240SX 5-Speed Vert: A Mistake in The Long Run?

[Clark W. Griswald]

I've been wanting to do a 5 speed conversion on my S13 vert years before I even got one. It's the sports car that isn't quite a sports car...yet. It's a sexy and solid platform to modify to your hearts desire, it's a 240SX convertible and it should have come with a manual transmission.

Let's jump back a while, shall we? I'm on the couch watching SpeedTV and I'm zoned out watching the Barrett-Jackson car auction highlights. Theres cars from all era's of technology and style with a few very common trends in their new market. One of them is how many of these cars used to be an automatic, but were converted to a manual.

So heres my question: If I planned on keeping this car for a few decades(which I do), will a 5-speed conversion kill the value of it if/when the day comes when I decide to sell it?

[Doomie18]

just keep all the parts so if u do try to sell it you can just bolt it back on.

[Clark W. Griswald]

What about the holes for the clutch and master cylinder? I don't think all that work can just be undone. Not only that, but someone looking for a collectors car like this one will be in the future I'm sure they'd be looking for one unmolested.

[Loki]

I'm going to be honest, I highly doubt you will see ANY 240SX, convertible or otherwise, on Barret-Jackson, ever. And even on the remote chance that it's worth even a meager amount as a "collector" car, as long as the swap was done correctly I doubt it would at all impact the value.

[wmdavis007]

Don't get me wrong, I love my vert and never plan on selling it...but...this platform will never be in the league of lets say a Hemi Cuda or a Yanko Chevelle (in price that is). If the Datsun roadsters (1600, 2000) aren't worth over $14,000 now I don't think you need to worry about the end value of your 240sx vert. Unless it's been garaged and never driven but off the show room floor, then it still will never be worth more then the (Datsun) 2000. Your car is already molested, non-factory paint and never came with tan interior...I wouldn't worry with end value...it's only worth what someone is willing to pay...they will never be uber valuable...but they will always be uber fun.

Oh, and it's just one hole for the clutch MC...which could always be tacked, welded and ground back to never look like it was there. But like I said before...just do the swap and don't worry about it.

[GoinTopless240]

[94_240sx]

If you are worried about future value of your car, you bought the wrong car. It's all about fun. I mean driving, modifying, cruising, enjoying the weather and maybe drifting. Just enjoy this car as it is or 5-speed swapped, save money and buy something else as an investment.

[Clark W. Griswald]

Most of this seems like sound advice. I never implied trying to sell the car at a Barrett Jackson auction, I just wanted some sound advice.

[BiXLL]

I just got done with my swap, and I don't feel in any way I have taken value away from my car. On the contrary, it has made the car much more fun to drive, and I feel adds some dependability. IMHO that all adds up to increasing the value.

[guyaverage]

I 100%, positively, without a doubt, hope to die stick a needle in my eye, with no reservation whatsoever, guarantee you that you will not own this car 15 years from now. It wont happen. Been there, thought that. It wont happen.

Swap away.

[DeXteR]

There are two things in life that I will do without giving two craps about what the next owner will think of it - modify my cars, modify my house.

I buy things for myself to enjoy, not the poor soul who has to live with what I did after I'm done with it.

[94_240sx]

I 100%, positively, without a doubt, hope to die stick a needle in my eye, with no reservation whatsoever, guarantee you that you will not own this car 15 years from now. It wont happen. Been there, thought that. It wont happen.

Swap away.

This doesn't apply to me. I'll update this thread in 2014 with a proof of ownership.

[Cesardrgn]

enjoy your car and do the swap!