240SX trend theories

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I visit FA, Zilvia, and NICO (esp NICO), and seems like the 240SX/SR20DET bandwagon is going into full swing. Dang, 240SX aquisition up the wazoo!

Why 240SX and (more astounding) why now? I got a couple theories:

1. "Unique" Honda trend aka ricer trend is dying. Honda owners who modify their cars are often labeled ricers and not respected. This is sad since there are quite a few Hondas that are fast. Also, Hondas are a penny a dozen; you see them EVERYWHERE. Mass ricing of Hondas have created a radical stereotype that Hondas are stupid. Former "ricers" are often not rich enough to buy BMWs so they look to used import cars. Toyota's most affordable RWD cars are old Supras (which have HIGH mileage) and MR2s (which have unconventionally inconvenient midship engines). Nissan 300ZX (rather pricey and heavy) was an option, but 240SX was ideal mostly because it was cheaper than many Hondas (see #4).

2a. Japanese motorsports/Drift scene. Japanese performance has really caught the eye of American car culture lately, although it's been around for decades. Most of the cars in Japanese motorsports are RWD too, Nissan being the most well known. Unfortunately, Honda's RWD cars are very expensive and the rest are FWD. Drifting seems to be synonymous with performance, and the go is more smiled upon than show (i personally think this is true but stupid). It was only a matter of time before magazines and videos of drifting made its way across the ocean into the American car culture. 240SX, America's rough equivalent to 180SX, is capable of drifting because it is RWD. By owning a Nissan, many people might subconsiously feel a part of the whole Japanese motorsports scene that is dominated by Nissan/Nismo.

2b. Initial D. This coincides with the drift scene on a media level (anime/tv/film). A very entertaining FICTIONAL story; it is advantageously and disadvantageously inspirational too. It inspires people to get interested in cars as well as people to try dangerous stunts that require experience and skill. As a result, there are many import car enthusiasts as well as car crashes on twisty roads. Note to newbies who have seen Initial D: YOU ARE NOT TAKUMI FUJIWARA.

3. The Fast and the Furious (as sad as it may seem). This film has definitely boosted import car awareness and potential. Although 240SX was not as well represented in the movie as other cars such as Eclipse, the need for speed increased (see #5). 240SX's, like many import cars, have high tuning potential.

4. 240SX qualities. I'll reiterate the non-trend qualities of 240SX: cheap, lightweight, cheaply in production til 1998, mass availability in replacement parts and maintenance, RWD, cheap. By now, 240SX has depreciated into a very very affordable car, especially to teenagers and young people. In this theory, it was only a matter of time.

5. Need for speed. SR20DET (which was also mentioned in the movie's dialogue) is a very available and affordable option in the US. Which USDM car is most compatable with this engine? 240SX.

6. Bandwagon (you gotta admit it exists and you might fall into this category).

Well i think i got most of the bases covered. A good majority of people who chose the 240SX in the past year or so should fall into one or more of these catagories. Am I missing something?

On a side note, congrats to you new 240SX owners! Enjoy the ride.

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Or...

7. 240SX-files. Goverment conspiracy.

Post by **Anand** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I went to the drift showoff here inc ali and that was covered in every car mag out there.... I thought it was only covered in rice mag's but I get Automobile mag and to my surprise, they had a 4 page article on it.....

Drifting is becoming very mainstreem and our beloved 240's are linked ot it...

everytime I go out .. someone comes up to me and asks me if I drift...

or When someone asks me what car I have.. the first thing that comesout of their mouth when I say 240 is "wow... do you drift???"

it's crazy....sad at times... because there is much more to drifting than owning a 240....

Website · Post by **Bronze MFP** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

My prelude was totaled, so out of nessecity I was looking for another car, preferably rear wheel drive with tons of mods available and cheaper than a honda (they hold their value way too long). 240sx was the perfect choice

Post by **silviaNE** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

well said, I feel also the recent mag coverage has shot up prices on aftermarket stuff alot. If nissans turn into hondas, i will have a lot of crying to do. I got my s14 in 99 and have enjoyed the sleeper status for many years. If it gets riced out, i dont know where i will turn to next.

Post by **Eklectrick** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Oh no! people are moving into the elite Nissan territory. Dear God. Yesterday I saw someone driving a nissan along side a honda and I almost threw up and shat myself at the same time. These Drifter's are scary too. Drifting this way and that. Why can't they keep their tires stuck to the ground. Just cuz they do it in Japan doesn't make it cool. gosh. And why do people think they can just buy a 240sx and put a sr20 into it and think they'll have a bada$$ car. Don't they know it's not just about raw power, but a finely tuned suspension? Man, kids these days.Idiots.:rolleyez

Post by **89240sx** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

i was at the dealership and i wanted a jeep ... i LOVED that jeep ... 4X4 .. hard and soft top EVERYTHING! it was awesome.... but my wife doesnt like jeeps so i walked around for a while and said hmmm that 240sx... can i take it for a test drive? and he said sure... and i was surprised at the power it had for a 4 banger and it had a nice sporty look... so i bought it... wasnt because of any of those reasons... i really didnt know anything about the car! I would prefered a 300zx or a 280z....

Mark

Post by **Nameless EJ6** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I have a 99 civic with an ITR swap which is currently for sale.. guess what my next project will be.

..and guess what my engine will be.

:wink again:

Post by **silviaNE** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

ugh!!!!!!!!

Post by **Nameless EJ6** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Cry me a ****ing river.

Post by **96_S14_SE** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

EJ6 and do you feel special? Then whats the need for winks and cry me a river ****.

What exactly is an ITR swap, an itchy testicular rash? You swapped an entire it-r into a civic?

If you get a s-chassis and happen to drop an sr20 into it, please dont say I have a 240sx with a silvia swap as it sounds stupid.

Edit, oh and I really dont give a flying **** what people do to their s-chassis or why they bought one anymore. Just because one owns a certain type of car with a 70 or so % female domographics for it when it was in production, and that has been becomming popular to own, even though it will never get "H" big as the numbers just arent there and because its been out of production since 98' here, doesnt make them special...

The car doesnt even have a decent heritage like a true collectors car. I mean if the rage was to buy various types of Z cars or corvettes and paste **** all over it, then I could see a reason, but not for the bastardized s-chassis.

I mean hell, its not like they are modifing your car to below your levels people. As I said I really dont give a **** as as long as I keep mine out of the trees Ill always have one, and as long as the psudo drifters keep putting them into trees Ill have parts... I hate the average 240 non entusiast commuter ****, more then I do some rice boy that at least appreciates it more then a point a to b tool does.

BTW - I have been into them since 97' and I feel nothing towards what others do anymore besides humor...

Post by **silviaNE** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

werd.. cry your own self a river for wanting a 240 after having the civic

Post by **89240sx** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

my opinion is.... If you pay for the chunk of **** on wheels no matter what it is... than do whatever you want to it.

Post by **cnichols** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I know exactly what you mean WingsNThangs....you couldn't be more right.

I'm just glad I don't fit into any of those categories....I looked at my first 240 and fell in love with the stlying. After I test drove it, I refused to consider anything else.

That was in Dec. of 96. After I totaled that one, I picked up a 95, and about a year ago, found my project car that you can see in my sig. (my blue 96). If anyone ever attempts to say I jumped on the 240 bandwagon, I might have to kick them squaw in the nuts.

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Black240 wrote:or When someone asks me what car I have.. the first thing that comesout of their mouth when I say 240 is "wow... do you drift???"

I hear ya. 240SX's are definitely getting labels and stereotypes nowadays. Just last weekend I was talking to a guy i havent seen in a while..

Me: You still driving your Prelude?Him: Yeah. I hear you drive a 180.Me: Uh..240.Him: Oh, yeah. Drifting?Me: Heh, nah I don't drift...

Post by **Eklectrick** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

silviaNE wrote:werd.. cry your own self a river for wanting a 240 after having the civic

That is a stupid thing to say. why would he cry for wanting the 240 after a civic. you guys should be proud that he's "making a step up". If you are that scared why not make up a list of criteria that must be met before you are approved to buy the great and magnificent 240sx. Because god forbid it fall into the hands of the enemy. it is just as stupid to criticise someone for wanting a 240 just to put a sr20 into it as it is to brag about how long you have known about it's existence, or claiming how cool you are because you are NOT into drifting.

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

96_S14_SE wrote:The car doesnt even have a decent heritage like a true collectors car. I mean if the rage was to buy various types of Z cars or corvettes and paste **** all over it, then I could see a reason, but not for the bastardized s-chassis.

Have you ever looked at the history of the Silvia? Its been around since the 60's. Our cars are built off the same chassis as the silvia so their heritage is our heritage. They are sweet little cars. I suggest you look up the history of the Silvia if you have not. :batman

Post by **Eklectrick** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

krazy skwerel wrote:Have you ever looked at the history of the Silvia? Its been around since the 60's. Our cars are built off the same chassis as the silvia so their heritage is our heritage. They are sweet little cars. I suggest you look up the history of the Silvia if you have not. :batman

yeah, but if you count the silvia then apparantly you aren't a true 240sx enthusiast and you are too interested in JDM and therefore you are a ricer and must be banished from the land of Nissan America.

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Yeah what was I thinking counting the silvia as the same as a 240sx. Damn I'm such a stupid ****ing ricer.:rolleyes I hope the scary Nissan U.S.A. police don't come and haul me off.

Post by **96_S14_SE** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Yes I know of the heritage of the silvia or s-chassis and the bastardized transitions it has gone through.. You know them s10 s110 and s11's where beauties eh? My my why didnt they keep that design...? Nothing like the lineage of a Z', nor the status, or following. The 240 260 and 280 Z's are classics where as I doubt the 240sx will be.

You know the civic goes way back too, dont you? Doest that make it a classic? Also they dropped the S-chassis, but the Z is still going. That should say something in itself.

Edit: dont really mind my harshness as my hostility is growing by the day it seems. Nothing personal.

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Geez this thread became an anti-new240SXowner thread quick. As many of you have realized, 240SX has become strikingly popular in the past several months. So I was just analyzing how this trend may have come about. Doesnt it astound anyone else just a bit that a 10 year old car has recently come into high demand from the import world?

And if anyone directed comments at me, here's my response about the drifting thing. No, I am not trying to be cool by claiming I don't drift. I really just don't drift, yet I respect the people that have a passion for it. It really isnt my thing because I'm not about to shell out a wad of cash to use the track. I'm just pointing out how easily someone uninformed might stereotype the car today.

This thread aint about "veterans vs newbies" nor is it saying that all people purchasing this car is a bandwagon-jumper. I just cranked out a few reasonable theories as to why a 10year old car may be getting the abundance of attention it's getting today.

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I will not disagree that the z cars have an good heritage. I was simply stating that the Silvia has a good history as well. A lot of people dont like the s12 or the s11 but it was the 80's they did goofy stuff. I personally love the s12 they rock. and i believe it was the s11 that had nissans version of the rotory for a while. The civic is an amuzing car yes i know it has a pretty long heritage. The problem with that is it was meant as an economy car. Until recent years Late 80's it was still an economy car, and for the most part it still is an economy car. I in no way claim to be an expert on the honda civic. so if i have misrepresented them I apologize. :batman

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

And for the record, I myself am a fairly new owner of a 240SX, purchased April 2002.

I got a car cuz I thought it might be cool to obtain my own car after my mom sold the Camry i used (my friend and his dreams of a Porsche 944 inspired me somewhat). I saw F&F, but was rather ambivalent to ricers. My school's only import car culture was a CRX, Civic Si, and a ITR (didnt know what that was). Yes, Initial D influenced me to get an import sports car, but I had no idea it had a 180SX (i was car stupid, all i knew was that Trueno was cool, go Takumi! Didnt even know Corolla was the USDM equivalent haha). I just wanted a sports car, preferably with flip lights cuz those were neeto. After looking through Ebaymotors, I decided on a 240SX because it was cheap and looked good.

Cliffsnotes: How I got into it...Initial D, cheap, flip lights, looked good.

Post by **krazy skwerel** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I got into it back when i was a sophmore in highschool I saw oine at a lot and was like "thats a really neat car" yeah i say neat. then 2 years later i got my first 240sx(summer 2001) it was a sweet little hatch loved it then i traded it for my white coupe. Still loving the 240sx's. I really enjoy driving it.

Post by **GELLIS2586** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I have had two 240s a 96 and a 97 im interested in the JDM silvias because they have such better power and engines than our ka24de. That doesn't make me a ricer i have 0 count them 0 stickers on my car. Everything i have done to my car is performance related minus stereo (no big subs or amps just speakers). Ricers are the kids that getclear tails and body kits for no reason then claim there car is fast.

And yes the sr is becoming a bandwagon thing but its still a good engine that is why it is so popular. I would rather have a ka-t but the sr is already built for a turbo and therefore accepts boost and high hp alot easier(im not getting one though). I still hate all the other import enthusiasts asking if i have an sr20 because in reality most 240 owners dont. You dont see me asking do you hace a b18 or an k20 in your civic. But im not gonna cuss em out or scowl at them ill just politely say no i dont have an sr.

And in conclusion if i were going to do a swap itd be for an rb25 or id swap the car for a cobra (dream car becoming reality in a year)

So if you wanna hate me cause i drive with my friends that drive hondas (s2000 and prelude) then go ahead. and if you wanna hate me for going to american muscle then go ahead i dont know you except for on nico so your oppinion doesnt matter to me.

Post by **Eklectrick** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

WingsNThangs wrote:And for the record, I myself am a fairly new owner of a 240SX, purchased April 2002.

Cliffsnotes: How I got into it...Initial D, cheap, flip lights, looked good.

Ok, I misunderstood where you were coming from. I thought you were hating on people for not having a good enough reason for getting a 240sx. I just think it doesn't matter how we all came to our decisions, just that we made a good one in getting the 240 cuz no matter what you end up doing to it, it is an underrated, but awesome car.

Post by **WingsNThangs** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

No prob, Electrick. We all accidentally come to conclusions too quickly at one time or another.

Despite trends and mainstream, my 240 will always be special to me. Yeah, 240's in general will always be awesome cars. Just like BMW. Doesnt matter if every rich snobby chick and her rich snobby mom has a E46 330, I'll take one any day. The car's qualities outweigh its popularity.

Post by **Meantime** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I've been into them since '94, when I owned my first one. Besides all the qualities mentioned above, there's just something immensely nostalgic about the 240...it reminds me of my youth...and all those good memories...

*sniff*

BOO-HOO-HOO-HOO!

okay, I feel better now. sorry guys. It just makes me so emotional!

Post by **Bubba1** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

Wings: good job on your analysis. I think if Nissan had put something peppier than a pickup truck motor in the US version back in 1989, the 240sx could have sparked the same interest as the WRX did years later for Subaru. My 240sx has been one of my favorite cars to own, despite it being a rolling chicane. A very satisfying car.

Post by **spec-v5150** » Fri Jun 06, 2003 12:59 pm

I got mine because I love Nissans. That is all I will pay good money for. Sure I would buy a cheap *** CRX if it was a couple hundred and build it. But GOOD money-Nissan only. I used to own an Altima that was good to me. My wife has an Altima that is good to us. My uncle brought me up on Z's. That is all he had. So everytime I visited him, we drove a Z. That was my first choice, but fining a "relatively" cheap Z that isnt ****ed up is kinda like an oxymoron. Plus I didnt want N/A. I was going to get a b14 Se-R but one in my price range was autotragic. I came across a good deal for a 240 and did some research. It was good enough for me. I can say I never had sr20 on the brain. I knew fmax made turbo kits for the KA from my Altima days, so I was going that route. One head gasket later...I think the RB20 is a better fit for me. I think the whole 240 trend can have positive effects. Honestly it doesnt bother me. I actually like people calling imports rice burners and calling my 240 a piece of crap (from a ford owner nonetheless). When I get finished, it will make spanking them at the track all the more worthwhile.

240SX trend theories

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