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Canadian buys Lexus for $1K that had been stolen and abandoned then it starts doing something strange

Published on Oct 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson

Last updated on Oct 15, 2025 at 1:42 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Ben Thompson

A Lexus SC400 with a legendary V8, a shady past, and a $1,000 price tag – what could go wrong?

This SC400 had been stolen, crashed, and left to rot in a ditch. The seller flagging it was trashed inside and barely holding together.

But the YouTuber behind Artur Stone Garage bought it sight unseen anyway, hoping to test whether Japanese cars really are as reliable as people claim.

And when he turned the key, this Lexus did something no one saw coming.

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The $1,000 Lexus SC400 that woke up and then went rogue

When Artur first brought this Lexus SC400 home, things looked surprisingly good. 

The Toyota 1UZ-FE V8 turned over instantly, idled smoothly, and sounded every bit the legend it’s known to be. 

The gauges came alive. 

No rattles, no smoke – just that silky Lexus hum.

A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage
A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage

But inside was another story. 

Years of neglect had turned the carpet into a swamp and the trunk into a mold factory. 

He ripped it all out, blasted the shell with a pressure washer, and cooked it dry with a heat gun until it looked halfway decent again.

He changed the oil, checked the radiator, and crawled underneath to inspect the crash damage – nothing too scary. 

A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage
A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage

Then came the first test drive. 

That’s when the weirdness started. 

Every time he hit the brakes the transmission began shifting gears by itself, clunking through the pattern like it was possessed.

Back in the garage, he found transmission fluid levels nearly double what they should be and oil leaking everywhere. 

After a full service, including filters, fluids, and fuel, the Lexus started perfectly again… for about 30 minutes. 

A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage
A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage

Then it died completely, refusing to start at all.

Turns out bringing it back to life was the easy part, and keeping it that way would be the struggle.

What’s next: chasing the drift-ready dream

Arthur’s not done yet. 

The Lexus may have stalled, but the project hasn’t. 

He’s already digging into sensors, wiring, and the ECU to find out what killed the car after its first drive.

And whether it can be brought back one more time.

A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage
A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage

The goal isn’t just to make it run – he wants to turn the SC400 into a budget drift machine. 

Think stripped interior, reinforced suspension, and that 1UZ V8 finally howling the way it should.

A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage
A Canadian YouTuber buys a stolen, abandoned Lexus SC400 with a 1UZ-FE V8 engine for $1,000 - it starts perfectly, then begins shifting gears by itself
Artur Stone Garage

It’s the same spirit that made this creator’s $500 turbo Civic comeback go viral – the belief that any forgotten car can find a second life if you’re stubborn enough.

Now, the question is whether the Lexus will be his next resurrection… or the one that finally beats him.

To follow along on this Lexus SC400’s rehabilitation journey, subscribe to Artur Stone Garage on YouTube.

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Molly Davidson is a Junior Content Writer at Supercar Blondie. Based in Melbourne, she holds a double Bachelor’s degree in Arts/Law from Swinburne University and a Master’s of Writing and Publishing from RMIT. Molly has contributed to a range of magazines and journals, developing a strong interest in lifestyle and car news content. When she’s not writing, she’s spending quality time with her rescue English staffy, Boof.