge is fun, the hobby of building a sleeper is a gas, pride of ownership, competing with all the other Lextremers whom share the same interests...In the end it is simply not a great financial move no matter how you look at it.... The worst thing about it is our SC400's will never be considered a classic in years to come... Yikes!!! Supra's maybe but not our SC's...
Don't let me discourge you guys with your interests and goals as these SC400's really are fantastic cars.. Just being honest with my experiences....
