Build or Buy?

[masticatingcow]

This could be a long post, so maybe you should get some snacks.

I'm at a fork in the road. I've got my 91 S13 FB that's been real good to me for the past couple of years. It's got a pretty typical So Cal mod job, struts, springs, I/H/E, you know the score. It also has about 233K miles on it. I'm staring down a long commute, 5 days a week, for the next school year, and I already have a short, but expensive list of things I need to get done on it just to keep it safe and streetable.

The consolation is that my monthly expenses have dropped to almost nothing (swallowed my pride and moved home for a while) and finally, I'll be able to replace old or broken OEM stuff with performance parts. An engine swap, suspension overhaul, etc, it's all MUCH easier to budget for since I'm not paying 600/month just for the privilege of sharing a two bedroom apartment with three (sometimes four) other people.

Here's my dilemma. I'm going to go check out a bone stock 91 Z32 TT in a couple weeks. I figure that if I sell the S13 and finance a small loan, I would be able to buy it without making a huge dent in my savings. It has less than half the miles, and complete service records.

So, I guess I'm just wondering what you would do in my situation. I can keep saving, keep my fingers crossed, and build up the 240sx over the coming months, or I can bail out while prices are still rediculously high on S13s and trade up for a twin turbo Z. What would you do?

[skylinedreams]

as much as i love my s13 id proably go with the z but you gotta remember your proably gonna end up wanting to mod the z. if the z checks out ok and its a good deal you should do it

[xekushnr]

just remember that when it comes time to replace stuff on the z, whether by necessity or choice, its going to cost more and will most likely be harder to install. that being said, go look at the z, and if you absolutely love the car, go for it.

[240DRFT]

if your gonna sell your s13 wait til the third fast and furious movie comes out. the z can be costly...but if u want it get it

[hannibal]

I agree with everybody else. The Z is gonna be hard to walk away from. If its in good shape, it should last you until you get your own place again, and you might be able to buy/build another S13 (and keep the Z, of course). It will cost more to mod/repair/insure, but hell its a Z32TT!! But definitely go test drive it and see what you think...

[Red coupe]

91= old car you going to have to do plenty of sprucing up there tooAlso IMO Debt sucks, alot...you've changed springs and struts, a set of bushings and some good tires and I don't see what more could be needed to keep it safe..as far as keeping it running before that one quits buy a used E motor(cheap) rebuild it throw in a cam (cheap enough for just one) with the i/c/e and cam, along with a motor that's not 212K tired Im sure you'd notice a nice difference.If you want the z because you think it will be easier then the 240(on pocket book, repairs ect...) Id stick with the good ol s13...If you want a TT 3.0L V6 sports car...well the 240 might not be a good a choice...

But I stick with my opinion that expensive cars and debt suck, power ain't everything, and s13's are fun to drive...

[skydragoness]

The VG30dett is a reliable motor if serviced correctly, but the cost of parts are double that of the S13 and much harder to get (don't know how it is out west, but here you have to wait a bit sometimes). I would just get swap in a rebuilt KA, or swap in another motor. The Z32 is also a nightmare to work on too, if your'e up for it. Supercar price=supercar-priced parts. I love Z32's to death but unless it's an n/a one, i don't see them as daily-driver material.

[Velocity562]

It will be hard to hold your balls and keep the Z stock and once you decide to start modifying it, it will be pricey.

But damn a twin turbo V6, if you had the money to put into it, maybe bump it up to 450HP that would be a crazy fun car to mess with.

Its a classier more exotic car that you can drive hard. If you're into the whole drifting thing though I'd say stick with the 240. However if you just want a fun car that you can track and play with then get the Z if you dont mind going into debt.

As stated earlier debt sucks and you also have to think about the cost of insurance.

Also Z's aren't really like 240s in the respect that there aren't hordes of newbies going out and buying all of them up giving people an excuse to charge ridiculous prices for a 15 year old car with over 150k miles on it.

If you get the Z chances are good that you will probably lose a substantial amount on your investment once you decide to sell it.

I guess it all comes down to your disposable income..if its like you say and money really wont be much of a problem for a while then go for the Z..but if this money situation is only going to be temporary then stick with the 240.

[wannawangan]

I'd say get the Z32 TT. Then when you have extra money to spare later down the line, get another 240sx.

[574-240sx]

I say get a reliable car that is easy to maintain til you can afford to keep a play car and a daily. I have driven a modded car for a daily it is nice until something major happens. 300zx isn't a pratical daily. If you can only keep one car right now, I would stick with the 240 until it takes a crap. When it does make it a project car and get a reliable daily.