I need some advice. What should I look for when buying a car? People tell me that the 240sx is the best for its price, and I'm looking for a car that's worth 5k or below. I also want to know why yal chose the 240sx over the GS-R, let's say for year 1995.
what about a 1995 prelude?
240sx vs integra/prelude
.....of course this would be a common respond since you're in a 240sx forum-
whiterps13
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Try this one. Right now i have a s13 and a 90 teg in my driveway. The teg is alot faster with only a few upgrades like chip, header, intake and suspension. Now the 240 is more then less stock. It depends on if you like to slide around corners or stick to them. the 240 likes to drift and the teg will just hold it. It all depends on your style of driving. I like both.
Having owned a 98 GS-R (bought new) and a '93 240 (bought 6 yrs old b/c insurance would be $8k for GS-R after an accident and some moving violations) here are my comments:
Revving to 8000 rpms feeling TWO torque peaks is just plain awesome. I felt like I was driving a formula1 car sometimes.
The shock on peoples faces is classic when they ask "what's this got, a V6?" and I respond no, a 1.8L 4 banger pushing 170hp stock. WHAT!??!? It's becoming more common now, but then very few affordable cars had that kind of power/weight ratio from a small N/A engine.
GS-R handling is just great. Body rolls a little and the stock tires suck, but otherwise you point, it goes. Double wishbones all around. 240 handling is excellent also, which one is better for you in this regard would depend on your taste. Drifting in the snow is just too much fun in the 240. Integra isn't as much fun in this regard (FWD), but it handles granny driving in the snow better.
Downside of GS-R is, like the S2000, you have to drive it like you stole it to get serious acceleration. Low rpms, while VERY smooth, are just a dog. 240 is better down low (but not below 1500rpms) but gasps up high (at least without mods). Speaking of low rpms, do all 240's "rumble" under any acceleration below 1500 rpms?
Shifting the 240 is smoother around town, but when driving hard I could really rip through the gears in the GS-R. But then again, the 240 also feels very good under hard driving, the shifter is a bit sloppier though.
Also, you feel more sporty in a 240 (hehe, I rhyme). I felt higher (like a bus, not like on pot) in the integra although I didn't realize it until after I got the 240 and drove someone elses integra.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Rich D.93 240SX Base
Revving to 8000 rpms feeling TWO torque peaks is just plain awesome. I felt like I was driving a formula1 car sometimes.
The shock on peoples faces is classic when they ask "what's this got, a V6?" and I respond no, a 1.8L 4 banger pushing 170hp stock. WHAT!??!? It's becoming more common now, but then very few affordable cars had that kind of power/weight ratio from a small N/A engine.
GS-R handling is just great. Body rolls a little and the stock tires suck, but otherwise you point, it goes. Double wishbones all around. 240 handling is excellent also, which one is better for you in this regard would depend on your taste. Drifting in the snow is just too much fun in the 240. Integra isn't as much fun in this regard (FWD), but it handles granny driving in the snow better.
Downside of GS-R is, like the S2000, you have to drive it like you stole it to get serious acceleration. Low rpms, while VERY smooth, are just a dog. 240 is better down low (but not below 1500rpms) but gasps up high (at least without mods). Speaking of low rpms, do all 240's "rumble" under any acceleration below 1500 rpms?
Shifting the 240 is smoother around town, but when driving hard I could really rip through the gears in the GS-R. But then again, the 240 also feels very good under hard driving, the shifter is a bit sloppier though.
Also, you feel more sporty in a 240 (hehe, I rhyme). I felt higher (like a bus, not like on pot) in the integra although I didn't realize it until after I got the 240 and drove someone elses integra.
Hope this helps, good luck!
Rich D.93 240SX Base
Dont stereotype everybody so much. I do agree that a lot of people have been hopping on the 240 bandwagon. But at one point you hopped on too, it just wanst as big.
My first car was a 240sx, sadly it was auto, but still. The motor blew, and I ended up with a 93 civic ex coupe because I have a delivery job, and I got a great deal on a car that I enjoy driving. BUT I will always love rwd, and thats why I bought myself a 240 project car. If you have the ability to own two cars, then I suggest doing that. Hondas are by NO means bad cars, the yare just fwd, and a lot of people own them that rice the **** outta them.
Also, how I feel the GSR is on the verge of its potential, just like an STi, whats the point? its already running low 12's off the show room floor. However the 240 has much more potential to be realized.
The tie breaker really should just be, do you like fwd or rwd?
My first car was a 240sx, sadly it was auto, but still. The motor blew, and I ended up with a 93 civic ex coupe because I have a delivery job, and I got a great deal on a car that I enjoy driving. BUT I will always love rwd, and thats why I bought myself a 240 project car. If you have the ability to own two cars, then I suggest doing that. Hondas are by NO means bad cars, the yare just fwd, and a lot of people own them that rice the **** outta them.
Also, how I feel the GSR is on the verge of its potential, just like an STi, whats the point? its already running low 12's off the show room floor. However the 240 has much more potential to be realized.
The tie breaker really should just be, do you like fwd or rwd?
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thes14project
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The gs-r integra is a great car. Although I love my 240sx. The integra motor has more potential than a KA in my opinion. I mean stock vs stock the gs-r is better. Of course for build ups, the sky is the limit for both. I'm just like most people on here in the fact that I hate riced cars. Unfortunatly when most people think of rice they equate that with hondas. ****ing fast anf the furious bull****. However, I've seen neon green 240's and extremely clean civics. In the end it's all your choice and it's all up to what your going for. However, in general trends it seems that my fellow 240 bretheren go for performance while most honda enthusiast go for looks. Show or go. Like I said, as long as it's fast I don't car what it looks like.
Another well made point is your driving style. FWD and RWD behave totally different. Of course it is easier to slide a RWD in my opinion, it is easier to do all crazy driving (180's reverse 180's 90 turns) in a RWD vehical.
You can ask the same question in the honda forum, and I'm sure they'll thell you the 240 suchs and the integral is "so much better" Like I said in the end, it's what you do with the car that makes "rice, cool, fast, flashy" etc etc etc. Your never going to please everyone, because car taste is just a different and varied as asking the question what's your favorite color, or TV show or whatever.
So I think to better answer your question, I ask, what are you looking for in your finished product?
just my 2 cents Scott
Another well made point is your driving style. FWD and RWD behave totally different. Of course it is easier to slide a RWD in my opinion, it is easier to do all crazy driving (180's reverse 180's 90 turns) in a RWD vehical.
You can ask the same question in the honda forum, and I'm sure they'll thell you the 240 suchs and the integral is "so much better" Like I said in the end, it's what you do with the car that makes "rice, cool, fast, flashy" etc etc etc. Your never going to please everyone, because car taste is just a different and varied as asking the question what's your favorite color, or TV show or whatever.
So I think to better answer your question, I ask, what are you looking for in your finished product?
just my 2 cents Scott
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BoostFab
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i guess you're one of them, then? let's not stereotype and be more open-minded, as bcuz mentioned.zombieman wrote:seems to me, people who are backing up honda seems to own a honda and seems like they just jump onto the nissan bandwagon because of the popularity.........hahahahaha
what richd said is very constructive, since he has experience with both.
i currently own both, gsr and a s13 240, and still do. i just love the 8k rev on the gsr motor. both can be powerful and fast with bolt-on's . there's a guy in my area with a street driven 10sec gsr-motor-powered...(this tell you that the motor isn't a joke).
well...all i can say is buy the car that will make you happy, not based on others oppinions and "what's popular".
my $0.02
Re: 240sx vs integra/prelude
cys19 wrote:240sx over the GS-R, let's say for year 1995.
I was looking at getting a Type-R Integra for a while before I bought my S13. The two selling points on the S13 were the SR20DET swap, and the fact it is rear wheel drive. That, and it wasn't an Integra. 240's may be getting played out, but there will never be as many 240's are there are Integra's.
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XCrunner19420
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HolyShiznit
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Get an S13 or an S14 with lower mileage and you will be set. GS-R's are cool I guess, but it is seriously like being in the special olympics. It's FWD. It might get more from intake/header/exhaust but...you will still have traction problems. And the KA has plenty of potential. My car is an S-13 with a Turbo KA pushing 8.7psi I would love to see a GS-R that for the same price can handle as well and go as fast. Just my opinion though.
Jon
Jon
Im feelin its kinda what you wanna do with the car.. Straight line my LS/VTEC hatch KILLS both my 240's.. But I made one of my 240's into a track car(not a drag car a track car) and theres a reason for me picking the 240 rather then the civic 
240's just love to turn and are alot more fun for just driving around the city(rwd hehe) But I just think you should research both cars(alot) cuz it seems like you have alot to learn. And find a freind with a 240 and a freind with a GSR and take a ride in both(perhaps test drive them)
240's just love to turn and are alot more fun for just driving around the city(rwd hehe) But I just think you should research both cars(alot) cuz it seems like you have alot to learn. And find a freind with a 240 and a freind with a GSR and take a ride in both(perhaps test drive them)-
240Knightrider
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masticatingcow
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Good luck finding a 95 Teg for less than a 95 240sx. Honda/Acura prices have been inflated for years now... which is part of the reason I went with Nissan. (That and the S13 240sx is just the SEXIEST car ever built.) At the same time, 240sx prices have been ballooning lately, in part or in whole due to the drifting craze the US is experiencing.
Anyway, there's the question of a drivetrain's inherent abilities and limitations. With gobs of extra money, let's say $10K, you can turn a 240 into a blazing drag car, no questions asked. However, with that same amount of money, you couldn't make the Teg a drift car. Inherent limitations. No matter how much money you throw at a FF, it will still be a FF, and changing the car's drivetrain is like a sex change... people won't know how to react, the car will have unplanned internal issues that come up after the fact, and... well... yeah. You get the point.
The fact is, FF is the most limiting drivetrain there is. Sports cars, REAL factory sports cars, avoid that drivetrain ENTIRELY! Think about it...
FR-Layout Sports Cars - Viper, Vette, Cobra, 300ZX, Supra, Skyline, RX-7 (FC and FD), Vantage, Vanquish, Camaro, etc...
MR-Layout Sports Cars - NSX, Most Italians (Ferarri, Lambo, etc.), Elise, MR-2 Turbo, all Indy cars, etc...
AWD-Layout Sports Cars - 3000GT, Skyline GT-R, WRX, LanEvo, most rally cars, etc...
FF-Layout Sports Cars - ...
But I suppose that if you want a nice car that'll get you around town in one piece and not much else, it all comes down to what colors they come in.
Figure out what you want from the car you buy and go from there. To continue the metaphor used above, if you want to get with a girl, don't go hook up with a guy and spend s#itloads of cash making him a girl. Just get a girl. LOL, anyway, both are great cars. Either way, I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.
Anyway, there's the question of a drivetrain's inherent abilities and limitations. With gobs of extra money, let's say $10K, you can turn a 240 into a blazing drag car, no questions asked. However, with that same amount of money, you couldn't make the Teg a drift car. Inherent limitations. No matter how much money you throw at a FF, it will still be a FF, and changing the car's drivetrain is like a sex change... people won't know how to react, the car will have unplanned internal issues that come up after the fact, and... well... yeah. You get the point.
The fact is, FF is the most limiting drivetrain there is. Sports cars, REAL factory sports cars, avoid that drivetrain ENTIRELY! Think about it...
FR-Layout Sports Cars - Viper, Vette, Cobra, 300ZX, Supra, Skyline, RX-7 (FC and FD), Vantage, Vanquish, Camaro, etc...
MR-Layout Sports Cars - NSX, Most Italians (Ferarri, Lambo, etc.), Elise, MR-2 Turbo, all Indy cars, etc...
AWD-Layout Sports Cars - 3000GT, Skyline GT-R, WRX, LanEvo, most rally cars, etc...
FF-Layout Sports Cars - ...
But I suppose that if you want a nice car that'll get you around town in one piece and not much else, it all comes down to what colors they come in.
Figure out what you want from the car you buy and go from there. To continue the metaphor used above, if you want to get with a girl, don't go hook up with a guy and spend s#itloads of cash making him a girl. Just get a girl. LOL, anyway, both are great cars. Either way, I'm sure you'll be happy with your choice.
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masticatingcow
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I 2 have both a S14 and 95 prelude se both manual. Similar in many ways, but once you drive them, very different cars. performance wise, Honda steering has always seemed more precise and acurate versus the 240 steering has more play during quick transactions. the 240sx can point and steer as well as my lude. Prelude feels more lively due to the free revving engine and throttle response compared to the heavy feel of the 240. again, like the gsr the prelude and many hondas just feel "hyper". i bought the 240 (orginally wanted an integra hatch) as my college car and kept the lude at home. besides performance, the creature comforts are a big issue. prelude feels more cramped, BUT, it is designed to be far more "sporty" than the 240sx. seats sit low, and the bolstering is incredible, almost too much for a long drive over an hour because the leather seats are sooo sporty that it discomforts my back. the 240sx seats are more laid back, yet decently sporty, so it much better for long drives. The 240sx was introduced to usa as a luxery sport coupe while the prelude was considered "hondas sports car"(not counting the acura line up). for a daily driver the 240 is comfy and decently sporty. the prelude presents far more of a performance orinted aspect then the S14.sum it up(mosty stock for stock)240sx=tame comfy easy daily driver.prelude=lively and very sport oriented, but gives up some ease of use.
bobert486 wrote:240sx=tame comfy easy daily driver.prelude=lively and very sport oriented, but gives up some ease of use.
That should be "S14" instead of "240SX". I've owned both an S13 and S14, and the S13 feels much more raw and sporty. You're right tho, my S14 did have a heavy, floaty feel compared to my 13.